How to Charge a Laptop with an HDMI Port without Causing Damage?

If you are looking at this blog, it probably means that your conventional USB laptop charging cable is no longer available, and you are stuck with an HDMI cable at hand. So, does HDMI provide power? Is it possible to charge a laptop computer with its HDMI port? The short answer is yes, provided your laptop has an HDMI-IN port because HDMI cables carry only a small amount of electricity for signal transmission. 

In this article, we'll walk you through the steps on how to charge your laptop with an HDMI cable or adapter, so that you can get to power up your laptop when it’s urgent. Additionally, to equip you with enough information on how to charge your laptop, we will list out other most commonly used methods. 

Things to Know Before Charging a Laptop with HDMI

Before charging your laptop with HDMI, you should keep in mind:

• Onlylaptops with HDMI IN ports are capable of receiving power through HDMI. Make sure that your laptop has an available HDMI IN port since most laptops only have an HDMI OUT port. To check if your laptop can, consult the user manual and look for the “power over HDMI” or “HDMI charging” feature.
• Charging a laptop with HDMI will take much longer than with a power adapter. This is because the power is transferred at a lower rate than a power adapter. (If you are looking for a fast power adapter, Anker 715 Charger is a foldable plug that can charge an iPhone 13 up to 3× faster than with an original 5W charger,. )
• For many modern laptops that have USB-C ports, an HDMI to USB-C adaptermight help you charge your laptop computer via an HDMI port.

How to Charge Laptops with HDMI Step-by-Step?

There are two common ways to charge a laptop using HDMI, let's take a look at how both are implemented.

Charging Laptop with HDMI to HDMI Cable

Check first if your laptop has an HDMI-IN port. Most laptops only have HDMI-OUT ports for audio or video signals, and these ports can not be used for charging, otherwise, damage may result. If your laptops come with HDMI-IN ports, you can try the steps below with an HDMI to HDMI cable.

• Step 1: To charge the laptop, simply connect the HDMI cable to the HDMI-IN port on the laptop and the HDMI-Out port on the power device (g. a TV or DVD).
• Step 2: Check if you see a power symbol in the system tray (on the battery icon). If you hover over the symbol and see "plugged in", this method works.
• Step 3:Once the power is flowing, your laptop should start charging. 

Charging Laptop with an HDMI Adapter

Since most laptops come with a USB-C port nowadays, an HDMI to USB-C adapter can help deliver power over HDMI to a laptop. In this way, you can easily connect a laptop to a power device (like a TV or DVD) by HDMI and charge the laptop via its USB port. Below are the detailed steps:

1. Step 1: Plug the HDMI end of the HDMI cable into the HDMI-OUT port of the applicable power device.
2. Step 2: Plug the other end of the HDMI cable into the HDMI port of the adapter like the Anker 310 USB-C adapterwhich is a common USB-C to HDMI adapter for quick and efficient transfer.
3. Step 3: Connect your laptop using the USB-C connector on the HDMI to USB-C adapter.
4. Step 4:Check the battery icon on the Windows taskbar system tray. If there is a plugged-in icon, your laptop is charging.

Other Alternatives to Charge a Laptop without Its Charger

Here are some reliable methods to charge a laptop without its original charger:

• USB-C Power Delivery

You can use any USB-C power adapter that matches your laptop's power requirements. This method works with most modern laptops that have USB-C ports.

• Universal Laptop Charger

Purchase a multi-tip universal adapter from electronics stores or online retailers. Make sure to check that the voltage and amperage specifications match your laptop's requirements.

• Power Bank

Get a high-capacity power bank specifically designed with laptop charging capability. Verify that the power bank provides sufficient wattage to charge your laptop effectively.

• Car Charger

Purchase a car power inverter or a dedicated laptop car charger for mobile charging. You can easily connect it to your vehicle's 12V outlet (cigarette lighter port).

• Borrow Similar Charger

Look for a charger from the same manufacturer with matching specifications as your original charger.

Conclusion

Using an HDMI cable to charge a laptop is not quite common in our lives. However, it may be a great solution when you don't have a charger. Before attempting this method, make sure your laptop has an HDMI-In port or that you have the correct equipment like HDMI to USB cables or adapters.

FAQ about How to Charge Laptop with HDMI

Can HDMI Cable be Used for Charging?

Yes, but it only works if your device has an HDMI-IN port. Actually, HDMI charging is not a good option. It's designed mainly to share multimedia, and its voltage levels are too low which would mean a painfully slow charge or worse - damaging your laptop’s battery. So only use the HDMI cable for charging when it’s absolutely necessary.

Can a Laptop be Charged through the USB Port?

Yes, it is possible to charge a laptop through the USB port. First, lots of laptops today provide a charger with a USB-C port for charging. So USB charging is more and more familiar to people today. However, for old laptops without USB-C ports, you can usually charge with a USB-A port but it may be not as efficient as using the standard wall charger.

How Can I Charge My Dead Laptop Without a Charger?

You can try the following ways to charge it If you do not have access to a charger:

1. Use a power bank or portable power station.
2. Connect the laptop to a universal power adapter to charge.
3. Charge your laptop from the car with USB cables.
4. Charge your laptop with HDMI cables (only if your laptop has an HDMI-IN port).