Sometimes, through no fault of our own, we may lose the charging cable for our laptop and have to make do with a “less than optimal” substitute. If the “replacement” charging cable is from the same company, but is a different wattage, can it cause the laptop to slow down? Today’s SuperUser Q&A post has the answer to a curious reader’s question. Show
Today’s Question & Answer session comes to us courtesy of SuperUser—a subdivision of Stack Exchange, a community-driven grouping of Q&A web sites. Photo courtesy of alistairas (Flickr). The QuestionSuperUser reader user3172050 wants to know if using the wrong power supply can slow their laptop down:
Can using the wrong power supply slow a laptop down? The AnswerSuperUser contributor Maxx Daymon has the answer for us:
Have something to add to the explanation? Sound off in the comments. Want to read more answers from other tech-savvy Stack Exchange users? Check out the full discussion thread here.
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Using a charger with the wrong voltage rating can potentially damage your laptop. This is typically caused by too high voltage. But using a charger with too high current won’t damage your laptop. Using a charger with too low current rating might fry the power supply, but not the laptop. Can you charge a laptop with a different charger?For most Android smartphones, it’s a no-brainer. In laptops, many shapes of connectors are proprietary (Apple says hello!). So, other chargers might not fit properly. While the voltage and polarity should match with the original charger, the amperage (and wattage) should exceed the required value or match it. Can wrong power supply damage laptop?You can damage a laptop using the wrong power supply, but that is unlikely. However, many laptops from the last decade standardized on 19.4V. USB-C laptops also tend to be powered at 20V. In short, your power adapters tend to output the same voltage despite using different tips. Can using the wrong charger damage your battery?Truth: Knockoff chargers could damage your phone’s battery. “The fluctuation of voltage can damage the charger port, and even damage your battery.” In a pinch, an off-brand cord probably won’t do as much damage as a knockoff of the piece that plugs in to the wall or car might. Can I use a 90 watt charger on a 45 watt laptop?Yes, Your laptop has been designed to draw up to a certain amount of power when running at full power. This means that you can quite safely use a charger with a higher wattage (or amps) rating as the laptop will only ever draw the amount of power required at the time. Jul 2, 2019. Are universal chargers bad for laptops?Universal laptop chargers are safe to use, as long as you are using the right charger. You should check your charger’s output voltage, amperage, and wattage. The universal charger may have a wide voltage range, but it’s important, to use the right fit. Can I use a 20v charger on a 19.5 V laptop?It’s best to use charger of same specification and model. 20v can be used for 19v as long as the current rating of 20v is the same or higher but only temporarily. Best to charge the battery and the then unplug and run the laptop, notebook etc on their batteries themselves to ensure the correct input to the circuitory. What happens if you use the wrong power supply?If the current is the same but the voltage is too high, the device will shut itself off. It can run hotter than normal if it doesn’t, which can shorten the life of the device or cause immediate damage. Can I use 5V instead of 3V?There is not such thing (or there should be no such thing) as a 3V USB anything USB is 5V, and always will be. It is a standard that all devices must comply with. This means that you should not be able to find an AC adaptor to 3V with USB, If you do find it, don’t buy it. Can I use a 45w charger instead of a 65W charger for my HP laptop?Hi, Even though it might work. It is never a good idea to use a charger with less Watt as it could not provide enough power, or overheat You can use a higher wattage charger 90W with a 65W system. How do I know if my charger port is damaged?Signs Your Phone’s Charging Port is Damaged or Broken Broken Pins in Phone Charger Port. Similarly, if pins inside the port become broken or bent, correct charging will become impossible. Debris in Phone Charger Port. Charger Cable and Adapter Work With Other Devices. Faulty Phone Charger Adapter. Defective Phone Battery. Can I use different charger?Most of the time—but not always—the charger that came bundled with your phone will fit the bill. As long as you’re using the right cable or the right wireless standard (and it’s difficult not to), you can use just about any charger with your phone. Is the 45W charger worth it?If you need a charger for power-hungry USB-C gadgets, Samsung’s 45W Travel Adapter is an excellent choice. However, the 45W model is overkill for just charging up most smartphones. Samsung’s more affordable 25W model may be a better-fit for Galaxy S21 customers. Is 90w too much for a laptop?Yes, you can use a 90 watt ac adapter, a.k.a power charger, for your 65 watt-compatible laptop. It will actually charge your battery faster. It will be too powerful and burn right through the port and motherboard eventually, frying your laptop. You will need to replace your motherboard which is costly. What happens if you use 65w charger instead of 45W?As long as it is the same voltage and connector type you can use a higher watt adapter. It will charge the battery a bit faster but other than and the size of the brick you will see no difference. The laptop will only draw the current it needs while running. Can I use a universal charger for my HP laptop?They are not. Some chargers have connectors that can only fit the ports of particular HP Models. Others don’t have the required rating to meet the power needs of every HP laptop you own. Can I use a Dell charger on a HP laptop?The Short Answer: Whilst Dell and HP both have laptop chargers with 7.4 x 5.0mm tips and 4.5 x 3.0mm tips and both operate at similar voltages you can not interchange these laptop chargers due to the smart tip technology used. The smart tip communicates with the laptop to ensure that the correct charger is connected. How do I choose a laptop charger?5 Tips for Buying a Laptop Charger Attention to Electrical Specifications. The main thing when buying a new notebook power supply is to be aware of the specifications regarding the power output of the charger. Check the Connector Type. Adapter Format. Compatible Models and USB-C. Reconsider Using the Original Charger. |
