How to Charge a Laptop Battery Without a Charger

Last Updated: January 25, 2022

Is your laptop charger lost or broken? Buying a new charger can be pretty expensive, and you might need a more immediate solution. Luckily, there are a few other things you can try to power your laptop. This wikiHow article will teach you how to recharge your laptop without using its original charger.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Using a USB-C Cable

1
Check your laptop for compatible hardware. If your laptop normally charges through a USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 port, you can use this method. These are small, ovular ports which can generally be found along the sides of your laptop.
2
Find a USB-C charger. Many other electronics charge via USB-C, so check your other devices to see if you can use one of their chargers.^{[1]
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3
Connect the cable to your computer and a power source. Your computer should now start charging!
- Depending on the wattage of the charger you are using, your computer might charge a little slower than usual, but most USB-C chargers should be able to keep up with your computer’s power demands.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Using a Portable Power Bank

1
Purchase a portable power bank. Portable power banks are essentially batteries that can charge a variety of electronics. You can buy one online, at an electronics store, or at general merchandise retailers like Walmart, Target, and more.
2
Ensure your power bank is compatible with your laptop. While some laptops may be able to charge using a USB-A power bank, most will require a power bank with USB-C, AC, or DC output.^{[2]
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- USB-A ports are rectangular and often have a three-pronged symbol next to them.
- USB-C ports are small and ovular.
- AC ports look the same as the outlets you find in the walls of buildings.
- DC ports are small and circular with a single prong in the middle.
3
Turn your power bank on. Power banks will require you to push a power button so the battery does not waste power through constant output. The power button will often have small LEDs or a power symbol that lights up to indicate that the power bank is on.
4
Connect your power bank to your laptop. Many USB-C power banks come with USB-C cables which you can use to connect the supply to your laptop. Alternatively, you may be able to use an adapter to begin charging your computer.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Using a Universal Power Adapter

1
Check the hardware of your laptop. A universal power adapter is a charger that comes with tips of different sizes and can supply different amounts of power based on the computer it is charging. While the adapter is meant to be “universal”, many newer laptops such as those that charge through USB-C will not be supported.
- Generally, universal power adapters tend to work with Windows computers that have circular charging ports.
2
Purchase a universal power adapter. When purchasing a universal adapter, be sure to check the reviews to see if it is safe for use. Cheap or faulty equipment can damage your laptop, so it might be worth buying a slightly more expensive product to ensure your computer’s safety.
- While it is generally safe to use a high quality third party power adapter for your laptop, it is always safest to use a charger from the manufacturer, so consider using the included charger if possible.
3
Plug the adapter into a power source. Most universal power adapters will simply connect to AC outlets like the wall outlets in most houses.
4
Choose the correct adapter tip for your laptop. The universal adapter includes a variety of different tips. Be sure to choose the correct tip for your laptop, otherwise your computer may not charge well, or worse, it may be damaged.^{[3]
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5
Connect the adapter to your laptop. Your laptop battery should start gaining power!

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Using Your Car

1
Check the hardware of your laptop and your car. Many cars will have large, circular car outlets or rectangular USB-A ports, while newer cars might have the smaller, ovular USB-C ports or AC outlets (the same outlets found in the walls of buildings).
2
Purchase an adapter or charger for your car if necessary. If your car does not have an outlet or port that works with your laptop, you will need an adapter and a charger to charge your laptop.
- You could also use a power inverter, but they are much clunkier and can be significantly more expensive than an adapter.
3
Start your car. To use the outlets and ports in your car, the car must be running.
4
Plug your laptop in. Your laptop should now begin charging!