Symptoms
- Laptop connects to dock for display/peripherals but doesn't charge
- Dock's power light is on but laptop shows no charging
- Laptop charges fine with the wall charger directly, just not through the dock
- Charging through the dock is much slower than direct charging
Likely causes
- CommonDocking station's power delivery output too low for the laptopSome docks only pass through 45–65W, which may not be enough for higher-power laptops.
- CommonDock's own power adapter not properly connected or underpoweredThe dock itself needs adequate external power to pass through charging.
- PossibleLaptop's USB-C port used doesn't support charging from that dockNot all ports on a laptop are wired to accept charging input.
- PossibleFaulty or incompatible dock/cableSome docks aren't fully compliant with the laptop's charging protocol.
What to do
- Confirm the dock's power adapter is plugged in and providing full power, not running on USB bus power alone.
- Check the dock's specifications for its maximum pass-through charging wattage versus what your laptop needs.
- Try connecting the laptop to a different port on the dock if it has multiple USB-C/Thunderbolt ports.
- Test the laptop with its original charger directly to confirm the laptop itself charges normally.
- Update the dock's firmware if an update is available from the manufacturer.
- If the dock underpowers the laptop, use it for peripherals only and charge the laptop separately.
Tools and parts
- None required
Docking station rated for laptop's full charging wattageSearch: “USB-C dock 90W 100W power delivery pass-through”
When to call a pro
If the dock is rated for enough wattage and still won't charge the laptop, contact the dock manufacturer or have a technician check compatibility.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.