Chromebooks, running on Chrome OS instead of the Windows operating system, are laptops that Google introduced. Many students use Chromebook in their studies and thus need them to be charged all the time.
What if you lose the Chromebook charger or if it gets damaged? Or can you charge a Chromebook with an HDMI cable? This article discusses different options for charging a Chromebook.
Table of Contents
- Is charging a Chromebook with HDMI possible?
- Do Chromebooks have An HDMI port?
- When should I charge the Chromebook with HDMI?
- Ways to charge my Chromebook with HDMI?
- The best way for Chromebook Charging without a charger
- Conclusion
Is charging a Chromebook with HDMI possible?
The response to your query is yes, but only if your device has an HDMI in-port.
You must know that we use HDMI not for charging but for transferring audio/video files from one device to another. However, with some peripheral devices, you can temporarily use your HDMI cable as your laptop charger.
At the same time, you must also know that not all HDMI ports support this charging mode, even with peripheral devices.
Before you know the HDMI charging method for your laptop, you must know that there are two types of HDMI ports: in and out.
HDMI in port receives HD signals while HDMI out fetches HD signals. The latest laptops are embedded with HDMI out ports only to display audio and video files on other monitors. Only a few manufacturers embed HDMI In ports in their laptops.
If your device has HDMI- in port, charging your laptop using your HDMI cable is possible. Plug in HDMI cables on one end to the laptop and another to a device with HDMI out port, and you are good to go.
HDMI port
Do Chromebooks have An HDMI port?
Most Chromebooks have an embedded HDMI port, but it’s for output. Acer, Asus, Google, HP, etc., do not prefer HDMI ports but rather USB ports.
So, if your laptop doesn’t have an HDMI port, you can use a USB cable or external adapter to charge your Chromebook.
HDMI cable plugged into a laptop
When should I charge the Chromebook with HDMI?
Even if your laptop has an HDMI-in port, you must charge it with an HDMI cable, even if it is urgent, for the following reasons.
Firstly, an HDMI cable draws only 5V, whereas a laptop charger can draw up to 100V. So, an HDMI cable will charge your laptop very slowly.
Further, if you connect your laptop to the wrong port, you may face charging issues like short-circuiting two devices. For example, if you connect the HDMI out port of two devices, both will start sending signals which can result in a short circuit.
You must charge your laptop with an HDMI cable if your charger is not working/not available. Also, you can use an HDMI cable if you are in a hurry and are left with only HDMI as an option.
Ways to charge my Chromebook with HDMI?
Here are some possible ways to charge your laptop with HDMI.
If there is an HDMI In port:
As discussed before, if your laptop has an HDMI In port, you can quickly charge your laptop with an HDMI cable.
All you need is a device that has an HDMI out port. Connect your laptop to the device through an HDMI cable; your laptop will start charging.
If there is not an HDMI In port:
In such cases, you can use an HDMI to USB-C adapter.
Most modern laptops are embedded with a USB-Type C IN port which helps transfer data at high speed and supplies high-wattage power to your laptop.
Thus, if you have a USB-Type C cable, you can plug it into your Chromebook and start charging. However, if you only have an HDMI cable, you will need an HDMI to USB-C adapter to help you connect the laptop to the HDMI out port device.
Such an adapter draws voltage from any HDMI out of the source (any other laptop or console) and powers your device through its USB-C port.
You can start charging your laptop as follows:
- Plug in one end of the HDMI cable to the HDMI out port of the device you picked. Connect another end to the adapter’s HDMI port.
- Next, plug your laptop into the USB-C connector of the HDMI to the USB-c adapter.
- Finally, check the battery icon on the system tray of the windows taskbar. If it shows the Plugged-in icon, it means your device is charging.
Using a universal adapter:
Nowadays, you can find universal charging adapters (also called USB HUB) with input and output ports for cables like HDMI, USB-A, USB-B, USB-C, and many more.
A universal charging adapter comes with charging tips for different laptop brands. So, you can easily use an HDMI cable and the charging tip of your laptop brand and start charging your laptop.
Sometimes, you may not find the charging tip of your laptop, and in such cases, you may require a USB-C cable.
Now, follow these steps to power your laptop with HDMI.
- Plug in the adapter’s power cord in the power socket and connect the HDMI cable’s one end to the HDMI out port of any device.
- Insert another end into the Universal adapter’s HDMI-in port.
- Take the applicable charging tip and plug in one end to the adapter and the other to the laptop’s charging point.
- If there is no charging tip, use a USB-C cable. Plug the USB-A end into the respective port on the Universal adapter and another into the laptop’s USB-Type C port.
- Once you make all the required connections, check the battery icon on the windows taskbar to ensure your laptop is charging.
The best way for Chromebook Charging without a charger
Once you are sure the damaged charge causes the problem, you can try the following method to charge Chromebooks.
USB Type-C charging cable with plug adapter
Most Chromebook comes with a type-C USB port, and some have this port as their primary charging point as these ports have fast and reliable charging speeds.
So, if your Chromebook has a Type-C port, get a type-c cable and a plug adapter. Before buying, check whether the adapter is compatible with your laptop’s model and manufacturer.
Now to use this cable and adapter as your charger, follow these steps:
- Click the time button in the bottom right corner and select the settings menu.
- Click on Power and select the USB type-C port as your laptop’s power source.
- Now, plug this type-c charger into the electric socket
- You will have to use a type-c charging cable with a plug adapter
You can also use a type-c charger with a wall plug for a more versatile and feasible solution as being lightweight; it’s convenient during traveling.
Car charger
As cars are powered by electricity, you can use their battery to charge your Chromebook.
You will have to keep your car running while you charge your laptop, and this solution is quite convenient for charging your Chromebook while you are on the go.
You can charge your laptop in two ways with a car:
AC/DC car charger:
Some laptops come with an AC/DC charger, and you can directly plug this charger into the car’s charging port and charge your laptop.
While purchasing such a charger, you must get one compatible with your laptop’s brand and model.
Type-C vehicle charger:
Plug the type-c charger straight into your vehicle’s charging ports. You will also find that some USB type-c chargers have an integrated Type-c cable.
But, if you have a USB cord/cable, you can get type-c vehicle chargers from the market alone.
A Power bank
You can find portable laptop charging power banks in the market, which let you charge your laptop while on the go.
The market is flooded with countless high-tech power bank options for charging laptops and Chromebook; however, you must get one compatible with your laptop.
Chromebooks come with a 5140mAh battery these days, and thus you need a battery bank with a much higher power capacity than this to ensure that you can use a power/battery bank for multiple recharges.
You can buy heavy-duty options, up to 500000mAh power capacity, or look for a lightweight option, up to 25000mAh power capacity, based on your requirements.
Inside of USB charger adapter
Conclusion
Since Chromebooks don’t have an HDMI-in port and the HDMI-out port is getting replaced by the USB, charging with HDMI won’t work.
Use this method only if you are in an emergency. We Cloom is a leading manufacturer of cable assemblies, and wiring harnesses for different applications. Contact our professionals for more information.
