This article explains how to charge your Chromebook without its original AC charge cable. If you have misplaced, forgotten, or damaged your original power cord, or if the charging port itself is damaged, there are still ways to power up.

What to Know

  • To charge via USB-C, go to Time > Settings > Power. Choose USB-C by Power Source.Some Chromebooks come with a car charger. If your Chromebook has a compatible car charger, it’s a great option.

Charge Your Chromebook Using USB Type-C Cable

If your Chromebook has a USB Type-C port, you may be able to charge your Chromebook using that as well. There are a few caveats to this. If you want to use the Chromebook while it charges, you’ll need a charger that supports USB PD (USB Power Delivery). If USB Type-C power is an option, you’ll find that option in Settings.

  • Click the Time > Settings, denoted by the gear symbol.
  • Click Power.
  • Next to Power source, click the USB-C port from which you would like to receive power.

Low Power Options

Other chargers, such as portable battery packs or phone chargers will charge your Chromebook, but very, very slowly. In fact, if you were to use the Chromebook while it was connected, the battery would still drain. In a pinch, you can also use your phone to charge your Chromebook. If you have a phone that supports two-way power delivery, and if your Chromebook has a USB type-C port, your phone can deliver power to your Chromebook. You would set it up the same way as above.

Click the Time > Settings, denoted by the gear symbol.

Click Power.

Next to Power source, click the USB-C port from which you would like to receive power.

If your power setting does not include this option, charging via USB type-C will not be possible and you will not be given the option to select the USB Type-C port.

The same restrictions apply—it would be a trickle charge. Your USB Type-C port needs to be able to accept power. Plus, your phone’s battery is significantly smaller than your Chromebooks, so your phone will run out of power much quicker than your Chromebook. It’s not a great solution, but it might just get you a few extra precious minutes of uptime.

Know Your Battery Situation

Click the time in the bottom right corner. Right next to the date, you’ll see a readout of your current battery power. This will show you how much battery life and approximately how much time you have before the Chromebook will die.

How to Charge Your Chromebook With Your Car Charger

Some Chromebooks ship with both an AC power cord and a DC power cord for the car. If your Chromebook shipped with an air/car charger, you can use that to charge your Chromebook. The obvious disadvantage here is this requires being in your car to use, which is not ideal. But it will keep your Chromebook up and running while you wait for a replacement cable.

  • Why won’t my Chromebook charge?
  • If your Chromebook’s battery won’t charge, make sure all cables are plugged in all the way on both the Chromebook and in the outlet, and test the outlet to make sure it’s supplying power. If it still won’t charge, unplug the charger from the Chromebook and the outlet, then plug it back in. And if it still won’t charge, perform a hard reset.
  • How do I Powerwash my Chromebook?
  • To Powerwash your Chromebook, open the Chrome web browser and open the three dots menu > Settings > scroll down and select Advanced. Scroll down again to Reset settings and select Powerwash > Restart.
  • How do I restart a Chromebook without a power button?
  • Not all Chromebooks have an obvious power button on the keyboard, but in those instances they should have a less obvious power button along one side and close to one of the corners. If the power button isn’t working, or the Chromebook doesn’t have an identifiable power button, plug it into its charger while closed and then open it.

If your Chromebook’s battery won’t charge, make sure all cables are plugged in all the way on both the Chromebook and in the outlet, and test the outlet to make sure it’s supplying power. If it still won’t charge, unplug the charger from the Chromebook and the outlet, then plug it back in. And if it still won’t charge, perform a hard reset.

To Powerwash your Chromebook, open the Chrome web browser and open the three dots menu > Settings > scroll down and select Advanced. Scroll down again to Reset settings and select Powerwash > Restart.

Not all Chromebooks have an obvious power button on the keyboard, but in those instances they should have a less obvious power button along one side and close to one of the corners. If the power button isn’t working, or the Chromebook doesn’t have an identifiable power button, plug it into its charger while closed and then open it.

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