Why your USB-C device won’t charge – and what you can do instead

While USB charging is better than the mess of proprietary connectors and protocols that came before it back in the dark ages, it’s still not the utopia the tech industry wants you to believe it is.

Here’s a good example. I have a portable thermal label printer that I’ve found to be just so useful for keeping things organized — it prints really clear labels that are resistant to water, oil, acid, and heat. It’s also powered by a built-in rechargeable battery. It’s a great printer that costs less than $30.

Also: This USB power meter I tested is shockingly accurate – especially for how cheap it is

But I’ve now lost count of the number of times I’ve put it on charge only to find that it’s flat when I need it. So, why?

Why some gadgets don’t charge with USB-C

Well, while the printer might have a USB-C port on it, it doesn’t have the hardware to support USB-C charging protocols. On a more technical level, the manufacturer decided to save a few cents by omitting some basic components (usually just two resistors costing virtually nothing) to support different power inputs. Since USB-C doesn’t supply power without first negotiating what the device needs, no power is delivered.

By contrast, USB-A always delivers a default 5V without any negotiation.

Also: I never leave home without this viral USB-C key ring accessory

The upshot is that while the port looks like every other USB-C port, if you plug in a USB-C cable that’s attached to a USB-C charger, the device won’t charge.

Which is rather annoying.

There is a big giveaway for a device with this limitation, and it’s that it will come supplied with a USB-A to USB-A cable.

There’s another rub. I’ve come across some USB-C chargers that will work with devices like this. They shouldn’t, and are only working because they aren’t compliant with the standards, but they will work.

So, what can you do?

OK, assuming that you don’t have a non-compliant USB-C charger that manages to work even though it shouldn’t, what should you do?

Also: My favorite USB-C accessory of all time got a magnetic upgrade – it’s spoiled me ever since

So, if you have a USB-C device that doesn’t charge from a USB-C charger, don’t throw it away or start to get out the prytool — try a USB-A to USB-C cable!

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