I've been going through roughly 60W USB-C chargers for my Chromebook and phone, and many stop working properly after only a few days or a week. Eventually I have to wiggle the connector to make charging work. I usually try to take care of my chargers, but the outlets are near my pillow, so I sometimes lie on the cable or accidentally yank it out while sleeping. Even chargers that aren't obviously pulled out sometimes fail suddenly.
Are there reliable USB-C chargers that can handle regular Chromebook and phone use? I've noticed that Nintendo Switch chargers seem durable, but they don't always work well with other devices. My Chromebook was purchased used and has poor battery life, so I'm also wondering whether the Chromebook or its USB-C port could be damaging the chargers.
4 Answers
The charging setup is probably putting a lot of stress on the cables. If the connector gets yanked out or you sleep on the cable, even an expensive charger can fail. Try charging on a hard desk or another location where the cable has slack and cannot be trapped. A braided cable with a 90-degree connector may reduce strain.
Consider a charger with a detachable, replaceable USB-C cable instead of one with a permanently attached lead. That way, if the cable gets damaged, you only replace the cable. Make sure the replacement supports the required wattage and USB-C Power Delivery standards.
Buying very cheap generic chargers can end up costing more than buying one good charger once. A reputable 65W USB-C Power Delivery charger paired with a quality cable is a better choice. Anker is one commonly recommended brand, and Dell’s genuine 65W USB-C laptop chargers can also be reliable.
Anker and UGREEN generally make dependable chargers, but replacing the charger may not solve the problem if the Chromebook’s USB-C port, battery, or charging circuitry is faulty. Since the Chromebook is used and already has poor battery life, have the device and port inspected. Also check whether the cables are the part failing rather than the wall adapter.
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