Can I Use A Lower Wattage Charger For My Laptop?

Most of us tend to misplace our Laptop chargers or forgot to pack them up. In such situations, we might have to use chargers with different power and voltage ratings. However, most of us have not thought about the long-term effects of using chargers with different power wattages.

There are 2 different scenarios-higher wattage charger and a lower wattage one. Using a higher wattage charger is perfectly safe. This is because the Laptop is designed in such a way as there is the maximum power that can be drawn by the system. A higher wattage charger can supply this power easily and hence you won’t run into any issues.

A lower wattage charger is a different issue. It is not ideal to use a lower wattage charger. As a result, we would recommend not to use one at all. What makes charging laptop with lower wattage? Read on to find out more.

What Does Wattage Mean For A Laptop Charger?

Watt is a measure of electrical power that can be delivered. A charger with a rating of 65 Watts means that it can deliver 65 Joules of energy in one second. As a result, the more the number of watts, the faster the charging. Using a 50 Watt charger instead of a 65 Watt charger will take much longer to charge.

What do you Mean by the Voltage of a Charger?

Voltage basically means the stability of the charging speed for a charger. A charger with a voltage of 5 Volts might be delivering 2 Ampere per second but this power will decrease if the voltage reduces. There are also chargers with variable voltages. Such chargers will be able to adjust the voltage to alter the current flow. Chargers with quick charging facilities utilize this feature.

What do you Mean by Amps of a Charger?

The current rating of a charger is the maximum current that it can supply to the Laptop. For example, a laptop charger with a 3 Amp rating can send a maximum current of 3 Amperes. However, it can also deliver a current less than that as well.

Can I Use A Lower Wattage Charger For My Laptop?

Yes, however, it is definitely not a wise option as the performance of the Laptop will be severely affected. Using a 60 Watt charger for Laptops that need 90 Watt would not be effective.

If you are reading some emails or surfing the Web, then it might not be an issue. However, if you are doing something demanding like Rendering videos or Gaming, then the Laptop might shut down.

Also, it takes a much longer time to fully charge the Laptop. As a result, you need to leave it idle for a long period of time. In our opinion, using a lower wattage charger is simply not worth it.

How Many Watts Does A Laptop Charger Use?

The wattage of a laptop charger varies significantly depending on the laptop model. Generally, smaller laptops with less powerful processors require less wattage, while larger, high-performance laptops need more.

Typical Laptop Charger Wattage Ranges:

Basic laptops: 45-60 watts
Mid-range laptops: 65-90 watts
High-performance laptops: 120-240 watts or more (Gaming, Video calling, Content creation)

To determine the exact wattage of your laptop charger:

• Check the charger itself: The wattage is usually printed on the charger’s label.
• Consult the laptop’s user manual: It should specify the required wattage.

It’s important to use a charger with the correct wattage for optimal performance and battery life.

How Does A Laptop Power Supply Operate?

The power requirement of a Laptop varies depending on the purpose. For example, viewing emails is not a demanding task but playing video games might require a lot of power.

A laptop can work with different types of chargers. However, for the best performance, you need to provide the rated charger. After the charger is inserted into the socket, AC power gets converted into DC and then supplied to the motherboard.

Then the motherboard will redistribute the power to the different sections of the Laptop. The power in the battery can be utilized later on when the charger is unplugged.

What Happens If I Use A Lower Wattage Laptop Charger?

Here are the effects and dangers associated with using a lower wattage laptop charger:

Using such a charger might result in a fuse in energy supply and this could in fact damage other elements of the device. The battery life would be diminished and it would start draining rapidly.

Many users have also reported about the adapter and the laptop overheating. Overheating could cause further performance issues and could damage other components.

The voltage regulator is a component in the motherboard that can adjust the voltage to match that of the Laptop. For example, a 19V charger can be used on a 20V laptop without any big issues. However, as the difference increases, this becomes an issue.

Can I Use Lower Wattage Charger Without Damaging My Laptop?

There is only one possible situation where we would recommend using a lower wattage Laptop. This is when your system is fully charged and you want to prevent overheating while conserving the battery.

In most other situations, it is best to avoid using Low wattage charger. Although, for a one-off use they are fine, continuous usage will harm your battery in the long run.

Can I Use A Higher Wattage Charger For My Laptop?

Using a higher wattage charger for your laptop is generally safe. Your laptop will only draw the amount of power it needs, regardless of the charger’s capacity. For instance, if your laptop requires 65 watts and you use a 90-watt charger, it will only consume 65 watts. However, using a significantly lower wattage charger might lead to slow charging or prevent charging altogether.

While using a higher wattage charger is safe, it won’t necessarily charge your laptop faster. The charging speed is determined by the laptop’s internal circuitry, not the charger’s output.

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed this guide about using Lower Wattage Chargers. Many users are unaware of how chargers operate and they continue to use Lower Wattage chargers. This will seriously impact the device in the long run. You can use higher wattage chargers without any issues. For any queries regarding the content, do write to us.

FAQs: Charging Laptop With Lower Wattage

1. What happens if I use the wrong charger for my laptop?

Ans: Using an incorrect charger for your laptop can lead to various issues, including slow charging, overheating, battery damage, or even permanent damage to the laptop. It’s essential to use the charger specifically designed for your laptop model to ensure safe and optimal operation.

2. How do I know what wattage charger I need for my laptop?

Ans: The required wattage for your laptop charger is usually printed on the laptop’s power adapter or mentioned in the user manual. If you cannot find this information, contacting the laptop manufacturer’s customer support can help.

3. Can I use a universal laptop charger?

Ans: While universal laptop chargers exist, they might not be compatible with all laptop models. It’s essential to check the charger’s specifications and compatibility before using it with your laptop. Using an incompatible charger can potentially damage your device.

4. How do I know if my laptop charger is damaged?

Ans: Signs of a damaged laptop charger include overheating, physical damage to the charger cable or plug, inconsistent charging, or a burning smell. If you notice any of these issues, stop using the charger immediately and replace it.

5. What should I do if my laptop charger is not working?

Ans: If your laptop charger is not working, first check the power outlet and ensure the charger is plugged in correctly. If the issue persists, try using the charger with a different device to see if it functions. If the charger is still not working, it might be damaged and needs to be replaced.

6. How can I prolong the life of my laptop charger?

Ans: To extend the lifespan of your laptop charger, avoid bending or twisting the cable excessively, keep it away from heat sources, and unplug it when not in use. Additionally, storing the charger in a cool, dry place can help prevent damage.