How to Charge Laptop with HDMI Effectively (Step-by-Step)

Many people assume that because HDMI carries power for small devices, it can also charge a laptop. Yet in reality, HDMI behaves very differently from typical charging connectors. So, can you charge a laptop with an HDMI cable?

In this guide, we will break down whether HDMI laptop charging is possible, what specific setups make it almost work, and how to charge laptop with HDMI step by step. You can also find safer, smarter alternatives that guarantee reliable power for any laptop!

Can You Really Charge a Laptop with HDMI?

Charging a laptop through HDMI is possible in a few specific setups, but it helps to know what HDMI can and can’t do. A normal HDMI cable carries only a tiny amount of power, so by itself it won’t charge your laptop. Most laptops also use HDMI-out ports, made for sending video to a screen, not receiving power.

Still, there are ways to make an HDMI-based charging setup work.

1. Special laptops with an HDMI-IN port

One option is using a laptop that has an HDMI-in port and supports power over HDMI. These models are rare today, but if your manual mentions this feature, you may get a slow, steady trickle charge while the HDMI cable is connected.

2. A basic HDMI-to-USB-C adapter

The more practical method is an HDMI adapter that includes a USB-C Power Delivery input. In this setup, you plug HDMI in for video, then connect a USB-C charger to the adapter. The adapter sends video over HDMI and power over USB-C, giving you a clean, single-hub solution for display plus charging.

How to Charge a Laptop with HDMI Using a Special HDMI to USB-C Adapter

Now you know you can use HDMI to charge a laptop. Since laptops with an HDMI-IN port are old and not common anymore, we’ll focus on the more useful method today: charging through a special HDMI to USB-C adapter.

Essential gear check

Before introducing how to charge a laptop with HDMI using this setup, make sure you have the right gear to ensure everything works safely and smoothly.

1. Your laptop supports USB-C charging

First, check that your laptop can take power through USB-C. The easiest way is to look at the manual or the brand’s website. You’re looking for terms like “USB-C PD,” “Power Delivery,” or “Thunderbolt charging.” Many newer laptops from Apple, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and others already support this, so there’s a good chance yours does too.

2. A specific HDMI adapter with a separate PD USB-C input port

Next, you need an adapter made for this job. It should connect to your display by HDMI, connect to your laptop by USB-C, and also have an extra USB-C PD port for power.

Step-by-step instruction

Now, let’s see how to charge a laptop with an HDMI cable using specialised adapters.

Step 1. Plug the USB-C Charger into the Adapter

Start by plugging a USB-C charging cable into the adapter’s PD input port. This is the port made for power, so make sure the cable is firmly connected.

Step 2. Connect to a Power Source

Plug the other end of the USB-C charger into a wall outlet or another trusted power source. This is where the real charging power comes from, since HDMI alone can’t provide enough.

Step 3. Link the HDMI Cable to Your Display

Now connect an HDMI cable from the adapter to your TV, monitor, or projector. The HDMI part is only for video, so your screen will work while power is handled separately.

Step 4. Plug the USB-C Output into Your Laptop

Finally, connect the adapter’s USB-C output to your laptop’s USB-C port. At this point, your laptop should receive power through USB-C and send video through HDMI at the same time. Check the battery icon to confirm that charging has started.

Why HDMI ChargingUsually Doesn’t Work

While using HDMI to charge a laptop can serve as a temporary fix, it doesn’t seem to work in practice. Even in setups with compatible ports or adapters, HDMI delivers very low power and cannot meet the demands of a laptop battery. In many cases, the laptop drains faster than it charges.

On top of that, HDMI lacks the built-in safety protections, for instance, overcurrent or overcharge control that proper chargers provide. For these reasons, HDMI-based charging is unreliable and should only be considered as a last resort.

Safer and Smarter Alternatives: Powered USB-C Hub or Docking Station

While HDMI adapters offer a quick fix, they can be unreliable and slow. For a more robust solution, consider powered USB-C hubs or docking stations that combine charging, HDMI video output, and additional ports in one device.

These are ideal for desk setups, providing fast charging alongside 4K display support and peripherals connectivity. They eliminate cable clutter and ensure consistent power delivery without the risks associated with makeshift HDMI charging.

A great choice is the Anker 556 USB-C Hub, an 8-in-1 expansion powered by USB4 technology with 40 Gbps bandwidth. Compatible with Windows 10 and later, it features a 100W USB-C PD-IN port for efficient laptop charging, an 8K HDMI port, and DisplayPort++ for single or dual displays (up to 8K@30Hz or 4K@60Hz), plus high-speed USB ports and Ethernet. It also comes with a 24-month warranty for added peace of mind.

For more advanced setups, the Anker Prime Docking Station offers 14 versatile ports, including a 140W USB-C upstream port for powering your laptop and two additional 100W USB-C ports for charging other devices. It supports triple-display output through dual HDMI ports and one DisplayPort, with resolutions up to 8K. Additional features include Ethernet, an audio jack, card readers, a smart status display, and an integrated cooling fan for table performance during heavy workloads.

Conclusion

While HDMI cables do carry a small amount of electricity to support signal transmission, they are not designed for the high-power demands of laptop batteries. Only a few hybrid adapters with USB-C ports can make charging possible, and even then, it’s the USB-C connection doing the work, not HDMI.

To charge a laptop with HDMI more effectively, use a USB-C hub or dock with an HDMI port and PD charging. They are far more reliable, offering both power delivery and expanded connectivity. Whether you are frequently on the go or setting up a workstation, consider investing in Anker’s smart, high-performance accessories to keep your laptop powered and productivity flowing.

FAQs

How to charge a laptop without a charger?

If you’re stuck, an HDMI setup can help only in one case: when you use an HDMI-to-USB-C adapter that has a USB-C PD power input. HDMI sends the picture to a screen, and the USB-C side brings power, so you can keep working while charging through that adapter.

For a simple portable option, use a high-wattage power bank (65W or more) with USB-C Power Delivery. You can also borrow a charger from the same brand, as long as the voltage and amperage match your laptop. That keeps charging safe and avoids damage.

Why is my laptop not charging with HDMI?

Because HDMI is not a charging cable. It carries a very small amount of electricity, just enough to move video and audio, not enough to fill a laptop battery.

Another reason is the port type. Almost every laptop has HDMI-OUT, which only sends a picture to a TV or monitor. It cannot take power in through that port. Only a few special devices with HDMI-IN were ever built to accept power, and they’re uncommon now.

Charging may also fail due to poor adapters or loose cables. For a reliable solution, use USB-C charging or a PD-enabled hub instead.

Does HDMI to USB-C provide power?

Some HDMI-to-USB-C adapters with power-delivery (PD) passthrough can supply power, but only when a separate USB-C charger is connected. HDMI itself provides no meaningful charging power.

Standard HDMI-to-USB-C cables won’t work because they aren’t built for power transmission.

Check that your adapter explicitly supports PD and that your laptop’s USB-C port accepts charging before relying on this method.

How to charge a laptop through a monitor?

The simplest method is to use a USB-C monitor that supports Power Delivery (PD). With a single USB-C cable, you can send video to the monitor and receive charging simultaneously.

Some monitors can charge a laptop via HDMI, but this only works if your laptop has an HDMI-IN port, which is rare since most laptops feature HDMI-OUT only.

You can also use an HDMI-to-USB-C adapter with PD input. In this setup, HDMI handles the video signal from the monitor, while the USB-C port supplies power to your laptop through the same adapter.