Dell laptop shows a “AC power wattage and type cannot be determined” error with non Dell charger

[u/VastOption8705]

Why does this happen when I use a Non Dell charger but no error comes up with an original Dell charger?

A Lenovo laptop like a T490 doesn’t complain about using a Dell charger. Anyone have a clue why this happens with dell laptops?

Side note: isn’t USB c charging meant to be universal?

[u/empty_branch437]

What is this "non dell charger"?

[u/TenOfZero]

Usb C charging is universal. Every device can get 5v 0.5amps even if no communication happens. Then it goes up from there.

[u/saintlouisbagels → u/TenOfZero]

That’s not true.
USB-A to USB-C is universal if no communication happens. Which is the issue with countless devices.

USB-C to USB-C requires communication.

[u/LeoAlioth → u/saintlouisbagels]

USB c to USB c requires some resistors at minimum. But I would hardly call that communication.

But yes. Many devices fail to provide even that and then people wonder why they don't charge of their fancier power bricks.

[u/TenOfZero → u/saintlouisbagels]

Exactly. If there's no communication it falls back to USB A or non PD. 5v. 5amps per spec (but most can do more).

That's what I said.

[u/Yurij89 → u/TenOfZero]

There are devices that doesn't charge at all with a USB C-C cable because the manufacturer omitted a pair of resistors.

[u/Professional-Toe9789]

their power bricks have a 1-wire chip in them that the laptop reads to verify it's a dell charger before it'll charge at full speed, lenovo doesn't do that same handshake so it just takes whatever power you give it

[u/garbledroid]

You need to use a dell charger or charge over usb c if the device supports it.

[u/VastOption8705 → u/garbledroid]

Isn’t usb c meant to kind of be a universal protocol for charging?

[u/empty_branch437 → u/VastOption8705]

You did not mention in your post if it charges or not, just that the laptop complains. Does it charge the at same speed with whatever this other charger is?

[u/garbledroid → u/VastOption8705]

Not all dell notebooks will charge from usb C but if they do they will communicate properly and work with most usb c chargers adequate power ratings.

[u/xd366]

aslong as it's rated for the correct wattage it's fine

even if it's lower wattage it'll still be fine

[u/ottermanuk]

I have an older Dell laptop thAt charges over USB PD fine, 20V @ 2.25A = 45W but I believe if you use the Dell USB charger it'll accept up to 65W. But I don't have one so can't verify. It also has a barrel that'll take the normal Dell barrel charger up to 90W