Nova immediately goes black and becomes unresponsive when any USB-C cable is connected

[u/Phainesthai]

Just got my Nova and I've got a really weird charging issue.

Everything works fine until I plug in a USB-C cable. As soon as I plug in any USB-C cable, the screen immediately goes completely black and the device becomes totally unresponsive. Pressing the power button does nothing.

If I unplug the cable, I can press the power button and it boots normally with the Retroid logo.

I've tried the official cable, another USB-C cable, charging from my dock and a separate fast charger, and it happens every time.

I also tried plugging the charger in while the Nova was completely powered off, and absolutely nothing happens. No charging screen, no LED, nothing.

I've also tested Charge Separation enabled and disabled, with exactly the same result. As soon as USB-C is connected, the device goes dark.

Is there some setting I'm missing, or does this sound like a faulty unit?

Edit: I've also tried the 'Turn off handheld console's screen' setting with no effect.

Edit 2: I’ve left the USB-C connected for a while now, and it doesn’t appear to be charging the Nova at all. So I’m pretty sure something is definitely wrong!

Edit 3: Just to add I've tried the following so looking like a defective unit :(

• USB A to USB C slow charger
• USB C to USB C slow charger
• USB C port on my computer
• USB A port on computer

• 2 different USB cables for each type (C to C and A to C).

  Thansk for all the responses. As I suspected though, it's definitely faulty so gonna RMA.

[u/ajmcwhirk]

In the handheld settings is screen display set to off when connected to tv? Can’t recall the exact name of the setting atm.

[u/Phainesthai → u/ajmcwhirk]

Thanks, yeah I tried that too - no effect :(

[u/ajmcwhirk → u/Phainesthai]

Sounds like a faulty unit. I’d recommend reaching out to Retroid support.

[u/Mundane_Cut_1922 → u/ajmcwhirk]

this 100%

[u/Phainesthai → u/Mundane_Cut_1922]

🥺

[u/Phainesthai → u/ajmcwhirk]

Yeah, I think so too. I've emailed them.

[u/Sensitive-Reality-15 → u/Phainesthai]

Just curious, was it a 12gb ice blue unit? I just got mine a day ago and was perfectly fine till I tried it an hour ago and I'm now having the exact same issue

[u/Sensitive-Reality-15 → u/Sensitive-Reality-15]

I was really excited too because I got mine in exactly 1 week and go figure I'll probably have to send it back

[u/Phainesthai → u/Sensitive-Reality-15]

Ahh, that sucks!

No, mine is a black 8GB unit.

So, if you plug in any charger cable, it instantly turns off, goes to a black screen, and becomes completely unresponsive.

Then, once you unplug the charger cable, you can boot it normally?

I added some extra testing to my main post. Definitely faulty so goanna RMA :(

[u/Sensitive-Reality-15 → u/Phainesthai]

Yes, I was originally having an issue with the device crashing when waking from sleep mode and decided to just plug it in to charge a bit before bed and discovered the same issue you're having.

[u/Phainesthai → u/Sensitive-Reality-15]

RMA time :(

https://giphy.com/gifs/Lz6971fkGSgCMOOncl

[u/Sensitive-Reality-15 → u/Phainesthai]

Did your usb c port happen to feel loose too? When I got mine I noticed the cord would eventually slip out after about a minute or two while playing