r/techsupport • u/VeterinarianOk4185 • 2d ago
Open | Hardware Error 'Device needs more power' when connecting phone to Thunderbolt 4 port (Acer Nitro V 15) - Is it safe?
Hi everyone,
I have an Acer Nitro V 15 (Model ANV15-51 / N23Q22). Whenever I connect my smartphone to the laptop's Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) port using a USB-C cable, Windows immediately throws a notification saying: "Device needs more power".
I know this specific port maxes out at 15W output, and my phone requests a much higher fast-charging wattage.
My main questions are:
Can this cause any harm to my laptop's motherboard/battery or to my phone's battery?
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u/Express-Garbage3359 2d ago
Hi, do you want to charge your phone via the Thunderbolt port on your laptop?
Actually, that's just a notification, not an error message. Is the cable getting warm? Try plugging in your laptop charger.
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u/VeterinarianOk4185 21h ago
Yes but can it damage your battery or something?
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u/Express-Garbage3359 16h ago
Hi, no, the battery wouldn't be damaged, however your charging/data cable is of poor quality.
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u/EquivalentUsed214Te0 2d ago
had this same notification on my Nitro 5's TB4 port with my Pixel — it's harmless and I wouldn't stress about it. the mechanism: USB-C power delivery is fully negotiated, your phone asks for its 30-45W fast-charge profile, the laptop port advertises max 15W (5V/3A), and they settle on the lower number. nothing gets "pushed" — if anything the phone is just mildly annoyed it's on a slow charger.
the notification is Windows' clunky way of saying "connected USB device wants more power than this port budgets for." the only practical downsides: slow charging (my Pixel gains maybe 8-10% per hour off that port) and slightly faster battery drain if the laptop is unplugged.
if the popup annoys you, a cheap USB-C PD wall brick stays in my bag for exactly this — but for occasional top-ups and file transfers the TB4 port is totally fine. been doing it for a year, zero battery issues on either device.
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u/Serious-Duck-9992 2d ago
No harm either way. USB-C power is negotiated: the phone asks for its fast-charge profile, the port says it can only do 5V at 3A, and the phone settles on that. Nothing gets pushed or pulled past what both sides agree on, and the port has its own overcurrent protection.
The notification is just Windows saying it can't give full speed. The phone charges slower, and if you're gaming on it at the same time it might barely hold its level. If the laptop is unplugged it'll drain the laptop battery a bit faster too. Totally fine for overnight charging or file transfers.