The Steam Deck has taken the gaming world by storm with its impressive performance and compact design. Designed for portability, this gaming console is equipped with a powerful battery and supports 45W charging. However, there are certain limitations when it comes to charging the Steam Deck, which can cause users to encounter the “Slow Charger” warning.
In this guide, we will delve into the causes of this warning and provide you with effective solutions to fix slow charger on Steam Deck.
Understanding the Slow Charger Warning on the Steam Deck
Imagine this scenario: you have purchased a Steam Deck and have fully charged it. After an intense gaming session on your couch, you receive a low battery notification, prompting you to connect the charger. In a rush, you grab your standard USB-C charger meant for mobile devices, assuming it will work with the Steam Deck, as it supports any USB Type-C cable. However, upon connecting the charger, you are welcomed with a “Slow Charger” warning on your Steam Deck.
This warning appears when an incompatible, low-power adapter is used to charge the Steam Deck’s battery. The Steam Deck houses a 5,313mAh battery and requires a 45W charger for optimal charging. The charger provided in the box meets this power output requirement since it is a proprietary charger. However, most mobile chargers can only deliver up to 18W or 30W, which is insufficient for the Steam Deck.
When the “Slow Charger” warning pops up, it indicates that the Steam Deck is not receiving an adequate power supply, resulting in slow charging. In some cases, if a charger with a power output below 20W is used, the console may even continue to discharge while connected. To address this issue, let’s explore the solutions to fix the slow charging problem on your Steam Deck.
Potential Solutions to the Slow Charger Warning on Steam Deck
Fix #1: Use a Compatible Charger
The best way to prevent the “slow charger” warning is to use a compatible 45W charger or the official Steam Deck charger. By doing so, you ensure that the handheld console receives the required power for efficient charging, ultimately extending your playtime.
Fix #2: Try Another Charging Cable
Another common cause of the slow charger warning on your Steam Deck could be a faulty USB-C cable. While the Steam Deck supports any compatible 45W charger, a defective cable might impede the transfer of power to the console. Additionally, issues can arise due to imperfect connections between the charging pins and the cable, or a faulty connector. Therefore, it is advisable to try an alternative USB-C cable to charge your Steam Deck.
Fix #3: Consider Charging with a Power Bank
In addition to using a compatible charger, using a power bank can be an excellent option to resolve the “slow charger” warning. As long as you have a compatible power bank with a capacity of at least 20,000mAh and supports charging at over 45W, you can charge your Steam Deck without encountering the warning. A power bank also proves to be a convenient option while traveling.
Fix #4: Restart Your Steam Deck
As a last resort, if you have connected a supported charger or power bank and still receive the “slow charger” warning, a software-related bug might be the culprit. In such cases, a simple restart of your Steam Deck should help resolve the issue.
Final Words
There you have it on how to fix slow charger on Steam Deck. Hopefully, the solutions provided above will help you rectify the problem. Just try each of them and see which one works for you effectively.
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