Powered Docks and Hubs May Be Slow To Charge or Do Not Charge Dell Laptops

Summary: The following article provides further information about the charging behavior of Dell and third-party powered docking stations and hubs that use USB Type-C AC adapters.

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.
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Symptoms

Dell and third-party powered docking stations and hub adapters may have issues with charging a connected device or laptop. This can happen when a USB Type-C AC adapter is connected through one of these peripherals to also power the laptop and other connected devices.

The laptop shows an error on boot, a notification about the battery not charging, or that it is charging slowly in the operating system. There are usually one of the following errors:

  • During Boot: 
    You have plugged in a lower wattage power adapter, USB-C charging device,
or power pass-through device.
Your system will continue to work, but may not perform at its peak.
Continue
  • In the operating system:
    A power and battery window appears on the lower right corner of the screen with a slow charger message.
    Power and Battery Message Window 
  • In the operating system:
    A yellow triangle with an exclamation mark is displayed on the laptop's battery status icon.
Note: There is no warning message shown and the laptop remains uncharged when the dock or hub has no charging function.

DA305 and DA310 Product Shots

Affected Dell Platforms:

  • Inspiron and Vostro Laptop family
  • Latitude and XPS Laptop family
  • Precision Mobile workstation family
  • Dell and Dell Pro Laptop family
  • Dell Pro Max Laptop family
  • Dell Multiport Adapter family
  • Dell Travel Hub family
  • Dell USB-C and Thunderbolt Docking Stations
Note: This is applicable to those laptops that use USB-C charging ports and AC adapters. It affects those docks and hubs that connect and supply power to the laptop through a USB-C port.

Cause

These errors are to be expected when an underpowered AC adapter is connected. The AC adapter must be powerful enough to power both the dock or hub and the laptop together. (Including the draw from any other devices connected through the peripheral. If the connected device also requires power from the peripheral and laptop.)

The USB Type-C AC adapters that come with Dell laptops are sized to power that laptop. They are not sized to power additional peripherals and devices. Docks or hubs with the laptops AC adapter connected must take at least 15 W to power itself and its connected devices. The peripheral then passes the remainder through to the laptop.

Resolution

Ensure that the laptops AC adapter is plugged directly to the laptop and not through another device. A lower than expected wattage comes from an AC adapter when using a dock or hub as a bridge between the laptop and the AC adapter. (Most new laptops ship with a 130 W AC adapter. Only 90 W is provided back to the laptop after passing through a dock or hub.)

  • Dell laptop manuals advise the correct sized AC adapter required and connecting that power source directly to the laptop.
  • Dell powered dock, adapter, and hub manuals advise that it is not recommended to connect the laptops power source through them.
  • Search for your Dell Manual
Note: This is the expected behavior under these circumstances. Connecting a larger rated USB Type-C power source works if the power source must be connected through the dock or hub. It must cover the power requirement or load of both your laptop and the peripheral, and its connected devices.

Affected Products

G Series, Dell Laptops, Dell Plus, Dell Pro, Dell Pro Max, Dell Pro Plus, Dell Pro Premium, Inspiron, Latitude, Dell Pro Rugged, Vostro, XPS, XPS Tablets, Mobile Workstations, Dell Pro 4-in-1 USB-C Travel Hub DA225, Dell Pro Max 14 Premium MA14250 , Dell Pro Max 16 Premium MA16250, Dell Pro Max 16 Plus MB16250, Dell Pro Max 18 Plus MB18250, Dell Pro Dock WD25, Dell Pro Thunderbolt 4 Dock WD25TB4, Dell Pro Thunderbolt 5 Dock WD25TB5, Dell Pro Dock WD25Z, Dell 6-in-1 USB-C Multiport Adapter - DA305, Dell Dock WD19, Dell Performance Dock - WD19DC, Dell Performance Dock – WD19DCS, Dell Dock – WD19S, Dell Thunderbolt Dock - WD19TB, Dell Thunderbolt Dock – WD19TBS, Dell Pro 7-in-1 USB-C Travel Hub DA310, Dell Thunderbolt Dock – WD22TB4 ...
Article Properties
Article Number: 000205967
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 16 May 2026
Version:  8
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