Undersized Power Adapter Error When Laptop Connected through Certain Docks and Dongles

Summary: The following article provides information about a warning message that appears when turning on a Dell laptop. An undersized error is reported if the Type-C AC adapter is connected through a Type-C dock or adapter. ...

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

On-Screen Warning error Type-C AC adapter error reported when turning Dell laptop on

 

An on-screen error warning about the size of the Type-C AC adapter may appear when turning on your Dell Laptop with an attached dock or dongle. This can happen when connecting the laptops Type-C AC adapter through the Type-C power port on a Dell Type-C dock or dongle. The laptops display the following error message: (The wattage reported may vary depending on the devices connecting to the laptop.)

WARNING: A 57W AC power adapter has been detected, which is less than the
recommended 65W adapter originally shipped.
The battery may not charge.
The system will adjust the performance to match the power available.
Please connect a Dell 65W AC adapter or greater for the best system
performance.
Note: External devices such as Type-C docks and adapters have their own power requirements. Check if plugging your laptops Type-C AC adapter through a peripheral device leaves enough power to also run the laptop. (Subtracting the devices power requirement when connecting your AC adapter through a dock or pass-through device.) This is one reason why a docks AC adapter is often larger in size than is sold with most laptops.

Engineering confirms this is not restricted to, but they confirm it affects the following products:

  • Dell 14 Plus DB14255
  • Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 DB04255
  • Dell 16 Plus DB16255

Cause

Using the laptops or another undersized Type-C AC adapter through a Type-C dongle or dock does not provide enough power to supply the laptop. Not once the devices own power requirements are considered. For example:

The Dell Pro 7-in-1 USB-C Travel Hub (DA310) supports a maximum of 90 W Power Delivery (PD) passthrough.

Table.1: DA130 Type-C Power inputs and outputs
Power Input Power Output
130 W 90 W
90 W 75 W
65 W 50 W
45 W Less than 45 W (No power charging.)

Resolution

The laptop is working as designed. It reports that the power available is insufficient to properly run or charge the laptop when considering the other devices power requirements.

Note: The AC adapters sold with Dell laptops are sized to fully power that device. The AC adapters sold with Dell Type-C docks and dongles are also sized to work with the devices power requirement taken into the equation. To avoid this error message, ensure that the AC adapter is sized to support both the laptop and the peripheral Type-C device. This information is available in the Dell user manuals and technical specifications for Dell products on the support site.

 

Affected Products

Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 DB04255, Dell 14 Plus DB14255, Dell 16 Plus DB16255, Dell Performance Dock – WD19DCS, Dell Dock – WD19S, Dell Thunderbolt Dock – WD19TBS, Dell Pro 7-in-1 USB-C Travel Hub DA310
Article Properties
Article Number: 000339163
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 01 Jul 2025
Version:  1
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