Answer

USB Type-C Power Delivery (PD) technology allows a portable power bank or a PD wall adapter to supply supplemental or replacement charging power to an MSI notebook away from the notebook's original power adapter. Not every PD power bank or PD adapter is compatible with every notebook's power requirements, however — using one with insufficient rated wattage, or an unrated USB Type-C cable, can result in charging failures or repeated connect/disconnect cycling. Refer to this article before purchasing a PD power bank or PD adapter, or if a power source already owned fails to charge the notebook reliably.

This article applies to MSI notebooks that support USB Type-C Power Delivery (PD) charging.

 

Check the Required PD Wattage for Your Notebook

1. Visit the MSI official website.

2. Search for your notebook model and open its product specification page.

3. Check the notebook's Manual for the exact wattage supported by that PD protocol version.

 

Choose a Compatible PD Power Bank /  PD Adapter

1. In general use, choose a certified PD power bank / PD adapter rated at or above your notebook's maximum supported PD input wattage. Power banks / PD adapter with certified safety compliance or built-in charge protection are recommended

2.  For MSI notebooks that ship with a power adapter rated above 100W (for example, 150W, 180W, 280W, or 330W), choose a PD power bank rated at 100W or higher to serve as an effective backup power source.

 

Why an Underpowered Power Bank Can Cause Charging Problems

1. A power bank's or PD adapter's labeled maximum output wattage is not always what it delivers in practice. Actual output can fall below the labeled wattage due to:

- Multiple devices connected to the power bank or adapter at the same time, which splits its total output across ports.

- Battery aging in the power bank itself.

- Low remaining battery level in the power bank.

- High-temperature protection reducing output.

2. When the actual available output cannot meet the notebook's requirement, one of the following issues typically occurs:

- Unable to charge — the PD protocol handshake between the notebook and the power source fails, and charging is automatically aborted.

- Frequent toggling — the connection repeatedly cycles between a successful handshake and a failed one. This not only fails to charge the notebook effectively, but also accelerates wear on the power bank or charger, shortening its lifespan.

Recommendation: Prioritize using the notebook's original power adapter when available. If using a PD power bank or PD adapter, choose one with sufficient rated wattage on a single port, and confirm the USB Type-C cable is rated to support that wattage, rather than relying on a shared multi-port total or an unrated cable.

 

 

Common Questions (Q&A)

What actually happens during a “PD handshake”, and why does it matter?

When a notebook connects to a PD power source, the two devices communicate to negotiate a supported voltage and current combination before charging begins. If the power bank cannot reliably supply the negotiated power level, this handshake can fail or repeat, resulting in no charging or the frequent toggling behavior described in this article.

 

Why does a power bank or adapter rated at, for example, 100W sometimes fail to deliver 100W in practice?

The wattage printed on a power bank or adapter is a maximum rated figure achieved under ideal conditions. Actual delivered wattage can be lower due to multiple connected devices sharing the total output, thermal protection reducing output under heavy or prolonged use, an underrated USB Type-C cable, and — for power banks specifically — the unit's own battery aging or a low remaining charge level.

 

How do I know if the power bank or adapter is causing a charging problem rather than the notebook itself?

Try charging the notebook with its original power adapter. If it charges normally with the original adapter but shows the “unable to charge” or “frequent toggling” behavior only with the power bank or third-party adapter, that power source's actual output — or the cable being used with it — is likely insufficient for the notebook's requirement.

 

Related Topic:

[Product Information] USB Type-C Port