If you lost the original charger or it’s damaged, you can charge your Surface Pro with a USB-C charger, a power bank, or a dock with charging capabilities. Be careful when using a different charger and always make sure it has the right specs.
Keeping your Surface Pro charged is crucial to being able to use it for work, for school, for gaming, or even just for browsing the internet on the go. While the device has good battery life, you will eventually need to charge it up again.
But what if you lost your original charger or it is damaged in one way or another. You might feel like you are out of options, but that is thankfully not the case. This guide is going to go over some of the different ways to charge your Surface Pro without the original charger.
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Key Takeaways
- A USB-C charger is a quick and easy way to charge your newer Surface Pro using any wall outlet.
- If you want to charge on the go without being tethered to a wall, consider charging your device with a portable power bank.
- A dock can add a ton of functionality to your Surface Pro, while charging it at the same time.
- Make sure to be careful when charging your Surface Pro with anything but the included original charger. Always make sure to choose a method that is safe, and a charging device that has the right specs.
Use a USB-C Charger
If you cannot charge your Surface Pro with the original charger, likely the next best thing is using a USB-C wall charger. Today, Surface Pros can not only be charged with the unique Surface Connect charging connector on the device, but also through a USB-C port.
Using this charger is very similar to the original, as you simply plug it into the wall and then put the other end into the USB port on your device. However, it is important to know that not all Surface Pros can be charged through their USB ports.
Only the newer models that have USB-C like the Surface Pro 7, Surface Pro 8, Surface Pro X, and Surface Pro 9 can be charged in this way. Some earlier Surface Pro models have a USB port, but it is only for data transfer and doesn’t have charging capabilities.
Use a Power Bank
Using a power bank is the preferred option of those who want to be able to charge their Surface Pro on the go. These are portable power supplies that are normally as small as a phone or small tablet, and light enough to be tossed into a bag without a problem.
All you need to do is turn the bank on, plug in your device, and let it charge as you go about your day. When choosing a power bank, consider getting one with a capacity of at least 20,000mAh or more to ensure it can fully charge up your device.
Of course, you need to ensure that you have the right cable to go with the power bank. This could be a USB-C cable if you want to charge that way, or you could even pick up a Surface Connect cable and plug that into the power bank.
Use a Docking Station that Charges
Another option for charging your Surface Pro is using a docking station that charges. There are many out there, including the Surface Dock and Surface Dock 2.
A docking station plugs into your wall, sits on your desk, and instantly turns your Surface Pro into a desktop PC, and your device will connect to it via Surface Connect.
In addition to letting you charge your Surface Pro, these docks let you connect to external monitors, get more USB ports, connect to ethernet, and will often even have a port to connect speakers or headphones.
All you need to do is connect your Surface Pro device and it will instantly charge and give you access to everything else plugged into the dock, for a better and more professional experience.
If all you want to do is charge your device, and you don’t need the extra connections and/or functionality, going with a docking station might be overboard and a new wall charger or power bank might be a better option for you.
Choosing the Right Charging Method and Device
While there are many ways to charge your Surface Pro if you lost your original charger or it is damaged, you need to make sure that whatever charger you choose is appropriate. Think about how you like to use your Surface Pro (and where) and get a type of charger that works.
Also, make sure to know the specs of any charging solution you buy. You need to make sure it is compatible with the device you have. For example, the main charger for the Surface Pro 5 or newer is 15 volts.
You need to ensure the charging solution you go with is either 15 volts, or very close to it. Trying to charge the Surface Pro with a charger that is only 5 volt will not be very effective.
In a similar vein, you need to ensure the charger has a total wattage that is sufficient, too. The charger for Surface Pro 7 and newer is 65W, the Surface Pro 5 and 6 is 44W, and the Surface pro 3 and 4 is 36W.
You can have a charger with a higher wattage (as the device will only use what it needs), but trying to charge a brand new Surface Pro 9 with a 35W charger will not provide enough power.
Not only does finding a charger with the right specs ensure your device can charge normally, but it can also protect the device from potential damage.
Final Thoughts
Whether you lost your original charger, or it has become broken, there are several ways to keep your device up and running. Depending on your preferences, you can use a USB-C charger, a power bank, or even a docking station that charges the device.
Is there anything you feel like we missed in this guide that would have been beneficial to include? If so, let us know in a comment below.
