Acer Swift 3 SF314-42 USB-C charging?

I have a Swift 3 SF314-42-R9YN laptop (NXHSEAA003), and I'm very happy with it, but I can't find a straight answer about its ability to charge via USB-C. I have tried 2 cable/adapter combos and none of them have charged the laptop; a 65W 20V/3.25A adapter (came with a family member's Lenovo laptop) and a 20W charger that came with my Note 20.

A few things to note:
1. My A/C adapter that came with my laptop is a 65W charger.
2. On Acer's website, this model is listed as being able to charge with a 45W 20V/2.25A charger, but I talked with a customer service specialist and they said the website is incorrect and my laptop is not able to charge via USB-C.
3. Next to the USB-C port on my laptop is the symbol for A/C charging, which would indicate that it is able to charge via USB-C, plus the reviews and advertising for this product indicate that it is possible to charge via USB-C.

Short summary: I've been getting mixed signals on how to charge via USB-C, or if it's even possible, and I would appreciate some clarity before I buy another adapter in case it doesn't work.

Accepted answers

billsey

Specs say: One Type-C port (Full function (USB3.1 Gen2 + DP + PD)). And under the heading "Power delivery for charging" is: 65W (20V/3.25A) USB-C Power Adapter. That seems to imply you can charge the laptop via the USB-C by connecting a charger that provides 65W at 20V. You could also read that as it can provide that much charging for another device via the USB-C port, but if you have 65W going out that port it'd be using everything that available, leaving nothing to run the laptop itself. If they put the DC charging symbol next to the USB-C port, then they expect you to be able to charge via that port.

All comments

billsey

Specs say: One Type-C port (Full function (USB3.1 Gen2 + DP + PD)). And under the heading "Power delivery for charging" is: 65W (20V/3.25A) USB-C Power Adapter. That seems to imply you can charge the laptop via the USB-C by connecting a charger that provides 65W at 20V. You could also read that as it can provide that much charging for another device via the USB-C port, but if you have 65W going out that port it'd be using everything that available, leaving nothing to run the laptop itself. If they put the DC charging symbol next to the USB-C port, then they expect you to be able to charge via that port.

Sunray7589

billsey said:

Specs say: One Type-C port (Full function (USB3.1 Gen2 + DP + PD)). And under the heading "Power delivery for charging" is: 65W (20V/3.25A) USB-C Power Adapter.

That's what I found too after reading the online product user manual. I'm going to trust that over both what the tech support and the website said and purchase a 65W charger. I'll post again if it doesn't work, but if I don't post again then assume that it works (and I'll change this question to 'answered').

Thank you!

wyf88

I wasn't able to find definitive information on this either, but did pull the trigger on purchasing this notebook nonetheless. While it is very picky when it comes to chargers, it definitely does have the ability to charge through USB-C. I am using the notebook in combination with the Lenovo ThinkPiad USB-C Dock generation 2 (40AS0090EU,) and this works perfectly, the laptop is gets its power through USB-C and gets enough power to actually charge (I had read some reports online from people getting a charge, but not enough to actually charge the notebook).

billsey

Very good to know!

Leostat

40w may not be enough for the laptop to charge I'm afraid. USB PD can be very finiky to the input specs / chargers it accepts

kirmgrauza

SF314-42 does charge with 65W or stronger charger via USB-C port. Tested.

Erick-Acer_Retired

Hi all,

The thread is closed since there is a solution, if you still have problems with your computer, I invite you to open a new question or post so that the users of the Acer community can guide you.