Last Updated: October 7, 2021 Approved
This article was co-authored by Ralph Childers. Ralph Childers is a master electrician based in the Portland, Oregon area with over 30 years of conducting and teaching electrical work. Ralph received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and holds an Oregon Journeyman Electrical License as well as electrician licenses in Louisiana and Texas.
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Having a power bank with you can be extremely convenient, especially when you are away from a power outlet. Power banks ensure that your devices won't run out of charge. However, in order to charge your devices on the go, your power bank itself has to be charged. Power banks can easily be charged with a laptop or wall socket. Once your power bank is fully charged, you can unplug it and use it again.
Steps
Part 1
Part 1 of 3:Plugging in Your Power Bank
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1Check the LED lights to see when your power bank needs charging. While a power bank can be charged at any time, unnecessary charging may decrease its lifespan. Most power banks have 4 LED lights on the side. The lights will shut off as the battery diminishes. Wait to charge your power bank until only 1 or 2 lights are on.[1] X Research source Go to source
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2Plug your power bank into a wall outlet if possible. Your power bank should have come with a USB cord and wall adapter. Plug the larger end of the USB cord into the wall adapter. Then, plug the smaller end into your power adapter. Leave the power bank to charge.
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3Plug your power bank into a computer or laptop as an alternative. A computer or laptop can also be used to charge a power bank. Connect the smaller end of the USB cord into the power bank. Then, connect the larger end of the USB cord into your computer or laptop's USB drive.
- It will take longer to charge a power bank on a computer than it would with a wall charger.
Part 2
Part 2 of 3:Letting the Power Bank Charge
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1Check your manufacturer's instructions for an estimate of charging time. You should not leave your power bank charging longer than necessary. Your manufacturer's instructions should let you know roughly how long it will take to charge. Most power banks charge within 1-2 hours.[2] X Research source Go to source
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2Disconnect the charger as soon as it's fully charged. Check the charger periodically as it's plugged in. As soon as all the LED lights are on, unplug the charger. Your power banks lights may also blink on and off until its fully charged, at which point it the light will stay lit.[3] X Research source Go to source
- If your LED lights are not working, unplug the charger after the estimated charging time has passed.
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3Check to make sure the power bank charged properly. After charging your power bank, connect one of your electronic devices to the bank using a USB cord. If the power bank charged correctly, the device should begin charging.[4] X Research source Go to source
- If the device didn't charge, try plugging it into a different outlet. If your power bank still won't charge, it may be broken. Contact the manufacturer to see if it can be fixed.
Part 3
Part 3 of 3:Ensuring Efficiency
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1Use a wall socket in most cases. In general, wall sockets will charge a power bank faster than a computer or laptop. Stick to charging your power bank through the wall unless you only have a laptop or computer available.[5] X Research source Go to source
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2Use only the cable that came with the power bank to charge it. The power bank should come with a charging cable with a USB port and a wall adapter. Avoid using a different charging cable that was not designed for the power bank.
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3Avoid overcharging your power bank. Make sure not to leave your power bank plugged in for too long. Charging the bank for hours on end can cause its battery life to decrease. Only charge your power bank as long as necessary for the LED lights to stop blinking.[6] X Research source Go to source
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4Charge your electronic device and power bank simultaneously. While your power bank is charging, plug in any electronic devices you typically charge with your power bank into a wall socket. Charging devices eats up a power bank's battery. If you charge your electronic devices at the same time, you won't have to use the power bank as quickly after it charges. This will increase its battery life.
Expert Q&A
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QuestionIf I don't use the power bank for a while, does the battery run out anyway?Ralph ChildersElectrical ProfessionalExpert AnswerGenerally, power banks will lose charge after not being used for a long period of time.
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QuestionWhy are there lights blinking on my power bank?Ralph ChildersElectrical ProfessionalExpert AnswerThis usually means that the power bank is at the blinking light level of charge. If the third light of 4 lights is blinking it generally means that the power bank is around 75% charged.
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QuestionWhen the battery of power bank is not completely used, can it still be charged safely?Ralph ChildersElectrical ProfessionalExpert AnswerYes, the power bank can be charged if the battery is not dead. It is best to recharge when the battery almost used up.
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QuestionHow many hours can a power bank charge a laptop?Ralph ChildersElectrical ProfessionalExpert AnswerIt depends on the storage capacity of the power bank. The owner's manual should give some indication of capacity.
Video
Tips
- There are many types of power banks you can get depending on what you plan on charging with them. Look for a power bank that best fits your needs when you purchase one.
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References
- //www.easyacc.com/media-center/how-to-know-power-bank-is-fully-charged/
- //www.easyacc.com/media-center/how-to-know-power-bank-is-fully-charged/
- //www.easyacc.com/media-center/how-to-know-power-bank-is-fully-charged/
- //www.easyacc.com/media-center/how-to-know-power-bank-is-fully-charged/
- //www.ebay.com/gds/How-to-Charge-the-Power-Bank-/10000000205273228/g.html
- //www.easyacc.com/media-center/how-to-know-power-bank-is-fully-charged/
About This Article
To charge a power bank, start by plugging the larger end of the USB cord into the wall adapter, and the smaller end into the power adapter. Then, plug your wall adapter into an outlet. Alternatively, charge your power bank by connecting the larger end of the USB cord into your computer or laptops USB drive. Remember to disconnect your power bank as soon its fully charged, since overcharging may reduce the lifespan of the battery. To learn more, including how to use a power bank to increase the battery life of your other devices, read on.
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Reader Success Stories
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Satha Kumar
Feb 17, 2017
"I bought a power bank, and instructions were in Chinese. Even though I can figure it out, wanted to make sure it was in the correct way. Your instructions gave very clear picture in plain English. Really appreciated. I am not a young person, so it is a great help. Really appreciated. Thanks. " -
Chris Riley
Dec 25, 2016
"Great explanation - I wanted to know if it was quicker to charge the powerbank by connecting to a USB on the computer or on the regular charger that comes with the phone and connects to a power outlet - not surprisingly, it is the latter." -
Anonymous
Aug 27, 2018
"I bought a power bank which tells me to charge with USB to laptop/computer. Since reading this article, I learned I can use the USB lead and charge with an outlet, which is faster. Thank you for preserving my laptop." -
Debbie Fox
Jul 14, 2017
"Great article! I received a mobile power box which had the instructions in various languages; however, the English translation was leaving a lot to be desired. So this was helpful in a nice, straightforward manner."Rated this article: -
Joyce Brown
Oct 11, 2019
"I received my power bank as a gift, but did not know how to recharge it. With these instructions and the pictures I've learned how, and I'll be able to carry it with me on our next 'elders' trip we've got planned." -
Bea Tobias
Apr 4, 2017
"The print for the instruction sheet that came with my bank was so small, I could barely read it even with a magnifying glass. I have used wikiHow before, and found the simple and clear write up was great."Rated this article: -
Andrea Baltic
Sep 13, 2017
"I didn't know if I could charge the portable battery charger from a laptop, so it was helpful to find that it's possible, though better to charge from a wall outlet. Fine illustrations, too."Rated this article: -
Tammy Broyles
Jan 18, 2018
"I received a power pack with my new iPod. Never had one before and this one didn't include any instructions. This article provided the exact information I needed. Thank you!"Rated this article: -
Anonymous
Mar 14, 2017
"If charging batteries is basically free, having many batteries can power your house. No electric bill or sustain power while you wait to gather in another way." -
Susan Hunter
Jul 16, 2019
"I got this power bank, and as a senior, I had no idea how to charge it. The pictures helped me learn what the user manual didn't tell me. Thank you so much!"Rated this article: -
Linda Aires
Dec 23, 2019
"My power bank didn't come with any instructions, so I wasn't sure how long it would take to charge it properly. After reading this, now I know. Thanks!" -
Chandra Sekhar Adusumilli
Mar 8, 2017
"Very well explained. Just purchased one power bank online but no instructions were given on how to charge. This cleared all doubts. Thank you." -
Samantha Jayne
Jan 16, 2017
"My brother was having problems charging his power bank, so I sent him this link. It seems to have helped him, so thank you." -
Mary Ford
Dec 18, 2016
"This answered several questions about when, how, and for how long to charge my power bank and my phone. Thank you." -
Diana Turner
Jul 30, 2017
"I got a new power bank but the instructions were in Chinese. Your instructions were great. Thanks for the service!"Rated this article: -
Anesie Ndayishimiye
Sep 29, 2017
"I was not able to charge and use my new power bank. This article helps me to do it. I thank you."Rated this article: -
Nondja Tavares
Jun 13, 2017
"The pictures really helped, they were really clear on instructions, and so was the description."Rated this article: -
Nan Emmer
Jul 31, 2017
"Visuals with directions helped, and color of when charging is occurring and when done."Rated this article: -
Rose Bloom
Jul 29, 2017
"Gives a good amount of info needed for a newbie to understand how to use it. "Rated this article: -
Ejaj Bari
Jun 7, 2017
"I got a clear idea about using a power bank properly. Thanks a lot."Rated this article: -
David Harris
Apr 2, 2017
"This is perfect, even for me who is totally computer illiterate. "Rated this article: -
Geetha Arvind
Oct 15, 2018
"This article answers all my questions. Thank you so much." -
Miguel Machimbarrena
Nov 17, 2017
"Learned that using a wall socket is the way to go!" -
Raaid Saeed
Nov 24, 2017
"It was really helpful to me. Thanks for the help."Rated this article: -
Akansha Jain
Aug 18, 2017
"Told me great info about my power bank."Rated this article: -
Harsha Vardhan
Jun 3, 2017
"This gave me clarity on how to use it."Rated this article: -
Robert Taylor
Mar 28, 2017
"A great deal; I lost my instructions. "Rated this article: -
Shanina Larriquezien
Apr 11, 2017
"I didn't how to charge my power bank." -
Dom Del
Mar 30, 2017
"It was very thoughtful."Rated this article: -
Amanda Khan
Apr 27, 2017
"It was easy to follow."Rated this article: