Handheld Gaming PC Not Charging? Here’s How to Fix It

There's nothing worse. You're ready for a lekker session on your Steam Deck, ROG Ally, or Legion Go, but the charging light won't turn on. A dead battery is a gamer's worst nightmare, especially when your handheld gaming PC is not charging despite being plugged in. Don't panic just yet! Before you start worrying about expensive repairs, there are several simple troubleshooting steps you can take to solve common charging issues right here in South Africa.

Logitech F710 Wireless Gaming Gamepad / 2.4GHz Wireless / Broad Game Support / Familiar Button Layout / 940-000142

R849.00In Stock

ASUS ROG Ally Handheld Touchscreen Gaming Console - White / AMD Ryzen™ Z2 Extreme / 16GB LPDDR5X RAM / 512GB NVMe SSD / 7" FHD (1920 x 1080), 120 Hz Refresh Rate, Touch Screen, 100% sRGB(Typical), 500nits(Typical), IPS-Level Panel / AMD Radeon™ Graphics / 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C support (DisplayPort™ / Power Delivery) / 1 x MicroSD Card Reader / 1 x Audio combo jack / Finger Print Sensor / 802.11 ax WiFi 6 Wireless / Bluetooth 5.2 / Windows 11 Home (64bit) / 2-Speaker System with Smart Amplifier Technology / 4-Cell, Li-ion, 60Whr Battery / 1 Year Warranty / 90NV00G1-M000L0

R12999.00In Stock

FORCE GC300 Wireless Gaming Controller - White / 2.4 GHz Wireless, Bluetooth, USB 2.0 (USB-C) / Up to 20 hours (w/o vibration) Battery Life / Compatible Windows 10 & later, Android 8 & later / S10-43G0240-EC4

R599.00In Stock

Xbox Rechargeable Battery + USB-C Cable - SXW-00002

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MSI Claw 8 AI+ A2VM Handheld Touchscreen Gaming Console / Intel Core Ultra 7 258V / 32GB LPDDR5X RAM / 1TB NVMe SSD / 8" FHD+ (1920 x 1200), 120 Hz, Touchscreen Display / Intel® Arc 140V Graphics / 2 x USB Type-C (Supports Thunderbolt 4 / DisplayPort / Power Delivery 3.0) / 1 x Micro SD Card Reader / 1 x Headphone and Microphone combo jack / 1x Fingerprint Reader / Intel® Killer Wi-Fi 7 BE1750 Wireless LAN / Bluetooth 5.4 / Windows 11 Home (64bit) / 2 × 2W Speakers, Hi-Res Audio ready / 6-Cell, 80Whr Battery / 1 Year Warranty / CLAW-8-AI-A2VM-067ZA

R18999.00In Stock

Razer Wolverine V3 Tournament Edition XBOX/PC, 6 Remappable Buttons to Outplay Them All, 1000Hz Polling Rate for Competitive Play on PC, Wired Esports Controller - White / RZ06-05210200-R3M1

R2699.00In Stock

Start with the Basics: Cable and Charger Checks

Before diving into complex fixes, let's cover the most common culprits. It sounds simple, but you'd be surprised how often the solution to a handheld gaming PC not charging is a faulty accessory.

Inspect Your Gear 🔧

1. Check the Wall Socket: Plug another device into the same wall socket to confirm it's working. Eskom load shedding can sometimes trip a plug, so always check the source first.
2. Examine the Cable: Look for any visible damage, kinks, or frays along the entire length of your USB-C cable. A damaged cable can't deliver a stable current.
3. Test the Power Brick: Power bricks (chargers) can fail. If possible, try a different, compatible charger with the correct wattage rating for your device. Using a low-wattage phone charger might not be enough to charge your handheld while it's on.
4. Try a Different Cable/Charger Combo: Isolate the problem by testing your cable with a different brick and your brick with a different cable. This will tell you which component is failing. If you discover a faulty part, you can easily find replacements among our range of quality tech essentials.

Look Closer: Inspect the Charging Port

Steelseries Nimbus+ Gamepad / Apple Gaming Controller / 50 hour Battery Life / Dedicated Navigation Buttons / Built-in Rechargeable Battery / Designed specifically for Apple Gaming / 69089

R1799.00In Stock

MSI Claw 8 AI+ A2VM Handheld Touchscreen Gaming Console / Intel Core Ultra 7 258V / 32GB LPDDR5X RAM / 1TB NVMe SSD / 8" FHD+ (1920 x 1200), 120 Hz, Touchscreen Display / Intel® Arc 140V Graphics / 2 x USB Type-C (Supports Thunderbolt 4 / DisplayPort / Power Delivery 3.0) / 1 x Micro SD Card Reader / 1 x Headphone and Microphone combo jack / 1x Fingerprint Reader / Intel® Killer Wi-Fi 7 BE1750 Wireless LAN / Bluetooth 5.4 / Windows 11 Home (64bit) / 2 × 2W Speakers, Hi-Res Audio ready / 6-Cell, 80Whr Battery / 1 Year Warranty / CLAW-8-AI-A2VM-067ZA

R18999.00In Stock

Razer Wolverine V3 Tournament Edition XBOX/PC, 6 Remappable Buttons to Outplay Them All, 1000Hz Polling Rate for Competitive Play on PC, Wired Esports Controller - Black / RZ06-05210100-R3M1

R2599.00In Stock

Razer Kishi V3 Pro Gaming Controller / Supports Android, iPhone & iPad Mini / Full-Sized Console-Style Controller / Fits Phones and Tablets up to 8” / Razer Sensa HD Immersive Haptics / RZ06-05460100-R3M1

R4199.00In Stock

Razer Wolverine V3 Pro Wireless Gaming Controller: Licensed for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC - 6 Remappable Buttons - Fast Triggers - Customizable Thumbsticks - Wired Tournament Mode - Black / RZ06-05200100-R3M1

R4999.00In Stock

Xbox Rechargeable Battery + USB-C Cable - SXW-00002

R649.00In Stock

If your cables are fine, the next step is to examine the physical USB-C port on your handheld PC. Dust, lint, and other debris can get lodged inside, preventing a solid connection.

Shine a torch into the port. See any fluff? Use a can of compressed air or a wooden toothpick to gently clean it out. Never use metal objects like paperclips or pins, as you could easily short-circuit the port and cause permanent damage. A clean port often solves the most stubborn handheld charging problems.

Troubleshoot the Software and System

Sometimes, the issue isn't physical at all. A software glitch or a system setting can prevent your device from recognising the charger. When your handheld won't charge, a full system reboot should be your next move.

Perform a Full Shutdown

Don't just put it to sleep. Hold down the power button until the shutdown option appears and turn the device completely off. Leave it off for a minute, plug in the charger, and see if the charging indicator appears. If it starts charging, power it back on. This simple cycle can resolve temporary software conflicts. For an even more immersive experience once you're powered up, nothing beats a great gaming headset to pull you into the action.

Microsoft Xbox Wireless Controller - Carbon Black / Hybrid D-Pad / 3.5mm Stereo Headset Jack / Textured Triggers And Bumpers / Compatible for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Android And iOS / QAT-00009

R1599.00In Stock

Razer Kishi V3 Pro XL iPad & Android Tablet Gaming Controller / Full-Sized Console-Style Controller / Fits Phones and Tablets up to 10” / Razer Sensa HD Immersive Haptics / RZ06-05470100-R3M1

R5199.00In Stock

Microsoft Xbox Elite Wireless Controller V2 / Wrap-Around Rubberized Grip / 3.5mm Stereo Headset Jack / Shorter Hair Trigger Locks / Compatible for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Android And iOS / FST-00004

R4999.00In Stock

ASUS ROG Ally Handheld Touchscreen Gaming Console - White / AMD Ryzen™ Z2 Extreme / 16GB LPDDR5X RAM / 512GB NVMe SSD / 7" FHD (1920 x 1080), 120 Hz Refresh Rate, Touch Screen, 100% sRGB(Typical), 500nits(Typical), IPS-Level Panel / AMD Radeon™ Graphics / 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C support (DisplayPort™ / Power Delivery) / 1 x MicroSD Card Reader / 1 x Audio combo jack / Finger Print Sensor / 802.11 ax WiFi 6 Wireless / Bluetooth 5.2 / Windows 11 Home (64bit) / 2-Speaker System with Smart Amplifier Technology / 4-Cell, Li-ion, 60Whr Battery / 1 Year Warranty / 90NV00G1-M000L0

R12999.00In Stock

MSI Claw 8 AI+ A2VM Handheld Touchscreen Gaming Console / Intel Core Ultra 7 258V / 32GB LPDDR5X RAM / 1TB NVMe SSD / 8" FHD+ (1920 x 1200), 120 Hz, Touchscreen Display / Intel® Arc 140V Graphics / 2 x USB Type-C (Supports Thunderbolt 4 / DisplayPort / Power Delivery 3.0) / 1 x Micro SD Card Reader / 1 x Headphone and Microphone combo jack / 1x Fingerprint Reader / Intel® Killer Wi-Fi 7 BE1750 Wireless LAN / Bluetooth 5.4 / Windows 11 Home (64bit) / 2 × 2W Speakers, Hi-Res Audio ready / 6-Cell, 80Whr Battery / 1 Year Warranty / CLAW-8-AI-A2VM-067ZA

R18999.00In Stock

Razer Wolverine V3 Tournament Edition XBOX/PC, 6 Remappable Buttons to Outplay Them All, 1000Hz Polling Rate for Competitive Play on PC, Wired Esports Controller - White / RZ06-05210200-R3M1

R2699.00In Stock

Advanced Hardware Considerations 🤔

If you've tried everything above and your handheld PC is still not charging, the problem might be more serious. It could be a battery that has reached the end of its life or an internal connection issue.

For advanced users comfortable with opening their device, you could check if the battery connector is properly seated on the motherboard. While you're in there, it could be a good opportunity to upgrade your storage with a new SSD for faster load times. However, for most people, this is the point where seeking professional help is the wisest option. Continuing to use a faulty charger or a device with a potential battery issue can be a safety risk.

Know When to Get Help

If your device is still under warranty, contact the manufacturer's support service. Don't attempt to open the device yourself, as this will almost certainly void your warranty. If the warranty has expired, a reputable repair shop can diagnose the issue for you. While you wait for a fix, you can always browse for other essential gaming accessories to complete your setup. A charging problem is frustrating, but with these steps, you have a solid plan to get back in the game.