I‘m running Fedora 42 (latest updates as of May 15th 2025) on the latest Framework 13 (AMD Ryzen AI 300) and I‘m experiencing charging issues with an Anker 737 120W USB-PD adaptor.
I‘ve read several threads on what I think is the issue: apparently, the laptop does not go into sink-mode. When I connect to the adaptor using USB-C, the laptop doesn‘t charge. Looking at the power_role, it says source [sink]. So it is capable of receiving power, but it seems to choose not to. I tried overwriting that value, but it won’t let me (Input/output error). Usually, people seem to have this problem with power banks, which makes a lot more sense to me. For a simple adaptor though, I didn’t expect a problem like this.
I‘ve tried power adaptors from Anker that do not have PD and those work fine. Since Anker is a popular brand, I hope this can be fixed. It seems like there is not much I can do about this, but if anyone has any suggestions, I can give it a try or provide further information for debugging.
No, I was mistaken about that. USB is such a confusing standard and the devices are usually badly labelled Maybe the difference lies between PD 3.0 (> 100 W) and PD 3.1 (> 240 W). Or maybe it is something else or a coincidence.
not really … on a lot of Type-C phones you can set the role via the .. ??
Developer options. But the phone is completely different compared to a laptop.
Framework laptop cannot be powered by a adapter that don’t have PD. He probably meant EPR (extended power range).
Which might make sense
I’m in china, so this is a chinese review of the 120. Says it support not the EPR (because it is capped at 20V 5A), but support FCP, SCP, AFC, QC3.0, QC4+, PD3.0 and PPS.
I dont fully understand how/why your thing doesn’t charge from one of those; maybe contact Anker support?
Also try charging other things via the type-c ports on the charger (use C to C cable).
What the cable are you using? Sometimes Anker supplies “140W” cable with their power banks or power adapters that actually has 180W when reading the e-marker information. This might confuse the laptop. Try using a “generic” cable so the laptop should draw 60W normally
My guess is that this problem is caused by both the laptop and the 737 being dual mode devices, and the laptop chooses to try and charge the 737, instead of the other way around.
The laptop EC firmware probably needs some changes, to let the user switch the direction of charge when they wish.
I‘ve looked up the cable and it‘s rated for 100 W, so i assume it should work. It is able to charge my phone and a MacBook, only the Framework has issues. I will try and find a PD 3.1 cable and see if there is any difference.
Also, sorry for the confusion about other adapters, I didn’t realise that USB without PD can only deliver up to 15 W and there are different versions of PD. Now I know
@James3 It looks like that to me, too. However, why would a simple charger (not a power bank) introduce itself as a dual mode device?
I misread your original post. I thought it was a Anker 737 Power Bank instead of the Anker 737 Charger.
A charger should not be a dual mode thing.
The Framework laptop prefers Chargers that are EPR capable but should charge from SPR devices OK.
What the FW13 does with 60W vs 100W PSU is explained quite well here (Both SPR chargers):
In summary, a FW13 has been seen to draw power peaks of 88W, this causes the laptop to top up from the battery during these peaks.
If you use a 100W charger with the FW13, it will dip into the battery less during these peaks.
Also, the FW13 will only ever draw 52W from a 60W charger, and 88W from a 100W charger.
I don’t know why it sets those level limits.
Maybe the difference lies between PD 3.0 (> 100 W) and PD 3.1 (> 240 W). Or maybe it is something else or a coincidence.