Hi everyone, I’ve been doing some testing with various GaN chargers (Anker, UGreen) and noticed a common issue where the Framework 13/16 “blinks” or drops to a slow-charging state when a second device is plugged into the brick.
After checking the PD negotiation with a USB-C meter, I found a few reliable ways to keep the connection stable:
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Priority Port: Always use the primary (top-most) port for the laptop. Some bricks will reset all ports if the laptop is in the secondary slot and a phone is added.
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Expansion Card Placement: I’ve found that using the rear slots (closest to the hinge) results in a more stable handshake. The front slots seem slightly more sensitive to the voltage drop that occurs during re-negotiation.
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Sequencing: If you’re charging both a phone and a laptop, try plugging the phone into the brick first, then the laptop. This allows the charger to pre-set its power split (e.g., 65W/30W) before the Framework tries to negotiate its draw, preventing the “Slow Charger” warning.
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BIOS: Ensure you are on the latest BIOS (3.05 for AMD users) as it contains fixes for PD “sink” request loops.
Hardware Note: I’ve had the best luck with the UGreen Nexode Pro 100W (ASIN: B0CMZP4S2N) and the Anker 321 MagGo for mobile backup. They seem to handle the “non-interruptive” power switching much better than older GaNPrime models I’ve tested.
Has anyone else noticed specific port combinations that prevent the screen flicker?