On most HP laptops, the charging jack sits on a side edge—either a round barrel port or a USB-C socket marked with a lightning bolt.
If you just unboxed a notebook or picked up a secondhand machine, the first question is simple: where do you plug in the charger? HP notebooks use one of two inputs: a classic round “barrel” connector or a modern USB-C port that supports power delivery. Both live on the left or right edge on nearly all models, with a few gaming rigs placing the jack near the back for cable relief.
HP Laptop Power Port Location Guide
Start with a quick scan of both sides. Look for a small round jack with a blue ring inside, or a slim oval USB-C port. The barrel style mates with an HP Smart AC adapter, while the USB-C type needs a power delivery charger with enough wattage. Many Spectre and newer Envy units charge over USB-C; plenty of Pavilion, ProBook, and EliteBook systems still use the barrel jack.
How To Identify Your Connector Type In Seconds
Spot The Barrel Jack
The barrel input is round with a pin at the center. Newer jacks often show a subtle blue ring. If the plug tip on your adapter looks like a tiny cylinder with a hollow center, you’re in the barrel camp.
Spot USB-C Power
USB-C looks like a small oval. If your label near the port shows a tiny lightning icon or “PD,” that port can accept charge. Some models have USB-C for data only. If the icon shows only the trident USB mark, try the barrel jack instead.
Check The Model Page
Flip the notebook and read the product number from the bottom label. Type it on the HP help site to open the manual and the port diagram. The port drawings confirm which connector to use and where it sits alongside HDMI, audio, and networking jacks.
Where You’ll Usually Find The Charging Jack
Left Side On Thin-And-Light Models
Ultraportables often place charging on the left so right-handed mouse use stays clear. Spectre x360 and many Envy machines route power to a USB-C port here.
Right Side On Value And Business Lines
Many Pavilion notebooks, plus a range of EliteBook and ProBook units, keep the barrel jack on the right edge near the hinge. You’ll see a small power plug icon printed beside it.
Rear Corner On Performance Laptops
OMEN gaming models and higher-wattage ZBook units sometimes move the jack toward the back edge. This keeps the thick cable out of your way during gameplay or heavy work. Look near the right rear corner for a barrel input with a bold power glyph.
Match The Charger To The Port
Once you’ve located the jack, double-check the charger style and rating. A barrel jack needs an HP Smart AC adapter with the correct tip size and wattage. USB-C models need a USB-C PD charger that meets or beats the wattage in the manual. A 65 W unit handles many thin systems; workstations can ask for 90 W or more.
For USB-C power delivery behavior on HP devices, see HP’s guide to USB Type-C power delivery. For AC adapter do’s and don’ts, HP also documents using the AC adapter. Both pages include model-level notes and wattage tips.
Quick Steps To Find The Right Port Today
- Scan the left edge. Look for a small round jack with a pin inside or a USB-C oval with a bolt icon.
- Scan the right edge. Repeat the check near the hinge where makers often group power, HDMI, and Ethernet.
- Peek near the back edge on gaming and workstation models. The jack may sit a few centimeters from the corner.
- Check the printed icons. A power bolt or plug symbol marks the correct input. No bolt on USB-C often means data only.
- Verify your charger. Barrel equals HP Smart AC with the right tip size; USB-C needs a PD charger with enough watts.
- Open the manual online. The “getting to know your computer” diagram shows the exact port map for your model.
Barrel Jack Basics Without The Jargon
HP used two main plug diameters over the past decade: 4.5 mm and 7.4 mm. The center pin inside the jack helps the laptop identify the adapter and manage charge speed. If a plug fits loosely or sits crooked, stop and match the correct size before trying again.
Blue Ring, Smart Pin, And Wattage
The blue ring on many jacks is a visual cue. The “smart pin” refers to the tiny center contact the laptop uses to detect the adapter type. A light laptop can sip power from a 45 W brick; gaming gear often needs triple that. Using a lower-watt adapter won’t harm the machine, but it may charge slowly or not at all while you run heavier apps.
USB-C Charging: What The Symbols Mean
USB-C can move power, data, and video. Not every USB-C port accepts charge. If you see a bolt icon or the letters “PD,” that’s the one to use. Thunderbolt ports also accept charge on many models. A basic USB-C port with only the trident logo often skips power input on budget lines.
Cable And Charger Picks
Look for a USB-C PD charger that meets the wattage in your specs. Pair it with a 100 W PD-rated cable. Shorter cables drop less voltage, which helps borderline chargers reach the target wattage.
Model Clues That Speed Up The Search
Spectre And Newer Envy
These lines lean on USB-C for charging, often near the rear corners. Some Spectre x360 models include angled USB-C cutouts that leave room for the cable while you type.
Pavilion, ProBook, And EliteBook
Many units in these families keep a barrel jack by the HDMI port on the right edge. Newer business models add USB-C PD on one side while still offering the barrel input on the other, so either may work.
OMEN And ZBook
High-wattage needs often move the jack toward the back. Expect a sturdy barrel connector and a thicker cable. Some mobile workstations also accept USB-C charge through a side port when docked, yet still include the barrel input for full-power bricks.
When The Port Is There But Charging Fails
If the plug seats firmly but the battery icon stays stuck, try a quick set of checks. Test a wall outlet, reseat both ends of the cable, and inspect the tip for bent parts. Boot to Windows and watch for the charger name under “Batteries” in Device Manager. Update BIOS and power drivers from your model page. If the adapter stays unrecognized, run HP’s battery and adapter tools from the help pages.
Typical HP Families, Connector Types, And Where To Look
The table below summarizes common placements. Models vary by year, so cross-check the manual if yours looks different.
| HP Line | Connector Type | Common Location |
|---|---|---|
| Spectre / Envy (recent) | USB-C PD | Left or right rear corner |
| Pavilion (many trims) | Barrel jack | Right edge near hinge |
| EliteBook / ProBook | Barrel jack or USB-C PD | Right edge; some left USB-C |
| OMEN Gaming | High-watt barrel | Right rear or center back |
| ZBook Mobile Workstation | Barrel; some USB-C PD | Back edge or rear corner |
Safe Plug-In Routine
- Power off heavy apps before the first charge on a new adapter.
- Seat the plug straight in; don’t twist the barrel or rock the USB-C.
- Watch the Windows taskbar battery icon for “plugged in.”
- Touch the adapter after ten minutes. Warm is normal; hot isn’t. Swap if heat builds.
- Route the cable so it doesn’t snag when you stand up.
When You Can Charge From Either Port
Some business models ship with a barrel jack and a USB-C PD port that both accept power. The USB-C path pairs well with docks and travel chargers. The barrel brick may deliver higher wattage for peak loads. If both options exist, keep both chargers handy so you can plug in anywhere.
How To Confirm Port Support From The Manual
Open the online manual for your exact product number and find the ports page. The small symbols matter. A bolt marks power input on USB-C. A plug icon marks the barrel jack. If the guide lists a “USB Type-C port—data only,” use the barrel jack for charging.
Quick Fixes When The Port Feels Loose
A barrel jack that wobbles or clicks can be worn or cracked. Stop using force. Inspect the plug tip for damage, try a known-good adapter, and book a repair if the jack moves inside the chassis. USB-C ports can wear too; try another cable and check for lint packed inside the port.
Final Check
Your HP notebook takes power through either a round barrel jack or a USB-C PD port. Check both sides first, then the rear corner on high-power models. Match the charger style and wattage, watch for the bolt icon on USB-C, and use the barrel input when the spec says “data only.” With those checks done, you’ll be plugged in fast and charging safely. When in doubt, open the manual page for your exact model. Port icons and labels cut guesswork and reduce wrong-plug damage at home.