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Smallest ATX Cases for Best Compact PC Builds in 2023

Published

2 weeks ago

January 19, 2023

Smallest ATX Cases for Best Compact PC Builds in 2023

So you have decided on the main components that will go into your PC. And it’s now time to grab the best case that will house your system. Yet, you don’t seem to find your ideal fit because you want the smallest ATX case you can get.

We’ve compiled the best compact cases that fit ATX components without compromising on performance. We have also added bonus tips on the key aspects you need to consider before settling on your ideal small form factor ATX case.

With PC parts getting even smaller, going small on the case makes a lot of sense. You will build a PC that can fit even in the tightest of places, but still powerful enough to give you some 4K VR gaming. Or serve as your productivity powerhouse without taking up all the space on your office desk.

Table of Contents

Best Smallest ATX Cases

Case Name	Weight	Dimension
Corsair Carbide Air 540	16.3 pounds	16.3 x 13.1 x 18 inches	Check Price
Cooler Master Q500L	8.4 pounds	15.2 x 9.1 x 15 inches	Check Price
Lian Li O11-Dynamic-Mini	18.73 pounds	16.5 x 10.6 x 14.96 inches	Check Price
Cooler Master HAF XB EVO	18.1 pounds	17.4 x 13 x 16.7 inches	Check Price
NZXT H510	17.6 pounds	16.85 x 8.27 x 18.11 inches	Check Price
SilverStone Grandia GD09	9.26 pounds	17.32 x 14.09 x 6.69	Check Price
Corsair Carbide Series 175R	13.45 pounds	16.46 x 8.27 x 17.72 inches	Check Price
Thermaltake Core G3	9.3 pounds	17.9 x 14.6 x 5.5 inches	Check Price
Fractal Design Meshify C	14.33 pounds	8.35 x 17.32 x 15.55 inches	Check Price
Rosewill Challenger S	11.24 pounds	17.52 x 8.26 x 16.06 inches	Check Price
Corsair iCue 220T	14.33 pounds	15.55 x 8.27 x 17.72 inches	Check Price

1. Corsair Carbide Air 540 – Best overall compact ATX Case

Corsair is reputed for designing superior PC products. The Carbide Air 540 compact PC case is one of their best PC cases designed for smaller, neat builds.

It employs a dual-chamber in a cube design. With the drives and PSU on the back chamber, and the motherboard, CPU, GPU, and memory on the main chamber.

The result is a system that runs cool due to the direct airflow hitting the main chamber components. It suits anyone looking to overclock their system and push them to the limits.

Key Features:

Supports E-ATX, ATX, mATX, and Mini-ITX.
Up to 6 x 120mm or 5 x 140mm case fans.
Features 4 x 2.5”, 2 x 3.5”, and 2 x 5.25” drive bays.
3 pre-installed 140mm Corsair Air Series AF140L intake and exhaust fans.
Maximum: GPU length 320mm, CPU cooler height 170mm, and standard ATX PSU length 250mm.
Comes with a front dust filter to keep the build clean.
An edge-to-edge tinted flush-mount side window (Acrylic).
8 PCI-E slots.
Front I/O with USB 3.0 x 2 and Audio In/Out ports.

This case offers tons of room to expand your build with high-performance coolers. You can slot in a 360mm liquid cooler on the front panel or a 280mm top radiator.Pros:

Runs quiet.
A steel-made cube design that is spacious.
Outstanding cooling capabilities.
Tool-free PCI-E and storage drive installation.
Easy cable management with routing channels.

Cons:

A little bit pricey for budget PC builders.
Only comes pre-equipped with the front dust filter.

BOTTOM LINE: It stands out as the best compact atx case. Thanks to its superb design with high-performance air cooling and a spacious interior for expansion.

Check Prices

2. Cooler Master Q500L – Best High Airflow

The Cooler Master Q500L is the successor to last year’s Q300L, which is a stellar Micro ATX case. The Q500L is only slightly larger, but adds ATX motherboard compatibility! Combined with the airflow-optimized front and top panels, the huge side panel window, and plenty of fan mounts, this is easily one of our top picks for smallest ATX case.

Key Features:

Supports ATX, Micro-ATX, and Mini-ITX.
Made of high-quality steel and polymer with mesh front bezel.
Maximum: GPU length 334mm, CPU cooler height 180mm, and PSU length 180mm.
Packs 2 x 3.5”/2.5” internal drive bay plus 2 x 3.5”/2.5” and 2 x 5.25” external drive bays.
Supports up to 4 fans: a 200mm at the top, 2 x 120mm in the front, and a 120mm rear fan.
7 PCI-E for expansion.
Front I/O with USB 3.0 x 2 and Audio In/Out.
Two Top-Panel designs: windowed for showing off or meshed for a superior cooling.

The case comes with two pre-installed durable XtraFlo fans in the front. It can also support a 240mm radiator for powerful airflow to keep your system running cool.Pros:

Fairly cheap
ATX motherboard support on what used to be an mATX case
Detachable dust filters
Strong airflow
Adjustable side panel I/O.

Cons:

Only one fan included.

Bottom line

The Q500L isn’t just one of the smallest ATX cases- it’s one of the best, too.

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3. Lian Li O11-Dynamic-Mini – Latest Small ATX Case

The Lian Li O11 Dynamic Mini is a beautiful small form factor chassis that is a smaller version of the original PC-O11 Dynamic. And Lian Li hasn’t cut corners in making the O11-Dynamic Mini more compact. In fact, you could actually fit an ATX board in the O11-D Mini.

Also for a small case, the O11-D Mini has excellent cable management and thermal regulation. You can install up to nine 120mm fans or six 140mm fans and even customize the case a little to support water cooling.

There are very few things that might draw builders away from the O11-D Mini. One such thing is the lack of support for a typical ATX PSU. This is understandable given the SFF of the chassis. The O11-Dynamic Mini supports SFX or SFX-L PSUs.

Key Features:

Supports E-ATX (under 280mm width), ATX, mATX, and Mini-ITX
Up to 3 x 120mm or 2 x 140mm case fans on top, 2 x 120mm or 2 x140mm fans on the side, 3 x 120mm or 2 x 140mm fans at the bottom and 1 x 120mm fan in the rear.
Supports 2 x 2.5”/3.5” SSD/HDD (back), and 2 x 2.5” SSD (Right).
Maximum: GPU length 395mm, CPU cooler height 172mm, and SFX or SFX-L PSU.
Comes with four dust filters (1 x Top, 1 x Bottom and 2 x Side) to keep the build clean.
Supports 7 horizontal PCI expansions.
I/O Ports: 2 x USB 3.0, 1 x USB 3.1 Type-C, 1 x HD Audio.

Pros:

A small form factor Computer Case that is perfect for ITX, but also supports ATX
Gives the builder plenty of room to play around creatively
Shows an overall good thermal performance
Supports water cooling
Cable management is great
Price is reasonable

Cons:

Front I/O panel is a bit slow
Does not come with any built-in fans
Bottom air filter is ugly
For something with ‘Mini’ in its name, it isn’t exactly petite

Bottom Line:

For a small case, the O11-Dynamic-Mini does not cut corners. It can support full-sized ATX motherboards, 3.5-inch hard drives and even a water cooler, all with excellent cable management.

Check Prices

4. Cooler Master HAF XB EVO – Best for LAN Party

Like its name suggests, the Cooler Master HAF XB EVO is excellent at regulating the thermal levels of any high-end PC.

With support for plenty of fans, a 240mm radiator at the front and a 120mm radiator in the rear, the HAF XB offers excellent air flow capability. It even comes with two pre-installed 120mm XtraFlo fans. You can remove the side panels to further improve the ventilation.

There are four dust panels that help prevent the accumulation of dust. This makes maintenance much easier.

One of the coolest features of the HAF XB EVO is the removable motherboard tray. This is ideal for enthusiasts who want to test their rigs on the bench. The hard drive trays are also tool-less and removable. This gives the HAF XB more flexibility. It also comes with rigid side handles that make it a very portable pc case.

With this case, builders will be paying for a top-class case. Thermal regulation is suitable for any high-end PC and there’s plenty of room for customization. But assembling it can be a bit tiresome and it isn’t the most compact PC case.

Key Features:

Supports ATX, mATX, and Mini-ITX.
Supports 1 x 200mm fan on Top, 2 x 120mm or 2 x 140mm fans at the front and 1 x 120mm or 2 x 80mm fans in the rear.
Comes with two 120mm XtraFlo fans pre-installed at the front.
Features 4 x 2.5”/3.5” and 2 x 5.25” bays.
Maximum: GPU length 334mm, CPU cooler height 180mm, and standard ATX PSU length 180mm.
Comes with four dust filters (1 x Top, 1 x Bottom and 2 x Side) to keep the build clean.
Has 7 PCI expansion slots.
Front I/O Panel: 2 x USB 3.0, HD Audio In & Out.

Pros:

Extraordinary airflow with ventilation from all sides
Has a removable motherboard tray
Sturdy design that promises durability
Has plenty of room for creative customization and large hardware
Drive trays are tool-less and easy to insert

Cons:

Can be difficult to assemble
Top only supports a 200mm fan (and does not support standard 120/140mm fans)
Can take quite a bit of space
Is a bit on expensive side

Bottom Line:

The Cooler Master HAF XB EVO offers one of the best ventilation systems in the market. Its sturdy design, wide customization/expandability options and portability make it a perfect choice for a gamer.

Check Prices

5. NZXT H510 – Best for quick and easy pc builds

The NZXT H510 (and its i-series counterpart) is the successor to the last-gen NZXT H500 chassis. Like before, it has utterly stellar build quality, cable management, and minimalist aesthetics.

Key Features:

Motherboard Support: Up to ATX
GPU Length: Up to 381 mm
CPU Cooler Height: Up to 165 mm
Fans Preinstalled: 2 120mm fans included for intake and exhaust
Fan Slots Available: 2 120/140 mm slots on front, 1 120/140 mm slot on top, 1 120mm slot on rear
Side Panel Window: Tempered Glass
PSU Size Support: Standard ATX PSU
I/O Ports: 1 USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C port, 1 USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A
Extras: Extra color options, RGB lighting with -i version

Pretty much everything you need is here. If you’re wanting for more the -i version adds RGB to the mix.Pros:

Compact size for a full ATX chassis
Support for custom loop liquid cooling
Updated I/O ports with USB Type-C
PSU basement for cable management

Cons:

High price- especially if you opt for the -i Series version

Bottom Line
The NZXT H510 is one of the most gorgeous and flexible ATX cases on the market, with a smaller-than-most footprint to boot.

Check Prices

6. SilverStone Grandia GD09 – Best for ATX HTPC Builds

The SilverStone Grandia GD09 is built for the ultimate Home Theater PC (HTPC) experience, and its form factor shows it.

Key Features:

Motherboard Support: SCI-CEB, Micro ATX, and ATX
GPU Length: Up to 309 mm
CPU Cooler Height: Up to 138 mm
Fans Preinstalled: 1 120 mm intake fan on the right
Fan Slots Available: Up to 3 120 mm fans
Side Panel Window: N/A
PSU Size Support: Up to 140 mm (standard ATX)
I/O Ports: 2 USB 3.0, 1 Audio
Extras: Supports Kensington lock and rack mounting

As long as you can keep your CPU cooler in check, you have plenty of room for expansion with this one.Pros:

Compact, intelligent form factor
Rack mounting and Kensington support
Adaptable drive cages, no external adapters needed

Cons:

High price
Only one included fan

Bottom Line
The ultimate chassis for rack mounting and home theater use.

Check Prices

7. Corsair Carbide Series 175R – Best RGB ATX Mid-Tower Gaming Case

The Corsair Carbide 175R is the latest addition in the Corsair Carbide Series that offers a decent minimalist design for a low price.

Sure, there is plenty we could discuss the limitations of the 175R or where it could have been better. But the truth is, this is a budget chassis. And for this price, you won’t find anything better.

The case comes with a tinted tempered glass side panel and a 120mm rear fan with programmable RGB lighting.

Airflow is excellent, as this case supports upto six 120mm or four 140mm fans. There is even room for a 350mm cooling radiator, giving the 175R a decent thermal performance for the price range.

There is also enough space to support a full sized ATX board and enough additional clearance for excellent cable management.

If you’re looking for a minimalist budget computer case, the 175R is the right choice for you. If you’re looking for something sturdy to support a heavy build, you might want to opt for something else. The Corsair Carbide 275R is a great alternative in the Carbide series offering slightly better features for more money.

Key Features:

Supports mATX, ATX and mini-ITX.
Supports up to 3x 120mm or 2x 140mm fans at the front, 2x 120mm or 2 x 140mm fans on the top and 1x 120mm fan in the rear.
Comes with one pre-installed programmable RGB fan.
Features 2 x 3.5” and 2 x 2.5” bays.
Maximum: GPU length 330mm, CPU cooler height 160mm, and standard ATX PSU length 180mm.
Has 7 PCI expansion slots.
Features programmable RGB Lighting.
Front I/O Panel: 2 x USB 3.0 and Audio In & Out.

Pros:

Comes with cool RGB lighting
Cable management is great
Comes with good water cooling support
Has tempered glass side panel to show-case your build
Is very affordable

Cons:

Pre-installed RGB fan isn’t very good
Side panel isn’t very sturdy

Bottom Line
The 175R is a great budget gaming chasis. It has a minimalist design and comes with a 120mm RGB fan.

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8. Thermaltake Core G3 – Best for Slim ATX builds

Thermaltake Core G3 is one of the high-quality small pc cases that embrace a slim design. It is designed to fit on your desk or a tight living room. The spacious compartment allows you to build a powerful rig for 4K VR gaming.

Key Features:

Supports 12” x 9.6” (ATX), 9.6” x 9.6” (Micro ATX), and 6.7” x 6.7” (Mini ITX).
Supports 2 x 2.5” or 2 x 3.5” storage drives with HDD cage.
Supports 2 x 120mm fans or a 240mm radiator in the front and a 120mm top fan.
Maximum: GPU length 310mm, CPU cooler height 110mm, and SFX PSU length 130mm.
Handy Top-Front I/O with USB 2.0 x 2, USB 3.0 x 2, and HD Audio jacks.
Compatible with up to NVIDIA Geforce GTX 1080/1070.
Two expansion slots.

Core G3 features a nice transparent acrylic side window panel to show-off your build. It has been equipped with a custom GPU mount for a floating GPU design.Pros:

Affordable.
Lightweight design.
Can orient vertically or horizontally.
Comes with 2 pre-installed 120mm fans.
Very compact ATX case made of high-quality SPCC.

Cons:

Doesn’t support the standard PSU.
Cable management can get tough.

Bottom Line: Core G3 features a nice transparent acrylic side window panel to show-off your build. It has been equipped with a custom GPU mount for a floating GPU design.

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9. Fractal Design Meshify C – Compact Case With Water-Cooling Support

At a glance, the Fractal Design Meshify C looks no different from its more expensive sibling, the Define C. It is however different both in terms of price and features.

The Meshify C is a great mid-range computer case that has a price tag that justifies its features. It is slightly noisier than most cases, since the front panel does not reflect the noise from the internal components back into the case.

Key Features:

Supports ATX, mATX, and Mini-ITX.
Supports 2 x 120/140mm fans on top, 3 x 120mm or 2 x 140mm fans at the front, 1 x 120mm fan in the rear and 1 x 120mm fan at the bottom.
Comes with two Dynamic X2 GP-12 fans pre-installed (one at the front and one in the rear)
Radiators: Front 120/240/360mm and 140/280mm + Top 120/240mm + Rear 120mm
Features 2 x 2.5”/3.5” and 3 x 2.5” (dedicated) bays.
Maximum: GPU length 315mm, CPU cooler height 170mm, and standard ATX PSU length 175mm.
Dust filters: Bottom Fan + PSU, Front Fans and Top Fans.
Has 7 PCI expansion slots.
Front I/O Panel: 2 x USB 3.0, Audio In & Out.

This Meshify C offers optimal airflow, with support for up to seven 120mm fans. It even comes with two pre-installed retail grade Dynamic X2 GP-12 fans. This case however wasn’t designed with liquid cooling in mind.

If you’re in the market for a mid-range chassis with a sturdy build, the Meshify C is the right choice for you. If you’re not a fan of noisy cases or plan on installing a liquid-cooler, you might want to consider some other options.Pros:Supports multiple water-cooling radiatorsAirflow is goodCable management is excellentComes with two excellent 120mm fansIs easy to assembleHas plenty of dust filtersBuild is sturdyCons:Can be slightly noisyFront I/O panel isn’t that greatSpacing is quite compact and does not support oversized ATX boards or longer PSUs

Bottom Line: For the price range, this case is an amazing chassis. It offers solid build quality with plenty of airflows and enhanced liquid cooling support.

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10. Rosewill Challenger S – Best Budget Small ATX Case

The Rosewill Challenger S is our budget pick, but it’s still packed with features.

Key Features:

Motherboard Support: Micro ATX and ATX
GPU Length: Up to 360 mm
CPU Cooler Height: Up to 170 mm
Fans Preinstalled: 2 120 mm intake fans, 1 120 mm exhaust fan
Fan Slots Available: Up to 5 120 mm fans
Side Panel Window: N/A
PSU Size Support: Standard ATX
I/O Ports: 1 USB 3.0, 2 USB 2.0, and 1 Audio Port
Extras: LED intake fans

The included dual blue LED intake fans are a pleasant extra, as is the 120 mm intake fan. If you’re a budget user, this case is especially appealing, since it has a fully-functional airflow setup out-of-the-box, without any extra tweaking needed from you.Pros:

The 3 included fans
The low price
Decent support for GPUs and air coolers, despite its size

Cons:

Only 1 USB 3.0 port

Bottom Line
The Rosewill Challenger S case is the best option for those who want a small, but cheap ATX chassis.

Check Prices

11. Corsair iCue 220T – Best Tempered Class Smart ATX Case

The Corsair iCue 220T is part of Corsair’s new iCue case series, focused on providing the best experience with their RGB product lineup.

Key Features:

Motherboard Support: Up to ATX
GPU Length: Up to 300 mm
CPU Cooler Height: Up to 160 mm
Fans Preinstalled: 3 120 mm RGB fans
Fan Slots Available: Up to 6 120 mm fans
Side Panel Window: Tempered Glass
PSU Size Support: Up to 180 mm
I/O Ports: 2 USB 3.0, 1 Audio Port
Extras: RGB intake fans, removable dust filters

The included RGB fans, great intake design, and not-too-small design make this a great choice for any user.Pros:

3 included RGB fans
Fairly solid build quality and building experience
All-around great support for CPU coolers, GPUs, and PSUs

Cons:

Fairly high price
No included exhaust fan- though this can be fixed by moving one of the three included fans to the back

Bottom Line:

The Corsair iCue 220T is one of the best small ATX cases out there, but its RGB extras come at a price premium.

Check Prices

Helpful Buying Tips!

Just because it is a small form factor ATX case doesn’t mean it won’t house the standard ATX components. When buying compact cases, you want to focus on the following:

Build’s Components – If you already have the main parts of your build, you want to go for a case that is roomy enough to house them. Not a snug fit that will give you a tough building experience. Check the CPU height, GPU length, and PSU length.
Case Build-Quality – Don’t be carried away with good looking cases that have been constructed with cheap materials. All-steel or aluminum cases offer the best chassis for durability.
Expandability – Consider how easy it is to expand your system in the future. More drive bays and PCIe slots ensure that you can add some extra components to improve the performance of your system.
Air Flow – Apart from going for a case with a roomy design, focus on the cooling options. Most compact ATX cases come with poorly designed fan/radiator locations. Some only pack less than two 120mm fan options. Ensure that your ideal case offers the best airflow to keep your system running cool.
Cable Management – Just like airflow and interior space, also consider cable management. Go for the options that have cut-out spaces and cable routing channels.

Final Remarks

Buying your ideal small computer case doesn’t have to be an overwhelming undertaking. With the above cases, you should be able to find your ideal pick that will make a compact yet powerful PC build.

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How to Connect AirPods to Samsung TV? (Step-by-Step Guide)

Published

2 hours ago

January 31, 2023

admin

How to Connect AirPods to Samsung TV? (Step-by-Step Guide)

AirPods are generally designed to work with Apple products like iPhone, iPad and Apple TV. However, you can use it with other TV sets as well, provided that your TV has an integrated Bluetooth function. Although you can easily pair and use AirPods with your Samsung TV, you are unable to access some advanced features like Siri and automatic ear detection.

Table of Contents

Step 1: Check Bluetooth on Your TV

Since the AirPods use a Bluetooth interface to connect to your Samsung TV, you should first verify if there is Bluetooth on your TV. Else, you won’t be able to create a connection.

Go to the lower left corner of your Samsung TV’s home screen and choose Source.
Tap Connection Guide.
If your TV is Bluetooth enabled, you will see the Bluetooth option there.

Tip: There are also other methods to check if your TV has Bluetooth. You can consult this detailed guide on how to check Bluetooth in TVs. If your TV does not have Bluetooth, you may get a compatible Bluetooth adapter and then pair AirPods with it.

Step 2: Enable Pairing Mode on AirPods

Once you verify your TV has Bluetooth, now you should enable pairing mode on the AirPods. Depending upon whether you own the latest AirPods Max, AirPods Pro, or earlier generation of AirPods, the steps to enable the pairing mode are pretty different.

Moreover, you should unpair the AirPods from your iPhone or other devices if you have connected them earlier. Else, you might face a problem connecting it to the TV.

On AirPods Pro and Other Models

Follow these steps to enable pairing mode on AirPods Pro, 2nd generation AirPods and 3rd generation AirPods.

Take your AirPods near the TV and open the top cover of the AirPods casing. But, do not take the AirPods out.
Now locate the small button on the AirPods case.
Press and keep pressing the button till the indicator starts blinking white. It indicates that your TV can now discover the AirPods.

On AirPods Max

If you own AirPods Max, the over-the-ear headphones from Apple, go through these steps and activate the pairing mode.

Grab your AirPods Max and locate the Noise cancellation button.
Keep pressing that noise cancellation button until you see a white indicator, beside the charging port, blinking.
Your AirPods Max has now entered pairing mode.

Step 3: Configure Connection on TV

Now that you have enabled the pairing mode, the TV can discover the AirPods under the Bluetooth device list. You can then pair and listen through the AirPods.

Open Settings from the home screen. You can also directly press the Settings button on your remote.
Move down to Sound and select it.
Choose the Sound Output option.
Go down to Bluetooth Speaker List or Bluetooth Audio and tap it.
Your TV will now start searching for nearby Bluetooth devices. You can Cancel the process and Refresh the search window if it does not discover your AirPods.
Tap the name of your AirPods.
Then press Pair and Connect.
Go back to the Sound Output window and you will see your AirPods name listed there.
You can now listen to your TV through the AirPods.
Increasing or decreasing the volume of your TV will adjust the volume on your AirPods accordingly.

TECH

5 Ways to Connect Headphones to TV

Published

2 hours ago

January 31, 2023

admin

With the advent of modern technology, TV manufacturers have started integrating Bluetooth modules into their TVs. It has made connecting Bluetooth devices like wireless headphones to your TV a breeze. However, older TV models may lack support for Bluetooth. In such cases, you can make use of a 3.5mm audio port on the TV.

Table of Contents

Using 3.5mm Audio Port

If you are planning to use wired headphones with your TV, you can simply use the integrated 3.5mm headphone port on your TV. The headphone port is generally located at the rear or side panel of your TV. However, all the TVs may not have a headphone port on them. So, first, inspect if the port is available and then connect your headphones accordingly.

Locate the 3.5mm headphone port on your TV. It looks like this with a headphone symbol.
Connect the 3.5mm audio jack of headphones to the headphone OUT port.
If your headphones use a USB power source, connect the USB connector to the USB port on the TV. If the USB port is not available on your TV, you may use a separate USB adapter for the power supply.

After setting up the connection, you need to change the sound output device on your TV. Let’s see how to do it on Samsung TVs.

Go to the lower left of the home screen and open Settings.
Choose Sound on the Settings window.
Tap Sound Output on the right side.
It is set to TV Speakers by default. Change it to Audio OUT.
You can now listen to the TV audio through your headphones.

Note: You can not listen to your TV using a headphone that only has a USB connector. They are designed specifically for PCs. The USB ports on TV are designed for power supply and taking inputs from the USB drives only. It does not have a sound module to output the sound from your TV.

Using 3.5mm to RCA Adapter

Next, you can use a 3.5mm Female to RCA Male Adapter if your TV does not have a dedicated 3.5mm headphone OUT port. But, your TV must have an RCA Audio OUT (Red and White ports) to use this adapter.

Get the adapter from your nearby electronics store.
Connect the 3.5mm audio jack of your headphone to the female side of the adapter.
Then connect the RCA jacks to the Left and Right RCA Audio OUT ports on TV.
Plug the USB power cord of headphones into the power supply.
Change the default speakers to RCA on the sound settings of your TV.

Using Optical Amp/DAC Converter

Most of the TVs today come up with an Optical OUT port. So, you can use an optical cable to connect the TV and Optical Amp/DAC Converter, then plug in the headphone to the converter. It provides a pleasing sound experience with minimal lags and interference.

Plug one end of the optical cable into Optical OUT on the TV and another end into Optical IN on the converter.
Turn on the power supply of the converter.
Connect your headphone to the Headphone port on the converter.

Using Bluetooth

Listening to TV with wired headphones can be pretty clumsy. It will create a mess around your room making it difficult to move around. Not only that, the shorter cable length prevents you from maintaining distance with your TV, resulting in eyestrain.

Tip: You may get a 3.5mm audio cable extender of suitable length to sort out the issue but rather than that, you may opt to use Bluetooth headphones.

If your TV has Bluetooth, you can easily pair the wireless headphone to the TV. The steps to pair a Bluetooth device to your TV are quite similar in most TV models. Here, we are referencing Google TV for demonstration.

Turn on the pairing mode on your Bluetooth headphones. Generally, these headphones have a dedicated button to enable pairing mode.
Then go to your TV and tap the Profile picture logo on the home screen.
Tap Settings.
Move down to Remote & Accessories and tap it.
Tap Pair remote or accessory on the right side.
Your TV will now start searching for nearby devices.
Select your headphone from the device list.
Tap Pair on the Bluetooth Pairing Request screen.

Using Streaming Devices

If your TV does not have a Bluetooth function, you may get a compatible Bluetooth adapter for your TV and use it. Besides, if you have streaming devices like Roku Stick, Amazon Fire Stick or gaming consoles like Nintendo, you can also easily use the integrated Bluetooth functionality to pair your wireless headphones to the TV.

However, with these streaming devices, you can only stream the content available on their platform. You won’t be able to watch other TV channels that are available through your cable operator. Let’s see how to add Bluetooth headphones to Amazon Fire Stick.

From the homepage of your Fire TV, open Settings.
Select Controllers & Bluetooth Devices tab.
Choose Other Bluetooth Devices.
Tap Add Bluetooth Devices.
Select your headphone on the list and follow the on-screen instructions to pair it with your TV.

TECH

Dell XPS Not Charging? Try These 6 Fixes

Published

2 hours ago

January 31, 2023

admin

Dell XPS Not Charging? Try These 6 Fixes

Even if you have one of the top-of-the-line laptops as the Dell XPS, they only function for a couple of hours without a charger. So it is definitely a cause for concern when your charger stops working.

Several components need to function simultaneously to charge the laptop when you plug it in. These components include the charger, the battery itself, and the charging port. Even if these components are functional, an outdated battery driver or the BIOS could stop the battery from charging.

Due to all possible components failure, it can get quite troublesome to find one particular solution to fix the charging issue on your Dell XPS.

Table of Contents

Before We Begin

First, make sure that the charging port on both ends, the laptop and wall socket, are functional. Try disconnecting and reconnecting the charger from both laptop’s charging port and the wall outlet.

The charger brick or the adapter may also be at fault. Some laptop chargers will have an LED on the charger’s brick. Check if it light ups. If it does not light up, the brick is likely causing the charging issue.

The LED located on the side of the charging port should also light up when the laptop starts to charge. If your OS does not indicate battery level on the action bar you can also check the charging LED.

Check if the charger has any noticeable physical damage. Physical damages may include broken or exposed wires. We also recommend that you check the laptop’s charging port to ensure that the port does not have any visible damage to it.

The laptop’s AC charger also needs to have the correct voltage for it to charge the laptop. To make sure that the AC adapter you are using supplies the correct amount of voltage, you can check the recommended laptop’s voltage.

Check the base of the laptop for stickers from the manufacturer.
Here, you should see the recommended voltage for the laptop.
If your laptop does not have a voltage recommendation, we recommend that you check the laptop’s user manual.
The recommended voltage should match the voltage supplied by the AC adapter.

Once you are certain that the issue is not with a loose cable, damage to the component, or the charging port, you can try to power cycle the laptop to see if it fixes the issue.

Power Cycle the Laptop

The motherboard on your laptop has multiple capacitors that store charge. When you turn off the laptop the capacitors may still hold a charge. To make sure there is no residual charge on the capacitor, you need to power cycle the laptop to give the charging component a fresh start.

To discharge the capacitors, you first need to remove any power source from the laptop. This includes the charger and the battery.

If you are using an older XPS model, the laptop should have a detachable battery. In that case, you can simply slide the battery out of the laptop.

For the newer XPS mode, you need to remove the back panel to access the batteries.

Disconnect the charger from the laptop.
Remove all the screws on the back side of your Dell XPS.
Insert one end of the pry tool between the laptop and the backplate.
Slightly turn the tool until you hear a click to unclip the backplate from the laptop. Repeat this process all around the backplate.
Once you unclip the laptop’s backplate, gently remove it.
Now, you will have access to the entire laptop battery.
Check for a cable that connects the battery to the laptop’s motherboard and disconnect it.

Once you have removed the battery, it is now time to discharge the capacitors.

Gently open the laptop’s lid.
Press and hold the power button for one minute to discharge the laptop.
Connect the battery cable back to the laptop’s motherboard.
Clip all sides of the backplate back to the laptop and screw it in.
Connect the charger to the laptop and see if it starts charging.

Turn On the Laptop Without Batteries

Discharging the capacitors may not fix the issue at hand if you have a dead battery or a broken charger. To determine the exact cause of the problem, you can try turning on the system without the battery.

Remove the AC source from the laptop.
Disconnect the battery connected to the laptop.
Discharge the capacitors on the laptop.
Plug the charger directly into a wall outlet and connect the charger to your laptop.

If the XPS turns on, the problem is likely with the batteries, and replacing it would be the best course of action.

Run Power Troubleshooter

The Power troubleshooter checks the power issues on your laptop and changes settings that could result in lowering power consumption. It also helps identify and fix any problem with the laptop’s battery.

Try running the power troubleshooter to see if it fixes the charging issue on your laptop.

Open Windows Settings by pressing the Windows + I key simultaneously.
Navigate to System > Troubleshoot.
Select Other troubleshooters.
Run the Power Troubleshooter.

Change Dell Power Manager Configurations

Dell power manager allows Dell laptop users to access several power management settings. These include battery health, charge status, and battery settings. It also allows you to schedule when the laptop charges.

Besides this, you can also start and stop the AC supply to the laptop depending on the amount of charge left on your laptop. When enabled, the laptop only starts to charge after it falls below a certain percentage. If you have these settings enabled, the laptop will not charge unless certain criteria are met.

To ensure that this is not the case, disable Dell Power Manager.

Press the Windows key and click on All apps.
Select Dell Power Manager.
On the left panel click on Advanced Charge and disable it.
Similarly, select Peak shift and disable it.
Check the action bar to see if the laptop starts charging.

Check Laptop Batteries Health

Dell computer allows you to check your laptop battery health using BIOS. A healthy battery should have a Health indication that says Excellent or OK. If the Health says Poor, you should consider replacing the batteries and it could be why the laptop is not charging.

Repeatedly press the F2 key during boot to enter BIOS on Dell computers.
Under Settings, click on the + icon on General.
Click on Battery Information.
On the right panel, check the battery’s health.

Alternatively, you can also check the battery’s health using the command prompt.

Simultaneously press Windows + R to open Run.
Type cmd and press Enter.
Type powercfg /batteryreport and hit enter to save the battery life report to a certain file.
Copy the file path from the command prompt and paste it into the file path in File Explorer.
Open the .html file using any browser to see your battery’s health.

Here, check Full Charge Capacity and Designed Capacity. If the current full charge capacity is lower than the laptop’s designed capacity, the battery on your Dell XPS is failing. In that case, you should replace the battery to fix the issue.

Update/Reinstall Battery Driver

The battery connected to the laptop may not function properly if the battery driver has issues. Furthermore, an outdated driver may face multiple complications when communicating with the OS. The battery driver is also responsible for the battery icon you see on the action menu.

Any issues with the battery driver could be why your Dell XPS is not charging. To fix this, try updating the driver.

Press the Windows icon and the X key simultaneously.
Select Device manager.
Expand Batteries and double-click on Microsoft ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battery.
Go to the Driver tab and select Update driver.
Click on Search for drivers automatically.

If updating the Microsoft ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battery driver does not work try reinstalling the driver entirely.

In Device Manager, expand Batteries and open Microsoft ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battery.
Go to the Driver tab and press Uninstall Device. Once the process completes, the battery indicator will disappear.
Restart your PC to install the battery driver.