HP Spectre x360 Laptop 16-aa0749nz does not charge with USB-C hub (100W PD)

[Space_Mutt]

Hi Folks,

My laptop won't charge via the USB-C hub (Icy Box IB-HUB1437-CPD) when I connect the original power adapter to the USB-C PD port (100W supported) of the hub.

Drivers and bios are up to date.

Product information:
https://icybox.de/product/hubs/IB-HUB1437-CPD 

What is the reason for this issue?

PS: I was actually considering buying an HP G5 hub, but since the USB ports only support 5 Gbps, I decided not to. 😑

Greetings

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @Space_Mutt 

Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're here to help you get back up and running.

Thanks for laying that out so clearly—it’s definitely frustrating when everything seems compatible on paper but the laptop refuses to charge. Based on what you've described and what others have run into with the same setup, here’s what’s likely going on:

⚡ Why Charging Isn’t Working Through the Icy Box Hub

Power Delivery Passthrough Limitations
The Icy Box IB-HUB1437-CPD supports 100W PD input, but that doesn’t guarantee full passthrough to the laptop. Some hubs prioritize internal power distribution (to USB ports or HDMI) and only forward a portion of the input wattage to the host device.

HP Spectre x360 Power Requirements
Your Spectre x360 16-aa0000 may require full 100W delivery to charge reliably, especially under load. If the hub only passes through 65W or less, the laptop may reject it or show intermittent charging behavior.

Hub Compatibility Quirks
Not all USB-C hubs negotiate power delivery the same way. Some third-party hubs don’t fully support the PD handshake protocols HP laptops expect, which can cause charging to fail even if the wattage is technically sufficient.

Cable Quality Matters
If the USB-C cable between the hub and laptop isn’t rated for 100W PD, it could bottleneck the power flow. Make sure it’s an e-marked cable certified for 100W or higher.

🛠️ What You Can Try

Direct Charging Test
Plug the original HP adapter directly into the laptop’s USB-C port (bypassing the hub). If it charges fine, the issue is definitely with the hub’s passthrough.

Alternate Hub Option
Consider a hub that’s been tested with HP laptops and supports full PD passthrough, like the HP USB-C Travel Hub G2. It’s designed to work with HP’s power profiles and may offer better compatibility.

Firmware Check on the Hub
Some hubs have firmware updates available from the manufacturer. Check Icy Box’s site to see if there’s a newer version that improves PD negotiation.

Let me know if you’d like help finding a hub that’s guaranteed to work with your Spectre—or if you want to test your current setup further. We’ll get your charging situation sorted! ⚡😊

If my response helped, please mark it as an Accepted Solution! ✅ It helps others and spreads support. 💙 Also, tapping "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" makes a big difference! Thanks! 😊

Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye

[Space_Mutt]

Hi Hawks_Eye
Thanks for the answer.

The product I linked to delivers a maximum of 100W, and the USB ports do not have any special charging function, unlike the G5 hub.
The recommended HP Dock G5 has a maximum of 100W and can provide 15W on one USB port. Therefore, the minimum that the G5 HUB can provide is 85W. Or am I seeing this wrong?

My Icybox hub only has four USB ports, nothing more. The laptop won't even charge if not a single USB port is used.

Kind regards
Space_Mutt

[Hawks_Eye]

@Space_Mutt 

You are very Welcome!

Thanks for sharing all that, and I really appreciate the thoughtful comparison. You're absolutely right to dig into the details—charging via USB-C hubs can be surprisingly nuanced.

⚡ Why Your HP Spectre x360 16-aa0749nz May Not Charge via the Icybox Hub

Even though your Icybox IB-HUB1437-CPD supports 100W Power Delivery, the issue likely comes down to power negotiation and passthrough behavior:

✅ Key Points:

• The HP Spectre x360 16-aa0749nz requires USB-C Power Delivery with proper handshake protocols.
• Some hubs (like the Icybox) don’t actively negotiate PD with the laptop, especially if they’re passive or lack a dedicated PD controller.
• If no USB devices are connected, the hub may not initialize PD passthrough correctly—hence why it won’t charge unless something is plugged in.

🔌 Comparing with HP Dock G5

You're spot-on with your math:

• The HP USB-C Dock G5 supports 100W input, but reserves 15W for USB ports, leaving 85W for laptop charging.
• That’s sufficient for most Spectre models, which typically draw 65W–90W under load.

🧪 What You Can Try

1. Direct USB-C Charging

• Plug the original HP charger directly into the laptop’s Thunderbolt 4 port (not through the hub).
• This ensures full PD negotiation and bypasses hub limitations.

2. Use a PD-Active Hub

• Look for hubs with active PD controllers (like the HP Dock G5 or CalDigit TS4).
• These hubs maintain power negotiation even when no peripherals are connected.

3. Firmware Update

• Check for BIOS and Thunderbolt firmware updates on the HP Spectre x360 driver page.
• Updates may improve USB-C port behavior and compatibility.

You’ve done a fantastic job breaking this down—we’ll make sure your setup works exactly how you need it to! 🔋💻

Regards,

Hawks_Eye