Flashing Lightening Bolt

[sesinger]

What does it mean when you get a flashing lightning bolt when you connect a 2 XL to a computer? Is it charging, discharging, or doing nothing?

 

[B. Diddy]

Where are you seeing it? In the battery icon in the status bar? Or is it a large lightning bolt in the center of the screen? If the latter, does that mean you're connecting the phone to the PC while the phone is powered off?

 

[sesinger]

In the battery icon on the status bar.

 

[B. Diddy]

If you connect to the computer, the computer's USB port will charge the phone (albeit very slowly).

 

[sesinger]

For clarity, I've tried 2 different computers. One gives a solid lightening bolt on battery icon on the 2 XL, and the other slowly flashes on the 2 XL. I'm trying to understand what the difference is.

 

[raqball]

I believe some had this issue on the 6P. Have you tried a reboot? If I remember correctly a reboot solved the issue on the 6P.

The flashing bolt indicates a charging issue and it's not charging. Also, are you using the cable that came with the Pixel? It could also be that the PC that's showing the issue is not providing enough power to charge phone as well.

 

[B. Diddy]

On the computer where the lightning bolt is flashing, what happens if you try other USB ports (if available)?

 

[nelamvr6]

What cable are you using? It's very critical when charging your USB-C phone to use a USB-C to USB-A cable that is manufactured according to the USB-C spec, otherwise you could cause serious damage to the computer you're using as a charger.

Read this: https://www.androidcentral.com/what-look-when-buying-usb-c-cables-and-adapters

 

[sesinger]

What cable are you using?

I'm using the cable that came with the Pixel 2 XL. Both computers I've tried this with have USB-C ports.

 

[nelamvr6]

I'm using the cable that came with the Pixel 2 XL. Both computers I've tried this with have USB-C ports.

OK, then never mind.

 

[B. Diddy]

This thread includes a discussion about how different computers can output different amounts of power through their USB-C ports, so that might be why you're seeing the discrepancy: https://linustechtips.com/main/topi...-my-usb-c-phone-with-my-usb-c-laptop-charger/

 

[sesinger]

Figured it out. When I first tried this one of the laptops was on AC and the other was on battery. The one running on battery produced the flashing lightning bolt. I tried the same laptop today, but on AC and it started charging the phone, even when hibernating.

Solution: plug the laptop in.