What does insufficient USB power detected mean?

Answered by Robert Dupre

Insufficient USB power detected is an error message that you might encounter when trying to power a device, such as a Smart Stick, through your TV’s USB port. This message typically appears when the device you’re trying to power requires more power than what the TV’s USB port can provide.

In my personal experience, I encountered this issue when I first got my Smart Stick. I thought it would be convenient to plug it into the USB port on my TV, as it seemed like a neat way to power it without having to deal with an additional power adapter. However, after setting up the Smart Stick and turning on the TV, I noticed the warning message “Insufficient USB power detected” on the screen.

At first, I was confused about what this message meant. I tried unplugging and re-plugging the Smart Stick, hoping it was just a temporary glitch. Unfortunately, the message persisted. After some troubleshooting, I realized that the issue was with the power source. The USB port on my TV simply couldn’t provide enough power to properly run the Smart Stick.

To resolve this issue, I followed the instructions provided with the Smart Stick and connected it to a power outlet using the provided power adapter. Once I did this, the warning message disappeared, and the Smart Stick powered up without any issues.

The reason for this limitation is that USB ports on TVs are typically designed for low-power devices like flash drives or smartphone charging. They are not intended to power more demanding devices like Smart Sticks, which require a higher power output to function properly.

So, if you’re seeing an “insufficient power” warning on your TV, it’s likely because you’re relying on the USB port to power your Smart Stick. The correct way to power it is by using the power adapter provided with the device and plugging it into a power outlet. This will ensure that the Smart Stick receives the necessary power to function optimally without any error messages or performance issues.

To summarize, if you encounter an “insufficient USB power detected” message on your TV, it means that the device you’re trying to power requires more power than what the TV’s USB port can provide. To resolve this issue, use the power adapter provided with the device and plug it into a power outlet instead of relying on the TV’s USB port.