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Anker SOLIX C300 DC Won't Turn On: Activation and Reset Steps

Anker's support article for a C300 DC that will not turn on starts with first use: before using it for the first time, you need to recharge it to activate it, either with a solar panel whose output is 11-28V or with a USB-C PD wall charger of 9V or higher.

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Figures on this page are quoted from Anker's support article "Why is My Anker SOLIX C300 DC Portable Power Station Not Turning On?", as read on 7 November 2026. Manuals are revised and firmware changes behaviour, so if your own unit's manual disagrees with this page, follow the manual.
  1. Activate it with the right charger
  2. Do not use a USB-A or wall-socket charger
  3. Keep charging, then try the main switch
  4. Use the reset port if it still will not power on
Work through these in order — each step rules out a cause before the next one.

Step 1: Activate it with the right charger

Anker lists two activation methods. MPPT: a solar panel output voltage between 11 and 28V. USB-C PD: a USB-C wall charger that supplies 9V or higher.

Only the C2 and C3 ports can be used to activate the C300 DC. You must use an 18W or higher USB-C wall charger, such as a MacBook charger or an Anker USB-C wall charger.

Step 2: Do not use a USB-A or wall-socket charger

Anker says not to use a USB-A or wall-socket charger to activate the C300 DC. Typically, USB power strips provide only 5V, which is not powerful enough.

Our reading, not Anker's: if you have been trying a phone charger or a USB-A port, that would explain why the unit will not wake.

Step 3: Keep charging, then try the main switch

If activation fails, Anker says to continue recharging for at least five minutes and then check whether the C300 DC can turn on.

Step 4: Use the reset port if it still will not power on

If it still cannot be powered on, Anker says to use a small needle to push down the reset port, then press the main switch for 3-5 seconds to turn it on.

This article is written for the C300 DC. We did not verify that the same steps apply to the C300X DC, so check that model's own guide.

Key Facts At a Glance

FAQ

Why will my new Anker SOLIX C300 DC not turn on?

Anker says it must be recharged to activate it before first use, using a 9V-or-higher USB-C PD wall charger on the C2 or C3 port, or a solar panel of 11-28V.

Can I activate it with a USB-A charger?

No. Anker says not to use a USB-A or wall-socket charger, because typical USB power strips provide only 5V, which is not powerful enough.

How do I reset it if charging does not help?

Use a small needle to push down the reset port, then press the main switch for 3-5 seconds.

Sources

Related

Other Things That Go Wrong

Symptoms overlap more than they look like they do — a unit that shuts down under load and one that never reaches 100% often trace back to the same limit. The rest of the troubleshooting set: