Canon EOS R6 USB Charging: No charger required

DIY Video Studio is supported by its readers. Please assume links on this site are affiliate links or ads, and that I get commissions for purchases made through these links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you if you use any of the links.

Can you charge a Canon camera battery with a USB cable? If you are a Canon EOS R, Ra, RP, R5, or R6 owner you can use the camera’s USB-C socket to charge the camera battery while it is still in the battery compartment. You can use a Canon battery USB charger to charge your EOS R6 or R5 when you cannot use the supplied LC-E6/LC-E6E charger.

I will show you four ways to charge your EOS R6 or R5 battery using a USB cable, two of which do not require a wall power outlet.

Because there are slight differences in how USB charging works in the various Canon EOS R series cameras, this article is specifically about Canon EOS R6 USB charging. Even so, USB charging is similar to the other R series cameras, especially the EOS R5, so whichever camera model you have, this article will help you.

How to charge a Canon R6 camera battery without a battery charger

The USB interface on the Canon EOS R6 can be used to charge or power the camera, whether you are using an LP-E6NH or LP-E6N battery pack. You will need power from one of the following power sources:

1. Canon’s PD-E1 USB Power Adapter
2. Power Delivery USB Adapter
3. Power Delivery Power Bank
4. Laptop USB-C port

In addition to a suitable USB power source, you will need the correct type of USB cable. I will cover that in the next section.

Please note that if the battery capacity is already at 94% or higher, no charging will take place and the access light on the camera will remain unlit. Under normal charging conditions, the access light will turn solid green during charging and then go out when charging is complete.

The Canon R6 USB cable you need for USB charging

You already know that it is possible to charge a Canon R6 battery in the camera, but you need the correct USB interface cable. Using any old USB cable that you already have may not work. First, it must be a USB-C type cable, which is the kind that looks like the cable used on many Android phones and the 12-inch Pro iPads. But even then, it must be the correct sort of USB-C cable.

The USB interface that the manufacturer recommends is the Canon IFC-100U (to USB C) USB interface cable. Naturally, this will work but being a genuine Canon accessory, it also comes at an inflated price. I mention this because unlike the cheaper EOS R and the more expensive EOS R5, the EOS R6 is not supplied with a Canon IFC-100U interface cable as standard. You will have to buy a cable if you want to charge the battery internally through the USB port.

Fortunately, you do not need to buy the Canon IFC-100U cable. It is basically a USB-C to USB-C 3.1 Gen2 cable, and I recommend getting the ANKER PowerLine II cable as an alternative. I know that the ANKER cable works with the R6 because I have bought it and have confirmed its compatibility. It is also a reasonable price and is available quickly through Amazon.

Last update on 2023-10-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Method 1: R6 charging using the Canon Battery PD-E1 USB Power Adapter Charger

An LP-E6NH or LP-E6N battery pack can be charged inside the EOS R6 by using a Canon PD-E1 USB power adapter charger. You do not need a separate Canon IFC-100U interface cable (or its equivalent) since the adapter has a built-in USB connector. To charge your camera’s battery follow these steps.

1. Ensure the camera is switched off by turning the power dial clockwise so the indicator on the power dial points to “OFF”.

2. Lift and turn the rubber terminal cover on the side of the camera to reveal the USB-C socket.

3. Insert the USB-C on the PD-E1 power adapter into the camera’s USB-C socket. Make sure the USB-C plug is fully inserted.

4. Connect the power cord to the PD-E1 adapter, then insert the plug into a wall power outlet.

5: Check the access lamp on the camera has turned green, this indicates that charging has begun. When charging has finished the green access light will go out.

Many people would argue that if you have spent a few thousand dollars on a camera and lens, then why would you skimp on your camera accessories. So, if you want to use genuine Canon gear, the Canon PD-E1 USB power Adapter is available from the Canon store on Amazon.

Last update on 2024-03-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Method 2: R6 charging using a Power Delivery USB Adapter

Canon charges a premium price on the Canon USA website for the PD-E1 USB power adapter. If you do not have deep pockets and have been saving your cash to buy an EOS R6 or the more expensive R5, then you might want to save a few bucks on the USB Adapter. If that is the case, I can recommend the Anker PowerPort PD 2 available on Amazon.

Last update on 2024-03-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

To charge your EOS R6 battery the procedure is like using Canon’s PD-E1 USB power adapter. The difference is that you will need a Canon IFC-100U interface cable or a USB-C to USB-C 3.1 Gen2 cable. I recommend getting the ANKER PowerLine II cable as an alternative to Canon’s IFC-100U interface cable.

1. Ensure the camera is switched off by turning the power dial clockwise so the indicator on the power dial points to “OFF”.

2. Lift and turn the rubber terminal cover on the side of the camera to reveal the USB-C socket.

3. Plug the Anker PowerPort PD2 into a wall power outlet.

4. Insert one end of the USB cable into the USB-C power delivery socket (marked PD).

5. Connect the other end of the USB-C cable into the camera’s USB-C socket, making sure it is fully inserted.

6. Check the access lamp on the camera has turned green. This indicates that charging has begun. When charging is complete the green access light will go out.

Method 3: How to charge a Canon R6 camera battery with power bank

Power Banks are extremely useful when you are using a smartphone or tablet but do not have access to a power adapter and wall outlet. However, they can be just as useful for camera owners. I use a Power Bank with a Dummy battery to power my EOS R6 when photographing wildlife since I can leave the camera on without worrying about battery life. However, a Power Bank can also be used to charge the camera’s battery. Here is how.

1. Ensure the camera is switched off by turning the power dial clockwise so the indicator on the power dial points to “OFF”.

2. Lift and turn the rubber terminal cover on the side of the camera to reveal the USB-C socket.

3. Connect one end of the USB-C cable to the USB-C socket on the Power Bank, which needs to be power delivery capable.

3. Insert the other end of the USB cable into the camera’s USB-C socket, making sure it is fully inserted.

5. Check the access lamp on the camera has turned green. This indicates that charging has begun. When charging is complete the green access light will go out.

The power bank that I use, and recommend, is the Anker PowerCore Essential 20000 PD. I have used it extensively with my EOS R and R6 and it has never let me down. This power bank is available on Amazon.

Last update on 2023-10-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Method 4: R6 charging using a laptop or computer USB-C port

If your laptop or computer has a USB 3.1 (C-type) port, you can use it to charge an LP-E6NH or LP-E6N battery in an EOS R6 camera. Follow these steps.

1. Ensure the camera is switched off by turning the power dial clockwise so the indicator on the power dial points to “OFF”.

2. Lift and turn the rubber terminal cover on the side of the camera to reveal the USB-C socket.

3. Insert one end of the USB cable into the camera’s USB-C socket, making sure it is fully inserted.

4. Connect the other end of the USB-C cable to the USB-C socket on the laptop or computer.

5. Check the access lamp on the camera has turned green. This indicates that charging has begun. When charging is complete the green access light will go out.

Which Canon R6 batteries can be charged with a USB cable?

I have already mentioned the type of batteries that can be charged inside the EOS R, but it is worth expanding on.
Although the EOS R6 camera comes with an LP-E6NH battery pack, the camera is compatible with the older LP-E6N and LP-E6 batteries. However, not all these batteries can be charged in the camera via a USB cable.

Only the LP-E6NH and LP-E6N battery packs can be charged through the Canon R6 USB connector. If your battery refuses to charge this way, it is either an LP-E6 battery or a counterfeit battery. In both cases, the R6 will identify the power pack as an LP-E6 battery in the menu Battery info screen.

A battery pack that the R6 identifies as being an LP-E6 power pack cannot be charged within the camera’s battery compartment via USB charging.

How to Power your Canon EOS R6 with USB Cable Connection

You can also use a USB external power source to power your EOS R6 camera for photography or filming. This is a good option if you do not have a Dummy Battery (DC Coupler ACK-E6) for the R6 but do have a suitable USB interface cable and power source.

This is how to power your Canon EOS R6 with USB Cable Connection.

1. Turn the camera’s power dial to the “OFF” position.

2. Make sure there is a battery in the battery compartment. In my tests, the R6 can operate on external USB power with any LP-E6 battery in the camera. So, you are good to go with an LP-E6NH, LP-E6N, or LP-E6 battery.

3. Connect the USB interface cable to the USB-C socket on the side of the camera.

4. Connect the other end of the USB interface cable to your power source. If you are using a PD-E1 USB Power Adapter, plug the power cord into a power outlet. If you are away from home, use a power delivery Power Bank.

5. Now turn the camera’s power dial to “ON”.

PLEASE NOTE: If you have the Canon R6 connected to a power source via a USB cable the battery will be “topped up” while the camera is turned off. When the camera is turned on, power is drawn from the battery to power the camera until the camera is turned off again. If you leave the camera power switch in the ON position your shooting time will be the same as if just using battery power. However, most video makers turn off their cameras between scenes, if not individual shots. This allows the battery power to recover while setting up the next scene or shot. So, USB charging on the R6 does extend the total shooting time on a single battery provided the camera is powered down between shots or scenes, since the battery power level will get a chance to recover between clips.

USB charging on the R6 is an improvement over that on the R and RP, where those cameras are inoperable if connected to a USB charger.

If you need to leave the camera switched on for extended periods of time, I recommend using a dummy battery and power brick. The R6 uses the same DR-E6 DC coupler as the EOS R. You can find these on Amazon and ebay. When I last checked, they were about 20-30 dollars. I have two and have used them on both the R and R6 for photography and video. Although the EOS R will work with just one connection USB into a power brick, but the R6 required a DC coupler with 2 USB plugs, since it draws more power.

Be aware that when the camera is powered by a USB power source, the battery level may still go down. If the battery becomes exhausted, the camera will no longer use the external USB power source to power the camera.

To prevent exhausting the camera battery, ensure you begin your shoot with a fully charged battery. You can also top up the battery between shots by turning the camera’s power knob to the “OFF” position, this will switch the camera to battery charging mode.

EOS UTILITY PROBLEM: You may encounter an issue if you have the EOS Utility software installed on your computer. The EOS Utility may automatically launch when you turn on your R6 or R5. Do not worry. Unless you are intending to control your camera from your laptop, you do not need the EOS Utility, so close the app.

Problems encountered while charging the LP-E6NH battery

The access light is blinking

Occasionally you may encounter a charging problem with the EOS R6. This will be indicated by the camera’s access light blinking green. If this happens, you should do the following:

1. Disconnect the USB charging cord from the camera.
2. Remove the battery from the battery compartment, wait 10sec and then reinsert it.
3. Ensure the battery compartment door is properly closed.
4. Wait a minute or two before reconnecting the USB cable to the R6, making sure it is fully inserted.

Using an LP-E6 battery

Although the R6 is supplied with an LP-E6NH battery, it is compatible with the LP-E6N and LP-E6 batteries. Charging and powering the EOS R6 is only possible when using an LP-E6NH or LP-E6N battery. If you use an LP-E6 battery the camera’s access light will not turn green to indicate charging.

Counterfeit and compatible batteries will not charge

Counterfeit and compatible batteries will not charge in the R6. If you have what appears to be a genuine LP-E6NH or LP-E6N battery insert it and then open the camera’s menu and go to the 5th page in the wrench menu. Click on Battery info. If the battery is counterfeit the Battery info. page will display the battery type as an LP-E6, which is not compatible with in-camera USB charging.

My genuine LP-E6NH battery will not charge

Even if you have inserted a genuine LP-E6NH or LP-E6N battery it will not charge if the battery capacity is already at 94% or higher. In such circumstances, no charging will take place and the access light on the camera will remain unlit.

Conclusion

A camera without a charged battery is as useless as a paintbrush without paint and a canvas.

Luckily, you can power up your EOS R6 or charge the battery by using a USB-C interface cable and USB power source. Although there are several options when choosing the USB power source, your choice will probably be determined by how you want to shoot.

A USB power adapter will be useless if there is no wall outlet nearby. That is when a suitable laptop or PowerBank will become the preferred option. So, plan and ensure you have the correct gear for the kind of shoot you have in mind.

Also, consider the safety and longevity of your camera gear. A genuine Canon battery pack, whether it is an LP-E6NH or LP-E6N pack, is not the cheapest of batteries. Therefore, it is in your interest not to over-charge it and keep it in optimal condition. To protect the battery, and the camera, do not charge the battery for longer than 24 hours.

FAQ – People also asked…

Can I charge the EOS R6 camera battery overnight?

You should not charge the battery continuously for longer than 24 hours. This helps to protect the EOS R6 battery pack and will keep it in optimal condition.

How long does USB chargng take with a Canon EOS R6?

The charging time that is required to charge an EOS R6 battery depends on the battery model, the ambient temperature, the condition of the battery, and the battery’s remaining capacity. An LP-E6NH battery at room temperature of 23°C/73°F takes approximately 3 hours to charge.

Which batteries are compatible with using USB charging in a Canon EOS R6?

Although any Canon LP-E6 series battery can power the Canon R6, only the LP-E6N and LP-E6NH can be charged inside the camera through the USB digital interface.

My Canon EOS R6 does not charge through the USB cable

If the camera’s LED access lamp does not blink green when the USB power source is connected, check that you are using the correct USB interface cable and a genuine LP-E6N or LP-E6NH battery. LP-E6 and counterfeit batteries will not charge inside the R6. If you are using the correct battery pack and cable, try unplugging the USB cable, reinsert the battery, wait a few minutes, then replug the USB cable, and turn on the power source.

Source