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If your battery is not charging properly, do not immediately assume that your phone charger or battery is damaged. Based on personal experience, the problem and its solution may be much simpler than you think. If your phone or tablet is charging slowly or not charging at all, here are 12 ways to fix a phone that won't charge.
Why a Phone Doesn't Charge
Charging problems can occur in different ways. Your phone may not charge at all when plugged in, or it may charge very slowly, sometimes barely faster than it discharges. This is a common issue, and there are several possible solutions. Most charging problems are related to the USB cable, charger, or charging port itself.
1. Do-It-Yourself USB Port Fix
The quickest, easiest, and often most successful solution is to perform a simple repair on your device's hardware. The problem is often caused by the metallic surfaces inside the USB port and microUSB charger failing to make proper contact, either because of a manufacturing defect or repeated plugging and unplugging of the charging cable.
All you need to do is switch off your device, remove the battery if possible, and carefully use something small, such as a toothpick, to gently lift the small tab inside your smartphone or tablet's USB port. Do this very carefully, then reinsert the battery and plug the device in again. In many cases, this is all that is required.
2. Remove Lint, Candy, and Dust
Do you keep your phone in your jeans pocket? If so, lint could be the problem, as pocket lint is a common cause of unreliable USB charging.
Some phones have charging ports clogged with chocolate after being placed in a handbag alongside a packet of sweets. A can of compressed air can help remove the debris and restore the USB connection to normal.
3. Switch Cables
The weakest part of a charger is often the cable, rather than the adapter that plugs into the wall socket. Apple users are particularly vulnerable because Apple's proprietary and expensive Lightning cables can have a limited lifespan. However, all charging cables experience wear and tear, and constant bending and twisting can damage them. Using a random USB cable instead of the one supplied with your phone can also lead to charging problems.
The easiest way to identify a faulty cable is to try another one and see whether it works properly with your device. If it does, the original cable is likely faulty. If it doesn't, you can rule out the cable as a possible cause.
4. Diagnose a Faulty Adapter
If the cable does not appear to be the problem, check the wall adapter, especially if it allows you to disconnect the charging cable. Some chargers develop loose USB ports after repeated plugging and unplugging.
Also, check whether the same charger and cable combination works with another device, as this can help you determine whether the problem lies with your device rather than the cable or charger. You should also make sure there is no problem with your wall socket.
5. Remember: Safety First
Do not charge your phone near water or in excessively hot or humid conditions. Also, if you are replacing a charger or cable, be careful because the internet is full of reports about cheap third-party chargers that catch fire or damage smartphones. As with any electrical equipment, make sure that anything you buy complies with the relevant safety standards.
To understand how much energy is stored in your battery, check this video out, but do not try it at home.
A previous version of this article warned users against charging devices overnight, but I want to clarify that this is not because you can overcharge your device. Modern smartphones have built-in measures to prevent damage when batteries remain connected to a charger at 100 percent capacity.
However, charging a battery generates heat, and if a smartphone is placed in a confined space, such as under a pillow or inside a case, it could become too hot. Therefore, if you charge your phone overnight, make sure it is placed in a safe, well-ventilated location.
6. Replace the Battery
Batteries do not last forever, and after a couple of years, they may struggle to hold a charge. The more frequently you discharge and recharge a battery, the sooner it may need replacing. If your battery fails after just six months, it may be defective, and you should make a warranty claim for a free replacement. However, if the battery is older than two years, it may be approaching the end of its lifespan.
Some defective batteries are easy to identify because they begin to swell or leak fluid. If these signs are not visible externally, remove your device's cover and inspect the battery, if possible, because some devices have sealed battery compartments.
If the cover cannot be removed, you could try laying the device on its back and spinning it. A swollen battery may deform the case, and although the swelling might not be visible, it could be enough to make your phone spin. If you suspect your battery is swollen or leaking, take your phone to a repair shop and purchase a reputable replacement.
7. Charge From the Right Source
Charging from a wall socket is generally faster than charging through a PC or laptop because computer USB ports often deliver less power.
A wall charger can provide more power than a standard USB port, while compatible fast chargers can deliver considerably more power, resulting in much faster charging. Therefore, if your phone is charging slowly while connected to a laptop, that could be the problem.
If your wall charger does not seem to deliver enough power, check whether it is suitable for your device. A charger designed for another phone may not provide the correct amount of power. For example, a charger for a Bluetooth headset may deliver less power than one designed specifically for smartphones.
Some recent high-end phones support fast charging but require a compatible charger to achieve those speeds. Check the charger's specifications.
8. Update or Roll Back
Software updates and new Android versions can affect battery life, especially when upgrading an older device to newer software. Newer devices are often optimized for the latest software, whereas a two-year-old device may struggle after an update.
If this happens and you cannot resolve the problem, you could consider reverting to an earlier Android version, although doing so may introduce security risks. Keeping your device updated to the latest software version is generally recommended to protect it, and while the risk of using an older version may sometimes be limited, it is worth considering.
Similarly, a software update can significantly improve battery life, so if you think your Android software is outdated, go to Settings > About phone to check for an update.
9. Switch It Off
Using battery-intensive apps and features while charging your device can affect how quickly its battery level increases. If you are using Skype with your screen brightness set to 100 percent, your device will naturally take longer to charge than it would with the screen, Wi-Fi, and 4G turned off.
Switch your device to airplane mode or turn it off completely while charging if you want it to charge as quickly as possible. Think of it as allowing your device to take a power nap.
10. Calibrate Your Battery
Sometimes, the battery level displayed by your device may be inaccurate. As a result, your phone may behave differently, such as limiting performance earlier than expected or taking an hour to use the last two percent of battery power.
We have already written an extensive guide on how to calibrate your smartphone battery, so I will not repeat all the details here, but this is something to try before completely giving up on your battery.
11. Check Your Battery Pack's Voltage and Amperage
This tip was suggested in the comments by Patrick, and it can help you quickly identify a defective charging cable.
Download the free Amperage app from the link below and open it. Then, connect your charger, and the interface should turn green, with the text at the top displaying "measuring". If you do not see this or nothing happens, it may mean that no current is reaching your device.
If the app detects current, it will display charging statistics for that charger, including minimum and maximum load levels in milliamps, voltage, and maximum current. This is also a useful way to compare the performance of your chargers.
Try connecting the different chargers you own, including portable battery packs, to see which has the highest maximum charging value or average output. The app makes it relatively easy to compare them. Although it does not provide an exact measurement, it can still offer a useful indication, and the app is completely free.
12. What About Water Damage?
Several people in the comments asked about battery problems caused by water damage. If your phone stops charging after falling into water, you may have limited options, and your best option may be to replace the battery, if possible.
However, you should try to prevent this from happening in the first place. Read our article explaining what to do when you drop your phone in water to learn the first steps you should take to try to save it.
If nothing else works, double-check that the power socket is switched on. This is the first thing you may be asked when contacting your manufacturer for help, and contacting them may be your next step if none of these solutions works for you.
Have you experienced a smartphone that won't charge properly? Let us know in the comments if you have found a solution that we have not mentioned here.
