Why Is My Phone Not Charging? How To Quickly Fix It
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A phone that won’t charge is pretty much an expensive paperweight – if paperweights contained all your most valuable information. If your phone has stopped charging, you want solutions, and you want them fast.
Determining what causes a phone to not charge is often like diagnosing an illness. Like a doctor, you start by eliminating the most common causes before considering more serious issues.
What Causes a Phone Not to Charge?
Before you panic, the answer to “why is my phone not charging?” is often an easy-to-resolve fix. Here are the most common causes of phone charging issues:
- Broken power cords: Check the power cable to see if it’s been damaged in any way and replace it.
- Faulty accessories: Cables, wireless chargers, sockets, and adapters can all fail. This is especially true if you’re using cheaper third-party charging accessories, which vary in quality and reliability.
- Lack of wireless charging compatibility: If you’re using a wireless phone charger, check to see if your phone is Qi-compatible. If not, it can only be charged using cables.
- Dirty charging ports: Dirt and debris can block your phone’s charging port. Use a can of compressed air to loosen debris, then gently remove the remaining dirt carefully with a plastic dental pick or toothpick.
- Third-party apps: One of the dangers of downloading apps from third-party stores is the possibility the app will interfere with charging. Delete such apps and try charging the phone again.
- Software updates: Check to see if your phone’s operating system needs updating. An update may resolve the charging issue.
- Overheating: Let the phone cool then try charging again.
If none of these issues are why the phone has stopped charging, more serious issues may be at fault. Water damage or loose, corroded ports may be to blame. In either case, your options may be limited, and the phone may need replacing.
Common Causes of Charging Issues
Several factors could cause your phone to stop charging, and knowing the possible sources is key to solving the problem. Here are the most frequent culprits:
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Dirty or Damaged Charging Port
- Dust, lint, and other particles can build up in your phone’s charging port over time, blocking the connection between the charger and the device. This is one of the most common issues and affects all smartphone brands.
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Faulty Charging Cable or Adapter
- Charging cables and adapters can wear out or break. A damaged cable or low-quality adapter might prevent a stable power flow to your phone. It’s always best to use the original charger or a certified replacement for your device.
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Software Glitches or Firmware Issues
- Software plays a critical role in charging efficiency. Glitches in the operating system or outdated firmware may cause charging problems. Keeping your phone updated can often resolve these issues.
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Battery Health Problems
- Batteries degrade over time. If your phone is a few years old, the battery may have reached a point where it no longer holds a charge effectively or charges very slowly.
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Overheating
- If a phone gets too hot, built-in safeguards can temporarily halt charging to protect the battery. This often happens when charging while using power-intensive apps, especially in warm environments.
Brand-Specific Charging Issues
While many charging problems are universal, some issues are unique to certain brands. Here’s a quick look at what users of Apple, Samsung, and Google phones might encounter:
Apple iPhones
- Accessory Not Supported: Apple devices are known to display this message if the charger is not Apple-certified. Using third-party chargers can sometimes cause this error, which stops charging.
- Lightning Port Problems: The Lightning port on iPhones can be sensitive to dust and damage. Regular cleaning with caution can help keep it functioning well.
Samsung Galaxy Devices
- Fast Charging Failures: Samsung phones, especially recent Galaxy models, support fast charging. If this feature stops working, it could be due to incompatible chargers or a system setting. Always use a Samsung-approved charger for optimal results.
- Power Sharing Features: Some Samsung devices have features like “PowerShare” to charge other devices. Ensure this feature isn’t accidentally turned on, as it could disrupt normal charging.
Google Pixel Phones
- USB-C Compatibility: Google Pixels use USB-C charging, and not all cables are compatible. Using Google-certified cables reduces the risk of charging problems.
- Charging Port Issues: As with other brands, Google phones can accumulate dirt or suffer from port damage, impacting charging.
How to make your battery power last longer
When your phone has stopped charging you’ll want to conserve as much battery life as possible while you fix the problem. The following can buy you more time until the battery dies completely.
- Turn down screen brightness
- Reduce screen resolution
- Close all apps
- Use power-saving options
- Reduce the phone’s Sleep timeout
- Turn off the volume and the vibrate functions
- Turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- Turn on Airplane Mode
- Disable Location Services
- Reduce app notifications
What Should You Do if Your Phone Still Won’t Charge?
Any phone’s battery has a finite life and eventually becomes incapable of holding a charge. Usually, the battery starts to die around the time most people are thinking about phone upgrades anyway, so it isn’t a big deal. In rare cases, defective batteries can stop holding charges before you’re ready to upgrade. In such cases, phone insurance covers the cost of repair or replacement.
Even the best batteries do no last forever. If your phone is very old it simply may need to be replaced. Stop by any Victra-Verizon store nationwide and our consultants can talk with you about battery extension tips and the phones available today with the longest battery life for your next purchase.
is a skilled Web Developer and Designer. He builds and designs websites that focus on best UI/UX practices. Justin is also a Verizon Product Expert at Victra, helping customers with Verizon products and services. His mix of design, coding, product, and general knowledge makes him a valuable and knowledgeable team member.
