Android Phone Not Charging? Here’s How to Fix It
Having problems charging your Android phone can be extremely frustrating. A dead battery means you can’t make calls, text, access the internet, use apps, or do anything else with your phone. Fortunately, there are several things you can try to get your Android charging again.
Check the Charging Cable Connection
The most obvious place to start is by checking that the charging cable is properly connected at both ends.
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Make sure the charging cable is plugged firmly into the phone’s charging port. Wiggle the cable and see if it feels loose – a loose connection can prevent charging.
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Inspect the charger end of the cable and clean out any dust or debris from the port. Dust buildup can block the contacts.
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Try connecting your phone with a different USB cable, ideally the one that came with your device. Faulty or damaged cables cause charging issues.
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If using a wall charger, check that the USB cable is firmly plugged into the charger.
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Consider connecting your phone directly to a USB port on a computer instead of using a wall charger. This will help determine if the issue is with the cable or charger.
Check Charger and Port for Damage
Damaged charging ports are a common reason Android phones stop charging properly.
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Closely inspect your phone’s charging port for any debris, dust, or bent/broken pins. Damaged pins in the port can prevent normal charging.
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Check for damage to your charger, such as broken wires or bent connectors. Try using a different charger such as the original one that came with your phone.
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Avoid forcing in chargers or cables at awkward angles, which can damage the port.
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If there is any moisture or liquid damage to the charging port, allow your phone to fully dry out before attempting to charge again.
Restart the Phone
Sometimes restarting your Android can resolve temporary software glitches that may be preventing normal charging.
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Hold down your phone’s Power button for 5-10 seconds to switch it off.
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Wait 30 seconds, then press Power again to restart your phone.
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Check if your phone begins charging normally after the restart. A simple restart fixes many charging issues.
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You can also try rebooting your phone into Safe Mode and see if charging works. Booting into Safe Mode loads your phone with default settings and disables third party apps.
Check for Software and App Issues
Software problems, glitches, and some third party apps can interfere with normal charging.
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Try charging your phone in Airplane mode for 15-30 minutes. Airplane mode disables wireless connections that may interfere.
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Check for any pending Android updates and install them. Updates often contain bug fixes that resolve charging problems.
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Uninstall any recently added apps and see if charging improves. Some third party apps, especially ones that weren’t downloaded from Google Play, cause issues.
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Consider resetting your phone to factory default settings if other software fixes don’t work. Back up data first before resetting.
Try Alternative Charging Methods
If you’ve tried different cables and chargers without success, here are a few other troubleshooting tips for charging your Android phone:
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Try wireless charging if your phone supports it. Place your phone on a Qi wireless charging pad.
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Use battery packs or portable chargers to provide power directly to your phone’s battery.
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If the battery is removable, take it out and clean the battery contacts with rubbing alcohol. This can resolve connection issues.
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Check the battery usage in Settings to see if any apps are draining power abnormally fast. Uninstall or force stop battery draining apps.
When to Take Your Phone for Repair
If none of these troubleshooting tips succeed in charging your Android phone, the issue likely requires professional repair:
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Damaged or faulty charging ports will need to be repaired or replaced.
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Extreme liquid damage can short circuit internal charging components.
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Faulty batteries that no longer hold charge may need to be swapped out.
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Motherboard issues in some cases prevent charging from functioning normally.
Take your Android phone to a reputable repair shop for inspection if you can’t get it to charge after trying all the software fixes. Charging issues are usually repairable unless there is extensive water damage.
Preventing Charging Problems
Here are some tips to avoid charging issues with your Android phone in the future:
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Don’t expose your phone to liquids or submerge it in water. Water damage often leads to charging issues.
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Use the charging cable that came with your phone for the fastest, most consistent charging.
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Keep chargers, cables, and ports clean from dust and debris to prevent connection problems.
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Don’t place your phone under heavy objects or sit on it while charging. This can damage the charging port.
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Upgrade to newer, undamaged cables and chargers if yours become very worn.
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Avoid using generic low-quality cables or chargers that can have compatibility issues.
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Unplug your phone before it reaches 100% charge to avoid overcharging battery. Overcharging strains the battery over time.
Take the time to properly troubleshoot charging problems and avoid further damage to your Android phone. But if all else fails, don’t hesitate to have it inspected by a repair expert. With the right repairs, you’ll get your Android charging smoothly again.