There are various reasons why your phone won’t charge, and pretty much all of them are easy to address. From changing a faulty cable to installing a software update, this article will run through them all. It will help you pinpoint just why exactly your phone won’t charge as it should, and it will explain clearly just what you have to do to get it working properly again.
This guide will cover both Android and iOS devices, so Google, Samsung and Apple fans alike can find the solution to their phone charging problems. Also, it will conclude by explaining what you can do to avoid issues with smartphone charging in the future. That way you can concentrate on using your mobile for what it was intended: taking photos of your cat.
Before we look at particular solutions for Android and iOS below, here’s a quick rundown of possible steps you can try now. They’re classified in order of complexity.
Try switching your phone on and off. This can clear anything in its cache that may be interfering with its charging.
Check that your charger is plugged in correctly. This means checking that the charger has been inserted properly into your phone and into a power/mains outlet.
It can be worrying when you go to put your phone on charge or take it off the charger to find out that it isn’t charging. While it can be scary to think your phone isn't charging in most cases the problems have an easy fix.
What are the common reasons why my phone won’t charge?
If your iPhone won’t charge, it’s usually for one of three basic reasons. Either the charging cable or plug is faulty, the charging port is dirty, or there’s a software issue. That said, iPhone charging problems can also stem from other causes, which we’re going to address now.
Unfortunately there are few reasons why your iPhone will not charge but the good news is that most of them have easy fixes.
In certain cases, using a charger that isn’t Apple-certified can cause an alert to appear on your iPhone’s screen, saying something along the lines of “This accessory may not be supported” or “Accessory Not Supported.”
Accordingly, such charging problems can be dealt with by using only official Apple chargers where possible, or at least chargers that have clearly been labeled as ‘Apple-certified.’
That said, you may also see the “Accessory Not Supported” alert in the event of your iPhone’s charging port being dirty or damaged. In this case, debris prevents your iPhone from correctly recognizing a charger and charging accordingly. We have a section on how to clean your phone’s charging port below, but you can also take it to a service center.
If your iPhone still won’t charge, performing a force restart can help. This is because it clears the device’s short-term memory of anything that may be interfering with its charging process.
On an iPhone 8 or later (including the iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation), you can perform a force restart by doing the following: press and quickly release the Volume Up Button. Press and quickly release the Volume Down Button. Press and hold the Side Button, until the Apple logo appears.
On the iPhone 7 (and 7 Plus), here’s how you can force restart your device: simultaneously press and hold the Side Button and the Volume Down Button until you see the Apple logo.
And on iPhone 6s or earlier (including 1st-generation iPhone SEs), you can do a force restart by: simultaneously pressing and holding the Side/Top Button and the Home Button until you see the Apple logo.
Another thing to try when your iPhone won’t charge is to update its software. This means installing a new version of iOS, if one is available.
You can check to see whether an update is available for your phone by going to Settings -> General -> Software Update. An update will appear here if one is available, and you can install it by tapping Download and Install.
Short of taking your iPhone to an Apple Store or service center, one last thing you can try is a DFU restore. This stands for Device Firmware Upgrade, something which can be used to solve bugs or problems if nothing else has worked. It reinstalls the iPhone’s firmware, which controls the device's hardware.
While DFU restores may help when your phone won’t charge, it’s important to remember that they erase all data on your iPhone. Because of this, you really should have an up-to-date backup of your device before proceeding. You’ll also need an updated Mac, or a Windows PC with the latest version of iTunes running on it.
If you have an iPhone 8 or more recent model, here’s what you do:
Again, you really should backup your iPhone before attempting a DFU restore. Otherwise you will lose all your data.
The best way to prevent the problem in the first place is to ensure that you are using Apple branded products. Phones can sometimes detect when you are using third party chargers, cables and other accessories and can give you this message. In some cases if the charger is an older model or it isn’t compatible it will give you a message saying that it is not supported. Try to keep the charger port clean as bits of dirt and dust can cause the phone to think the charger is not compatible.
Regarding the "Android phone won’t charge" issue, it will also be because of such reasons as faulty cables, dirty or damaged charging ports, or software bugs. However, there are a number of problems and solutions that apply specifically to Android, as detailed blow.
When your Android phone isn’t charging, you can try putting it in Safe Mode and attempting to charge it from there. Because Safe Mode boots up a stripped-down version of the phone’s OS -- with only the first-party apps it came with -- it can tell you whether a charging problem might be caused by a third-party application you’ve downloaded.
To enter Safe Mode on the majority Android devices, hold the Power Button until the Power Off screen appears. Then hold the Power Off Button, until you see the window asking you whether you’d like to reboot in Safe Mode. Tap Safe Mode or OK, depending on your phone.
Once in Safe Mode, plug in your phone charger. If your device begins charging again, this indicates that a third-party app is interfering with charging. This means you need to exit Safe Mode (by restarting the device) and uninstall your recently downloaded apps one-by-one until charging works again.
Ampere is an Android app that detects whether your phone is charging or not. It’s useful in situations where your device may actually be charging, but the phone itself doesn’t show the usual charging icon. Conversely, it’s also useful in rare cases where your phone shows the charging icon, but no actual charging is taking place.
Once you download Ampere from the Google Play Store, connect your phone to a charger and launch the app. It will detect whether your phone is drawing a current, with its readings turning green if the device is charging. If the numbers are orange, this means your phone isn’t charging.
In such cases, some kind of software issue may be preventing your Android phone from charging. You will need to update your core software if an Android update is available, or update (or potentially delete) your apps.
As with iPhones, rebooting your Android and/or updating can be a quick and easy fix for cases where your phone won’t charge. This is because bugs or glitches can interfere with charging.
On most Androids, you can reboot your phone by holding the Power Button and tapping Power Off on the menu that appears. Then hold the Power Button again until your Android restarts.
As for updating, you can do this by going to Settings -> System -> System Update. A new version of Android will appear if one is available, so tap Download and Install.
If you restart or update and still your phone won’t charge, you can try performing a Factory Reset. As with the iPhone, it’s important to perform a backup (via your computer) before doing this, since it will delete your data.
On the majority of Androids, you can perform a Factory Reset by going to Settings -> System -> Reset Options (or General Management) -> Erase All Data. Certain Androids may have differently worded options from this, but they all generally follow the same path.
Keeping your phone in good condition and protecting it from drops and bumps is important to keep everything working smoothly.
If you drop the phone it can cause the internal components to become loose or damaged which can cause the phone to not charge.
Close all the apps down before charging your phone. It can overheat and stop charging if too many apps are open at once.
Try to use branded chargers as they have the correct amount of amps to charge the specific model of phone.
If you have a samsung phone and you find that after dying it won’t turn back on it could be one of a few issues. Let’s check them out.
Your power button could be stuck which may not allow the phone to turn on. The charger port may not be correctly connected to the charger. Using a charger that is not compatible can overheat and damage the phone.
Take a good look at your power button. Sometimes it can be sticky or dirt has become lodged in it causing the button to be pushed in. Using a toothpick or pin and go around the edge of the button to ensure nothing is stuck. Check the charger port and look for any bits of fluff or dirt that may be stopping the charger from making a successful connection. Check the charger has the same amps and voltage. It can wreck the phone if it’s not compatible.
Always keep a phone cover on the phone to keep food and gunk away from the power button and the charging port. Most covers have a slot for the charging port so you can open it to charge the phone and close it when you are finished charging the phone. This will keep it protected. Always use a branded charger that matches your phone. Using the one that came with the phone is a good idea. If you have lost it or it needs replacing check with the manufacturer for a replacement so you will get one that is compatible with the phone.
If you frequently ask why won't my phone charge to 100 the good news is we know why and we have a fix for you.
Phones are only supposed to be charged to 80 then disconnected from the charger. Charging the phone past 100 is classed as overcharging the battery and can actually damage it and degrade it significantly. There is a function on your phone called optimized battery charging. When this is on it will stop the phone from charging over 80.
It isn’t recommended to turn the feature off and charge to 100 but if you really want to then you can go to settings and find optimized battery charging and then toggle the feature off. The phone will go back to charging to 100.
Simply keep the feature turned off will prevent the phone from only charging to 80. Again it is not recommended to do so as it degrades the lifespan of the battery.
When the phone will not charge when you have it plugged into an outlet it could be several things to do with the charger or the phone's battery. Let’s look at a few options here.
A good reason for this is a faulty charging cable or the outlet is not working. If you are using a wireless charger you could have a cover on the phone that is blocking the signal. You could have dust or debris sitting on the charging port so a successful charging connection cannot be made. There is also the possibility that your battery is no longer working.
There are several things you can do here to fix the problem. Try plugging something else like an iPad or Lamp into the same outlet and see if you get power. If other items are charging from that outlet you can eliminate that as a problem. Try a different charging cable and see if the problem still exists. You should see a battery icon on the screen when the phone is charging. Next up check that you are not using a cover that can block the signal when wireless charging. Take the cover off and place the phone on the charger if it starts to charge then the cover is the problem. You may need to get one that is compatible with wireless charging.
If you have tried all the above options then it’s possible that you have a faulty battery or one that has outlived its lifespan.
Try to use branded chargers and cords that match the manufacturer of the phone. Avoid third party chargers as they can degrade your battery significantly. Try not to overcharge the battery as this can reduce its lifespan and cause it to overheat. Aim to charge the phone to 80% then take it off charge.
Water can be a catastrophe for iPhones and can cause so many problems with the internal parts and the screen. If your phone has been left in the rain or water was spilled on it it’s important to act quickly.
Sometimes you can be lucky and phones will work after getting wet and sometimes they don't. Is there a reason for why the iPhone won’t charge once it has been wet?
Always opt for a waterproof cover on your phone to try and keep moisture and water out of the phone. The best practice anyone can do to prevent their phone from getting wet is to keep it away from water at all times.
Did you get your phone wet when the drink bottle leaked in your bag? Maybe you dropped it in the sink. Well whatever the reason is it's important to try and dry the phone as much as possible to avoid too much damage being done to the phone.
It’s common for a phone to not charge after being wet. Water can be damaging to the parts of the phone as they are small and delicate.
Water can make the charging pins corrode and parts of the motherboard system to soak water in and become waterlogged and unable to do their normal function.
Avoid using and drying appliances on the phone such as a hair dryer. They can get too hot and cause the components to overheat and become damaged. A good option is putting your phone in a bag of silica gel pads. They are in their own little pouch so the ingredients won't come into contact with the charging area. They are good at soaking up moisture. Open a window and place the phone on the window sill so the cool breeze can help air out the phone. Avoid placing the phone in direct sunlight.
Keeping the phone away from water at all times is important. It’s the best way to prevent the phone from becoming wet. Invest in a waterproof cover so there is no risk of a drink bottle leaking and wrecking the phone. It’s a habit we all do but avoid taking the phone in the bathroom when you shower. The steam and humidity can cause the pins and connectors in the charging port to corrode. It can also cause the phone to sweat inside.
When people say my samsung phone won't charge we know exactly how you feel. Confused and frustrated. Sometimes the problems for cell phone won't charge issues can be minor or they can be complex. Either way we can help you out with a few options.
Here are a few reasons why your Samsung phone won’t charge.
If you have a dirty charging port it can block the connections from reaching each other. You can clean these out with compressed air or with a pin to gently move the debris. When your phone is outdated it can cause malfunctions within the software and this includes charging. Simply go to settings then general and check to see if the phone has an update ready to install.
Third-party apps are well known for causing problems with your phone. Those apps can sometimes be corrupt and cause the phone to overheat or overload with too much processing. Delete any apps that are causing problems like slowing the phone down or becoming laggy when you open them. If you suspect your phone is too hot, place it in a cool place to bring the temperature down.
Don’t eat around the phone or place the phone in messy areas can help to keep the port clean. Keeping a cover on it can do the same. Make it an important part of your week to check for any pending updates. Always close apps when you are not using them and be sure to close all the apps before charging to avoid the phone overheating. Keep your phone out of sunlight or close to other heat sources to prevent it from overheating.
We all love the fast charging feature. Let’s face it we use our phones for everything so it’s normal for the battery to drain quite quickly. If you are having problems fast charing your phone check out the problems and solutions below.
If you are using a normal charger that doesn’t allow for fast charging or you are using an old cable you might be prevented from fast charging. Using your phone while it’s charging especially if the app uses a lot of energy. Too many apps open in the background and a weak power supply can cause these problems.
Ensure you are using the correct charging accessories for fast charging. If you are not sure then speak to the phone manufacturer who can give you advice on fast charging your phone. Avoid using the phone when it's charging. You will find it will charge quicker if the phone is off when charging. If you charge the phone while it’s on try to close all the apps you can so the energy is focused on charging instead of draining the battery while it’s charging.
Always charge with the accessories that came with the phone. If you need to get replacements, always buy from the brand of your phone. Simply turning your phone off when charging will stop you from playing with it and preventing it from charging quicker.
While it can be frustrating when you charge your phone only to find it is nearly flat a short time later. There are a few causes for this. Let's decide which one could be the problem you are facing.
When your phone goes flat not long after charging it, it can be that your battery is no longer working properly and needs to be replaced. It can also mean the charger is faulty or too old which can overheat the phone and not charge it properly. You might have your GPS on in the background which will be navigating you and re-routing you all day when you're walking or traveling around. Your battery could be degrading meaning it cannot handle holding charge anymore.
You can try to charge your phone fully using another charger and see after a while if the phone’s charge lasts longer. Check to make sure your GPS is not working in the background just swipe up the screen to see the apps that are open. If it's there it means it's going in the background and will be draining your battery.
When you charge your phone ensure that you close all the apps down so there isn’t increased pressure on the system when charging. Avoid overcharging your phone. Charge to 80% will help to keep the battery in optimal health.
Wireless chargers are easy to use and super convenient but when they don't charge your phone it can be a nightmare.
Two common reasons for phones not charging on wireless pads is due to covers that obstruct the charger and poor placement of the phone on the pad. There is also the chance the phone is an older model that does not have wireless charging capabilities.
Try to opt for a thin cover that allows for wireless charging. It’s a good idea to get one from the manufacturer to ensure it is compatible with the phone and wireless charger. Try to place the phone directly in the middle of the wireless charging pad and wait until you see the lightning bolt in the battery which is located in the top right corner.
When you find the perfect placement for the phone on the charging pad you can trace around it with a marker that way you have an outline for the perfect placement each time. Just line it up with the outline and you’re good to go. Talk to your phone’s manufacturer about a cover that’s compatible with your wireless charger.
If you are traveling or your phone is nearly flat you can put your phone on charge in the car to effortlessly charge your phone. Unfortunately there are a few things that can happen that can prevent your phone from charging in the car. Let’s look at what they might be.
If you have a blown fuse in the car then you might experience a USB port not charging your phone. It can happen from a power surge within the car’s computer or just plain wear and tear. If your phone is not charging in the car then consider checking the configurations. The connection settings may need to be configured with the car’s computer. If you have outdated firmware inside the computer then the car's USB will not connect and charge the phone.
Most of these issues are to do with the car and its computer, not the phone. You can check with the car’s manufacturer about how to configure the settings and ask if they can check the USB ports for wear and tear. They can also update the firmware on the computer or install brand new USB ports if needed.
Gently pull the USB in and out gently which can prevent the USB becoming loose and not working. Rough handling the cords can cause them to become loose and damaged.
Do you plug the charger into your phone but it seems very loose and when you move the phone the cord falls out? This is a common occurrence and we know why it happens, how to fix it and just what to do to prevent it happening in the future.
In nearly all cases it is due to being too rough with the plug. It comes from pulling the cord in and out too hard or wiggling it as you pull it out. It can also happen if you drop your phone on the charger end which can dislodge the charger port pins.
Unfortunately when the charger port is loose and the charger cord will not stay in the phone it will need to be replaced. You may still be able to charge the phone at the moment but soon enough it will stop working.
Always be gentle inserting the charger into the phone’s port. If you struggle with this or are afraid it might happen again after being repaired, opt for a wireless charger.
My phone doesn't charge. Why is this happening? Let’s look at the reasons why your LG phone will not charge. In most cases the cause is only minor and doesn’t require a complex solution. From a malfunctioning battery or charging port and even using the wrong charger can cause a charging problem. There is also the cause that your power socket is not working properly.
Ensure you are using an LG charger, preferably the one that came with the phone. This will make sure that your phone is getting the right power output for its type. Now if you are using a two piece charger then disconnect the cord and try to charge the phone via the computer. If this works then the problem lies within the AC/DC adapter. If the phone still isn’t charging it’s possible the phone’s battery may be faulty or dead. Check with LG if you have a new phone as it may be under warranty.
Try to use the original chargers, not the third-party ones you can buy online overseas. Some are not compatible with wattage and amps in your country so ensure you use one dedicated for your phone. Keep the battery healthy by avoiding charging it overnight and only charge when it's near flat instead of charging it a few times a day when it’s on 20% then 60% and then 10%.
If you’ve tried the steps above and still your phone doesn’t charge, it may be that you need to clean its charging port. As we’ve said before, it can be safer to take your phone to a service center to do this. However, if you’re confident enough, you can try to clean it yourself, using one of various methods.
Important: do not blow into the port. Your breath can contain moisture, which could make the problem worse. Also, do not use alcohol or isopropyl, for similar reasons.
If there is a problem with the charger port then your phone will not be able to charge. If there is a problem it will either need to be repaired or replaced before you can use it again. Let’s check out what to look for in a damaged charging port.
If any of these are happening with your charging port then you need to seek advice from the manufacturer who will decide whether repair or replacement is the better option.
It can cost anywhere from $78.00 upwards to fix a charging port. The newer models will cost more. At Simply Fixable we can offer cheaper than average rates to fix your charging port. For the iPhone 6 you can expect to pay around $60 and for a model more advanced like the iPhone 13 you can expect to pay about $150.
If you have a bit of an idea about phones and their components then you might be able to conduct a charging port replacement yourself. With our friendly and easy to follow guide it can be done. If you are a complete beginner to phones and lack the confidence to conduct a DIY repair then sending the phone off to the manufacturer is a good solution. Messing around with parts and components that you are not familiar with can cause more damage to the phone. Take note that if you try to fix the port yourself you will void your warranty if you damage something or the DIY job doesn't work.
Prevention is a good way to avoid certain problems from happening in the first place. Phones that won’t charge are a common problem and in most cases it’s down to how you care for your phone.
Again, if you’ve tried everything covered in this article and your phone won’t charge, it may be time to take it to a suitable service center. For iPhones, this means going to an Apple Store or any other third-party repair store offering affordable repair costs, whereas for Androids you should look for a qualified phone repair shop. Also, if your device is within warranty and it won’t charge, you should return it to the retailer you bought it from and ask for a replacement.
However, with most phone charging problems, it shouldn’t be necessary to take your device for servicing. By replacing chargers and cables, by restarting your phone and performing software updates, or by carefully cleaning the charging port, you should be able to get your device charging again.
Author: Simon Chandler
Twitter: @_simonchandler_ | LinkedIn: Simon Chandler
Simon Chandler is a journalist based in London, UK. He covers technology and finance, contributing to such titles as Forbes, Business Insider, InsideBitcoins, Digital Trends, Cryptonews.com, and CryptoVantage. He has also contributed to Lifewire, Wired, TechCrunch, TechRadar, Make Use of, the Daily Dot, the Verge, Cointelegraph, CCN.com, the New Internationalist, MuckRack, Tech Target, Bandcamp, the Sun, and numerous others.
He specializes in mobile technology covering smartphones, tablets, wearables, and games. Beyond consumer gadgets, his main interest is in how tech is changing the way we live and who we are, for better and for worse.
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