Buzz
Simple and effective solutions to get your phone charging quickly.
Is your phone refusing to charge even when plugged in or only charging in certain positions? These common issues often arise with both Android and iPhone devices. Keep reading for helpful insights and tips from repair expert Linh Le to get your device charging properly again.
Why Your Phone Might Not Be Charging
Inspect your phone's charging port for any dust or debris, and ensure that your charger is working properly. Try a different outlet to rule out power issues. Some phones may not charge past 80% due to charging limits or Optimized Battery Charging settings.
Steps to Fix the Charging Problem
Inspect the charging port.
The charging port might be clogged with dust or debris. Many phones, including the latest iPhones and Google Pixel models, don't have covers over their charging ports, making them prone to collecting lint when shoved into your pocket. Over time, this buildup can prevent the charger from making proper contact, or sometimes the phone will only charge if the cable is positioned a certain way.
- Use a Q-tip with rubbing alcohol to gently clean away the visible lint and debris. A small non-metal tool like a toothpick can also help remove stubborn dirt.
- For iPhones with Lightning ports (14 or older), clean from side to side.
- For newer iPhones (15 and beyond) or Androids with USB-C ports, make sure to clean around the charging pin in the middle.
Check the charging cable.
The charger cable could be faulty. If you've been using the same charger for a while, it might be damaged or simply worn out, which could prevent it from charging your phone properly. You might notice your phone losing charge instead of gaining it when plugged in.
- Test with a different charger cable.
Inspect the power adapter.
The charging adapter might be malfunctioning. This is the component that connects your charger cable to the power source. If you have a USB-C to USB charger, you might be plugging it directly into a USB port from the power source, bypassing the adapter altogether.
- Try a different charging adapter. Each adapter is designed for specific charging levels, so ensure the one you're using matches your device's voltage requirements.
Check the outlet.
The power outlet could be faulty. Try plugging your charger into a different outlet. If you're connecting your phone to a laptop's USB port, consider using a surge protector or plugging it directly into a wall outlet instead.
Update your phone.
An outdated phone might cause charging issues. Go to Settings and check for any available software updates for your Android or iPhone.
Clean the Lightning cable for iPhones.
Your iPhone's Lightning cable might be dirty. Inspect the Lightning end of the cable for any buildup of grime. Linh Le suggests using a small amount of diluted isopropyl alcohol or a medical cleaning wipe to clean the cable. However, avoid doing this too frequently, as the alcohol can be corrosive over time.
EXPERT ADVICE
Linh Le
Certified Mobile Repair Expert
Certified Mobile Repair Expert
Alcohol wipes can be very useful. If you have medical cleaning wipes (the small square ones), they are perfect for cleaning dirt and grime off your Lightning charger.
Check the Optimized Battery Charging settings on your iPhone.
Optimized Battery Charging might be turned on. Starting with iOS 13, iPhones feature Optimized Battery Charging, which helps preserve battery health by slowing down the charging process. Using machine learning, your iPhone learns your daily charging routine and keeps the charge at 80% until it's necessary to top it up.
- If you'd prefer to turn off this setting, navigate to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging.
- If you have an iPhone 15 or later, you can modify the charging limit, allowing your phone to stop charging at 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or 100%. To adjust this, go to Settings > Battery > Charging and move the slider to your desired limit.
