Buzz
This article provides several methods to address a non-functional phone battery. If the battery is dead, you can remove it and clean the battery tray (and the battery itself) using a clean microfiber cloth. If this doesn’t work, wrap the battery tightly in plastic wrap and place it in the freezer for a few days. As a last resort, use a 9V battery to jump-start the faulty phone battery.
Steps
Clean the Battery Tray
Remove the battery from the phone. You’ll need to open the back cover of the phone to take out the battery.
- If you’re using an iPhone, refer to the iPhone battery replacement guide for instructions on removing the battery.
- Similarly, you can check the battery replacement guide for certain Samsung Galaxy models.
- For detailed information on Android batteries and removal instructions, consult the manufacturer’s website or user manual.
Wipe away dust and debris inside the battery tray. This is the area where you removed the battery. Use a dry cloth, as a wet one could damage the phone.
Tip: Use a clean microfiber cloth for wiping.
Clean dust and dirt off the battery. Again, avoid using water to prevent damaging the battery.
Reinsert the cleaned battery into the phone.
Power on the phone. Cleaning off the dust might revive the battery and restore the phone’s functionality.
Freezing the Battery
Remove the battery from the phone. You’ll need to open the back cover of the phone to take out the battery.
- If you’re using an iPhone, refer to the iPhone battery replacement guide for instructions on removing the battery.
- You can also check the battery removal guide for certain Samsung Galaxy models.
- For detailed Android instructions, consult the manufacturer’s website or user manual.
Wrap the battery tightly with paper or plastic wrap. Ensure the battery is fully sealed to prevent exposure to water or other liquids.
Place the battery in a sealable plastic bag. Make sure the battery is protected from ice, water, and any wet surfaces in the freezer.
- The battery will certainly get damaged if it gets wet, so ensure it’s wrapped securely to avoid moisture exposure.
Put the securely wrapped battery in the freezer.
Leave the battery in the freezer for about 3 days. Exposing the battery to low temperatures for a period of time can help it regain a small charge, providing enough power to charge using a regular charger.
Note: If you’re in a hurry, you can try freezing the battery for 12 or 24 hours instead of 3 days.
Remove the battery from the freezer after 3 days. When it’s time to test the battery, take it out of the freezer and remove the wrapping.
Wipe off any moisture on the battery. If there’s any condensation, carefully dry the battery.
Let the battery sit at room temperature for about a day. This allows the battery to return to normal temperature.
- If this doesn’t work, you can also try drying any moisture on the battery and inserting the cold battery into the device.
- Avoid direct sunlight, as it can damage the battery.
Reinsert the battery into the back of the phone. Don’t turn on the phone just yet.
- The phone needs to be charged with a regular charger before powering it on.
Charge the phone using a regular charger. Use a standard charging cable to charge the phone before turning it on. Let it charge for at least 48 hours before powering it up.
Turn on the phone. After 48 hours of charging, power on the phone and check the battery level to see if the freezing method worked. By now, your battery might have recovered and gained some charge.
Jump-Starting the Battery
Gather the necessary items to jump-start the battery. Here’s what you’ll need:
- A 9-volt battery
- Electrical tape
- 2 wires: standard thin wires, preferably red (+) and black (-).
- Handle the circuit carefully. If unsure, prioritize safety over experimentation. Overheating the battery or incorrect connections can be extremely dangerous and may even cause the battery to explode.
Remove the battery from the phone. You’ll need to open the back cover of the phone to take out the battery.
Connect and tape one wire to the positive (+) terminal of the 9-volt battery. The positive terminal is the small protrusion on top of the 9-volt battery. Attach one end of the wire here and secure it with electrical tape.
- You’ll see a "+" sign on the positive terminal of the battery.
Connect and tape the other wire to the negative (-) terminal of the 9-volt battery. The negative terminal is the larger protrusion on top of the 9-volt battery. Ensure a secure connection and use electrical tape to fasten the second wire here.
- You’ll see a "-" sign on the negative terminal of the battery.
Locate the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals on the phone battery. These terminals are usually marked "(+)" and "(–)" on the battery tray.
- If you can’t identify the positive or negative terminals on the phone battery, refer to the manufacturer’s manual or consult a professional technician.
- Most mobile phone batteries have more than two connectors; use the outermost or widely spaced connectors. Avoid using the middle connectors.
Connect the positive wire to the positive (+) terminal of the phone battery. Attach the other end of the wire connected to the 9-volt battery’s positive terminal to the positive (+) terminal of the phone battery.
- Use separate wires or split-ended wires for each connection.
- Do not connect the positive and negative terminals of each battery together.
- Avoid connecting opposite terminals (positive to negative), as this can cause a short circuit, damage the phone battery, or even result in a small explosion.
Connect the negative wire to the negative (-) terminal of the phone battery. Attach the other end of the negative wire connected to the 9-volt battery’s negative terminal to the negative (-) terminal of the phone battery.
Maintain the connection for 10 to 60 seconds. This provides enough time to briefly jump-start and charge the battery.
- Check the battery every 10 seconds and ensure it doesn’t overheat.
Note: You can disconnect the wires once the phone battery starts to warm up.
Remove the wires from the phone battery. Once the battery feels slightly warm, you can disconnect all the wires.
Reinsert the battery into the phone. Make sure the battery is properly placed in its tray.
Turn on the phone. After jump-starting the battery with the 9V battery, check if the phone powers on and monitor the battery level to assess its charging capability.
- You can now try charging the phone using a regular charger.
Calibrating the Battery
Drain the battery completely. Use the phone until the battery is fully depleted and the device powers off automatically.
- Calibrating the phone battery is particularly useful if your phone has a short charging duration and drains quickly.
Attempt to power on the phone. After the phone shuts down automatically, turn it on and let it power off again using the minimal remaining battery.
Connect the phone to a power source. The phone will begin charging immediately.
- Do not turn on the phone after connecting it to the power source.
Tip: If the phone automatically powers on after being charged for a short while, remember to turn it off again.
Wait until the phone is fully charged. If the battery percentage is displayed on the screen, you’ll know when the phone reaches 100%. Otherwise, wait for 1 to over 6 hours for the phone to charge fully.
Power on the phone. Once the phone is fully charged, simply press the power button to turn it on.
Restart the phone. After the battery is fully charged, restart the phone to apply the new settings.
Disconnect the charger. Your battery is now recalibrated and should last longer.
Warnings
- Do not connect the phone battery to the 9-volt battery for too long, as this could cause an explosion.
- Avoid attempting to charge the phone using a 9-volt battery, as it may cause the phone battery to burn or even explode. This method should only be used to revive a dead battery.
- Do not leave the phone in the freezer for too long. Remember that both extremely high and low temperatures can damage the battery.
Tips
- If you’re having battery issues, first try using a different charging cable. Sometimes the problem might be a faulty cable, not the battery.
- When placing the battery in the freezer, ensure the plastic bag is sealed tightly and keep it away from food to avoid contamination in case of leakage.
- If using the freezer method, clearly label the bag as containing a battery to prevent others from mistaking it for food.
