If your phone is not charging, charging very slowly or only charges at certain angles, don’t panic. In this complete guide we’ll walk through the most common causes – from simple cable issues to internal hardware faults – and show you exactly how to fix them on both Android and iPhone.
Introduction: When Your Phone Refuses to Charge
You plug in your phone, wait a few seconds, and… nothing happens. No charging icon, no sound, and the battery percentage keeps going down. Whether your phone is completely dead, charges only sometimes, or takes hours to gain a few percent, the situation can be stressful – especially when you rely on your phone for work, banking or two-factor authentication.
The good news is that most charging problems are fixable at home. In the majority of cases the issue is external – a bad cable, dirty port or weak charger – not the phone itself. In this guide we’ll break down 16 common reasons your phone is not charging and give you clear, safe fixes that you can apply now.
Related guides:
Typical Symptoms When a Phone Won’t Charge
| Symptom | Most likely cause | Where to start |
|---|---|---|
| No charging icon at all | Dead cable, dead adapter, dirty or damaged port | Sections 1–4 |
| Charges only at certain angles | Loose port, worn cable, debris inside port | Sections 1, 3, 4 |
| Very slow charging | Weak charger, background apps, USB port, old battery | Sections 2, 6, 11, 15 |
| Charging stops randomly | Overheating, loose connection, software glitches | Sections 7, 8, 10 |
| “Moisture detected” warning | Water or humidity in charging port | Section 9 |
1. Damaged or Poor-Quality Charging Cable
The most common reason a phone doesn’t charge is simply a bad cable. Cables bend, twist and get pulled every day. Inside, tiny wires can break while the outside still looks fine. Cheap cables may also fail after just a few weeks of use.
How to Test the Cable
- Try the same cable with a different phone or tablet.
- Try a known-good cable on the phone that is not charging.
- Gently wiggle the connector – if charging cuts in and out, the cable is likely failing.
How to Fix It
- Replace obviously damaged or unreliable cables immediately.
- Avoid very cheap, unbranded cables – look for certified USB-C or MFi (Made for iPhone) accessories.
- Store cables without tight bending or knotting to extend their lifespan.
2. Faulty Charger Adapter or USB Power Brick
Even if the cable is fine, the adapter that plugs into the wall may be defective, under-powered or not compatible with your phone’s fast-charging standard.
How to Diagnose the Adapter
- Use the adapter with another phone. If it doesn’t charge properly either, the adapter is likely at fault.
- Use another adapter with the same phone and cable. If it charges normally, your original adapter is the problem.
- Check the printed wattage (for example 5 W, 20 W, 30 W). Very low-power chargers will charge slowly or not at all with some modern phones.
How to Fix It
- Use the original charger that came with your phone, or a reputable third-party one that matches the recommended wattage.
- For fast charging, ensure the adapter supports the correct standard (USB-PD, Quick Charge, Super Fast Charging, etc.).
- Avoid using very old chargers from different devices that may not meet modern safety standards.
3. Dust, Lint or Debris Inside the Charging Port
Over time, pockets, bags and dusty environments can fill the charging port with lint or dirt. This stops the connector from reaching fully inside the port, which leads to loose connections or no charging at all.
How to Clean the Charging Port Safely
- Turn your phone off completely.
- Use a wooden toothpick or plastic tool to very gently lift out visible lint and debris.
- Do not scrape hard – you don’t want to damage the pins inside.
- Blow short bursts of compressed air into the port (never use high-pressure air or your mouth).
Avoid metal objects like needles, paperclips or tweezers; they can bend pins or cause a short circuit.
4. Loose, Wiggling or Damaged Charging Port
If your phone only charges when you hold the cable at a certain angle, or the connector feels unusually loose, the charging port itself may be physically damaged or desoldered from the mainboard.
What You Can Do
- Test with multiple known-good cables to rule out cable issues.
- Inspect the port with a flashlight – if it looks crooked, cracked or burned, it needs repair.
- A loose or broken port usually requires professional microsoldering or board-level repair; this is not safe to fix at home.
5. Weak or Non-Working Power Source
Sometimes the problem is not the phone at all but the outlet, extension lead or USB port you’re using.
Quick Checks
- Try charging from a different wall outlet.
- Avoid using old power strips or very long extension cables.
- If you’re charging from a computer, test another USB port or try a direct wall charger instead.
6. Issues with Wireless Charging (If Your Phone Supports It)
If your phone supports wireless charging and that’s not working, the issue might be alignment, a thick case or the wireless pad itself.
Fixes for Wireless Charging
- Remove metal or very thick cases that can block the wireless signal.
- Make sure the phone is correctly centered on the charging pad.
- Check that the pad is plugged in with its original adapter.
- Test the pad with a different device if possible.
7. Phone Too Hot or Too Cold
Phones have built-in temperature protection. If the device is too hot or too cold, it may pause charging to protect the battery, showing warnings like “Charging paused. Temperature too high.”
How to Fix Temperature-Related Charging Issues
- Move the phone to a cool, shaded room and let it rest for 15–30 minutes.
- Do not place it in a freezer or fridge – rapid temperature changes can cause condensation and long-term damage.
- Avoid charging under pillows, blankets or in direct sunlight (for example on a car dashboard).
8. Software Glitches and System Bugs
Occasionally, a software issue can make it look like your phone is not charging even when it technically is, or it can temporarily disable charging features.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
- Restart your phone. Many temporary glitches disappear after a reboot.
- Update the operating system to the latest version available (both Android and iOS regularly fix charging-related bugs).
- If issues started after a major update, check if a smaller follow-up patch is available or search for known issues for your specific model.
- As a last resort, consider a backup and factory reset – but only after you’ve ruled out hardware problems.
9. Moisture Detected in Charging Port
Many modern phones (especially Samsung and other water-resistant devices) include moisture sensors. If they detect water or high humidity inside the port, charging is automatically disabled to prevent short circuits.
How to Handle Moisture Warnings
- Disconnect the cable immediately.
- Gently shake the phone with the port facing down to remove visible droplets.
- Leave the phone in a dry room at room temperature for several hours.
- Do not use hairdryers or compressed hot air; heat can damage seals and components.
- If your phone supports it, use wireless charging while the port fully dries.
10. Optimized Charging, Smart Features or Charging Limits
Some phones intentionally slow or pause charging overnight or at 80–90% to preserve long-term battery health. On iPhones, this is called Optimized Battery Charging; many Android phones have similar features.
How to Check
- On iPhone: go to Settings → Battery → Battery Health & Charging and review the options.
- On Android: check Battery or Device care settings for “protect battery” or similar options.
These features are generally good for battery health, but can make charging appear slower or “stuck” at a high percentage. You can temporarily disable them if needed.
11. Power-Hungry Apps Draining Faster Than the Phone Can Charge
If heavy apps or games are running while you charge, your phone may still heat up and the battery percentage might barely increase—or even drop.
How to Fix It
- Close all unnecessary apps before plugging in.
- Avoid gaming, video calls or 4K recording while charging.
- Turn on Airplane Mode or even power the phone off for the fastest possible charge.
12. Wrong USB Mode (Android Only)
When you connect your phone to a computer, some Android phones default to “File transfer only” or “Charge this device slowly”. If that mode is misconfigured, you may not get any charging at all from a PC port.
How to Fix It
- Connect your phone to the computer with the USB cable.
- Swipe down the notification shade on your phone.
- Tap the USB options notification.
- Select Charging phone only or Charge this device.
13. Battery Health Severely Degraded
Over time, batteries lose capacity and can develop internal faults. In advanced stages of degradation, they may refuse to charge properly or jump between percentages.
How to Check Battery Health
- iPhone: Settings → Battery → Battery Health & Charging. Anything significantly below 80% maximum capacity suggests noticeable wear.
- Android: Some manufacturers include a battery health section; if not, you may need a diagnostic app or service center check.
What to Do If the Battery Is Worn Out
- Schedule a battery replacement at an authorized service center.
- A new battery can dramatically improve both battery life and charging reliability.
- Until replacement, avoid full discharges (0%) and excessive heat to prevent further damage.
14. “Battery Saver” or Cleaner Apps Interfering with Charging
Many third-party “battery saver”, “RAM booster” or “phone cleaner” apps promise miracles but instead create conflicts, block system processes and sometimes interfere with normal charging behavior.
How to Fix It
- Uninstall any third-party battery optimizer or cleaner apps you don’t absolutely need.
- Rely on the built-in battery and performance tools provided by Android or iOS instead.
- Restart the phone after uninstalling to clear their background services.
15. Internal Hardware Damage from Drops or Water
If your phone has been dropped, bent or exposed to water, internal charging components (like power management chips or board traces) might be damaged. In these cases, cables and chargers won’t fix the problem.
Warning Signs
- Phone doesn’t respond to any charger or cable.
- Device gets very hot when plugged in, but the battery percentage doesn’t move.
- Previous history of serious drop or water exposure.
What to Do
- Stop repeatedly trying different chargers if the phone overheats – this could worsen the damage.
- Back up your data if the phone still turns on.
- Seek professional diagnosis from an authorized repair center or reputable repair shop.
16. Rare Firmware, ROM or Accessory Compatibility Issues
In rare cases, custom ROMs, unsupported aftermarket batteries or unusual accessories can cause charging conflicts.
How to Rule These Out
- If you’ve recently installed a custom ROM or modified the system, revert to the official firmware.
- Remove third-party battery cases or magnetic accessories and see if charging returns to normal.
- If the phone is still under warranty, avoid further modifications and contact the manufacturer.
FAQ: Common Questions About Phones Not Charging
1. Why does my phone only charge at certain angles?
This usually indicates a damaged cable or a loose charging port. Test with a new cable; if the issue persists, the port probably needs professional repair.
2. Is it safe to charge my phone overnight?
Modern phones stop charging at 100% and trickle-charge to maintain the battery. Overnight charging is generally safe, but avoid very hot environments and cheap, uncertified chargers.
3. Why is my phone charging slowly even with a fast charger?
The cable might not support fast charging, the port may be dirty, or the phone may be hot or running heavy apps while charging.
4. Can a bad cable damage my phone?
A poor-quality cable can cause unstable power delivery, which may lead to overheating or port wear over time. Use high-quality, certified cables.
5. What should I do if my phone doesn’t turn on or charge at all?
Try a different cable and adapter, hold the power button for at least 30 seconds, and leave it charging for 30–60 minutes. If there’s absolutely no response, seek professional repair.
6. Why does my phone stop charging at 80%?
This is often due to battery protection features like Optimized Charging that slow or pause charging to extend battery lifespan.
7. Does fast charging harm the battery?
Fast charging generates more heat, which can slightly accelerate long-term wear, but phones are designed to handle it safely when using approved chargers.
8. Can wireless charging damage my phone?
Wireless charging is safe when using certified chargers. However, it can generate extra heat, so avoid stacking objects on top of the phone while charging.
9. How long should a phone battery last before needing replacement?
Most batteries maintain good performance for 2–3 years of normal use. Heavy users may notice degradation sooner.
10. Should I use my phone while it’s charging?
Light use is fine, but avoid intensive gaming or 4K video recording while charging, as this generates heat and slows charging.
11. Why does my phone say “accessory not supported”?
This usually means the cable or charger is not certified or not compatible with your device’s charging protocol.
12. Will a factory reset fix charging problems?
A reset can fix charging issues caused by software, but it will not help if the problem is hardware-related (cables, ports, battery, etc.).
13. Can moisture in the port permanently damage my phone?
Yes, if the phone is charged while wet. Always wait until the port is completely dry before connecting a cable.
14. Is it better to charge from 0% to 100% or between 20% and 80%?
For long-term battery health, keeping the charge between about 20–80% and avoiding full discharges is ideal.
15. How do I know if my charging problem is serious enough for repair?
If multiple good cables and chargers don’t work, the phone overheats when plugged in, or there’s visible port/battery damage, it’s time to see a professional.
Conclusion: Most Charging Issues Have Simple Solutions
A phone that won’t charge can feel like a disaster, but in most cases the fix is surprisingly simple: a new cable, a proper adapter, a cleaned port or a quick software restart. By systematically testing each part of the charging chain – power source, adapter, cable, port, battery and software – you can almost always find the culprit.
If you’ve worked through all 16 causes in this guide and your phone still refuses to charge, the safest next step is to contact your manufacturer or a trusted repair technician. That way, you avoid further damage and give your device the best chance at a longer life.
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About the Author
This article was written by [Your Name], a tech writer and troubleshooting enthusiast who has tested and fixed dozens of phones, laptops and home networks over the past decade. The goal of Q&A Blog is to provide practical, step-by-step answers to the tech questions people actually search for every day.
Sources consulted: Apple Support, Google Help Center, Samsung Support, major Android OEM documentation and real-world repair experience.
