7 Reasons Your Phone Isn’t Charging

Just like there’s never a good time to fill up your car with gas, there’s never a good time to find out that your cell phone won’t charge. You usually realize it when you think it’s been charging for a good long while, you go to grab it before heading to that function where you planned on taking a bunch of photos, and you see that it’s still in the red or possibly even lower than when you plugged it in!

It’s frustrating, for sure, and with the way we rely on our phones for everything these days, it’s important to find out what the issue is as soon as possible — and fix it. Ahead are seven of the most common reasons your phone won’t charge and what to do about it.

Reasons Why Your Phone Won’t Charge

Faulty power source

If your phone won’t charge, the issue could be that the outlet itself is faulty. Try plugging your phone into a different outlet, or plugging something else into the outlet to test whether the outlet is working properly. Another issue with your power source could be that it’s attached to a light switch, and the light switch has the power turned off.

According to Dylan Vercher, a manager at the T-Mobile store in Farragut, TN, this is a common problem. One of the first things he asks people who bring in their phones for trouble with charging them is, “Do you have it plugged into a socket that’s controlled by a light switch that got turned off?”

The fix: Use a different outlet if the one you’re using is having problems, or try turning on the light switch that controls power going to the outlet.

Broken charger or adapter

If your charger or adapter is damaged or worn out, it won’t work. Damage can happen just through regular wear and tear, through something happening to them, like your cord getting bent in your bag, chewed on by your pet, or just being used in the same position repeatedly. If your adapter is old and worn out or has bent prongs or other damage, that could also be affecting whether your phone is charging reliably (or at all). Power won’t reach your phone if there’s something wrong with either the adapter or the cable.

The fix: If your cord or adapter is visibly damaged, switch them out for new ones. Using damaged cords or adapters is not only ineffective but could be dangerous. You’ll know for sure if the issue was a damaged cord or adapter if you switch them out and your phone charges fine again. You can also try using the charger and adapter with another device. If the other device charges fine with them, you can deduce that the issue is with your phone.

Dirty charging port

Your phone goes with you everywhere, and sometimes it gets dirty. Whether it’s lint, sand, lotion, food, or some other kind of dirt and grime, a dirty charging port can disrupt charging. You can check to see if your charging port is dirty by shining a flashlight into it.

The fix: Use compressed air or a soft brush to gently clean the port. If the port is damaged, take your phone to a professional.

Incompatible charger

It’s easy to think that cell phone companies advise using their branded charging devices because they want you to buy their products. But it’s actually important to purchase chargers from reputable brands (which doesn’t always mean the same brand as the phone). Apple support stresses the importance of Apple-certified chargers (look for MFi-certified products), for example. Similarly, Samsung advises using Samsung Authorized chargers and charging cables, which are designed to maximize battery life. Wireless chargers should be Qi certified.

The fix: Purchase chargers that are compatible with your device. Vercher also says to avoid “cheap chargers from the gas station” and recommends purchasing chargers that are the same brand as the phone or Belkin.

Software glitches

If your phone has software problems or background apps are taking up too much power, this can also affect how well it charges. Apps that use location services or stream media are notorious for siphoning power from phones, which could be interfering with charging. Samsung also points out that outdated software could be causing charging issues.

The fix: Restart your phone, close apps that don’t need to be running, or try updating your phone’s software.

Your phone case

Cases that are too bulky or too tightly fitting may interfere with your charger’s ability to fit securely in your phone’s charging port. If this is an issue, remove your phone case before charging. Since this will most likely be annoying to do every time you need to charge your phone, you may want to consider replacing your phone case altogether with one that won’t interfere with charging.

The fix: Remove your phone’s case or get a new one compatible with your charger.

Old battery

An old battery may not charge effectively. Vercher points out that the average phone has a battery that can only be charged about 500 to 700 times on average. He further adds that cell phones are “small computers with no fans” and that the heat from processing also degrades the phone’s battery. Eventually, the battery will degrade to the point that it won’t hold a charge.

The fix: Replace the battery, or if this isn’t possible, get a warranty upgrade or replacement phone. See your local dealer to confirm battery issues and to discuss options.

Is It My Phone or My Charger?

In order to discern whether your phone’s charging problem is caused by the phone itself or the charger, you’ll need to troubleshoot. If you’ve ruled out the possibility that the power source is faulty or that it’s connected to a light switch that’s off, the next step is finding out whether the charger and/or adapter could be the problem.

To test this, check them for visible damage, such as a bent cord or bent prongs. Next, try charging your phone with another charger and wall adapter (try them separately to see which is the issue). Make sure they’re good quality and compatible with your device. If your phone still won’t charge, the issue is likely your phone.

About the Experts

• Dylan Vercher is a manager at a T-Mobile branch in Farragut, TN. He has worked there for over a year and has worked for T-Mobile for four years. He frequently helps customers who come into the store with issues charging their phones and helps them figure out what needs to be done to fix them or helps replace them.

Other primary sources:

• “Apple Support: If your iPhone or iPod touch won’t charge” (2024)
• “Google Help: Fix a phone that doesn’t charge properly or won’t turn on”
• “Samsung Support: What to do if your phone is not charging”
• “Verizon: Phone Not Charging? Here’s What To Do”

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