Smartphone Won't Charge!

Matthew Maynes

Our smartphones have become such an ingrained part of our society that it is hard to picture life without them.

From work to play, directions, and communication, phones are used for everything, and all they ask in return is a

quick charge. Now, picture the nightmare scenario: you go to plug in your nearly dead smartphone, and it doesn’t

charge! Panic sets in as you realize how much you rely on that tiny little box. Worry not; we will go over various

issues and their solutions to solve this dead device dilemma.

Connection to Ports: It could be a very simple case of the charger not fully connecting to the smartphone. With all the adapters and wall

blocks, any one of the connections could be the culprit.

Solution: Make sure to check every connection point of the charger. Some smartphone cases can prevent the charger from

fully plugging into the charging port, which can prevent charging even if it looks like it is mostly in the port.

The charging brick that connects to the wall can also slip and fall out of place. If you are charging in a car, make

sure to check the adapter for the cigarette lighter. More modern adapters have lights to indicate when they are

receiving power. If you are using a wireless charger, make sure the phone is placed centered on the charger.

Also, ensure the wireless charger is on a flat surface. A particularly thick case can also prevent wireless charging.

Dirty Charging Port:

Over extended use, dust and dirt can build up in the charging port, eventually blocking the connections needed to

charge. You may feel some slight resistance when plugging it in, and you may not get the slight click feeling of a

successful connection.

Solution: Cleaning a dirty charging port is similar to cleaning one’s ears—DON’T just shove sharp objects into the

charging port, as this can damage it. It is recommended to use either a clean and dry toothbrush or a can of

compressed air. Both methods will clear out your charging port without causing any damage.

Damaged Charging Wire: I am one to hold onto a charging cord long past its prime. While it is good to save money, there are some problems

that electrical tape can’t fix. A damaged cord can cause little or no charge to reach your phone.

Solution: Try using a different charging cord that you know works. This will help determine if the busted cord was at fault or

if something else is causing the issue.

Damaged Wall Brick: Charging bricks that plug into the wall are known as diode bridges. They convert AC current from the wall into

DC current for your smartphone. While they are simple pieces of electronics, they can deteriorate over time.

Solution: Similar to a damaged charging cord, test the suspect brick with a cord that you know works. You can also replace it

with a known-working brick. The goal is to test one component at a time, checking off possible causes one by one.

Outdated iOS Update: This applies to iPhones, but the same can apply to other smartphones. If the operating system is out of date, your p

hone can start to fail at basic tasks.

Solution: Go to your settings and open the General tab. Check that you have the most up-to-date operating system installed.

These are just some common causes and solutions for issues with charging your phone. Make sure not to keep the

phone on the charger after it has fully charged, as this can reduce the battery’s lifespan. Hopefully, this blog will

help you out, and you’ll be back to texting in no time. Here are some other useful links.

Editor

Trey Labat

https://support.apple.com/en-us/108805 

https://macpaw.com/how-to/iphone-not-charging 

https://www.samsung.com/ph/support/mobile-devices/what-to-do-if-your-galaxy-phone-is-not-charging/ 

https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/phone-wont-charge-this-easy-trick-might-fix-it/ 

Citation:

Schatz, Tara. “IPhone Not Charging? 10 Tips for When Your Iphone Won’t Charge.” MacPaw, MacPaw, 5 Mar. 2024, macpaw.com/how-to/iphone-not-charging.