Have you just plugged in your smartphone, but it is not charging? Don’t panic, you can try following these few steps to try to resolve the problem yourself.
Smartphones are essential devices that we use every day to communicate, entertain or even work. However, Sometimes we find ourselves in a situation where our smartphone no longer charges properly.
This can obviously be very frustrating, especially if you need your phone for something important. Fortunately, there are some easy-to-implement troubleshooting tips to fix the problem yourself before taking your phone to a repairer. Here is some of the most common reasons why your smartphone is not charging and how to solve them.
Restart your smartphone
Sometimes the simplest solution is the best. If your phone does not charge when you plug it in, The first thing to do is turn it off and on again. This can help eliminate any temporary glitches or bugs that might prevent your phone from recognizing the charger or getting power from it.
To restart your phone, hold the power button and tap the Restart option. Depending on your phone model, you may need to press the power and volume up buttons at the same time, or even have to look for the option in the settings or quick menu.
Restarting your phone will also stop any background processes or apps that may be draining your battery or interfering with the charging process. A reboot can also refresh your phone’s core components and allow them to work more efficiently. After restarting your phone, try plugging it in again and see if it charges normally.
Try putting your phone in safe mode
If restarting your phone doesn’t work, the next step is to try to start your phone in safe mode. Safe mode is a special mode that allows your phone to run only essential software on it. This means that third-party apps or services you downloaded or installed will not work in Safe Mode. This can help you determine if the problem is caused by a faulty or malicious app that is affecting your phone’s charging capacity.
To enter safe mode on most Android phones, Press and hold the Restart button when you turn off your phone. You should see a prompt asking you to reboot into safe mode. Confirm your choice and wait for your phone to restart in safe mode. You will see a Safe Mode label at the bottom of your screen. To exit Safe Mode, restart your phone normally.
On an iPhone or other Android smartphones, you will need to briefly press the volume up button, then the volume down button, before pressing the power button for 10 seconds until the logo appears. You may also need to keep the power button and one of the volume buttons pressed when your smartphone is turned off.
If your phone charges normally in safe mode, you know the problem is caused by a third-party app or service. To find out which app is the problem, you need to uninstall the apps you recently downloaded or updated one by one and check if the problem persists. You can also use an app manager or security app to scan your phone for any suspicious or harmful apps and remove them.
Change cable, power adapter or power outlet
Another common reason why your phone is not charging is that there is a problem with the cable, power adapter, or plug you are using. These accessories can become damaged or worn out over time, especially if you use them frequently or carelessly. They may also malfunction due to power surges, overheating, or exposure to moisture or dust.
To check if the cable is causing the problem, try connecting your phone to a computer or power bank via USB. If your phone charges normally, the cable is fine and the problem is with the adapter or jack. If your phone is not charging, the cable may be defective and you will need to replace it with a new one. Be sure to use a high-quality cable that is compatible with your phone model and supports fast charging. Also try other adapters and other plugs to see if that fixes the problem or not.
Clean the charging port
One of the most common reasons that can cause a charging problem on a smartphone is that The charging port is dirty or clogged. Your phone’s charging port is exposed to dust, dirt, lint, and other debris that can build up over time and block the connection between your phone and the charger. This may prevent your phone from charging or cause it to charge slowly or intermittently.
To clean the charging port, you’ll need a dry cotton swab, a toothpick, a flashlight, and a little patience. First, turn off your phone and unplug it from the charger. Next, use the flashlight to inspect the charging port for any visible signs of dirt or debris.
Next, use the cotton swab to gently wipe the inside of the port and remove any loose particles. Finally, use the toothpick to carefully scrape out any stubborn or compacted dirt stuck inside the port. Be careful though to avoid damaging the metal pins or the port itself. Gentleness is therefore essential. After cleaning the charging port, try plugging your phone back in and see if it charges normally.
Make sure it’s not a software bug
Sometimes the problem is not with the hardware, but with the software. Your phone may not charge properly due to a software bug or corrupted system file. Your phone may then display incorrect or inconsistent charging indicators, such as indicating that it is charging when it is not, or vice versa. To resolve this problem, you must update your phone’s software or perform a reset.
To update your phone’s software, go to Settings > System > System update and check if any updates are available. If so, download and install them.
To perform a reset, go to Settings > System > Reset Options and choose Erase all data (factory reset). This restores your phone to its original factory settings and erases all your data, apps, and settings. This can help repair corrupt or damaged system files that might be preventing your phone from charging properly. Be sure to back up your data before resetting your phone, as you will lose everything on it.
Check your phone for water damage
Water and electronics don’t mix, and even water-resistant phones can be damaged by water if they’re not properly sealed or maintained. If your phone has been exposed to water, either accidentally or on purpose, and it won’t charge, water damage could be the cause. Water can short circuit or corrode your phone’s internal components, including the battery and charging port, and prevent your phone from charging or working properly.
If your phone is damaged by water, you should not charge it at all, as this may damage it further or even cause a fire. Instead, you should try to dry your phone as much as possible and wait at least 24 hours before attempting to charge it.
For this, you can use a soft cloth to absorb excess water, and make sure to place the device in a well-ventilated area and let it air dry. Above all, avoid using a hairdryer, or putting your smartphone in rice. This is a myth that doesn’t work. Rice can actually damage your phone by leaving dust or starch inside the charging port.
After 24 hours of drying, try charging your phone and see if it works. If it doesn’t, you may need to take it to a repair shop to check for water damage.
The repair center, the last hope solution
If none of the above tips work and your phone still won’t chargeit may be time to visit a service center and seek professional help. They may be able to diagnose and fix the problem you didn’t see or aren’t able to fix. Also, don’t forget to take advantage of the device’s warranty, which, as we remind you, is two years for any electronic device sold in Europe.