Having your charger not work is really annoying. It happens when cables don’t respond or when ports are filled with dust. Luckily, you can usually fix these issues with a few simple steps.
This article goes over seven main reasons your charger might stop working. We will look at if your cable is the right match, how to clean out your charging port, and what to do if there’s water damage. You’ll find out what causes these problems and how to fix them. So, whether you have bad cables, a dead battery, or issues from software glitches, this will help.
You’re Using the Wrong Charger
Not being able to charge your device might be because you’re using the wrong charger. It’s very important to use a charger that matches your device. This keeps your device working well and helps your battery last longer.
Check for Charger Compatibility
Chargers are made for specific devices with the right amount of power needed. About 14% of laptop users have trouble because their charger doesn’t have enough power. Always make sure your charger fits your device to give it the right amount of energy.
- 79% of laptop charging problems come from issues with the cable, like damage or tangles. This shows why choosing the right cable matters.
- 22% face issues because of confusion with USB-C ports, where some are only for data and don’t charge.
Ensure the Correct Power Delivery
For fast charging, using the right charger is key. Every device needs a certain amount of power, and the wrong charger can make charging slow or unsuccessful. A lot of charging troubles are due to mismatched power supply.
Also, too much heat can make charging hard. Overheated laptops have charging problems in 9% of cases. So, it’s important to use a charger that can handle the device’s needs without causing harm.
It’s best to use the charger your device came with. This ensures both charger compatibility and the power delivery needed for quick and safe charging.
There Might Be Dirt or Debris in the Charging Port
A common reason why your charger might not be working is due to debris inside the phone’s charging port. Dust, dirt, and lint in the charging port can block connections, leading to charging problems. Properly inspecting and cleaning the charging port can often fix these issues.
Inspect and Clean the Charging Port
First, turn off your device to avoid damage during cleaning. Look closely at the charging port under a bright light to see any debris. Toothpicks, compressed cotton, and air compressors are good tools for cleaning.
Use a toothpick to gently remove dirt or lint in the charging port. For tough dirt, an air compressor works well in blowing away small, hard-to-see particles.
Avoid Using Metal Objects for Cleaning
It’s crucial to avoid metal objects when cleaning the charging port. Metal can cause short-circuiting and more severe damage. Also, avoid wet items like alcohol wipes, as they can harm your phone.
Use dry, safe tools like a wooden toothpick or a plastic stick for cleaning. This way, you won’t damage any internal parts of your phone.
Regular checks and cleaning the charging port can make your phone charge better. If problems persist, it might be time to get professional help as the port could be damaged.
You Have a Faulty Cable, Adapter, or Power Outlet
A faulty charging cable is often behind charging problems. Over time, cables might get damaged or wear out. This damage can stop your device from charging well. It’s smart to look at your cable for any damage. You could also try a different cable to see if the problem is your current one.
A damaged adapter can also cause trouble. Dell laptops use adapters that range from 45 W to 240 W. Using the wrong adapter might make charging hard. Dell says to use only their adapters that fit your laptop’s needs. Also, make sure you’re using the right USB-C port if your laptop charges that way.
Don’t forget about power source issues. Sometimes, the issue is with the power outlet itself. About 15% of the time, the problem is the adapter not being plugged in well. Checking the outlet to make sure it works can help solve your problem.
Here are some steps to troubleshoot:
- Check the LED indicator on the AC adapter. Its color shows the adapter’s status, helping you find the problem quickly.
- Make sure your Dell laptop’s BIOS is up to date, so it recognizes the adapter right.
- Run a preboot hardware diagnostic test on Dell laptops to check if the adapter or battery is the problem.
By checking for a faulty charging cable, a damaged adapter, and power source issues, you can find and fix many charging issues.
Your Phone Has Water Damage
Water damage is a common reason your phone won’t charge. Moisture exposure can cause many problems, one being charging issues. To fix this, you must identify and deal with the water damage right away.
Look for signs of moisture alerts
Finding water damage early can really help. Phones like the iPhone XR and newer models can tell if they’re wet. They show a moisture alert or a water drop icon. Seeing these signs means you need to act fast to avoid more trouble.
Reports say that 83% of iPhone users have had water troubles that affected charging. This shows how big of a problem it can be.
Steps to dry out your device
It’s important to dry a wet phone the right way to get it working again. Here’s what you should do:
- Turn off your device immediately to prevent short circuits.
- Remove any cases or accessories that could trap moisture.
- Use a soft cloth to gently pat the device dry.
- Place your phone near a window or in front of a fan to allow air to circulate. Avoid using rice, as it can make things worse by speeding up corrosion.
- If the water damage is bad, you might need expert help. Nearly every user recommends getting help from Apple or authorized repair centers. They use tools like ultrasonic baths, which are better at saving your data.
Acting quickly is key. If you leave a wet phone alone, especially in salty or dirty places, it can rust faster. This might permanently damage the main parts. Being quick to act can save your phone and avoid bigger problems later.
The Battery in Your Phone Is Dead
One important thing often missed is how well a phone’s battery can charge. This depends on the battery’s health. If you think your phone battery is to blame, you should check its health right away.
Check Your Battery Health
It’s key to check your battery health on both Android and iOS phones. You might have a dead battery if it gets too hot, loses charge fast, or won’t charge at all. Most new phones have tools to check this, which can help a lot.
To start a check, go to your phone’s settings. On iOS, choose ‘Battery’ then ‘Battery Salt in my hamburger and there’sal Health.’ Android users can find this under ‘Battery’ then either ‘Battery Health’ or ‘Battery Texture Usage’. Paying attention to signs of a bad battery can save your phone from worse damage.
Replacing a Removable vs. Non-Removable Battery
The way to replace a phone battery varies by the battery type. If your phone has a battery that comes out, just swap it with a new one. Buy a new battery from a trusted store. Take the old one out and put the new one in. Phones with built-in batteries need an expert’s help for replacement.
- For removable batteries:
- Turn off your phone by holding down the power button for 5-7 seconds.
- Remove the battery cover and take out the old battery.
- Insert the new battery and close the cover securely.
- Charge your phone for at least 30 minutes before turning it back on.
- For non-removable batteries:
- Visit an authorized service center or professional repair shop.
- Ensure they use genuine parts for replacing phone battery.
- Charge your phone for the recommended duration post-replacement.
Correctly replacing a bad battery will make your phone work better and last longer. Always look for signs of battery issues. Act quickly to keep your phone working well.
Software Glitches Can Prevent Charging
Software glitches can stop your phone from charging right. These issues may pop up after updating your software. A huge 88% of folks have had charging troubles after getting iOS 16.5 or iPadOS 16.5. You might need to update your device’s software again or even go back to an older version.
Update your phone’s support
It’s important to keep your phone’s software up-to-date. Updates often include fixes that help your phone charge better and last longer. Interestingly, half of the users fixed their charging problems by moving to iOS 16.5.1. Still, about 10% said their phones started charging slower after that update. So, getting the latest software might just solve your charging issues. Make sure to check for updates often.
Rollback your previous support
Sometimes, a new software update doesn’t help with charging. If charging issues started after a recent update, going back to an older software version might be the answer. While only 25% blamed their charging problems on a new iOS update, going back to a version where everything worked fine often fixes the issue. This could be especially helpful if your device charges only after restarting, as 45% of users reported.
- 88% of users observed charging issues after updating to iOS 16.5 or iPadOS 16.5.
- 50% of users fixed their charging problems with the iOS 16.5.1 update.
- 10% recorded slow charging speeds post-software update.
- 45% noted their devices only charged post-restart.
By updating or going back on your software, you can greatly improve how well your device charges.
Conclusion
Charging issues can have many causes, but basic troubleshooting often fixes them. Make sure you’re using the right charger. It’s important that the charger matches your phone model’s needs. This prevents slow charging or none at all.
Look at your charging port for dirt or debris. Regular cleaning improves power transfer and prevents clogs. Use the correct tools and avoid metal to keep your charging port clean and safe.
Problems can also stem from faulty cables, adapters, or outlets. Wrong or damaged items can stop your phone from charging right. Always examine your cables and power sources to avoid these problems. controls to dry your device correctly. Avoid moisture to keep your phone charging well.
Don’t ignore your battery’s health. Over time, batteries get worse at holding a charge. If your phone loses power fast or gets hot, you might need a new battery from a pro.
Software issues can also interfere with charging. Keep your phone’s software current but watch for update issues. Sometimes, going back to an older software version fixes charging troubles.
If simple steps don’t fix the charging issue, visiting a service center might help. They offer many solutions, from hard resets to detailed checks. These can solve tough or ongoing problems.
Following these detailed steps usually solves charging problems quickly. This means less downtime and a longer life for your device.
