FixPhones and Tablets

Phone won't charge: what to check

Your Android phone or iPhone does not charge, charges very slowly or stops charging. Check the cable, adapter, port and settings in order, from easiest to last resort.

  • Updated
  • 10 min
  • Beginner
Applies to
  • Android
  • iPhone / iPad

Rate this guide

If your phone will not charge, the cause is most often the cable, the adapter or lint in the charging port, not the battery. Check those first, then try restarts and, last, repair.

Before you start

You need another cable and another power adapter if you have them, and a few minutes. Nothing here erases data. If the phone has been in water, was dropped, or is swollen, hot or smells odd, stop and read the safety note below.

Stop if the battery looks damaged

If the phone is very hot, the case is bulging, or you see smoke or liquid, unplug it, keep it away from anything that burns, and do not keep charging it. Use the repair service of the phone maker or a reputable repair shop.

Charging checks, in orderA top-to-bottom flow chart with 8 boxes. Work through them in order and stop when the problem is fixed. The full text follows the picture.Charging checks, in orderNoNo1Try a different cable andadapter2Does it charge now?Yes: You are done3Try another wall socket4Check the port for lint5Charging now?Yes: You are done6Restart the phone7Charge for 30 minutes,then force restartStill nothing? Use thephone maker's repairservice.
Stop as soon as the phone charges.
Text version of this diagram
  1. Step 1: Try a different cable and adapter
  2. Question 2: Does it charge now? If yes: You are done. If no, go on to the next item.
  3. Step 3: Try another wall socket
  4. Step 4: Check the port for lint
  5. Question 5: Charging now? If yes: You are done. If no, go on to the next item.
  6. Step 6: Restart the phone
  7. Step 7: Charge for 30 minutes, then force restart
  8. If nothing worked: Still nothing? Use the phone maker's repair service.

Try these fixes in order

Fix 1: Check the cable, adapter and socket

This takes about 3 minutes and solves most cases.

  1. Look at the cable and the adapter. Do not use anything that is frayed, bent or has exposed metal.
  2. Push the cable firmly into the phone and the adapter. A loose plug is a common cause.
  3. Try a different wall socket. Charging from a wall socket is more reliable than from a computer port.
  4. Try a different cable, and a different adapter if you have one. Test your cable and adapter on another device as well, which shows which one is faulty.

The charging speed depends on the charger, the cable and the phone together. A weak charger or a poor cable can charge slowly, or show a message that charging is slow. Use the cable and adapter that came with the phone, or a reputable replacement made for your type of phone. A laptop charger cable may fit but still not suit a phone. For plug types, see USB-C docks, hubs and cables explained.

Phone charging plugsFour USB connectors seen from the front, left to right: Type-A (wide and flat), Type-B (squarish with two cut corners), Type-C (small and oval) and Micro-B (flat with two cut lower corners). It has 3 numbered markers, explained in the list under the picture.123Phone charging plugs
  1. USB-C: the plug on most current phones
  2. Micro-B: older Android phones
  3. USB-A: the end that goes into many adapters
Check which plug your phone uses. Lightning is Apple's older plug and is not shown here.
Text version of this diagram

Four USB connectors seen from the front, left to right: Type-A (wide and flat), Type-B (squarish with two cut corners), Type-C (small and oval) and Micro-B (flat with two cut lower corners).

  1. USB-C: the plug on most current phones
  2. Micro-B: older Android phones
  3. USB-A: the end that goes into many adapters

Fix 2: Clear lint from the charging port

Pocket lint can pack the port so the plug cannot sit fully inside. Apple says to remove any debris from the charging port, then plug the cable in firmly. Google says to check the port for dust or lint.

  1. Unplug the cable and turn the phone off.
  2. Shine a light into the port. Look for lint or dirt.
  3. Gently remove loose material with a non-metal tool such as a wooden toothpick. Never use metal, and never use liquid or compressed air, and never push hard, because the contacts inside bend easily.
  4. Plug the cable in again. It should click or sit firmly.

Liquid in the port

If the phone has got wet, or shows a warning that liquid was detected, do not charge it. Let it dry in open air and use a plain dry cloth only. Do not use heat, rice or a hair dryer.

Fix 3: Restart the phone

  • Android: hold the Power button for about 5 to 7 seconds. Google says this usually restarts a Pixel. Other makers may use a different button combination.
  • iPhone: turn it off from Settings then General then Shut Down, wait a moment, and turn it on.

Then plug in the charger again.

Fix 4: Wait, then force restart

A deeply drained battery may not show anything for a while after you plug it in.

  1. Plug the phone into a wall socket with a cable and adapter you trust.
  2. Wait at least 30 minutes. Apple advises half an hour before you force a restart.
  3. If the screen is still dark, or shows only a battery picture, force restart the phone.
  4. Charge for another 30 minutes.

On an iPhone 8 or later, and on the iPhone SE (2nd generation and later), quickly press and release Volume Up, then Volume Down, then hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears. Older iPhones use a different button combination, which is on Apple's page for your model.

On a Google Pixel, Google's page gives a longer procedure, including a button combination for a manual reset, and says a red light means the battery is fully discharged, so you should charge for at least 30 minutes before restarting. Other Android makers use different steps, so look on your maker's support site.

If a message says the accessory is not supported

Both Apple and Google use alerts for this. On an iPhone it says the accessory is not supported or certified. On a Pixel it says Check charging accessory. Plug the charger straight into the phone with nothing in between, clear the port, restart the phone, and try a different cable or charger. On an iPhone, also update iOS.

If charging stops at 80 percent

This can be normal. Apple says iOS has Optimized Battery Charging, which can hold the charge near 80 percent to slow battery aging, and that a warm battery can also limit charging. iPhone 15 and later models may have a charge limit setting. Move the phone and charger to a cooler place and try again.

If it still does not charge

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to use a cheap cable?

Poor cables can charge slowly or unreliably. Choose a cable from a known maker that fits your phone, and replace one that is damaged.

Can I charge my phone from a computer?

Yes, but a computer port gives less power than a wall adapter, so charging is slower.

Does wireless charging work with every phone?

No. Only phones made for it support it, and a thick case or a metal object between the phone and the pad can stop it.

Should I leave my phone charging overnight?

Phones are built to stop charging when full. Keep it where it can cool, not under a pillow.

Was this guide helpful?

Choose from 1 star (not helpful) to 5 stars (very helpful)

Rating this guide needs JavaScript. You can send feedback on the contact page instead.

Official resources used

Pages consulted while preparing this guide. Check them for the latest details.

Need more help?

If this guide did not solve your problem, send us a message and tell us what you tried.

Contact us

Beware of fake support

Real support never asks you to call an unfamiliar number, pay with gift cards or let a stranger control your computer.

How to find real support and avoid fake phone numbers