How to Fix an Android Phone That Is Not Charging or Charges Slowly

An Android phone that will not charge, or charges very slowly, usually has a simple cause: a worn cable, the wrong adapter or lint in the charging port. Software settings and the battery itself are less common causes. Test the cheap, quick things first and work towards the hardware.

What causes an Android phone not to charge

• A damaged or low-quality cable or a weak charger.
• Lint or dust in the charging port.
• A frozen system that needs a restart.
• A charging limit or “adaptive charging” feature that slows or stops charging on purpose.
• A worn battery or a damaged charging port.
• Liquid in the port, which can make the phone block charging.

1. Swap the cable, adapter and socket

Use the charger that came with the phone, or one that matches the speed it supports. Try another cable, a different power adapter and a different wall socket. Avoid charging from a weak computer USB port while testing. If the phone charges with different parts, the old cable or adapter was the problem.

2. Remove the case and wait a little

Take off any thick case that may stop the plug seating fully. If the battery is completely flat, leave the phone connected for about 30 minutes before you decide it is not charging, because deeply discharged phones can take a while to show a charging icon.

3. Clean the charging port

Switch the phone off. Look into the port with a torch. If you see lint, gently remove it with a wooden or plastic toothpick, or short bursts of compressed air. Do not use metal objects, which can damage the pins.

4. Restart the phone

Hold the power button and choose Restart. If the screen is frozen, hold the power button for about 10 to 30 seconds until the phone restarts, which depends on the model. Plug in the charger after it restarts.

5. Check for charging limits and slow-charging features

Many phones can intentionally pause or limit charging to protect the battery. For example, some Pixel phones have Adaptive Charging, which slows overnight charging, and some Samsung phones have a Protect battery option that stops at 85 percent. Look in Settings > Battery for a charging or battery protection setting and turn it off to test. Also confirm that fast charging is on if your phone has the option.

6. Test in safe mode

Press and hold the power button, then touch and hold Power off until the safe mode prompt appears, and choose OK. If the phone charges normally in safe mode, a recently installed app may be the cause. Restart to leave safe mode, then remove recent apps.

7. Try a wireless charger or another power source

If your phone supports wireless charging, try it. If it charges wirelessly but not by cable, the port is the likely fault. Also try the cable with a laptop and another phone to test the cable itself.

8. Update the software

If the phone charges but the battery percentage behaves strangely, check Settings > System > Software update and install updates, since battery and charging fixes are often included.

Frequently asked questions

Why does my phone stop charging at 80 or 85 percent?

Many phones have a battery protection setting that limits the charge on purpose. Check your battery settings.

Why does my phone charge slowly?

A weak adapter, a low-quality cable, heavy use while charging or heat can slow charging. Try a matching charger and avoid gaming during a charge.

Can I fix a loose charging port myself?

Cleaning lint is safe. Replacing the port needs a repair service, since it is soldered to the board on most phones.

When to contact support

If a different cable, adapter and a clean port still do not work, contact the phone maker or a repair centre. See Android Help for official guidance. For connection problems rather than charging, read Android connected to Wi-Fi but no internet.