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Android Phone Won’t Charge? Try these Fixes

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Writer, Android

Saurav loves writing and tech. So, after engineering, he didn't look back and embarked on a journey to become a tech writer. Saurav has worked for various tech websites across the globe.

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There’s nothing more annoying and frustrating when your Android phone won’t charge. It’s a difficult problem to deal with and there are times when you’ll have no option but to replace your smartphone.

Speaking of replacing your smartphone, check out our smartphone buying guide for tips and tricks to get the best bang for your buck.

If the problem is caused by a buggy app, Android OS glitch, or bad hardware, there are a few things that you can do to get your phone charging again.

In this guide, we’ll address possible problems. We’ll also give you a few troubleshooting tips that will help you fix your Android charging problems.

How to Fix Android Phone that Won’t Turn On 

A faulty charging cable and a dirty port are likely what caused your Android phone to not charge. There are also other reasons, but they can be easily overcome with just a few tweaks. Let’s check them out. 

  1. Restart Android device
  2. Use Ampere to test battery and charger
  3. Check charging cable and wall outlet
  4. Check charging port
  5. Test the screen
  6. Power cycle Android device
  7. Factory reset Android phone

1. Reboot the Android Device 

If you have connected your Android device to the charger and it is not charging, then restart the device. 

It is best, to begin with, a reboot. Sometimes, this type of issue appears due to a minor software glitch and a simple reboot should do the trick. So, use that Power button on the side and select Restart

If the device is still not charging after the reboot, there are a few things you need to inspect. So, let’s move on to the next fix. 

2. Use Ampere to Test Your Battery and Charger 

If you still think the charging issue is due to a software bug, then installing the Ampere app will help you determine if your Android phone is charging properly. 

It is possible that your Android mobile is charging but the charging icon is not showing up. Similarly, the opposite is also possible.

Battery info while connected to the charger
Battery info while connected to the charger. Saurav Dey/Gotechtor

After installing the Ampere app, you will be able to measure the current flowing through your mobile at any given time. The app has other features. But most importantly, you will be able to check the condition of your mobile’s battery by checking the temperature and voltage.   

Battery info when it's not connected to the charger
Battery info when it’s not connected to the charger. Saurav Dey/Gotechtor

Next, connect your phone to the charger and run the app. The app will tell if your mobile is charging or not. If the app shows the battery is charging, then wait for the next Android update. It’s a simple bug. 

3. Check Charging Cable, Adapter, and the Wall Outlet 

If the Ampere app shows that your phone is not charging, you need to inspect all the charging accessories along with the wall outlet.

USB-Type C charging port
USB-Type C charging port. Herby Jasmin/Gotechtor

So, check the adapter and the USB cable for any signs of physical damage. If you find any cracks or splits, just replace them with a working cable and adapter.

If your phone starts charging after replacing the cable, then you know the cable was what caused the problem. You’ll need to purchase new charging accessories. 

Try charging the mobile via a different wall outlet if you still have charging problems after replacing the cable. If this works, then you need to call an electrician to fix that particular wall socket.   

4. Check Charging Port

If the problem is still lurking and you are unable to charge your mobile phone, we’ll take a deeper look into the charging port on your Android mobile. 

Google Pixel Charging Port
Google Pixel Charging Port. Herby Jasmin/Gotechtor

Take a good look at your charging port and check for any significant dirt build-up. If you’ve been using the device for a long time, then built-up dirt is probably stopping the USB cable from properly connecting to the port. 

So, check the port. If you find any dust, dirt, or other gunk, clean it and then try charging the device. You can use a paper clip or toothpick for the cleaning process.

5. Test the Screen 

There are times when the device is charging properly but the display is malfunctioning. In such a situation, you have to test the screen of the device. 

You may think that the device is not working. In reality, the device is running but the display is not illuminating. 

So, in order to test the display, you need to charge the device. If the display is working properly, the charging animation should be visible. If the animation is not visible, you may be dealing with a damaged display. 

6. Power Cycle Your Android Device

If you still haven’t been able to power on your Android mobile, then you have to consider making a hard reset. 

Similar to other operating systems, Android can sometimes malfunction or get frozen. In such conditions, your device is probably turning on but Android isn’t booting.

Hence, the screen is black and the buttons are unresponsive. So, you have to hard reset the device which is also known as Power Cycle

Running the Power Cycle will force the device to shut down completely and Android will boot from back up. It was easy on older devices. You just have to remove the battery and then connect it after a few seconds. You will be able to turn on the device. 

But you won’t get such privilege with modern Android devices. Batteries aren’t removable anymore. So, you just have to hold the Power button for at least 10 seconds to make the hard reset. It is pretty simple. But the timing can vary depending on your smartphone brand.

7. Factory Reset Your Android Phone

If you’ve tried all of the above steps and nothing seems to work, then you need to go a step further. Maybe a custom ROM or a buggy update are the culprits, try to perform a factory hard reset on your device

You should note resetting your phone will erase everything on it. Ensure that you back up your Android phone before moving forward.

The steps to reset an Android phone might be different depending on the brand. Luckily, we’ve put together a handy guide on how to factory reset an Android phone. Make sure to check it out.

Wrapping It Up 

This is it. These are the steps that you can take to fix an Android device that is not charging. Hopefully, the tweaks were helpful to turn your Android phone back on and charging again. 

If the problem persists, then your Android phone most likely has a hardware issue. So, you have no choice but to take the device to your nearest Service Center or buy a new one.   

If you have any feedback or questions, then please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below.

Writer, Android

Saurav loves writing and tech. So, after engineering, he didn't look back and embarked on a journey to become a tech writer. Saurav has worked for various tech websites across the globe.

Saurav Dey

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