Why Isn't My Phone Charging? Phone Charging Quick Fixes

Ever plugged your phone charger in only for the “no power detected” notification to appear onscreen? If you haven’t, you’re luckier than us. But don’t panic if (when) it happens. There’s a reasonably good chance that you’ll be able to resolve your phone charging issues without having to spend any money on professional repair. 

Here at Ghostek, we’ve seen just about every phone fix you can think of. Not all of them worked, and we would strongly recommend ignoring whoever tells you to submerge your phone in dried rice. However, if your phone is failing to charge and you require a home remedy, try these:

• Reset Your Phone

• Check The Charging Port

• Inspect The Cable

• Consider The Battery

• Wireless Charging

• Alternative Power Sources

• Leave It In The Sunlight

Let’s examine each idea in a bit more depth. 

1.Reset Your Phone

Yes, we’re starting with an obvious one. If you’ve got enough charge in the battery, try restarting your phone. The problem might be nothing more than a minor software glitch, and resetting your phone should sort it out. 

We know that “try turning it off and on again” is so common that it’s become a meme, but it genuinely works. And if anyone asks, you can always describe your expert fix as “an unscheduled full-system reboot.” That’ll make it sound more impressive than a force restart. 

2.Blocked Charging Port?

If that doesn’t help, the next thing we’d suggest is to check your phone’s charging port. It can be a magnet for any dirt or debris; one of our technicians had a nasty cold last winter, kept a packet of tissues in the same pocket as his phone, and a small piece of one found its way into the port. It blocked the connection and stopped the phone from charging, but he managed to remove it with an air duster. 

Compressed air cans are cheaper than buying a new phone, so if something similar happens to you, it won’t take much to get the device working again. The only thing we must point out is don’t be tempted to use a skewer or toothpick to pry any debris out, you may damage your phone. 

3.Damaged Charging Cable?

The next likely possibility is a faulty charging cable. USB cables are remarkably sturdy, but they rarely get treated with kid gloves and over time, show visible signs of wear and tear. Exposed wires? Bent prongs? There’s a good chance the fault is with the charging cable rather than the phone itself. 

The positive news is that new charging cables are relatively inexpensive. They’re also widespread, and if you’re anything like us, you’ll have accumulated more than a handful over the years. The solution to your phone charging woes could be sitting in your spare parts drawer already. 

4.Consider Battery Issues

If you’ve not found a solution yet and are still scratching your head while asking, “why isn’t my phone charging,” it might be a battery issue. Certain handsets, such as the Google Pixel 10 Series and the iPhone 17 come with a battery health check. Most are relatively easy to find, just click:

1. Settings

2. Battery

3. Battery Health 

You should see the words ‘Maximum Capacity,’ with a percentage sign next to it. 

If your phone doesn’t include this feature, fret not. If you own a Samsung, you can download the Samsung Members app, which has a battery health check as one of its benefits. Alternatively, third-party apps such as Battery Guru can provide insight into the status of your battery. 

Granted, if your phone is nothing but a glorified paperweight with a black screen, you won’t be able to install a new app at the moment. For future reference though, it’s worth checking any

new devices you purchase and installing a battery health checker app if you need to. It can potentially save a headache or two in the long run. They can also help you get a better optimized battery charging process, and you won’t have to keep your phone plugged in for as long. 

5.Other Solutions For A Non-Charging Phone

Still stuck? Don’t worry, there are a few other options available before calling your phone’s manufacturer for help. For instance:

Use Wireless Charging

If your phone supports wireless charging, it’s a good way to restore your device without having to use the standard charging port. This means you’ll bypass any internal damage that isn’t visible when you check the USB port and get your phone working again. 

Wireless battery charging isn’t as popular as cables, but if you’ve never tried it, ask around. We’d bet good money that you’ve got at least one friend or relative who has a wireless phone charger they can lend you. 

Try A Different Power Source

If all else fails, you can always try a different wall outlet. Simply plugging your charger into another socket can resolve the problem, but don’t leap for joy; there is a caveat. It means that there is likely something wrong with the power source. 

In other words, stop worrying about software issues or damaged accessories and get in touch with an electrician. The fault isn’t with the phone. And while we can give you plenty of advice on choosing the best phone accessories, we’re not qualified to assist with electrical wiring problems. 

Leave Your Phone In Direct Sunlight

It’s also possible that your phone isn’t charging because it’s wet. Even the smallest drop of moisture in the USB port can disrupt the power supply, so try leaving it in direct sunlight for half an hour or longer. Give your phone a chance to dry out naturally, and with luck, it’ll work again next time you plug it into a wall charger. 

What To Do If The Quick Fixes Don’t Work

The good news is that most of the time, you can find the cause and resolve it in your own time. But what if it isn’t a dirty charging port? What if gentle cleaning with a soft brush or a simple restart can’t resolve it and the power button stubbornly refuses to comply? 

At this point, we’d recommend professional repair. Your phone may have suffered hardware damage and needs proper care before it charges properly. 

Thankfully, this kind of thing is comparatively rare. The majority of phone charging problems are down to relatively innocuous factors like software updates. Today’s phones are built to last, and you can reduce the chances of suffering physical damage with one of the reliable phone cases here at Ghostek. Whether you prefer Android Smartphones, iPhones, or any other make of device, we’ll make cracked screens a thing of the past.

Frequently Asked Questions About Phone Charging

Is It Safe To Leave A Phone Charging Overnight?

Yes, you should be perfectly safe to keep your phone charging overnight. That being said, don’t do it too often. The trickle of heat from being constantly connected to an electrical outlet can gradually reduce the battery's lifespan. 

My Phone Battery Drains Quickly, How Can I Prevent This?

Phones have multiple functions nowadays and generally speaking, the more you ask of your device, the quicker it will empty. If you want to avoid seeing that battery icon drop to zero, try:

• Shutting down all unnecessary background apps

• Don’t stream movies or TV shows

• Keep the screen off for as long as possible

• Reduce the number of push notifications 

What Is The 20/80 Rule Of Phone Charging?

In a nutshell, it’s about keeping your phone battery level between 20% and 80%. Frequently letting it drop to 0, or fully charging it to 100% can make phone batteries less efficient over time.