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Phone not charging? 5 things to check before a repair

Five quick checks for a phone that won't charge, and when it's time for a charging port repair.

Guide

Written by Ali, who has been fixing electronic devices since 2019. Updated .

Most phones that stop charging have a problem with the cable, the plug or dirt in the charging port, not the phone itself. Work through these five checks first. If none of them help, the charging port or battery may need a repair.

1. Try a different cable

Cables wear out at the ends, often where they bend. Try a cable you know works with another phone. If your phone charges, the old cable was the problem. See charging cables.

2. Try a different plug or socket

Plug the charger into another wall socket, or try a different charger. Laptop USB ports and some car chargers can be too weak to charge a phone properly. See chargers.

3. Check the port for lint

Pocket lint builds up in the charging port and stops the cable going all the way in. A common sign is a cable that feels loose or only charges at a certain angle.

To clean it safely:

  1. Switch the phone off.
  2. Shine a torch into the port to see if anything is packed in.
  3. Gently loosen it with a wooden toothpick or a soft, dry brush. Work along the sides, not into the pins.
  4. Don’t use anything metal, such as a pin or paper clip. It can short the port or bend the contacts.
  5. Don’t blow into it or use liquid cleaners.

If the lint is packed hard, bring it in rather than forcing it.

4. Restart the phone

A software glitch can stop a phone recognising a charger. Restart it, then plug it in again. If the battery is completely flat, leave it on charge for 15 to 30 minutes before trying to switch it on.

5. Try wireless charging

If your phone supports wireless charging, put it on a wireless charger. If it charges wirelessly but not with a cable, the charging port is the likely problem. If it won’t charge either way, the battery or another part may be at fault.

When it’s time for a repair

Get it checked if:

  • the cable is loose or falls out even after cleaning
  • it only charges at an angle
  • the phone shows a liquid or accessory warning when you plug it in
  • none of the checks above helped

A worn or damaged charging port can be replaced. If the battery is the problem, see battery health and battery replacement.

Charging port repair in Nuneaton

Bring your phone to Ezone Repairs at 9 Harefield Road, Nuneaton CV11 4HA, or call 024 7634 1341. We check what’s causing the fault and quote for your model before any work starts. A phone charging port repair usually takes 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how busy the shop is. See charging port repair or book a repair.

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