The cell phone does not charge or takes a long time to complete the recharge? A damaged cable, dirt at the entrance of the device or even an outdated system can be the reasons for the problem. Check out why this happens and what to do to resolve the situation.
1. Restart the device
It seems a bit obvious, but by restarting the smartphone it is possible to rule out any temporary problems that may be happening. The action terminates all background processes, updates components, and clears the cache.
- Android: in general, just press the on/off button on the cell phone for between 5 and 7 seconds. Or, press it once and tap on the restart option that will appear on the screen.
On iPhone: The process varies by model:
- iPhone X or 11: Press the volume and side buttons.
- iPhone 8, 7 or 6: Keep only the side button pressed.
- iPhone SE, 5 or earlier: Press the volume up and up buttons.
If your device charges normally again, we suggest that you check out recently installed apps. It is possible that one of them is running in the background without your knowing it. In addition, it is likely that it is consuming the battery faster than the device can recharge.
2. Check cable, charger and adapter
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Problems with the charger, cable or adapter can be the cause for the phone to take a long time or not even charge. The cable may have some loose wires or the adapter may be having trouble transmitting current effectively.
If your smartphone only charges when it's connected to a USB port, it's possible that the problem is with the power adapter. If it still doesn't work, try a new cable.
There is still the possibility that the outlet or USB input is having problems. Therefore, it is also worth trying to charge the device in another source of electrical energy.
If you decide to replace a component, it is best to use an original replacement from the brand of the device or from a third party recognized by the manufacturer. It is also worth remembering that charging through the socket is much faster than via USB.
3. Clean the charging port
When accompanying their owners all day, cell phones tend to be exposed to all kinds of dirt. This debris can settle in the charging port and interfere with the device's connection to the power source.
Grab a flashlight and shine a light at the entrance to check for possible debris. With the cell phone off, blow on the door or use a can of compressed air to clean.
Using tools is not recommended by manufacturer websites such as Samsung. The company explains that inserting any object into the charging port could damage the entrance.
4. Use an assistant app
This tip is only valid for Android users. the app Ampere informs how much electrical current is consumed when charging the device. It also indicates consumption while the cell phone is not connected to a power source.
The feature is ideal for when the smartphone does not indicate that the charge is being carried out. In these cases, what may be happening is a software error, which can be resolved by restarting the device or updating the operating system.
If there is current, the app can be used to find the most effective source for recharging.
5. Check the temperature
It is common for cell phones to get hot while being charged. But if the temperature rise is beyond what is considered normal, it is possible that charging will be interrupted.
According to Apple, this is done to increase battery life. On the company's smartphones, if this happens, the software stops charging above 80%. It will only resume when the temperature of the device returns to normal.
On iPhones, the system itself issues a message warning of overheating. On Android, you can also check the temperature of the device using the Ampere app, indicated above.
6. Charge with your cell phone off
If you're one of those people who can't leave your phone alone even while charging, it might be a good idea to keep it turned off during the process. Checking Instagram, playing games and exchanging messages, can prolong the recharge time.
The screen on consumes a lot of device power. Especially when the user touches it constantly, as when accessing social networks, playing games or chatting.
7. Update the operating system
An error in the software that recognizes the charging cable can be responsible for problems with charging the cell phone. Therefore, if there is an operating system update available, it is recommended that you do so.
In addition to news, updates usually bring fixes for possible errors.
- Android: Configure → System → Advanced → System Update → Check for Updates.
You can check out this step by step in detail in our guide How to update Android to the latest version in 4 steps.
- iPhone: Settings → General → Software Update → Download and Install → Install.
Apple recommends that the device be plugged in and connected to the Wi-Fi network to perform the procedure.
8. Restore factory settings
Resetting the smartphone allows you to reset the device to factory settings. This means that all data, apps and settings included after purchase will be deleted from the device.
So, in case the issue is occurring due to some installed software, it should be resolved. Before carrying out the process, it is highly recommended to backup your data and files. Otherwise, you will lose everything.
9. Change the battery
If you own an older cell phone model and none of the above tips work, replacing the battery may be the solution. It seems obvious, but depending on the device, the exchange can be much more economical than buying a device.
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