Plugged In Not Charging: How To Fix Phone Won't Charge when plugged

How To Fix Fast Charging Issues On Smartphones.

Slow charging can be very annoying especially when your phone won't charge and it is plugged in. Over time, most smartphone users are faced with the issue of their phones plugged in not charging, this can be frustrating when you need your phone fully charged before heading out.

Fast charging is not a new feature in the smartphone market, many smartphone manufacturers have added fast charging features to their devices as a means to entice smartphone users into purchasing their brand, and also to make devices charge at almost five times (5X) the normal speed.

Note that fast charging is a hardware feature that can not be downloaded from the internet or from the app store.

Top smartphone brands like Apple, Samsung, Redmi, Tecno, and Infinix boasts about their smartphones' fast charging capabilities as it has become one of the most sort-after specs consumers look for when purchasing a smartphone.

iPhone users can charge their phones from 0% to 50% in just 30 minutes if they use the recommend iPhone charger, Samsung also boasts of similar fast charging speed. The Redmi Note9 with a powerful 5020mAh battery can also charge from 0% to 50% within 30 minutes thanks to its 33W fast charger. 

Phones like the Infinix Hot5, note5, note4 are known to go from 0% to 20% in 5 minutes under good charging condition via X-Charge, which is Infiix's version of fast charging. Tecno brands such as Cammon X, Phantom 8, and Cx air also have the Tecno flash charging feature that gives them the edge over other smartphones when charging.

Apart from charging your device at an incredible speed, the fast charging feature also helps to maintain battery life and prevents overheating while charging.

How to fix Phone won't charge, Phone Plugged in not charging, and Smartphone not charging fast

Phone won't charge / Plugged in not charging

DIY USB Port Fix

This is the fastest and easiest step to take when you find yourself troubled by abnormal phone charging. This problem is usually related to the metallic surfaces inside the micro USB charger and the phone's USB port. When there is a partial connection between the two (either because of worn-out ports due to constant plugging in and out, or a manufacturing error), then your phone won't charge.

Follow these easy DIY steps for a quick fix;

1. Shut down your smartphone.
2. Remove the battery if applicable.
3. Use a toothpick or any tiny insulator to properly adjust the tiny tabs inside your device's USB port. This is a very fragile process, so apply full caution.
4. Reinsert your battery (if you removed it) and plug in the phone.

This quick-fix has been proven to have a 90% success rate.

Remove Dirts in USB Port

Keeping your device in your jean pocket, handbag, or any other place that attracts specks of dirt might be a culprit for your phone not charging. This small dirt accumulates over time and in the end, your phone won't charge when plugged in.

Blow in a strong air to your USB port to remove those dirt and your device should go back to being normal.

Change Worn Out USB Cables

USB cables are one of the most fragile smartphone accessories, they easily get fault. Apple users are usually venerable in this area, an average iPhone user changes 5 UBS cables yearly. USB cables have a tough and short lifespan of constant twisting, curling, and this reduces its efficiency.

The easiest way to run a faulty USB diagnosis is to try out another cable, and if your phone charging improves, then you need to change your USB cable. If that doesn't work, try out the next fix.

Change Faulty Adapters

Constantly removing and inserting USB cables into an adapter will reduce its lifespan. Always inspect your adapter's port to ascertain that they are in good condition, otherwise, a new one is needed.

Change Battery

Batteries are not immortal, so they need to be changed especially if you have been misusing them. Two years in the average lifespan of smartphone batteries, so after that time frame you should consider replacing them. They are several third-party applications that can perform battery diagnosis. 

You should also manually inspect your phone battery for leakage and any sign of swelling. If you notice any, take your phone to a certified professional to change the batteries.

My Phone Once Supports Fast Charge But Stopped.

Some users complained about their device being unable to fast charge after being plugged in. If your smartphone stops charging quickly, it may be due to some minor problems, and we're going to give some tips on how to identify and fix these phone charging problems.

• First, make sure you use the recommended charger and cable. Just as not all phones support fast charging, not all phone chargers support quick charging as well. So use the original charger that came with your device, or visits your smartphone's customer support store to purchase a new charger. If you can't get the original charger for your smartphone, Oraimo, or any 33W charger also supports fast charging, they are good replacements. 

• Verify that the charging cable is fully inserted into the main charger, earlier today, I was caught up in a similar situation. My BlackShark smartphone was plugged in but not fast charging, I decided to give it some time thinking that it will pick up. After 15 minutes I checked to confirm if it was fast charging, but it wasn't. I had to carefully inspect the main charger, and USB cable only to realize that the port connecting the USB cable to the main charger head wasn't completely connected. So I disconnected the charger from the power source and pushed the charger to completely fit into the port, and finally, I connected the charger back to the power outlet, and my smartphone began fast charging immediately.

• Please ensure sufficient electric power is supplied by the electrical outlet. Yeah, some devices require some output power to charge quicker, so make sure your device is connected to an outlet that provides adequate electrical juice, and note that plugging your phone into a computer will never charge it rapidly (especially with the new smartphones with a strong battery). Low electrical power generators can also stop your phone from charging quickly at times.

• A bad battery is also a factor that makes a phone won't charge, so make sure your battery is in excellent health, otherwise, it's time to try a new battery. Only go for the original one because counterfeit batteries don't charge fast or may stop after a few days leaving your phone plugged in not charging.

• The charging port of your phone (charging points) also helps determine the rate your phone charges at. Always check your ports and remove dirt and other residues. If you observe that your charging port is malformed, take it for a fix to a repairman and your device should return to fast charging.

• Viruses on your smartphone during software upgrades can also prevent your phone from charging easily. Last year, when I was using the Infinix Note 4pro, it stooped flash charging all of a sudden and I tried several different ways like getting a new charger, trying a friend's charger, but it still didn't charge fast. So I gave up hope until I came across an article in their official chat forum with lots of users complaining about the same phone won't charge issue after installing the company's latest software upgrade. If you are in such a situation, it is suggested that you wait until a new software update is released, or take your device to its customer support service center for a free downgrade.

My Phone Doesn't Support Flash Charging. What Do I do?

Fast Charging a Smartphone That Doesn't Support Fast Charging

Smartphones that do not support the fast charging feature are going out of the trend and will soon go extinct from the smartphone market over time.

Some Android app developers have been publishing applications claiming to quickly charge any phone. Note that, fast charging is a hardware feature that can not be downloaded from the internet or from the app store.

If your device does not support fast charging, you can use the methods below to help increase it's charging speed:

• Close all app while charging your phone.
• Switch off data and WiFi connection.
• Put your phone in airplane mode.
• Reduce screen brightness and timeout.
• Make sure you use the company recommended charger.
• Avoid faulty USB cables.
• Switch off the phone to charge it faster.

Always make sure you use the recommended charger to power your devices as it helps maintain battery life, and also provides enough juice for your phone to keep it going all day long. Turn off the electricity from the power supply to save energy, and unplug your chargers to prevent the charger from overheating.