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Welcome to the 'What to Do When your mobile phone isn't charging' video course. In this video, you'll learn five easy steps you can take to check why your phone isn't charging. Signs that your phone might not be charging when connected to a power source include when the charging symbol, which looks like a lightning bolt, doesn't appear, and when the battery charge level doesn't increase.
This demonstration uses a Samsung Android phone and the steps will be similar on an iPhone. Make sure your charging cable and plug are not damaged. Look for any visible signs of wear, such as fraying or bent connectors. Test the same charger and cable with another device. If they don't charge the other device, you might need a new charger or cable.
Test your phone with a different charger and cable. If you're charging from a wall outlet, try plugging your charger into a different outlet. If it still doesn't charge, the problem may be your phone. Check the charging port on your phone for any debris, like dust or lint, that might be blocking the connection with your charging cable. Use a small, clean brush to gently clean the port.
Some phones have settings that can interfere with charging, such as Battery Saver or Power Saver mode, or apps that manage power. To check that these aren't affecting charging, open the Settings app and find the Battery section. Tap on it to see the settings.
If your phone is several years old and its battery is slow to charge or runs out of charge quickly, you might need to replace the battery. You can check the health of your battery in the Battery section of your phone's Settings app. Depending on the phone model, there might be information about battery capacity or a recommendation to replace the battery. Sometimes a simple restart can clear up any temporary glitches that might affect charging. Restarting your device involves turning it off and on again.
Depending on your phone model, press and hold the power button or the power and volume down buttons until you see some power options on the screen. Select Restart or Reboot and your device will turn off and back on. If nothing you've tried has fixed your phone's charging problem, it might be time to get professional help. You can contact customer support for your phone for advice, either by making a call, sending an email, or using an online chat service, or you can take the phone to a service centre where it can be inspected and repaired.