When Should You Replace Your Smartphone Battery?
The signs that a phone battery is wearing out, what battery health readings mean, and when replacement makes sense.
Common Reasons Your Phone Is Not Charging Properly
From lint in the port to a worn cable, here are the usual causes of slow or unreliable charging and what you can safely check yourself.
Charging problems are among the most common issues we see. Many have simple causes, and a few checks at home can narrow things down before you visit.
1. The cable
Cables wear out at the ends where they bend. Try a different, known-good cable. If the problem disappears, you have your answer.
2. The adapter
A low-wattage or non-original adapter will charge slowly and may not support your phone's fast-charging standard. Test with the adapter that came with your phone, or another original one.
3. Debris in the port
Pocket lint packs into USB-C ports over time, so the cable cannot seat fully. Symptoms include a loose-feeling connection or charging only at an angle.
Avoid pushing metal objects into the port. A technician can clean it safely without damaging the contacts.
4. Software
Some phones limit charging when the battery is hot, or when optimised charging is active. Check your battery settings and let the phone cool before charging.
5. The port or charging board
If none of the above helps, the port itself or the board it sits on may be faulty. This needs inspection; in some phones the port is part of a separate sub-board that can be replaced.
When to bring it in
If the phone is not charging at all, shows a moisture warning, or gets hot near the port, stop charging and contact us.
This article is general guidance. For advice on your specific device, contact us or bring it in for inspection.