Phone Won't Charge — Real Fixes That Actually Work

Before assuming the battery or phone is broken, consider that charging involves three potential failure points: the cable, the adapter, and the port on your phone. Any one of them can be the culprit.

Check the Cable and Adapter First

The cable is the most common failure point. Lightning, USB-C, and Micro-USB cables all develop internal breaks that aren't visible from outside. Try a different cable — ideally one you know works with another device. Also try a different wall adapter and a different power socket. Avoid charging from a computer USB port for this test, as those deliver less power and may not show whether the phone is charging at all.

Clean the Charging Port

Lint and debris pack into charging ports over months of use. A partially blocked port means the connector can't make proper contact. Here's how to clean it safely:

1. Power the phone off first.
2. Shine a torch into the port to see what's there.
3. Use a wooden toothpick or a new, dry interdental brush to gently loosen compacted lint — avoid metal objects.
4. Blow short, dry puffs of air into the port (or use a can of compressed air held a few centimetres away).
5. Plug in the charger and check.

Restart the Phone

Sometimes a software glitch stops the phone from detecting that a charger is plugged in. A full restart — not just sleep — fixes this more often than you'd expect.

iPhone-Specific: Check the Moisture Warning

If your iPhone has been near water or in a humid environment, iOS may show a liquid detection warning and refuse to charge via cable. Leave the phone in a dry, well-ventilated place for an hour or two. Don't charge wirelessly as an emergency workaround in this situation — let the port dry fully first.

Try Wireless Charging

If your phone supports wireless (Qi) charging, place it on a wireless charger. If it charges wirelessly but not with a cable, the port is likely the problem. If it won't charge either way, the battery or charging circuit may be at fault.

Check Battery Health

• iPhone: Go to Settings → Battery → Battery Health & Charging. If maximum capacity is below 80%, the battery may struggle to hold a charge.
• Android: Battery health information varies by manufacturer. Samsung includes it in Settings → Battery → Battery health. On other Android phones, dialling *#*#4636#*#* opens a diagnostic menu that shows battery information on some models.

If the port is damaged or the battery needs replacing, both are usually serviceable repairs. Ask us and we can help you figure out the most cost-effective route.