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Why is my Android phone not charging?

By the AndroidAnswers Editorial Team · Updated

About 5 minutes · Battery & charging

Illustration of a phone showing a battery with a bolt mark, with a power plug on one side and a refresh arrow on the other

Steps to check

  1. Hold the Power button, then confirm the phone is really on

    Press and hold the Power button for about 5 to 7 seconds. Google's charging help starts here because a blank screen can look like a charging failure. If the phone was fully drained, leave it plugged into a wall charger for at least 10 to 30 minutes before you expect the screen to wake.

  2. Swap the cable, charger, and outlet

    Loose, worn, or unsupported cables are a common cause. Seat the cable firmly in both the phone and the adapter. Try charging another device with the same cable and adapter. Try a different wall outlet. Avoid relying only on a computer USB port for this test. If you see a check charging accessory notice, switch to a cable and power adapter that your phone maker supports.

  3. Check the charging port and remove the case

    Look into the USB-C port with a light. Lint and dust can block a solid connection. Gently clear debris with a soft, dry, non-metal tool (a wooden or plastic toothpick tip, used carefully). Remove thick cases or magnetic attachments that block wireless pads or tug the plug. Samsung notes that debris in the port is a frequent reason charging looks slow or stops.

  4. Rule out heat, moisture, and battery protection settings

    If the phone feels hot, unplug it and let it cool before charging again. Many phones slow or pause charging when warm. If you see a moisture warning, dry the port and wait. On some Samsung phones, Battery protection or Protect battery can stop charging around 80%. On some Pixel phones, Charging optimization can also limit how full the battery gets. Turn those off briefly if you need a full charge for testing.

    Samsung Settings → Battery and device care → Battery → Charging settings (or More battery settings). Check Fast charging and Battery protection / Protect battery.Pixel Settings → Battery → Battery health → Charging optimization. Turn off temporarily to test a full charge.

  5. Restart, then try a wired charge for a longer stretch

    Restart the phone, plug into a wall charger you trust, and wait. Watch Settings → Battery (or the lock screen battery icon) for a few minutes to confirm the percentage is rising. Wireless charging is a useful second test when wired fails, but a wired wall charger is the clearest check.

    Samsung Settings → Battery and device care → Battery to confirm charging statusPixel Settings → Battery to confirm the phone is charging

  6. When to stop and get repair help

    If another phone charges fine on your cable and outlet, but this phone never shows a battery icon, never gains percent after a long plug-in, or the port feels loose no matter which cable you use, the port or battery hardware may need service. Contact your phone maker or an authorized repair center. Avoid forcing metal objects into the port.

Normal vs. not

Usually normal

A drained phone that needs 10 to 30 minutes on a wall charger before the screen wakes, or charging that slows when the phone is warm or Battery protection is on.

Worth a closer look

No charge with several known-good cables and outlets, a port that will not grip any plug, or repeated moisture warnings when the phone is dry.

What people are saying

Common questions

Why does my phone say check charging accessory?

The cable or adapter may be damaged or not supported for that phone. Switch to a compatible cable and wall charger. Charging can be very slow or stop until you do.

Why does charging stop around 80%?

Battery protection or charging optimization features can cap the charge on purpose to reduce wear. Check Battery settings and turn the limit off if you need 100% today.

Is wireless charging a good test?

Yes, as a second check. If wireless works and wired does not, focus on the cable and USB-C port. If neither works with known-good accessories, ask for repair help.

Sources we checked

Menu names can differ by phone brand and Android version. See our editorial policy for how we check steps.