A phone that won't charge feels like an emergency, but the cause is often simple. Before you assume the worst, it helps to know the three usual suspects: the cable and charger, the charging port, and the battery.
Start with the cable and charger
Cables wear out at the ends, and cheap chargers fail quietly. Try a different cable and a different wall adapter you know works. If the phone charges normally, you've found the problem and saved yourself a trip.
Signs the charging port is the problem
- The phone only charges when you hold the cable at an angle.
- The cable feels loose or falls out easily.
- Charging starts and stops when you move the phone.
- The phone charges fine wirelessly but not with a cable.
Most of the time a port isn't broken at all. Pocket lint gets packed into the bottom of the port every time you plug in, until the cable can't seat fully. A careful cleaning often fixes it. Please don't dig in with metal pins or needles, because that can bend the small contacts inside.
Signs it's the battery instead
If the phone charges but drains quickly, shuts off with charge left, or gets hot while charging, the battery is the more likely cause. Our guide on signs your phone battery needs replacing walks through the details.
When it's something else
Water exposure, a drop, or a corroded port can stop charging too. If the phone shows a moisture warning, unplug it and let it dry before trying again.
Quick checks you can do at home
- Try a second cable and a second wall adapter that you know work.
- Plug into a wall outlet instead of a car charger, a power strip or a computer USB port.
- Restart the phone, then plug it in again.
- Look into the port with a flashlight. Lint packed at the bottom is a common cause, and we can clean it carefully at the shop. Please do not use metal pins, needles or liquids.
- If the phone charges wirelessly but not with a cable, the port is the most likely cause.
Port, cable or battery: a quick comparison
- Cable or charger: a different cable and adapter fix it right away.
- Charging port: charging only works at an angle, the plug feels loose, or charging drops when the phone moves.
- Battery: the phone charges, but the percentage falls quickly, it shuts off with charge left, or it gets hot while charging.
iPhone charging port repair and iPhone battery replacement are priced up front on our price list; other phones are quoted after a free diagnostic. Repairs come with a 90-day warranty on parts and labor.
What we do at the shop
Bring the phone and, if you can, the cable you normally use. We check the cable, clean and inspect the port, and test the battery so you know exactly what's wrong before you pay for anything. When a part does need replacing, we use high quality parts. See our prices page for starting prices, and read how to prepare your device for repair before you drop it off.
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