Phone won't charge? How to tell if it's the cable, the port or the battery.
A phone that stops charging feels like a dead phone, but it usually isn't. In most cases the fault is one of three small, fixable things. Here's how we narrow it down at the bench, and the checks you can do yourself first.
Start with the cheapest suspect: the cable and adapter
Cables fail far more often than phones. Try a cable and wall adapter you know work on another phone, and plug straight into a wall outlet rather than a laptop or power strip. If the phone charges now, you've found the problem, and it cost nothing.
Then the charging port: lint is the usual culprit
Pocket lint packs into the bottom of the port over months until the plug can't seat fully. The classic sign is a phone that only charges when the cable is held at an angle, or a plug that feels loose.
- Shine a light into the port. Compacted grey lint at the back is common.
- Don't dig with metal. A pin or paperclip can short the contacts or bend them.
- If cleaning doesn't fix it, or the port is loose, burnt or bent, the port itself needs replacing, which is a routine bench repair.
Or the battery: when it drains faster than it fills
Batteries wear out. If the phone charges but dies by mid-afternoon, shuts off at 20–30%, or feels hot while charging, the battery is the likely cause. On iPhones, Settings → Battery → Battery Health shows the capacity; below about 80% is worth replacing. A swollen battery that lifts the screen or back glass is a safety issue and should come in right away.
When it's something else
Occasionally the fault is on the board: a damaged charging chip, often after liquid exposure or a cheap charger. That's still usually repairable, and it's exactly why we test before we quote rather than guessing.
Quick answers
Why does my phone only charge at an angle?
That almost always means lint packed into the charging port or a worn port. Cleaning often fixes it; if not, the port is replaced.
Is it my battery or my charging port?
If the phone won't take a charge at all, suspect the cable or port first. If it charges but drains fast or shuts off early, suspect the battery. We test both for free.
Can a water-damaged phone stop charging?
Yes. Liquid can corrode the port or the charging circuit. Power it off, don't charge it, and bring it in so the board can be cleaned before corrosion spreads.
How long does a charging port or battery repair take?
Most are same-day, often under an hour when the part is in stock.