Android or iPhone Won’t Charge or Turn On? 12 Safe Fixes
Android or iPhone Won’t Charge or Turn On? 12 Safe Fixes
If your phone will not charge or turn on, test another working cable,
adapter and wall outlet. Inspect the charging port, leave the phone charging
for at least 30 minutes, then perform the correct force restart for Android
or iPhone.
A phone that suddenly stops charging or shows a black screen may have a simple
cable problem, a blocked charging port, a completely drained battery or a
temporary software freeze.
It can also indicate a damaged charging port, worn battery, water damage,
broken screen or internal hardware failure. Start with the safe checks in this
guide before paying for a repair.
Do not keep charging a phone that is swollen, leaking, burning hot, producing
smoke or showing signs of liquid damage. Disconnect it and contact an
authorised repair service.
Common Reasons a Phone Will Not Charge
| No. | Possible Cause | Common Sign | Safe Solution | Repair Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Damaged cable | Phone charges only when cable is bent | Try a known-good compatible cable. | Easy |
| 2 | Faulty adapter | No charging symbol appears | Test another approved power adapter. | Easy |
| 3 | Blocked charging port | Connector does not fit firmly | Inspect the port and remove visible lint carefully. | Care Needed |
| 4 | Completely drained battery | Black screen after connecting charger | Leave the phone charging for at least 30 minutes. | Easy |
| 5 | Software freeze | Phone is on but screen does not respond | Perform a force restart. | Easy |
| 6 | Water or liquid damage | Charging stopped after moisture exposure | Disconnect power and seek professional inspection. | Repair |
| 7 | Old or damaged battery | Phone shuts down or drains immediately | Request a battery health test. | Repair |
Fix 1: Test the Cable, Adapter and Outlet
Connect another device to the same charger and cable. If the other device
also fails to charge, the charger or cable may be faulty.
- Try a different wall outlet.
- Try another compatible charging cable.
- Try another approved power adapter.
- Check for broken insulation or bent connector pins.
- Do not use a cable that becomes hot or smells burnt.
Google recommends testing another cable, power adapter and outlet when an
Android device will not charge. [673]
Fix 2: Inspect the Charging Port
Dust, lint or pocket debris can stop the connector from making contact with
the charging pins. Turn off the phone and use a bright light to inspect the
port.
- Do not push metal pins, needles or paper clips into the port.
- Do not pour liquid or cleaning spray into the port.
- Do not force the charging cable.
- If the port is loose, bent or corroded, contact a repair technician.
Fix 3: Charge the Phone for 30 Minutes
A completely empty battery may not show a charging symbol immediately. Connect
the phone to a working charger and leave it untouched for at least 30 minutes.
If the battery icon appears, continue charging before trying to use the phone.
Apple also advises charging an iPhone for around 30 minutes and trying again
when it shows a low-battery or black screen. [670]
Fix 4: Force Restart an Android Phone
A force restart can help when Android is frozen, the screen is black or the
phone is not responding.
- Connect the phone to a working charger.
- Press and hold the Power button for about 30–35 seconds.
- Release the button when the phone restarts or shows the logo.
- If nothing happens, hold Power and Volume Down together for at least 20 seconds.
Button combinations can vary by manufacturer. If your model manual gives a
different combination, follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Fix 5: Force Restart an iPhone
iPhone 8 or Later and iPhone SE 2nd Generation or Later
- Press and quickly release Volume Up.
- Press and quickly release Volume Down.
- Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus
- Press and hold the Side button and Volume Down button together.
- Keep holding until the Apple logo appears.
iPhone 6s or Earlier
- Press and hold the Home button and Side or Top button together.
- Keep holding until the Apple logo appears.
Apple recommends these force-restart steps for an unresponsive or black-screen
iPhone. [671]
Fix 6: Try Wireless Charging
If your phone supports wireless charging, place it on a compatible wireless
charger. If wireless charging works but the cable does not, the cable,
charging port or wired charging circuit may be the problem.
Use an approved wireless charger made for your phone model and remove thick
cases or metal accessories while testing.
Fix 7: Check for Moisture or Water Damage
Do not charge a phone if it has recently been exposed to water. Charging a
wet port can damage the connector and internal components.
- Disconnect the cable immediately.
- Remove the phone case.
- Wipe the outside with a dry cloth.
- Place the phone in a dry, ventilated area.
- Do not use a hair dryer, heater or compressed air.
- Do not insert tissue or cotton buds deep into the port.
- Seek professional inspection if the phone does not recover.
Rice dust can enter the port and does not repair internal liquid damage.
If the phone was submerged or shows corrosion, professional repair is safer.
Fix 8: Check Whether the Screen Is the Problem
A phone can be working even when the display is black. Call the phone from
another device or use Find My Device/Find My iPhone if available.
| Test | What Happens | Possible Problem |
|---|---|---|
| Call the phone | It rings or vibrates | Screen or display connection may be damaged. |
| Connect to a computer | Computer detects the phone | Display, battery or software problem may exist. |
| Press the power button | Phone vibrates but screen stays black | Display assembly or backlight problem. |
| No sound, vibration or detection | Phone appears completely dead | Battery, charging circuit or motherboard problem. |
Fix 9: Check Battery Health
An old battery may no longer hold enough charge to start the phone. If the
phone turns off as soon as it is disconnected, the battery may need testing
or replacement.
Warning signs of a failing battery include fast battery drain, sudden
shutdowns, overheating, random restarts and a swollen back panel.
Fix 10: Remove Accessories and Cases
Some cases, magnetic accessories or damaged charging docks can prevent a
proper connection. Remove the case, magnetic holder, USB hub and other
accessories before testing again.
Fix 11: Update or Repair the Phone Software
If the phone starts but repeatedly freezes, restarts or becomes stuck on the
logo, the problem may be software-related. Back up your data before attempting
a reset or restore.
- Install available system updates.
- Remove recently installed suspicious apps.
- Boot Android into Safe Mode if supported.
- Use Apple recovery options only after backing up where possible.
- Do not factory-reset the phone unless you understand that data may be erased.
Fix 12: Visit a Repair Centre
Contact an authorised or qualified repair centre if the phone still does not
charge or turn on after trying a known-good charger, charging for at least
30 minutes and performing the correct force restart.
- The charging port is loose, broken or corroded.
- The battery is swollen or physically damaged.
- The phone was dropped or submerged.
- The phone becomes very hot while charging.
- The phone vibrates but the screen remains black.
- The device is stuck in a boot loop.
- The phone is not detected by a computer.
Android vs iPhone Charging Fixes
| Problem | Android | iPhone |
|---|---|---|
| Charge time before retrying | Charge for at least 30 minutes. | Charge for around 30 minutes, then retry. |
| Force restart | Power button or Power + Volume Down may work. | Button sequence depends on the iPhone model. |
| Port check | Check USB-C or micro-USB port for lint or damage. | Check Lightning or USB-C port for debris. |
| Wireless charging | Available only on supported models. | Available only on supported models. |
| Repair route | Manufacturer or authorised Android repair centre. | Apple Support or Apple Authorised Service Provider. |
What Not to Do
- Do not use a damaged charger or cable.
- Do not force a loose connector into the charging port.
- Do not charge a wet or swollen phone.
- Do not open the battery without proper tools and training.
- Do not puncture or squeeze a lithium-ion battery.
- Do not factory-reset the phone before backing up important data.
- Do not trust unofficial repair software that asks for your passwords.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my phone not charging or turning on?
The cause may be a faulty cable, adapter, outlet, blocked charging port,
completely drained battery, frozen software, water damage or hardware failure.
How long should I charge a dead phone before restarting it?
Connect it to a known-good charger and leave it for at least 30 minutes
before trying to restart it.
What should I do if my phone charges only at an angle?
Stop forcing the cable. The port or connector may be damaged and should be
inspected by a repair technician.
Can a phone work if the screen is black?
Yes. If it rings, vibrates or is detected by a computer while the display
remains black, the screen or display connection may be damaged.
Is it safe to charge a swollen phone?
No. Disconnect it, stop using it and contact an authorised repair or battery
disposal service.
Conclusion
Start with the charger, cable, wall outlet and charging port when an Android
phone or iPhone will not charge. Leave the phone connected to a working charger
for at least 30 minutes, then use the correct force-restart method.
If the phone has water damage, a swollen battery, a loose port, a black screen
with vibration or no response after all safe checks, stop troubleshooting and
contact a qualified repair centre.