Having issues charging your Samsung Galaxy smartphone can be incredibly frustrating.
You rely on your phone to stay connected and get things done throughout the day, so when the battery runs low and it won’t charge back up, it can really put you in a bind.
There are a few common reasons why your Samsung Galaxy might not be charging properly. The good news is that most charging issues can be fixed with some simple troubleshooting steps.
In this guide, we’ll walk through the top issues that cause Samsung Galaxies not to charge and show you how to get your phone charging again.
Check Your Charging Cable and Ports
The first thing to check whenever your Samsung Galaxy is not charging properly is the charging cable and ports. Here are some things to inspect:
- Make sure the USB cable is properly plugged into both the charging port on your phone and the charger/power source. Unplug and reconnect both ends of the cable securely.
- Inspect the charging cable for any damage. If the cable is frayed or broken, it can prevent power from flowing properly to your phone.
- Check that no dust, lint or debris is built up in your phone’s charging port. Use a toothpick to gently clean out the port.
- Try connecting your phone to charge with a different USB cable that you know works properly. Cables can wear out over time.
- Test charging your phone from a different power source, like a computer USB port or car charger. This helps determine if the issue is with your wall charger.
If you have verified the cable and ports are clear of any obstructions and the phone still won’t charge, then the issue likely lies with either the battery itself or the phone’s internal charging components.
Try a Different Charger
Another easy troubleshooting step is to try charging your Samsung Galaxy with a different charger or power source. The charger that came with your phone may have stopped working properly, especially if it’s older.
Use a different USB wall charger that you have around the house from another device. You can also try charging your phone from a computer USB port, power bank, or car charger. This will help determine if the issue is isolated to the wall charger you usually use.
If your phone charges normally from the alternate power source, then the original wall charger is likely defective and needs to be replaced. You can purchase a Samsung-approved replacement charger online or from your local electronics store.
Check for Moisture Damage
Exposure to moisture is a common way for charging issues to occur in Samsung Galaxy devices.
If your phone has gotten wet at any point, either from accidental water exposure or condensation buildup, moisture can seep into the charging port and cause corrosion or damage.
Carefully inspect your Galaxy’s charging port to check for any signs of water or liquid damage. Do you see any corrosion, rust, liquid residue, or other abnormalities? If so, this is likely preventing your phone from charging correctly.
The best way to fix moisture damage is to thoroughly dry out the phone’s charging port and inner hardware. If the phone got splashed or briefly submerged, simply air drying may do the trick. For more significant water exposure, you may need to use drying aids like silica gel packs.
Never try to charge your phone while moisture is present, as this can short circuit and permanently damage the charging components. Once fully dried out, your Samsung Galaxy should be able to charge again without issue.
Reset the Phone
Resetting your Samsung Galaxy to its factory default settings can often resolve software-related issues that may be preventing charging. The reset clears any bugs in the operating system that could be interfering with charging capabilities.
To reset your Galaxy:
- Back up important data from the phone.
- Open Settings and tap General Management.
- Tap Reset and choose Factory Data Reset.
- Follow the prompts to confirm the reset and erase all data.
Once the reset completes, try charging your phone again as normal. In many cases, this clears up charging problems caused by software glitches.
Check for Physical Damage
Dropping your Samsung Galaxy or exposing it to blunt force trauma can sometimes damage the physical charging components inside the device.
Charging issues commonly occur if the charging port itself or the internal USB connector cable get knocked loose or disconnected.
Carefully inspect your phone for any signs of physical or liquid damage. Are there any cracks, dents, warped areas, scratches, or gaps around the charging port? Even minor damage in the port area can prevent proper charging.
You may need to take your Galaxy to a repair shop for inspection and repair if physical damage is preventing charging. The charging port or internal components may need to be replaced before your phone will charge again.
Avoid forcing a damaged charging cable into the port, as this can worsen physical issues. Get professional repairs done before trying to charge again.
Update Your Software
Ensuring your Samsung Galaxy is always running the latest software version can also help resolve charging problems. Software updates often include bug fixes for charging issues that crop up in older OS versions.
To update your phone’s software:
- Open Settings and tap Software Update.
- Tap Download and Install to get the latest available OS update.
- Follow the prompts to download and install the update.
- Restart your phone after the update completes.
Keeping your Galaxy’s software fully up-to-date ensures you have all the latest charging and battery optimizations from Samsung. Update promptly whenever notifications about new versions are released.
If your phone still doesn’t charge properly after trying these troubleshooting tips, you may need to take your Galaxy to a repair shop for service. The battery or internal charging components may need to be replaced before normal charging will be restored. Contact Samsung support online or visit an authorized service provider for expert help getting your Galaxy charging again.
Check Battery Health
If your Samsung Galaxy won’t charge past a certain percentage, like getting stuck at 70% or turning off before fully charging, the battery itself may be worn out or defective.
Batteries naturally degrade over time and through repeated charge cycles. A degraded battery can exhibit charging problems like early shutoffs and failure to fully recharge.
You can check your battery’s health in Settings > Battery and Device Care > Battery. Look at the Battery Health and Battery Usage information. If your battery is noted as significantly worn or damaged, then replacing it is likely necessary to restore normal charging.
You can also perform checks like charging your phone when powered off, charging without a SIM card, or charging in Safe Mode. If issues persist, it points to a battery problem rather than a software one.
Try a Wireless Charger
If you can’t get your Samsung Galaxy to charge up using a cable, try charging it wirelessly instead.
Place your phone on a Qi-compatible wireless charging pad. You’ll need a phone case that doesn’t interfere with wireless charging. Use an official Samsung wireless charger for best performance.
If your phone is able to wirelessly charge, then the issue is isolated to the wired charging components. You may need to replace the USB charging port or internal cable. Continuing to wirelessly charge is fine in the meantime.
Check App and Settings Battery Optimization
Some apps and settings adjustments on your Samsung Galaxy can inadvertently interfere with proper charging. It’s worth checking that none of these are causing problems:
- Disable Fast Charging – Try charging without fast charging enabled, as issues are sometimes reported.
- Close Battery Intensive Apps – Force close apps that use a lot of battery in the background.
- Adjust Battery Saver and Power Mode – Try turning Battery Saver off while charging.
- Check Adaptive Battery Settings – Make sure no apps are restricted incorrectly.
- Turn Off AOD – Always On Display can sometimes disrupt charging.
Toggling these settings off and on while testing charging may reveal if something specific is leading to problems.
Try a Different Wall Outlet
Sometimes the issues with charging a Samsung Galaxy can come down to problems with the wall outlet, rather than the phone itself.
Try plugging your phone into a different AC power outlet that you know works correctly. Test outlets in different rooms in your home or office.
If your Galaxy charges normally from the different outlet, then the original one you were using may be defective, have a weak connection, or not be supplying consistent power. Contact an electrician to inspect and replace any malfunctioning outlets.
Replace Charging Port
If all other troubleshooting steps fail, you may need to replace the USB charging port on your Samsung Galaxy.
Charging ports can wear out or sustain physical damage over years of use. Getting the port replaced can often resolve even long-standing charging problems when other fixes don’t work.
Charging port replacement is best left to experienced repair technicians. Many local repair shops and Samsung authorized service centers offer reliable charging port replacements for Galaxy models.
Be sure to back up your data before getting a charging port replacement, as your phone will need to be reset in the process.
Third-party Chargers
Using third-party wall chargers from brands other than Samsung can sometimes cause charging problems.
While you might save a bit up front opting for a cheaper charger, generally only OEM Samsung chargers have been rigorously tested and certified to work optimally with Galaxy devices.
If you use any third-party or knock-off chargers, try replacing them with genuine Samsung ones to see if it resolves your charging issues.
Check for Carrier Software Conflicts
If you didn’t purchase your Samsung Galaxy directly from Samsung, carrier-specific software from networks like Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile could be interfering with charging capabilities.
Try removing your SIM card and wiping your device back to factory default state using recovery mode to see if removing carrier bloatware fixes charging problems.
Flashing unbranded Samsung firmware can also help eliminate any carrier-installed apps or settings that may disrupt charging components.
Alternative Charging Methods
If you can’t get your Galaxy to charge via wall outlet, there are some alternative charging options to consider:
- Wireless charging pad
- Portable power bank
- Connecting to a computer USB port
- Charging in a vehicle with a 12V car adapter
While inconvenient, these can help keep your phone powered on while you continue troubleshooting the root cause of charging issues.
Contact Samsung Support
If you still can’t get your Samsung Galaxy to charge properly after exhausting self-troubleshooting, it’s time to contact Samsung support directly.
Samsung provides 24/7 technical support via live chat or phone for troubleshooting defective devices that won’t charge properly. They can run diagnostics to pinpoint hardware issues requiring repair or replacement.
If your Galaxy is still under warranty, Samsung support can arrange for free repair or replacement. Out of warranty devices may need to be sent to an authorized service center for paid repairs.
Samsung can also advise if a safety recall exists for charging issues with your specific Galaxy model. Staying up to date on recalls ensures any known manufacturing defects get properly fixed by Samsung.
The Bottom Line
Most charging issues with Samsung Galaxy phones, watches and earbuds can be resolved with common troubleshooting steps.
Start by inspecting your cables, ports, chargers and outlets to isolate the issue. Troubleshoot both the phone and charging accessories. Consider battery health, physical damage, moisture, software and settings that could disrupt charging.
If self-troubleshooting is unsuccessful, leverage Samsung’s technical support and repair options to get your device charging properly again.
