In this comprehensive guide, we will cover the key troubleshooting steps you can take to resolve the issue of wireless charging terminating early on your Samsung S21 Ultra or other Galaxy devices. We will also provide workarounds like Bixby Routines to mitigate the problem until an official fix is released.
Confirm the Wireless Charging Behavior
First, verify the specific wireless charging behavior you are observing on your Samsung S21 Ultra. Does the charging stop only after hitting 100% battery capacity? What time does this usually occur during overnight charging? How much battery drain do you see by morning?
Monitoring these details will help isolate if the problem is isolated and consistent. Note down charging percentages at different times of the night to log the issue accurately. You can use apps like AccuBattery to track detailed charging graphs over time.
Try Different Wireless Chargers
A common reason for inconsistent wireless charging could be compatibility issues with certain charging pads. Test your S21 Ultra with different Qi-compatible wireless chargers, including Samsung’s official branded ones, to see if the behavior persists.
Use chargers that have provided full overnight charges consistently in the past without premature cut-off. Try both flat pad style chargers as well as vertical stand chargers. Switch to a high-quality charger officially validated for Samsung fast charging if possible.
Recommended Wireless Chargers
- Samsung Wireless Charger Pad
- Samsung Wireless Charger Stand
If multiple different wireless chargers exhibit the same early cut-off behavior even at different angles, the chargers are likely not the issue.
Check for Hardware Damage or Defects
Inspect your Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra carefully for any signs of physical damage that could impede wireless charging. Specifically look for:
- Cracked or damaged rear glass back
- Dents, deformities near wireless charging coil area
- Debris or foreign objects stuck to charging coil
- Moisture damage, corrosion on charging contacts
Even minor damage around the center wireless charging coil could potentially cause alignment or connectivity issues. Check that the phone’s charging port and pins are also intact without damage.
If physical damage is ruled out, your S21 Ultra may have an internal hardware defect affecting the wireless charging module. Contact Samsung Support for inspection and potential warranty replacement if hardware issues are suspected.
Reset Network Settings
Resetting your Samsung S21 Ultra’s network settings to default factory condition can help eliminate software issues causing system conflicts that may disrupt wireless charging.
Here are the steps to reset network settings:
- Go to Settings > General Management
- Tap Reset > Reset Network Settings
- Enter your device password or PIN when prompted
- Select Reset Settings and confirm
This will wipe all Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth paired devices, cellular network connections etc. You will need to set up the connections again after reset.
Remove Phone Case Before Charging
Bulky or thick phone cases that are not wireless charging compatible can sometimes interfere with charging coils making proper contact.
Try taking off any protective case from your Samsung S21 Ultra before wirelessly charging it. Place the bare phone directly on the charging pad without any case or cover.
If wireless charging works consistently without the case, then your phone cover is likely impeding optimal contact. Replace it with a certified Qi wireless charging compatible case.
Adjust Charging Position
The location and angle you place the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra on the charging pad can determine charging consistency due to coil alignment.
Try adjusting the phone’s position in multiple ways when charging:
- Centre phone on sweet spot for best coil alignment
- Angle/tilt phone slightly left or right
- Rotate phone horizontally instead of vertical placement
- Slide phone forward or back on pad until charger light stays on
You may find certain positions provide more reliable overnight charging without premature cut-off at 100%. Mark sweet spots that work. Some pads allow vertical charging, so test that as well.
Check Charging Mode and Settings
Your Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra’s charging settings may also impact the behavior of wireless charging.
Under Battery Settings, toggle these options:
- Fast charging ON/OFF
- Super fast charging ON/OFF
- Protect Battery ON below 85%/OFF
- Adaptive Battery ON/OFF
Disabling battery protect and adaptive battery can prevent premature charge termination. Intelligent features to protect battery health may be inadvertently stopping the charge.
Try Charging Without Always-On Display
Samsung’s Always On Display is a convenient feature showing info while the screen is off. But it can reduce wireless charging effectiveness overnight.
Try disabling Always On Display before placing the S21 Ultra on the wireless charger for the night. This forces the display completely off which may help charging.
To toggle Always On Display:
- Go to Settings > Lock Screen
- Disable Always On Display
See if keeping the screen in a powered down state improves overnight wireless charging reliability.
Check Ambient Temperature
Wireless charging on the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra works best at moderate room temperatures. Extreme hot or cold environments can disrupt charging coils.
Use a thermometer to check the ambient temperature around your wireless charger. Ensure it stays between 15°C and 35°C for optimal performance.
Overheated phones may also trigger safety cutoffs. Charging stops if phone temperature exceeds 45°C. Let hot phones cool down before wireless charging.
Try a Different Charging Spot
The physical location where you place the wireless charger and phone can also interfere with stable charging connection.
Avoid charging on:
- Uneven surfaces
- Surfaces prone to vibration or movement
- Metallic surfaces that can impede magnetic induction
Try different stable flat surfaces like wood or plastic to get the most consistent charging experience without premature disconnects.
Check for Loose Charging Port
Though not directly related to wireless charging, a loose USB-C port can point to potential internal hardware damage.
Inspect the Galaxy S21 Ultra’s charging port for any wobbling, bent pins or loosening. If the port seems damaged, wireless charging modules could also be affected.
Get your S21 Ultra’s charging port inspected and replaced if looseness or intermittent wired charging is observed. This may also resolve wireless power issues.
Examine Notification Settings
By default, the Galaxy S21 Ultra emits notification sounds and turns the screen on when charging completes at 100%.
This could wake you up or interrupt sleep. Disable these options:
- Sounds > Charging Sound – Off
- Display > Turn on Screen When Charging – Off
Prevent disturbances without blocking important notifications using Do Not Disturb mode on a schedule or when charging.
Restart the Phone
Before trying more advanced troubleshooting, do a simple reboot of your Galaxy S21 Ultra to reset processes and refresh the charging mechanisms.
Power down the phone completely. Then boot it back up and connect it to the wireless charger. See if a fresh restart helps with consistent overnight wireless charging.
Try Charging in Safe Mode
Booting into Safe Mode starts the S21 Ultra with only essential apps and services running. This is useful for diagnosing issues caused by third-party apps.
Charge wirelessly in Safe Mode to determine if apps are disrupting charging:
- Press and hold the Power button to see the power off slider
- Long press on the Restart option
- Confirm to Restart in Safe Mode
- Place on wireless charger once restarted
If charging works properly in Safe Mode, uninstall recently added apps or clear app caches to fix incompatibilities.
