Here are 5 reasons why your charger keeps going on and off and how to fix it: Regardless if it’s your phone, tablet, or laptop charger, they all have the same reason for going off and on.
Typically, on-again-off-again charging happens because of a poor flow of electricity. These issues can be tied to your charging port/ power port, battery, or charger.
If you’re seeking to understand why your charger constantly switches on and off and discover solutions to address this issue, you’ve come to the appropriate location.
Keep reading!
#1 Your charging port/ Power Port Is Dirty
In order to get electricity into the battery, a charging cable has to connect to a charging port on the device.
In other words, you have to plug it in. That’s simple enough, but sometimes the connection isn’t very good. Things can obstruct that connection, and you get intermittent connectivity.
The thing charges, and then stops, and then starts again.
The vast majority of the time, this problem is from dirt or pocket lint in the charging port, and it’s very easy to fix. First, turn the device completely off.
Carefully examine the port for dirt, lint, or debris using a flashlight. Check out this must-have tool we can’t live without at our repair shop, Ecasp Cleaning Kit from Amazon to help clean out your port. Don’t worry it can be used for all makes and models!
It’s super helpful and has all the tools you will ever need to clean your phone’s ports.
While cleaning, be cautious not to damage the charging port. If the charging cable still doesn’t fit properly and you suspect remaining debris, gently remove it using a sturdy pick.
The cleaning kit mentioned earlier should have all the tools you need. Once cleaned, the cord should insert without any problems.
Deep cleaning electronics is a risky venture if you don’t have experience, so bringing it to a shop is always recommended.
We clean charging ports for customers daily and if for some reason dirt is not the problem we can address the charging port right away while they are there.
#2 You Have the Wrong Charger
Of course, you wouldn’t attempt to use your laptop charger for your smartphone. That’s not what we’re discussing here.
The concern lies in chargers that appear to be designed for your device but may not be the best option. Mainly, this refers to third-party chargers.
Third-party chargers can be appealing due to their lower cost, availability in longer cables or various colors, and other convenient features. However, they often come with drawbacks.
One major issue is that third-party engineers may not have access to the proprietary design information for your device.
Consequently, their chargers may charge slower, fit less securely, and wear out more quickly.
If you’re experiencing intermittent charging with a third-party charger, try using the original charger that came with your device.
If this resolves the issue, you’ve found the solution.
When you use an Apple product you should always use Apple-certified cables and adapters to ensure that your iPhone is charging safely and efficiently.Our shop can’t live without these amazing-priced USB-C fast charging set from Amazon for iPhones.
If you have an Android with a usb-c charger we recommend this Fast USC-C Charger by Samsung from Amazon.
#3 Your Charger or Cable Might Be Damaged
It may seem evident that the charger could be the issue, but it’s useful to understand the typical ways they deteriorate over time.
One common problem is cable damage. Charging cables can be run over by computer chairs, get caught on corners, accidentally yanked, or face various other challenges.
A damaged cable can often result in short, leading to inconsistent charging. A good way to identify a short is if the charging worsens in colder temperatures compared to warmer ones.
Metal contracts when cold, which can exacerbate a short and hinder device connectivity.
Your charger also probably has an inverter. This is the block part of the charger with a cable coming out of each end.
Its purpose is to convert the power from the outlet into a form more suitable for electronic devices. For the science nerds among you, inverters change AC (Alternating Current) into DC (Direct Current).
Inverters work hard and wear down over time. When this occurs, they struggle to supply consistent electricity to your device, causing the frustrating charging issue.
The most effective solution, in this case, is to get a new charger.
As stated above if you use an Apple product you should always use Apple-certified cables and adapters to ensure that your iPhone is charging safely and efficiently.Our shop can’t live without these amazing-priced USB-C fast charging set from Amazon for iPhones and this Samsung branded USB- C charger from Amazon for newer Androids.
#4 Bad charging port
Intermittent charging can be caused by a faulty charging port, which may need replacement. This is a super common issue we see and fix at our shop every day.
If you’ve verified that your charging cord is appropriate and your charging port is clean, it’s possible that the port itself is damaged and requires professional assistance.
A damaged charging port can hinder your iPhone or Samsung device from charging effectively, necessitating the replacement of the port or other internal components. At our shop, we frequently encounter and fix this issue.
Fortunately, if you have an iPhone 8 or newer, or many Samsung devices, you can charge your phone wirelessly if you are not able to get the port fixed right away.
Wireless chargers not only alleviate stress on the port caused by cords but also serve as a helpful diagnostic tool to determine if the charging port is indeed the issue or if the problem is more widespread.
Check out this charger on Amazon, it is what we use in our shop for a universal wireless charger. Not to mention it is affordable and a great option for both Samsung and iPhones.
# 5 There Is a Problem With the Power Source
Sometimes, the problem has nothing to do with your device. Instead, it’s not getting stable electricity. This can happen with battery packs, USB ports, and wall outlets. Wall outlets are the most common, so we’ll use that as an example, but this is true for any power source.
The outlet itself can have a problem. You might think that outlets are either on or off, but a number of circuit issues can cause them to have inconsistent power output.
Since this is a circuit problem, simply going from the top outlet to the bottom isn’t a good enough check. You actually need to plug into an outlet in a different room. This will test a completely different circuit and let you know if the power source is the real issue.
# 6 Your Battery Is Struggling
Although batteries are not usually the reason for intermittent charging issues, if you’ve already checked everything else, it could be the problem.
Modern devices have intelligent charging systems designed to disconnect the charging port when the battery is fully charged, preventing overcharging and extending battery life.
However, various device issues can cause this system to malfunction and result in intermittent charging.
As batteries age, their capacity to hold a charge diminishes. Slowly, the chemical structure breaks down, eventually reducing the amount of charge it can hold.
When a battery is nearing the end of its life, it charges quickly and may trigger the smart charging system to disconnect, even though the battery doesn’t last long. To identify this issue, monitor the battery level. If it claims to be full but drains quickly, you likely need a new battery.
It’s also possible for the smart charging system to fail even if the battery is in good condition. Several components are involved, and any of them can cause problems.
Diagnosing this issue is challenging. If you’ve thoroughly tested all other common causes without success, this becomes the assumption by the process of elimination.
When charging controllers malfunction, fixing them can be either easy or difficult, depending on the device.
Your best option is to contact the device’s tech support. They can guide you through a few resets that might help. In a worst-case scenario, you might need a new device and can discuss warranty options with the manufacturer.
How Safe Is It to Charge Your Phone During a Thunderstorm?
Ever wondered whether it’s safe to charge your phone during a thunderstorm? Here you go. In the vast majority of cases, you can charge a phone during a thunderstorm, and everything will be just fine.
That said, any expert in the fields of electricity, telecommunications, and construction is likely to tell you that there is still a chance your phone could be damaged.
The general recommendation is to unplug. Learn all about charging your phone during thunderstorms here.
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