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Likely fix

Fix: Phone charges slowly

Slow phone charging is usually caused by a weak charger, old cable, dirty charging port, background apps, heat, or using a laptop USB port instead of a wall charger.

Quick answer

Use a proper wall charger and a known-good cable. If the phone is hot, let it cool down before charging again.

Important warning

A phone may intentionally charge slowly when it is too hot to protect the battery.

Try this

  1. 1 Plug the phone into a wall charger instead of a laptop or car USB port.
  2. 2 Try a different charging cable.
  3. 3 Try a stronger wall charger that supports your phone.
  4. 4 Close heavy apps and stop video, navigation, or games while charging.
  5. 5 Let the phone cool down if it is warm.
  6. 6 Check the charging port for lint or debris.
  7. 7 Restart the phone.

Common causes

Low-power USB port.

Old or damaged charging cable.

Weak wall charger.

Phone is hot.

Background apps using power while charging.

What to check next

  • Check whether the phone says fast charging, rapid charging, or only charging.
  • Try charging with the screen off.
  • Try a different outlet, charger, and cable.
  • Remove thick cases if the phone gets hot.

This might need a cable or adapter

If this fix points to a cable issue, check the related cable guide before buying the wrong one.

Check the related cable →

FAQ

What causes Fix: Phone charges slowly?

Slow phone charging is usually caused by a weak charger, old cable, dirty charging port, background apps, heat, or using a laptop USB port instead of a wall charger.

What should I try first?

Plug the phone into a wall charger instead of a laptop or car USB port.

What should I watch out for?

A phone may intentionally charge slowly when it is too hot to protect the battery.

When should I stop troubleshooting?

Stop if the device becomes hot, smells burnt, shows physical damage, gets wet, or the problem looks like battery, power, electrical, or hardware failure.

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