Samsung Galaxy phone not charging? Try these 6 solutions

A dead smartphone is a scary prospect and one that refuses to accept power from the wall can be similarly unsettling. Luckily, though, most charging-related issues can be resolved without mailing in your device for an expensive repair. If your Samsung Galaxy smartphone doesn’t charge, here are a few things you can try to bring it back to life.

Possible reasons why your Samsung smartphone doesn’t charge

From moisture to lint, there are plenty of reasons why your Samsung Galaxy smartphone might not charge anymore. Luckily, most of these are short-lived events, which means you should be able to get up and running with a few simple fixes.

That said, repeated plugging and unplugging over time could also irreversibly wear out the charge port. If that’s the case, your only option will be to replace it with a new one. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves — here are a few things you can try if your Samsung smartphone refuses to charge.

6 solutions to make your Galaxy phone charge again

1. Check your smartphone’s USB port for debris

Over years of regular use, it’s common for sand, lint, and dust to build up in crevices like the USB-C charge port. Needless to say, debris can prevent the port from conducting electricity. In some cases, it can also block the phone from being able to communicate with the adapter, limiting fast charging. Luckily, fixing this issue is rather straightforward.

1. Use a magnifying glass and flashlight to take a closer look at the insides of your phone’s USB port.
2. If you see dust or other foreign objects, use a fine toothpick to clear them away. Be as gentle as possible since it’s possible to damage the USB pins permanently. Alternatively, use a can of compressed air if you’re unsure of causing damage.
3. Plug in your smartphone and check if it charges.

2. Force your Samsung smartphone to restart

If your smartphone worked just fine recently but doesn’t show signs of life anymore, the operating system may have crashed. Luckily, you can simply restart your Samsung phone to fix this.

Simply press and hold the Volume Down and Power buttons for 10 to 20 seconds and you should be able to force a shutdown. Release the buttons once the Samsung logo appears. Once the phone boots up successfully, plug it in immediately and check if it charges.

3. Use a different adapter, cable, and outlet

If neither of the above solutions worked for you, the problem might lie in a faulty adapter or cable. Topping up your phone’s battery multiple times a day can chew through the cable’s lifespan pretty quickly. USB-C ports and plugs can only withstand so many insertion cycles, after all. And that’s not even considering any damage or corrosion that could have built up over time.

Simply plug in your smartphone using a different USB-C wall charger and cable. And while you’re at it, ensure that there’s nothing wrong with your power outlet either.

4. Try wireless charging if your smartphone supports it

If you own a premium Samsung smartphone like one from the Galaxy S24 series, don’t forget that you can also charge your device wirelessly. Any Qi wireless charger should do the trick, even if it’s from a different brand. Simply place the smartphone on the charging pad and wait a few seconds for the charging animation to show up.

If the charging animation doesn’t show up even with a wireless charger, you may have to take your device to Samsung for an inspection. It’s possible your battery has completely drained past the point where you can revive it yourself.

5. Dry your smartphone if it was exposed to water

Many modern Samsung Galaxy smartphones sport IP67 or IP68 water resistance. In other words, they can withstand accidental spills and splashes as well as light rain. However, that doesn’t mean your smartphone is completely immune to water. The charge port is one of the easiest entry points for water and can cause many problems when wet.

If the phone detects water inside the USB-C port, Samsung’s One UI skin automatically blocks charging as a precaution. So if your device was recently exposed to a liquid, set it aside to dry out completely before plugging it in again.

6. Replace the charge port or battery

As we alluded to earlier, smartphone batteries and charge ports don’t last forever. It’s common for these components to degrade over three or more years of use — especially if you’re a heavy user. But that doesn’t mean you need to buy a new phone.

Most brands, including Samsung, will replace your smartphone battery and charge port in short order if you can drop off or mail in your device. The total bill should not exceed $100 including taxes and labor. That’s a good deal when you consider that a new smartphone will cost you several times that amount.

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