Updated October 3, 2026.
Six checks, in order
Each check takes a minute. Stop when the phone starts charging.
1. Try another cable and brick
Cables fail more than phones do. Borrow a cable and a plug (the brick) you know work. Plug into a wall outlet, not a laptop or a car. Wait a full minute for the icon.
Does it charge only at an angle, or only when you hold the cable? That points to the port. Skip to step 6.
2. Look for lint in the port
Pocket lint packs into the port and stops the plug from seating. Shine a light into it. See fuzz? Blow it out, or lift it gently with a wooden or plastic toothpick.
Never use metal. A pin or paper clip can short the contacts. That turns a free fix into a port repair.
3. "Liquid detected"? Let it dry
iPhones and many Android phones show a liquid warning and stop charging. Unplug it. Tap the port down against your palm. Leave it in a dry, airy spot for a few hours. Do not use rice or heat.
Still see the warning a day later? Bring it in. Moisture in the port can corrode the pins. Read more on water damage repair.
4. Try wireless charging
Have a wireless pad? Set the phone on it. If it charges wireless but not by cable, the battery is fine. The port or the cable is the problem.
5. Check the battery health
On iPhone: Settings, Battery, Battery Health. On Samsung: Settings, Battery, Battery information. Under 80%, or a "service" note, means the battery is worn. A worn battery can drop from 30% to off in seconds.
That is a battery replacement. On popular phones it is a quick job when we have the part.
6. When it needs the shop
New cable, clean port, still nothing? Bring it in. We test the port, the cable and the battery for free. Then we tell you the price. You decide before we start.
If we cannot fix it, you pay nothing. Read the 60-day warranty and no fix, no charge.
Reviewed September 2026. Menu names vary by model.