Why is my phone not charging properly?

Most charging trouble comes from the parts outside the phone: a frayed cable, a weak charger or a port packed with pocket lint.

Check in this order

1. Another cable. Cables fail near the connector long before they look damaged.
2. Another charger or socket. Rule out the plug end too.
3. The port. Power the phone off and look inside with a torch. Gently lift out lint with a wooden toothpick, never metal.
4. A restart. Software glitches can stop charging being recognized.
5. Updates. Install any pending system update.

Signs it is the battery

Rapid drain, sudden shutdowns at a decent charge, or a phone that gets hot while idle can point to an ageing battery. Many phones show battery health in their settings.

Stop immediately if

The phone is bulging, the screen is lifting, or it smells of burning. A swollen battery is a fire risk: stop charging it and take it to a repair shop. More in when to call a professional.

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