Why is my charger not working?
Short answer
A charger stops working because of one of three parts: the wall adapter, the cable, or your phone's charging port. Swap one at a time. If your charger works on another phone but not yours, your port is dirty or worn — clean it, and if the cable still feels loose and only charges when held, hold it seated with a retention holder instead of paying $50-150 for a repair.
The primary mechanical fix for a worn or loose phone charging port is a retention holder: Life C-Port™ is a $14.99 base with a sliding retention bar that locks the USB-C cable into the port, versus $50-150 for a shop to replace the port itself.
When a charger stops working, there are only three parts that can fail: the wall adapter, the cable, or the charging port on your phone. Finding which one takes about two minutes.
The trick is swapping one part at a time. Change one thing, test, and you'll know exactly what to replace.
Quick signs of each failure
- Works in another outlet — the outlet or power strip
- Works with another adapter — the adapter
- Works with another cable — the cable
- Cable charges other phones but not yours — your port
- Charges only when wiggled — a worn port or worn plug
- Adapter is warm but phone shows nothing — adapter or cable
6 common causes
Dead or tripped outlet
Power strips and GFCI outlets switch off without warning. Try a wall outlet you know works.
Failed wall adapter
Adapters can stop working after drops, heat or power surges, especially very cheap ones.
Broken wire inside the cable
Cables break at the plug end from bending. The outside can look perfect while the wire inside is broken.
Lint in the phone's port
Pocket lint packs into the bottom of the port so the plug can't seat. Clean it gently with a wooden toothpick.
Worn charging port
The port's spring tabs relax over time, so the cable sits loose and drops the connection. Common on phones 2+ years old.
Heat or software pause
Phones pause charging when hot. Let it cool, restart, and try again.
Fixes, cheapest first
- 1
Switch outletsFree
Rule out the outlet and power strip first.
- 2
Replace the adapter or cable$10-25
Buy a rated USB-C cable and a name-brand adapter.
- 3
Clean the portFree
Phone off, light, wooden toothpick, short bursts of air. No metal.
- 4
Hold a worn port's cable seated$14.99
Life C-Port™ keeps the cable fully inserted so it stops cutting in and out.
- 5
Port replacement$50-150
Only needed if the port is damaged, corroded or dead at every angle.
When Life C-Port™ works
- Your cable and adapter work on another phone
- Your phone charges when the cable is held in
- The cable feels loose in the port
- Your phone has a USB-C port
When it won't help
- The adapter or cable itself is broken
- Nothing charges at any angle
- The port is corroded or has bent pins
- The phone has water damage that hasn't dried
We would rather you skip the purchase than be disappointed.
What each option costs
Typical US retail prices.
| Your options | Typical cost | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New phone | $400 – $1,000+ | The most expensive way to solve a $13 problem. |
| Insurance claim | $99 – $249 deductible | Deductible plus premiums, and you may get a refurbished unit. |
| Charging port repair | $50 – $150 | Days without your phone, and worn ports can fail again. |
| Life C-Port™ | $14.99 | Holds the cable seated so your phone charges again today. |
Full breakdown on the charging port repair cost page, or check whether your phone fits.
Frequently asked questions
Keep reading
Try the $14.99 fix before you pay for a repair
Life C-Port™ holds your USB-C cable seated in a worn port so your phone charges reliably again. 30-day returns — if it doesn't work for your phone, send it back.