Smartphones have become an essential part of our daily life, and many phones generally support fast charging today, but many don’t. Sometimes you leave your phone plugged in for hours, only to discover that it is still not fully charged.
According to the report of 9to5Google, almost 4.09% of people have their devices constantly connected to a charger – be they wired or wireless. Most people suggested that this is due to their device getting too old or with a degraded battery.
However, there are several factors that influence the charging speed of smartphones and these factors also vary according to smartphone type, charging accessories, and charging habits. So, you might often ask yourself “Why is my phone charging slow?”
In this article, we have shared 9 possible reasons why your phone is charging slowly and explained how to troubleshoot them. Also, here we have discussed how phone batteries actually work.
So, let’s get started.
Table of Contents
How Phone Batteries Actually Work
Lithium-ion batteries power the lives of millions of people every day and from laptops and cell phones to electric cars, this technology is growing in popularity rapidly due to its lightweight, high energy density, and also ability to recharge.
When the battery is discharging and providing an electric current to your device, the anode releases lithium ions to the cathode, which generates a flow of electrons from one side to the other.
And when you plug in the device for charging, the opposite happens, as Lithium ions are released by the cathode and received by the anode.
Why Is My Phone Charging Slow: 9 Possible Reasons
There is maybe an easily fixable reason why your phone is not charging as fast as it generally does. So, if you are wondering why is my phone charging slow, here are nine possible reasons for it.
1. Using The Phone While It Is Charging
If you are scrolling or playing some games on your phone while it is charging, you should stop doing it.
Because this can generate a lot of heat, which will eventually slow down the charging to prevent overheating and can also affect the battery health of your smartphone.
Also, when you use your phone while it is charging, your phone is expending energy at the same time it is taking it in, so it will take much longer to achieve 100 percent power.
2. Your Phone’s Battery Is Old Or Defective
Your phone’s battery will not last forever. As they become old, the performance, capacity, and efficiency of the rechargeable batteries will decrease gradually.
If the maximum capacity of your battery is 80% or lower, then you need to replace the battery. And if your phone is more than 2-3 years old, you may have a defective battery.
However, Android doesn’t have a native tool to check battery health or lifespan, so you need to use a third-party battery app to determine your battery’s condition.
3. Using An Old Charging Cable Or Adapter
When you upgrade your phone, you should also upgrade your charging cable and adapter, because new phones generally include new charging capabilities, that your old charger might not be able to handle.
If your new smartphone can handle up to 20W of power, but your old adapter can only provide 10W of power, then it will take your phone more time to charge with the old charging cable and adapter.
Also, you should inspect your cables and adapters periodically for any damages and if you notice any defects, you need to replace them.
4. Using Wireless Charging
Wireless charging technology is really cool and convenient, but it has several shortcomings such as a slow charging rate.
In most cases, the charging is restricted to 15W, which means a wireless charging pad will generally charge your phone relatively slower than a charging cable.
Also, wireless charging is dependent on the induction coil, so it generally produces a lot of heat, which ultimately slows down charging speed and also affects your battery in the long run. So, it is always best to charge your phone in an old-fashioned way.
5. You Are Using An Incompatible Charging Cable
Like a good adaptor, the charging cable is also necessary for your smartphone. It has been found that many people generally use cheap third-party charging cables. And they connect it to their original adaptors and face slow charging issues.
Because the cable might not be able to handle the excessive current and it might even damage your smartphone in some cases. So, you should ensure that you get cable from a good reputable brand.
6. Many Apps Are Running In The Background
If you have too many apps running in the background, it will cause your phone’s battery to drain faster and charge slowly. Because energy from your charger will simultaneously charge your phone’s battery and power background activities.
And it reduces the amount of power available to charge your battery. That is why we recommend you clear out your app’s cache before plugging your phone in so that it will charge with a clean slate.
7. Your Charging Cable Or Port Is Dirty
If there is any dirt or other debris on your charging cord or your phone port, that could interfere with the contact and potentially slow down the charging of your phone.
Because foreign materials trapped in the port can easily obstruct the transfer of electrical current from your charging cable to the phone.
It will eventually slow down the charging process. So, you need to examine your phone’s charging port using a flashlight and check for dust, dirt, or other debris.
8. Power Adapter Is Not Plugged In Properly
The most common reason for a slow-charging phone is faulty connections and it is also the easiest to solve. It is one of the first things that you should check.
Sometimes, the power adapter is not fully plugged into the wall socket. In some cases, the charging cable has come loose either at the adapter port or the phone port.
If you just re-insert the adapter or cable, that should solve the problem and charging should start at a normal speed.
9. High Ambient Temperature
High temperatures will negatively impact your phone’s battery performance and will slow down the charging process. If it is a hot day, then you should charge your phone inside near a fan or AC unit.
Also, you should avoid hot spots around you such as sunny window shields and car dashboards. You need to put your phone in a shady spot on a cold, hard surface while charging that will allow heat to dissipate easily.
Wrap Up On Why Is My Phone Charging Slow
It should not take a long time to recharge your phone’s battery. If you have observed that the charging process is slowing down significantly, there is probably one of these issues described above.
I hope this article has helped you to find the reason why your phone is charging slowly. If you still can’t find the reason, you should take your device to the nearest authorized service center to have an expert take a look.
Also, if you think your device has come to its end of life, as you have tried all the solutions with no success, maybe it is time to upgrade your phone finally. And if you have any other questions related to this topic, please leave a message in the comment area.
FAQ: Why Is My Phone Charging Slow
As a lot of people face slow charging issues in their smartphones, they have many different questions regarding this topic. Here I have briefly answered some of the most important questions in the FAQ section.
Q1. Why Is My Phone Charging Slow Even With New Charger?
Ans: If your phone is charging slowly, it could be a case of using the wrong charger. If the charging cable seems loose or too tight, it might not be the right cable for your phone. And new USB cable ports are generally designed for fast transfer, as long as you connect newer devices optimized for these fast speeds.
Q2. What Affects is Phone Charging Speed?
Ans: To increase the charging speed of a device, most manufacturers generally boost the amperage or vary the voltage to increase the amount of potential energy. Most of the fast charging standards generally vary the voltage rather than boost the amperage.
Q3. Should I Leave My Phone Charging Overnight?
Ans: Leaving your phone for charging for hours at a time while you are sleeping is not great for your battery and will ultimately cause its performance to decline.
