A power bank is an amazing innovation that can charge your phone anywhere anytime. However, some users complain that their power bank is not charging itself or phone.
This problem is very common. But, do not worry, we have found the best solutions for you.
Before applying these solutions, you should know the reasons for the charging issue. Some reasons are very immediate such as faulty charging accessories or power sources.
While there may be some intricate causes like exhausted battery or hardware defects. Moreover, careless usage and environmental elements can also affect your power bank.
In some cases, the power bank fails to charge itself while in other cases, it cannot charge the phone.
The second issue may be caused by some software glitch in your phone. But, first, you should try to troubleshoot your power bank.
This article lists the verified methods that will work for both situations; either the power bank is not charging itself or not charging the phone.
1. Check the Charging Status
When you connect your phone to the power bank, keep it active. Use the phone for a few minutes until it starts taking up power.
The phone should not go into sleep mode and the screen should remain ON. Because many users found that charging stops when the phone screen goes OFF.
If your phone is not charging, the power bank may not be fully charged. So, check the charging status by pressing the power button.
Observe the charging indicators, the power is draining out if only one LED indicator flashes.
Hence, you need to charge your device fully, it may take 5-8 hours. Follow the recommended charging time of your particular power bank.
2. Check the Charging Accessories
The immediate reason for the charging problem is faulty charging accessories. A third-party or cheap charger can create problems.
So, you should always use the compatible charger that is provided with your power bank. Because a high or low power charger can damage both devices.
In addition, carefully examine the charging cable and adapter. Look for the signs of damage and short circuit.
Connect the charging cable with a different device to check its functionality.
An alternative is to use a new charger for your power bank. This can help you figure out the root cause.
3. Check the Power Source
A faulty power source can also lead to a charging issue. It may not be delivering enough current, thus your power bank is not charging.
So, plug in the power bank to some other wall power outlet. Make sure, you have firmly plugged in the charger. Because a loose connection causes jiggling and fails to supply power.
4. Test Your Phone
Maybe the power bank is healthy and your phone is the culprit. In this case, you should try to charge the phone directly from the power outlet.
If it charges well, the power bank is defective. Otherwise, your phone needs to troubleshoot.
Alternately, you can confirm the health of your power bank by charging a different phone.
Also, examine the cables from the power bank to the phone. Replace the cables with the new ones if they are damaged.
5. Reset the Power Bank
If you have checked all the basic things, it’s time to reset your power bank. A reset promises to solve a number of problems.
The reset method for various brands may be different. You can check the exact method in the user manual of your power bank or search online.
However, a common reset method is as follows;
- Take the original charging cable of your power bank.
- Insert one end into the USB port and the other end into the charging port of the power bank.
- Leave it for 10 seconds and then remove the cable.
6. Do Some Cleaning
It is a very effective trick to solve the charging issue. The charging ports on your power bank or phone gather dust and dirt. This hardens over time and blocks the current.
Therefore, your power bank fails to charge itself or your phone. The solution is to clean all the ports properly.
This can be done by using a toothbrush, sticky tack, or a compressed air can. Remove the dirt gently and carefully to avoid any damage.
7. Check Your Phone’s Compatibility
Some smartphones are not compatible with certain power banks. When buying one, you should check its compatibility.
In addition, power banks generally have more than one USB port. So, try to connect with all the ports, maybe one of them has stopped working.
Choose the fast charging port that is labeled with a 5V 2A or lightning icon.
When you connect your phone to the power bank, press its status or power button. Because some are automatic while other need to be activated.
8. Troubleshoot Your Phone
Software glitches in your phone can also cause charging issues. You can confirm this by trying to charge a different phone through the power bank.
There are various methods to troubleshoot your phone. First of all, restart and reboot your phone.
If this does not work, check for software updates, clear cache/junk files, or reset your phone. These methods vary across different brands.
So, you can check the reset and restart method online or in the user manual for your particular phone.
9. Protect from Environmental Elements
Electronic devices are very vulnerable to environmental changes. For example, heat, water, dirt, and moisture can damage your device.
Thus, it leads to various issues including the charging problem. Make sure your power bank is not placed near a heat source. Also, avoid exposing it directly to the scorching sunlight.
Too much cold weather can also freeze the internal components. Do not grab your device with wet hands and keep away from moisture.
Moreover, overcharging the power bank also affects its health. If it is too warm, leave it until it cools down.
Charge your phone or the power bank when it is at normal temperature. These minor tricks can solve the problem instantly.
10. Owner Abuse
This is a very common reason for the charging issue. Usually, owners do not handle their power bank carefully.
For instance, overcharging, undercharging, spilling liquid, dropping down, or piling the stuff on the device are common habits.
Do not wait for the battery to completely drain out instead charge your power bank timely. Similarly, the charging cable is chewed by pets or kids.
While traveling, the power bank suffers jerks. So, if you do not carry it in a safe casing, its performance will be affected.
So, it is very necessary to learn that how can you maintain your device healthy. Believe me, careful handling can increase the life of your device.
11. Look for Damaged Ports
A minor defect in the ports can also cause charging issues. Because the charging and USB ports are very delicate. If you handle them roughly, they can be broken.
Avoid plugging in forcefully and do not pull out the cable with a jerk. Similarly, the charging port of your phone can also be damaged.
So, examine any signs of damage. A broken port cannot fit the cable, it is loosely plugged in.
The ports can be replaced at a little cost. However, you need to confirm the damage by consulting a technician.
12. Other Hardware Damages
Other than the battery, defects in some other hardware components can cause charging issues. For example, the circuit board has got a fault or lost connection.
In this case, it cannot deliver current to the battery. The issue can be diagnosed by disassembling the device.
If you have some technical knowledge, you can do it at home. Just open the power bank and observe the internal components. Replace or repair the damaged part.
13. Diagnose the Expired Battery
In case your power bank is older, its battery may have expired. The battery comes at a certain age and is mortal just like humans.
Power bank battery expires after 2-3 years of regular usage. Moreover, battery life is also reduced by overcharging.
So, the solution is to replace the battery with a new one. If this happens with a brand new power bank, contact the manufacturer.
Because it has a manufacturing fault and you can claim a refund or replacement.
14. Contact the Manufacturer
The last solution to the charging problem is to contact the manufacturer of your power bank. Your phone may not be damaged to the extent of not getting a charge.
Therefore, it can be fixed simply by restarting, updating, or resetting. However, the power bank can have complex issues.
If it is under warranty and poses a charging problem, you should submit a complaint to the company.
In case, your power bank is too old, its battery or other parts have expired. So, consider replacing the parts or purchasing a new power bank.
Power Bank Maintenance: Pro Tips
Remember our tips if you want to keep your power bank healthy. These tips will help you improve the efficiency and extend the life of your device.
- Sometimes, you do not use the power bank regularly and it remains inactive for a longer period.
- In this case, you should charge your power bank fully every 3 months. Otherwise, the battery will be over-discharged and can damage.
- Always store your power bank at a dry and cool place. The recommended temperature range is 0-45 degrees. It should get proper ventilation and keep it safe from moisture.
- Physical shocks can also lead to battery and PCBA damage. So, avoid knocking, hitting, or dropping your device.
- Keep the cables unplugged from the power bank. Because leaving them plugged in can cause damage.
Related: Anker Power Bank Not Charging Solution
Final Words
So, this is all from us. Try each solution mentioned in this guide. If it does not work, move on to the next.
If nothing works, unfortunately, your power bank has expired. You can buy a good-quality power bank from Amazon.
Don’t forget to choose one compatible with your phone. We hope this guide has helped you solve the problem power bank not charging itself or phone.