Your phone suddenly charges only when the cable is held at an angle, or not at all. On a trip that is stressful, but the cause is often small. Work through these checks in order.
1. Rule out the cable and charger
Try a different cable and a different charger, ideally ones you know work with another phone. Cheap cables often fail at the plug end. If the phone charges with another cable, you have found the problem.
2. Look inside the charging port
Shine a light into the port. Pocket lint and dust get pressed into the bottom every time you plug in, until the cable no longer clicks in fully. That is the most common reason a phone stops charging.
Do not poke around with a metal pin or paperclip: you can damage the contacts. A careful cleaning at a repair shop is safer and quick.
3. Was it near water?
Many phones block charging when they detect moisture in the port, and an iPhone may show a liquid warning. Do not force it. Let it dry, and if it got really wet, read our water damage first aid.
4. Try wireless charging
If your phone supports wireless charging and it charges that way but not with a cable, the problem is almost certainly the port, not the battery.
Cleaning or a new charging port
We first test with a cable and charger we know are good. Often a professional cleaning of the port is enough. If the port itself is damaged or worn, we replace it, frequently while you wait. You get a fixed price first, and a 1-year warranty on the part.
PhonePlus, Binnen Bantammerstraat 4, Amsterdam – near the Nieuwmarkt and about ten minutes' walk from Centraal Station. Walk in without an appointment.
- Monday: 10:00–19:00
- Tuesday to Saturday: 11:00–21:00
- Sunday: 12:00–21:00
