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Few things are more annoying than a phone that won’t charge efficiently. While taking several hours in the past might have been standard, those days are long gone. Now, people are accustomed to technology performing effectively to the extent that it becomes a real problem when technology isn’t working as it should; it can interrupt your day and work efficiency. That’s why it’s essential to know the common causes of a slow charge so that you can rectify the problem as soon as possible.
Why Is My Phone Taking So Long to Charge?
While it might seem like a complicated issue, there are many common causes of slow charging, so don’t run out to buy a new phone or charger before investigating these common causes.
- Apps Running in the Background: If you have apps running in the background, whether that’s an app you forgot to close or something more benign like Bluetooth, remember that this will drain your battery. Even though you might not be touching your phone, if your device is looking to connect to nearby devices or it’s simply running something like Google Maps, it will be using up energy to do so.
- Poor Battery Health: Like any device, some aging and general wear-and-tear will likely reduce the efficiency of your device’s battery over time. However, if you’ve adopted some bad habits over the years, like leaving your phone in the sun and letting it overheat or charging it during the night, the chances are that your battery’s health could play a role in its slow charging speed.
- Using Your Phone During Charging: Much like apps that run the battery down when left running in the background, the same applies to your phone when you’re using it while charging. The battery doesn’t have an infinite space to hold charge, so when you use the battery, even during charging, it will be harder for the battery to save the incoming charge.
- Using the Wrong Charger: With so many new devices and chargers on the market, tracking which charger is compatible with which device can be complex. That’s why it’s essential to ensure that you check the compatibility of your charger. For example, using a wireless charger not designed for your phone may mean you get little to no charge. So, ensure you check how to charge your phone wirelessly and correctly.
- Using a Faulty Cable or Adapter: When a charger is broken, with worn wires, or cut in half, it’s easy to determine that that’s likely the cause of slow charging. But remember that a faulty cable or adapter doesn’t always look faulty. If, by process of elimination, this is the only reason your charger is slow, it might be time to invest in a new charger.
- Charging From Alternative Power Sources: If you’re not charging from a plug socket, your alternative charging methods could be why your phone struggles to get power efficiently. For example, using your laptop to charge your device will be less efficient than using the mains or a good-quality portable charger pack like the EcoFlow River 3 Plus Portable Power Station. If you’re camping, the EcoFlow RIVER 3 + 45W Solar Panel supplies off-grid power and ensures your device stays charged.
- A Dirty Port: With so many people addicted to their devices, it’s unsurprising that dirt and debris can get stuck behind the phones’ cases, buttons, and ports. If you’re experiencing charging issues, your charger may not align correctly with the port’s charging points. It’s best to ensure that there’s no dirt or dust.
5 Tips for Charging Your Phone Faster
1. Charge Your Phone When Powered Off
One of the biggest things you can do to alter the speed and efficiency of your battery charging is to ensure that your device is turned off while you charge it. While it’s tempting to keep it on or even charge it overnight, this can be more of a hindrance than a help; charging your battery while you simultaneously use it (and thus drain it) will make for a slow charge.
So, if you need to prioritize speed, ensure it’s not being used. By completely switching off your device, factors like apps running in the background won’t become part of the problem.
2. Use a Higher-Wattage Charger
The wattage is the amount of power that can be delivered to your phone simultaneously. So, if you’re using a low-wattage charger, then only a little power will be delivered to your phone, whereas a higher-wattage charger could provide more power in the same amount of time, meaning that your device will charge more quickly.
One thing to remember about wattage is that it’s important not to overwhelm your device simultaneously. In contrast, high wattage equals more power delivered; using a wattage that isn’t compatible could damage your phone.
3. Keep Your Phone Clean
Keeping your device clean is essential to prevent the spread of unwanted germs. After all, phones are dropped, carried into bathrooms, and picked up daily. However, for a quicker charging experience, ensuring that it isn’t only your clean screen is crucial.
It’s always best to check your port for debris or dust and remove it appropriately. It’s not always best to blow into the port to eliminate dust; you need to ensure you remove the dust properly with a torch and toothpick.
4. Keep Your Phone Cool
An overheating device is likely to suffer some battery damage. If your phone is hot or getting hotter when charging, it’s best to turn it off and let it cool down. When your device is overheating, the processors have to work harder, using more energy, thus resulting in a slow, less efficient charge. Again, turning your device off completely can help combat any overheating.
It’s also important to avoid charging your phone under direct sunlight or even in the sun on a hot day. At the same time, charging your phone while at the beach can be tempting, especially on holiday; this could make an already hot phone even hotter.
5. Use A Wall Socket To Charge
Using a wall socket to charge your device is not always possible, but this is often the best way to get the most power to your phone instead of a charging port in your car or a computer USB port. Using a socket will give you more power to your phone quicker; it’s as simple as that. But if you don’t have this option, turn your phone off or avoid using it to get the most charge as quickly as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
No matter how you’re charging your device, using it while charging will drain the battery. If you don’t give your phone enough time to store the charge, the overall charging process will be much slower than if you didn’t use your phone. Even better, turn your phone off.
For the quickest charge, it’s best to use a socket over a computer or car USB port; doing so will give your phone more power. To make it even quicker, turn off your phone to get the quickest charge. If that’s not an option, use airplane mode; failing that, avoid using your phone while charging.
A cool phone will charge quicker than a hot one because when your device gets hot, the phone’s processors have to work harder, which drains more battery (even if you aren’t using the phone) and makes the charging process slower.
Ensuring that your phone is clean is a good first step. Then, plug your phone into a socket rather than a USB port. If you’re still having problems, a damaged battery or faulty cables could be the problem. If you change the cables and it’s still charging slowly, the problem might be with your phone.
Final Thoughts
Don’t let slow charging get in the way of your day. By understanding the common causes of slow charging, you can combat the issue through elimination. And if you’re too on-the-move or off-grid to rely on sockets to give you the power you need, consider snapping up one of EcoFlow’s Rapid Power Banks, giving you fast and effective charge no matter where you are.