Phone Charging Slowly? What to Check Before You Panic

It always happens when you’re in a rush: your phone’s clinging to 4%, you plug it in, and… nothing. The battery crawls upward like it’s on vacation. If your phone is charging slowly, don’t worry! You’re not alone, and there are some quick fixes that might save you from spending money you don’t have to.

Let’s peek at what might be going wrong, and when it might actually be time to replace your device.

1. Check Your Charging Cable (Yes, Really)

Your cable is the unsung hero of charging speed. If it’s frayed, bent, or from a sketchy third-party brand you bought at a gas station, it might not be delivering enough power. Try swapping in in a different cable, preferably the one that originally came with your phone. You’d be surprised how often that solves it.

2. Your Charging Brick Could Be Holding You Back

Not all wall adapters are created equal. Some deliver more wattage than others, and using a lower-output brick can dramatically slow down your charge. Look for fast-charging labels (like “18W” or “PD”) or try using a more powerful adapter if your phone supports it.

3. Inspect the Charging Port

Lint. Dust. Pocket gunk. Over time, debris can collect in your phone’s charging port and block a full connection. Grab a toothpick or soft brush, power off your device, and gently clean it out. No compressed air—just a gentle nudge to clear the path.

4. Check What’s Running in the Background

If your phone is juggling a million background apps or is overheating, it’ll charge slower. Try closing unused apps, enable airplane mode, or power the device off while charging to maximize speed.

5. Try Wireless vs. Wired Charging

Wireless charging is convenient, but it’s almost always slower than wired. If you’re in a hurry, plug it in with a proper fast-charging cable and adapter instead.

6. Software Could Be the Culprit

Outdated software can mess with charging speeds. So can buggy beta updates. Check for updates in your phone’s settings. And if you’ve recently updated and noticed slow charging since… well, you’re not imagining things.

7. It Might Be the Battery

If you’ve had your phone for more than 2–3 years, the battery may just be on its last legs. Lithium-ion batteries degrade over time, and once they hit a certain point, no charger in the world will help much.

In this case, your options are:

• Get the battery replaced
• Trade in the phone while it still has some value
• Or live that “wall-hugger” lifestyle forever

(We’re biased, but trading it in for instant cash on BuckUp? Not a bad move.)

When to Stop Troubleshooting and Start Upgrading

If you’ve tried everything and your phone still acts like it’s sipping juice through a cocktail straw, it might be time to move on. The good news? A slow-charging phone can still be worth cash, especially if the rest of the device works fine.

Check your phone’s trade-in value at GoBuckUp.com. It only takes a minute, and you could use that cash toward a faster, fresher upgrade.