Phone not charging in Tenerife: sand, lint and moisture in the port

Usually because something is in the port: sand, pocket lint or water. A phone can also refuse to charge when it is too hot, when the cable or adapter is worn, or, on an iPhone, when it is deliberately holding the charge at 80%. Work through those causes in order before assuming the port or the battery has failed.

Samsung lists the battery, the cable, the power adapter, the charging port, moisture and the phone's temperature as the usual reasons a Galaxy won't charge, and Google gives a similar checklist for Pixel phones: take the case off, try another cable and adapter, try another socket and check the port for dust or lint. A quick test is to charge another device with the same cable and adapter. If that works, the problem is in the phone.

Gently, and without poking anything inside. Apple says to remove debris from the port when an iPhone won't charge, but warns against inserting a foreign object such as a cotton swab or a piece of paper towel. Google says not to put anything into a Pixel's USB-C port and to tap the phone against your hand with the port facing down instead. Samsung suggests switching the Galaxy off, looking into the port with a torch, and removing debris with a soft brush or by gently blowing air into it.

A pin or a toothpick can damage the contacts, and packed sand often sits deeper than you can see. If a gentle clean doesn't help, or the cable still feels loose, bring the phone in: a charging port full of grit is one of the jobs A1 Computers sees most in south Tenerife, and it is cleaned out on the bench.

It means the phone has found liquid in its charging port and has stopped cable charging to protect itself. Samsung says the port must be completely dry before charging, even on a water-resistant Galaxy. Google says to turn a Pixel off and leave it on a flat surface to dry at room temperature, and to contact support if the "Liquid or debris in USB port" message lasts two hours or more.

On iPhone XS, XR and later, a liquid-detection alert appears when you plug in a wet phone. Apple says to unplug it, tap it gently with the port facing down, and wait at least 30 minutes before trying again; drying can take up to a day. Don't dry it with heat or compressed air, and don't put it in rice, which Apple says can leave small particles in the phone. Once the phone is dry, a wireless charger avoids the port altogether.

Most often it is on purpose. With Optimized Battery Charging, an iPhone learns your daily routine and holds the charge at 80% when it expects to stay plugged in for a long time, finishing just before you usually unplug. The Battery screen then shows "Charging on Hold". To override it, touch and hold the notification and tap Charge Now, or go to Settings › Battery and tap Resume Charging.

Two other things do the same. On iPhone 15 and later, a Charge Limit can be set between 80% and 100% in 5% steps. And when the battery gets too warm, Apple says software may limit charging above 80% until the temperature drops. Apple also notes that an iPhone charges quickly to about 80% and then slows down to reduce stress on the battery, so the last 20% always takes longer.

Yes. When an iPhone gets too hot, Apple says charging can slow down or stop, the display can dim and a temperature warning can appear until the phone cools. Samsung's advice for an overheating Galaxy is to unplug the charger, close running apps and let the phone cool down before charging again.

In south Tenerife that usually means a phone charged in direct sun, on a car dashboard or in a hot room while running maps or a hotspot. Move it somewhere cool and try again once it has cooled; if it gets hot while charging, Apple suggests taking it out of its case first. A phone that heats up while charging in a cool room needs its battery and port checked: our battery guide explains why heat matters.

When cleaning and drying don't fix it. Signs that the port itself is damaged:

• The cable feels loose or only charges at a certain angle.
• The port looks burnt, melted or corroded; Google says a Pixel with a port like that needs a warranty claim or an authorised repair.
• The phone keeps showing a moisture or debris warning when the port is clean and dry.
• Charging works on a wireless pad but never with a cable.

A1 Computers repairs and replaces charging ports on iPhone, Samsung and other Android phones at Local 4, CC San Eugenio, Costa Adeje. If corrosion has spread to the board around the port, it becomes a water damage job: see water damage phone repair.

It depends on the model and what is wrong with the port, so A1 Computers quotes for your phone. Send the model and what happens when you plug it in on WhatsApp to 641 780 077, call 922 71 35 82, or walk in to Local 4, CC San Eugenio. You get the price before any work starts.

Bring the cable and adapter you normally use. The shop is open Monday–Saturday 10:45–21:30 and Sunday 10:45–14:00, with no appointment needed.