Why Your Phone Won’t Charge Properly — And How to Fix It Before It’s Too Late

It’s Not You, It’s Your Port

You’ve twisted the cable, stood on one leg, muttered a prayer to the tech gods — and still, your phone refuses to charge. Before you accept your fate and start rationing battery life like a stranded sailor, it’s worth knowing why your phone’s being stubborn.

At our Christchurch workshop, we see charging issues every day — and nine times out of ten, the fix is surprisingly simple.

The Lurking Lint Monster

Your charging port is the unsung hero of your device, yet it’s also a magnet for fluff, pocket dust, and the occasional breadcrumb (yes, really).

Even a thin layer of debris can stop the charger from sitting snugly, breaking the electrical connection.

Quick test:

Plug in your cable — does it feel loose or pop out easily? That’s usually a sign of blockage.

The fix:

If you’re brave, a wooden toothpick can gently lift out the gunk. But don’t go poking around with metal — you’ll risk bending pins. We have specialised tools to clean ports safely — it’s one of our most common quick-fix services.

Cable Chaos

Cables live hard lives — twisted, tugged, chewed by pets, and stuffed into bags. Over time, the copper wiring inside can break.

Try charging your phone with a different cable and wall plug (ideally an original or certified brand). If the problem disappears, you’ve found your culprit.

Dodgy Power Source

Believe it or not, sometimes the problem isn’t the phone or the cable — it’s the plug, power board, or car charger.

Test the same cable and charger on another phone, or try a different power socket. It sounds basic, but we’ve had many “dead phone” panics solved by flicking the wall switch properly (no judgement).

Charge Port Damage

If your cable wiggles or only charges at a certain angle, the port itself may be damaged.

This can happen from repeated pressure, forcing the plug, or using third-party cables that don’t fit quite right.

The fix:

Our technicians can replace most charging ports within a few hours, and you’ll usually notice an instant improvement in charging speed and reliability.

Battery or Board Issues

When all else fails, the issue may be deeper — a worn battery or internal fault on the logic board.

In these cases, your phone may appear to charge (battery icon showing) but the power never truly flows.

We can run a diagnostic test to pinpoint the problem — and if it turns out to be the battery, we’ll let you know the best repair option to get it sorted quickly.

Before It’s Too Late

Ignoring charging issues can lead to bigger problems, especially if the port or battery starts to overheat. A simple clean or repair now can prevent permanent board damage later.

So if your phone’s charging temper tantrum is getting worse, bring it into Phone Repair NZ — we’ll sort it before your battery gives up completely.