If you own a Google Pixel smartphone and it’s not charging properly, there are several troubleshooting methods you can try to resolve the issue. This detailed guide will walk you through the essential steps to fix a Google Pixel that won’t charge, and help you determine if the issue stems from the charger, cable, charging port, or the device itself.
Possible Causes
There are several possible causes for a Google Pixel not charging properly. Some of the common causes include:
1. Faulty or damaged charger.
- A malfunctioning charger may not deliver the required power to your Google Pixel, resulting in charging issues.
2. Damaged or incompatible charging cable.
- A defective or incompatible charging cable can prevent your device from charging or cause slow charging.
3. Dirty or obstructed charging port.
- Accumulated dust, lint, or debris in the charging port can hinder proper connection between the charging cable and the device, leading to charging problems.
4. Software glitches.
- In some cases, software-related issues can cause your Google Pixel not to charge, such as bugs affecting the charging process or conflicts with third-party apps.
- An outdated operating system can cause charging issues, especially if a known bug exists that has been addressed in a subsequent update.
6. Battery issues.
- A faulty or worn-out battery can prevent your device from charging or cause it to charge slowly. Batteries degrade over time and may require replacement.
7. Faulty or loose charging port components.
- If the components or pins within the charging port are damaged or loose, your device may not charge due to a poor connection.
8. Motherboard or hardware issues.
- Damaged or defective internal hardware components, such as the charging circuit or components connected to charging, can lead to charging issues that may require professional repair.
Recommended Solutions
To diagnose and fix the charging issue with your Google Pixel, follow the troubleshooting methods and try the ones that are applicable to you.
1st solution: Inspect the Charger and Cable
Inspecting the charger and cable is crucial because a faulty or damaged charging accessory can prevent your Google Pixel from charging properly.
By eliminating the possibility of defective charging accessories, you can narrow down the root cause of the charging issue and identify the appropriate fix.
To inspect the Google Pixel charger and cable, follow these steps:
1. Visual inspection
– Examine the charger and cable for any signs of physical damage, such as fraying, kinks, or exposed wires. Look for any burn marks or melting, which can indicate overheating or electrical issues.
2. Connector inspection
– Inspect the connectors at both ends of the charging cable (USB Type-C and USB Type-A, respectively) for any bent or broken pins, debris, or corrosion. Make sure the connectors fit snugly into their respective ports.
3. Functionality test
– Plug the charging cable into the charger (or USB port if it’s not a wall charger) and connect it to your Google Pixel. Observe if your device starts charging or displays a charging indicator (e.g., a battery icon on the display or an LED notification light).
– If the charger and cable appear fine but your device still doesn’t charge, try charging another compatible device with the same charger and cable. This will help you determine if the accessories are functioning correctly or if the issue lies with your Google Pixel.
By inspecting your charger and cable in this way, you can isolate the potential cause of your Google Pixel’s charging issue, leading you to the next step of troubleshooting, whether it’s cable replacement, port cleaning, or further device-specific diagnostics.
2nd solution: Clean the Charging Port
Cleaning the charging port is necessary when your Google Pixel won’t charge because accumulated dust, lint, or debris inside the port can obstruct proper contact between the charging cable and the device’s charging pins. This can lead to charging problems, including slow charging or no charging at all.
To clean the Google Pixel charging port, follow these steps:
1. Power off the device
- Before cleaning the charging port, ensure that your Google Pixel is turned off to prevent any damage or electrical issues during the process.
2. Use a soft, dry brush
- Gently brush the charging port with a small brush (such as a clean toothbrush or an anti-static brush) to remove any visible dust or debris. Be sure to brush gently but firmly to dislodge any dirt without damaging the port’s internal components.
3. Compressed air
- Use a can of compressed air to blow air into the charging port. Hold the nozzle at a slight angle to avoid blowing debris deeper into the port, and use short bursts of air to dislodge any remaining dirt.
4. Lint-free cloth
- Wipe the area around the charging port with a lint-free cloth to remove any remaining dust or debris.
Note:
- Avoid using sharp objects, such as pins or needles, to clean the charging port, as these can damage the internal components and cause more severe problems.
Once the charging port is clean and free of debris, try charging your Google Pixel again. If the device still doesn’t charge, move on to other troubleshooting steps, such as inspecting the charger and cable, checking for software updates, or considering professional servicing.
3rd solution: Check the Charging Process
Checking the charging process is necessary when dealing with a Google Pixel that won’t charge because it helps verify if the issue is caused by the charger or the device itself. By performing this assessment, you can focus your troubleshooting efforts on rectifying the specific source of the problem and find an appropriate solution more efficiently.
To check the charging process on a Google Pixel, follow these steps:
1. Connect the charger and cable
- Plug your charger into a working power outlet and connect the charging cable to both the charger and your Google Pixel.
2. Observe the charging indicators
- After connecting your Google Pixel to the charger, watch for any charging indicators, such as:
- A battery icon or charging symbol on the screen.
- An LED notification light indicating that the device is charging.
- A vibration or sound prompting that the device has started charging (if enabled in settings).
3. Test an alternative power source
- If there are no visible charging indicators, try connecting your charger to a different power outlet or USB port to rule out any issues with the initial power source.
4. Try another charger and cable
- If your Google Pixel still does not show any signs of charging, test the charging process with a different, compatible charger and cable to ensure the issue is not related to the accessories themselves.
5. Monitor the charging progress
- If your Google Pixel begins to charge, monitor the progress for a few minutes to ensure it continues charging consistently without interruptions or slow charging issues.
By following these steps, you can assess the charging process and determine if the issue is related to your Google Pixel device, the charger, the cable, or another external factor. Identifying the cause will guide you in solving the problem efficiently.
4th solution: Restart the Google Pixel
Restarting your Google Pixel when it won’t charge is necessary because sometimes software glitches or temporary issues can interfere with the charging process. A simple restart can resolve these issues by clearing the device’s temporary memory, allowing the device to re-establish a proper connection with the charger and begin charging as intended.
To restart a Google Pixel device, follow these steps:
1. First, press and hold the Power button.
2. In the Power menu, choose ‘Restart’ if the option is available, and your device will power down and restart automatically. If the ‘Restart’ option isn’t available, select ‘Power off’ to turn off your device, then wait for about 30 seconds.
3. If you had to choose ‘Power off’ in step 2, press and hold the Power button again until the Google logo appears on the screen, indicating that the device is powering back on.
Your Google Pixel should now restart, clearing any temporary software glitches that could cause charging issues. After restarting, try charging your device again to see if the issue is resolved.
5th solution: Check for/install Software Updates
Checking and installing software updates when a Google Pixel won’t charge is necessary because updates often contain bug fixes and improvements that can resolve known issues—including charging problems—within the device’s software.
Ensuring your Google Pixel is running the latest software maximizes compatibility with charging accessories, increases device performance, and reduces the likelihood of charging issues caused by software-related bugs.
If you’re phone still has sufficient power, try checking for new software updates with these steps:
1. Make sure your Google Pixel is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network to download any available updates.
2. Swipe down from the top of the screen to access the Notification Shade, then tap on the gear icon to open the Settings app.
3. In the Settings menu, scroll down until you find the ‘System’ option, then tap on it.
4. To reveal more options, tap on the ‘Advanced’ dropdown menu within the ‘System’ settings.
5. In the expanded menu, tap on ‘System update.’
6. Your Google Pixel will automatically search for available updates. If an update is available, it will show the details, including the version number and size. Tap ‘Download and Install’ or ‘Install now’ to proceed with the update.
7. After the update is downloaded and installed, your device may restart to complete the update process.
By checking for and installing software updates on your Google Pixel, you ensure that your device runs the latest software version with the most recent bug fixes and improvements, potentially resolving any charging issues caused by outdated software.
This solution however, is only applicable if your phone still has enough battery life to complete the updating process. Otherwise, try other applicable solutions.
6th solution: Boot into Safe Mode
Booting into Safe Mode when your Google Pixel won’t charge is necessary because it temporarily disables any third-party apps and services, allowing you to identify if the issue is caused by a malfunctioning app or a software conflict.
Charging problems could be the result of a third-party app interfering with the device’s charging mechanism.
To boot your Google Pixel into Safe Mode, follow these steps:
1. Locate the Power button on the side of your Google Pixel. Press and hold the button until the Power menu appears on the screen.
2. In the Power menu, tap and hold the ‘Power off’ option. Keep holding it until a new window appears, prompting you to restart your device in Safe Mode.
3. Upon seeing the Safe Mode prompt, tap ‘OK.’ Your Google Pixel will now power off and restart in Safe Mode.
Note:
- In Safe Mode, you’ll see a “Safe Mode” watermark in the lower-left corner of the screen, and all third-party apps will be disabled.
While in Safe Mode, if your Google Pixel charges normally, you can pinpoint that a third-party app may be causing the issue. If the problem persists, it indicates that the charging issue lies more likely within the device’s hardware or core system software.
To exit Safe Mode and return to normal mode, simply restart your Google Pixel by holding the Power button and choosing ‘Restart’ or ‘Power off’ and then powering the device back on.
7th solution: Perform a Factory Reset (optional)
Performing a factory reset when your Google Pixel won’t charge may be necessary as a last resort to fix potential deep-rooted software issues affecting the charging process. By resetting the device to its original settings, you eliminate any accumulated conflicts or corrupted data that might be causing the charging problem.
If your phone still has at least 50 percent of battery life, you may go for a factory reset to restore it to its factory state. Otherwise, try other applicable methods.
Warning:
- Factory reset will erase all data on your device, including photos, videos, apps, and personal settings. Make sure to back up your data before proceeding.
To factory reset a Google Pixel phone via settings menu, just follow these steps:
1. Swipe down from the top of the screen to access the Notification Shade, then tap on the gear icon to open the Settings app.
2. In the Settings menu, scroll down until you find the ‘System’ option, then tap on it.
3. To reveal more options, tap on the ‘Advanced’ dropdown menu within the ‘System’ settings.
4. In the expanded menu, tap on ‘Reset options.’
5. Tap on ‘Erase all data (factory reset)’ to initiate the process. You may be asked to provide your device’s PIN, pattern, or password to confirm the action.
6. Finally, tap ‘Erase all data’ or ‘Delete all data’ to start the factory reset process. Your Google Pixel will power off and erase all data before rebooting and displaying the initial setup screen.
Once the factory reset is complete, set up your device again and check if it now charges as expected. Remember to restore your data from the backup if the charging issue has been resolved.
Seek Technical Support
If none of the above troubleshooting steps solve the charging problem, consult a professional technician or Google Support. The issue could be due to faulty hardware or a defective battery that requires expert assistance.
FAQs
1. Is it necessary to use the original charger and cable for my Google Pixel?
While using the original charger and cable is recommended for optimal charging performance, you can use third-party cables and chargers that are certified and compatible with your Google Pixel device.
2. Can a software update fix the charging issue on my Google Pixel?
Yes, a software update can potentially fix charging issues as it often includes bug fixes and improvements that can resolve known problems related to charging.
3. Could the issue be related to my Google Pixel’s battery?
If you have exhausted all troubleshooting options and your device still doesn’t charge, it could be a faulty or worn-out battery. Contact a professional technician or Google Support for further assistance.
4. What if my Google Pixel starts charging slowly?
Slow charging can result from various factors, such as using an incompatible charger or cable, a dirty charging port, or software glitches. Follow the steps in the article above, focusing on checking chargers and cables, cleaning the charging port, and updating your device’s software.
5. Is wireless charging an option for Google Pixels?
Wireless charging is available for Google Pixel devices that support the feature, starting with the Google Pixel 3. If your device is compatible with wireless charging, you can use a Qi-certified wireless charger to charge your Google Pixel.
6. How do I know if the charging issue is a known problem with my specific Google Pixel model?
To find out if the charging issue is common for your specific Google Pixel model, search for user forums, read reviews, or visit Google Support for device-specific updates and known issues.
