Phone won't charge or charges slowly

Charging issues can stop your phone from charging, cause it to charge intermittently, or make it charge much more slowly than usual.

Charging issues are often caused by external factors, such as the power source, charging cable, or power adapter. Alternatively, the problem may involve the charging port, battery, software, or another internal component. 

Check the power source

Try charging your phone from a different wall socket, USB port, or power bank. If charging starts normally, then the original power source was likely the problem.

Check the charging cable and adapter  

Faulty charging cables or power adapters are a common cause of charging issues.

Try:

•  A different charging cable

•  A different power adapter

•  An official or manufacturer-approved charger

If charging works with a different compatible charger, the original cable or adapter may be faulty and should be replaced.

Inspect the charging port

Check the charging port for:

• Signs of moisture

•  Bent or damaged connectors

•  Debris 

If you find signs of moisture, place your device in a dry space with the port facing down for a few hours.

If the port appears damaged or loose, avoid forcing the charger in and seek professional repair guidance.

If your phone still won’t charge after following the above steps, the issue may involve the charging port, battery, or internal charging components. In this case, seek guidance from a trusted repair professional or your device manufacturer.

Texts or calls are not working

If you're unable to send or receive messages or make phone calls, you may be able to determine that the problem is due to a specific contact or recipient. If the issue affects multiple contacts, it could be caused by network coverage, SIM/eSIM activation, device settings, or a phone fault. 

Rule out recipient issues

Try to send messages to several different contacts. If you’re able to send and receive messages with other contacts, the issue is likely with the original recipient.

For calls, try calling other contacts. If possible, ask someone to call you to assess whether incoming calls are affected as well. If these calls work correctly, the issue is likely with the original recipient.

Check your mobile signal and network connection

Standard call and SMS messaging features rely on a stable mobile network connection.

If your texts or calls aren’t working, check your:

• Airplane mode status: if airplane mode is on, it will block your ability to connect to your mobile network

• Network signal strength: a poor signal can disrupt your mobile network connection, preventing calls or SMS messages from working

• Mobile data or Wi-Fi connection: messaging apps like WhatsApp require mobile data or Wi-Fi to send or receive messages and make calls

If you have little or no signal:

• Move to an area with better coverage

•  Restart your phone

•  Check for network outages via your provider's service status page

Check your SIM or eSIM

Check whether:

• Your SIM is detected

• Your mobile plan is active

• Your SIM or eSIM is still in the process of activating: there may be delays or temporary downtime after activating an eSIM or swapping or inserting a physical SIM

If your SIM isn't recognised:

• Carefully follow manufacturer guidance to remove and reinsert the SIM

• Review eSIM settings: check if it is installed, enabled, selected, or pending activation 

• Contact your network provider if activation appears incomplete 

For Dual SIM devices, you should check that your intended SIM is selected as the default

Check call and message settings

Some phone settings can block, redirect or limit calls and messages.

Check for: 

•  Do Not Disturb

•  Wi-Fi Calling

• Call Forwarding

• Roaming settings

• Contact settings, including blocked numbers

Disable any settings that may be blocking calls or messages. If unsure, reset to the default settings using your manufacturer's guidance.

If your texts and calls still aren’t working after completing the above steps, try resetting your network settings—but be aware that this may remove saved Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth pairings, VPNs, and mobile network settings. If the issue persists, your device may need further diagnosis: speak to a professional for a proper diagnosis and repair.

Battery drains quickly or device shuts down unexpectedly

Battery issues can cause your battery percentage to drop rapidly, your phone to shut down unexpectedly, or make your phone require frequent charging.

While phone batteries gradually degrade over time, battery problems can also be caused by app activity, software settings, charging habits, or extreme temperatures. 

Check battery health

Most modern smartphones provide battery health information in their settings. Many Android phones offer battery information with clear guidance, whilst iOS shows a percentage of the maximum battery capacity: for iOS devices it is recommended to get a replacement battery if the maximum capacity is below 80%.

If the battery issues continue after taking the above steps, or your device regularly shuts down unexpectedly, a battery replacement from a trusted professional may be required.

If your phone feels unusually hot, the battery appears swollen, or the device casing is lifting, stop using the phone and seek professional guidance immediately. 

Phone won't connect or is struggling to maintain network connections

Phone connectivity issues can take many forms. Perhaps your Wi-Fi, mobile data, or Bluetooth won’t connect, or your connection keeps dropping across them. 

In some cases, connectivity issues can be caused by the external network or device, rather than your phone itself. If the problem continues across different networks or devices, it may be related to your phone’s settings, software, antenna or internal hardware.

Identify which connection is affected

Determine whether the problem involves:

• Wi-Fi

• Mobile data

• Bluetooth

• Multiple connection types

Wi-Fi, mobile data and Bluetooth rely on different services and components. If multiple connection types are affected, there may be an underlying software or hardware issue. 

Test another network or accessory 

This helps determine whether the problem is with your phone or the network itself.

Try to:

• Connect to a different Wi-Fi network

• Pair a different Bluetooth device 

If the connection works on a different network or device, it suggests the issue was likely with the original network or device, not your phone.

Turn the affected connection off and on again

Try turning the impacted service off and back on.

For example:

• Disconnect and reconnect the Wi-Fi

• Disable and re-enable mobile data

• Restart Bluetooth

If the issue is caused by a temporary error, this may resolve it.

Review network settings

Your phone’s network settings may be interfering with your ability to connect.

Check the following:

• Mobile data status

• VPN settings

• Saved network credentials

Follow the relevant troubleshooting guidance for your specific device. It may be necessary to reset to the default network settings, but be aware that this may remove saved connections and preferences across Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, VPNs, and mobile networks.

If connectivity problems impact every network and device you test, or your phone cannot detect any Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or mobile networks, a hardware fault might be responsible. In this case, seek a trusted professional for diagnosis and repair.

Phone is slow, crashing, or overheating

If your phone is freezing, lagging, crashing, or overheating, there may be an underlying performance issue. This can be caused by low storage, outdated software, certain apps, heavy background activity, extreme temperatures or internal damage.

Check whether a specific app is causing the issue

Try to notice whether the problem occurs after opening a specific app, installing a new app, or running several apps at once.

Pay attention to:

• Apps that frequently crash

• Apps that trigger overheating

• Apps consuming excessive battery

If a specific app appears responsible, update it and clear its cache if your device supports this. If the issue persists, uninstall the app. 

If you’re still experiencing performance problems after freeing up storage, removing problematic apps, and fully updating your device, there may be an underlying software or hardware issue. In this case, seek a trusted professional for a diagnosis and repair.

If at any point your phone becomes too hot to touch, shuts down due to overheating, or displays a temperature warning, cease use until it cools and seek manufacturer guidance. 

Screen is flickering, discoloured, unresponsive, or black

Display issues can include flickering, unusual colours appearing, a lack of touch responsiveness, or a black screen. Some display issues can be linked to display settings or temporary software glitches, but if troubleshooting steps don't work, the cause may be physical impact, liquid damage, or hardware failure. 

If you continue to experience display issues after following the guidance above, back up your data as soon as possible and seek professional repair.

Final thoughts

A faulty phone can be stressful, but following the right troubleshooting steps can help you understand what’s causing the issue and determine what to do next. If the problem continues after these checks, or you notice signs of damage, overheating or battery swelling, seek advice from a trusted professional or your manufacturer.

Whether you’re troubleshooting your phone yourself or getting a professional repair, you’re helping to reduce electronic waste and making a positive impact on the environment by extending your device’s lifespan.