Google Pixel Not Charging
Dirt, water, and air can easily damage the charging port — a crucial component of your smartphone.
- Identify if the charging port is damaged or clogged with debris.
- Inspect for signs of corrosion or rust within the port.
Step 1 | Software Issues
Verify that all software is up-to-date to rule out common bugs.
- Navigate to Settings App > Battery > Adaptive preferences and toggle off Adaptive Charging.
- Restart your Pixel by holding the power button until the power menu appears, then tapping Power Down.
- Hold the power button again until the Google welcome screen shows up.
Perform a hard reset if software troubleshooting is unsuccessful.
- Press and hold both the power button and volume up button for at least 10 seconds or until the screen goes dark.
- Wait 30 seconds for the phone to fully shut down.
- Hold the power button until the Google welcome screen appears.
Step 2 | Bad Power Source, Charger, or Cable
Faulty cables or adapters can cause inconsistent charging or no charging at all.
- Use another device with a different charger to rule out the wall outlet issue.
- Check your charging block's specifications: Output Voltage and Amperage are usually listed together, and Wattage is calculated by multiplying Volts by Amps.
Ensure you have a compatible charger:
- Find the highest wattage charger for your device.
- Alternatively, try charging directly from your computer.
Check your cable and accessories:
- Remove any dongles or cable extensions that may cause issues.
- Try using the original cable shipped with your device (or a known working one).
If none of these solutions work, consider replacing your charger and cable:
- Look for chargers and cables that support PPS and PD charging protocols.
- If possible, try wireless charging to rule out a faulty cable.
Step 3 | Dirty Charging Port
Dust and debris can prevent charging due to moisture or improper contact.
- Use a dust blower to force out loose dust.
- Plug in your cable; if it doesn't charge, continue cleaning.
Do not blow into the port with your mouth - moisture may worsen the problem.
- Use a brush with fine plastic bristles to scrub and scoop out stuck debris.
- Finish with a dust blower.
Apply highly-concentrated isopropyl alcohol (over 90%) to the cotton, then gently wipe inside the port.
- Create a small cotton swab from a toothpick or thin plastic dental pick and cotton ball.
- Wipe around the perimeter of the charging port.
Be extra careful not to damage the pins on your charging cable connector.
- Check for grime on the pins A9, B4, A4, and B9.
- Inspect these pins in your Pixel's charge port and the same respective pins on your charging cable.
Step 4 | Overheating or Degraded Battery
Overheating during charging is a common issue on Pixel phones.
- Download Device Info or Accubattery from the Google Play Store to diagnose temperature issues.
- Plug in your Pixel and monitor temperatures; above 35 °C may trigger charging cessation.
Watch for signs of battery degradation, including reduced current draw, low maximum charge capacity, or low voltage.
- Turn off your Pixel, remove the case, and isolate it from heat sources.
- Let it cool down before attempting further charging.
Do not place an overheating phone in a refrigerator or freezer to cool it down; this can damage the battery.
If your battery is degraded or swollen, consider replacing it. Check our Pixel battery replacement guides for assistance.
Step 5 | Water or Other Physical Damage
Corrosion or physical damage to the port may require replacing the logic board.
- Backup all data wirelessly if the phone still powers on.
- Consider replacing the charging assembly or entire logic board with a kit from our charging assembly kits.
If replacing the logic board, restore data from your backup after installation.
Step 6 | See Also
For additional guidance, consult the iFixit Answers forum discussion on USB-C port cleaning.