All Qi-compatible wireless chargers should work pretty seamlessly with Qi-compatible phones. However, sometimes your wireless charger may disconnect or charge slower than usual. So, what causes this problem, and how can you resolve it?
Your wireless charger might be disconnecting because the phone has a case that’s too thick, or because the charger or phone are damaged. It might also be because the phone and charger aren’t properly aligned, or because the phone isn’t compatible with wireless charging.
Let’s take a deeper look at the possible causes behind a wireless charger disconnecting as well as some troubleshooting solutions.
How Does a Wireless Charger Work?
Wireless chargers work by transferring electricity through electromagnetic induction. It’s similar to how induction stoves transfer heat to induction pots for cooking.
The charger will send out a signal to pair with your phone’s receiver when it’s placed on the charging pad. Some wireless chargers require the phone to be directly on top of the charging pad, while others work at a slight distance.
Wireless chargers need to be connected to a wall socket with a cable and adapter. Some wireless chargers have a battery, but they need to be recharged regularly. If the wireless charger isn’t working, it’s probably because of an issue with the cable or adapter.
Wireless chargers are only compatible with smartphones that have a receiver coil. The charger will work at optimal capacity when the receiver coil is perfectly aligned with the charging pad.
While you can charge your phone a few millimeters away from some chargers, avoid using thick phone cases as they can interfere with the charger. For Apple users, Apple’s MagSafe charger (on Amazon) clicks right into place, so you know the case is too big if it simply won’t latch on! For other brands of phone and charger, a weak connection can be signaled by the phone starting to charge, then stopping, and maybe repeating this behavior several times.
What Causes a Wireless Charger to Stop Working?
If your wireless charger stops working, it could be due to a faulty adapter, low battery, interference from apps on your phone, or damaged hardware. In some cases, the wireless charging problem may be because the receiver module in your phone is damaged.
Here are some of the common reasons why your wireless charger isn’t working:
Your Phone Isn’t Compatible With Wireless Charging
Even though wireless charging is becoming quite popular, many phones aren’t yet compatible with wireless charging technology. Adding a receiver module to a smartphone is expensive, and only the latest smartphones are compatible with wireless chargers.
Always check if your phone is compatible with wireless charging since placing a non-compatible phone on a charging pad could cause it to heat up.
The Charger Has Low Battery
Most wireless chargers need to be plugged into a power source to work, but some have batteries that allow them to double up as a wireless power bank. If you haven’t charged your wireless charger in a while, it won’t work until it’s recharged.
The Charger’s Adapter Is Faulty
Wireless chargers don’t get damaged easily because there’s no wired connection between the phone and charger.
However, the adapter connecting the charger to a wall socket could be damaged, and the charger won’t get enough input to function properly if that’s the case. Always use a high-quality adapter, preferably the one that comes with the wireless charger.
Interference From Phone Apps
If your wireless charger isn’t charging at all or is charging slower than usual, the problem could be with apps running on your phone. Sometimes, corrupted apps will drain the battery faster than the charger can recharge it, and it will seem as if the charger isn’t working.
Avoid using power-intensive apps while charging your phone with a wireless charger, and the phone should charge faster.
The Wireless Charger Is Damaged
In rare cases, your wireless charger may get damaged, causing it to malfunction. The best wireless chargers come with a warranty, which should cover repair costs if the charger malfunctions. However, if your charger is damaged beyond repair, you’ll need to replace it.
The Phone’s Receiver Module Is Damaged
All phones compatible with wireless chargers have a receiver coil that picks up the electromagnetic current from the charger. Dropping your phone may damage the internal coil in your smartphone, and it won’t be able to charge wirelessly. If the phone gets too hot and doesn’t charge at all or charges too slowly, have it checked by a professional.
What to Do If Your Phone Won’t Charge
If your phone won’t charge on a wireless charger, it’s usually because the phone isn’t compatible with wireless charging. Always check for compatibility before charging your phone.
If your phone is compatible with wireless charging but still won’t charge, try some of these troubleshooting options:
Check the Wireless Charger’s Adapter and Cable
In most cases, the problem isn’t with the phone or charger but rather with the adapter connecting the charger to a power source. Most wireless chargers will have a light showing they’re on. If not, check that the adapter is working by using it on another device. You can also test the cable this way.
Close Power Intensive Apps and Restart Your Phone
Power-intensive apps running in the background can also interfere with a wireless charger. Always quite all apps when charging your phone for maximum efficiency. Some apps may have a bug or glitch that causes them to use extra power. Restart your phone on the charging pad to resolve app glitches.
If the problem doesn’t resolve with a restart and your phone’s battery is draining faster than usual, try updating your phone.
Remove the Phone Case While Charging
If your wireless charger isn’t charging properly, it could be due to interference from a phone case. Most wireless chargers won’t work if the phone’s case is thicker than 4mm. However, it’s best to remove the phone case while charging since the charging efficiency decreases as the phone moves further away from the charging pad.
Sometimes, other objects like metal phone ring holders or credit cards may cause a wireless charger to malfunction. Never charge your phone wirelessly when there are metal or magnetic objects on the case.
Make Sure the Charger and Phone Are Properly Aligned
While your phone might still charge if the receiver coils aren’t perfectly aligned with the charging pad, the charging speed will be much slower. Always make sure the charging pad and phone are perfectly aligned for maximum charging efficiency. Some phones have magnetic alignment with wireless chargers and will slide into place, but others need to be manually aligned.
What to Do if Troubleshooting Doesn’t Work
If you’ve restarted and updated your phone, closed power-intensive apps, and removed any interference between the charging pad and your phone, the wireless charger should work at maximum capacity. However, if it doesn’t work, the charger may be damaged.
Here are some final options to consider if troubleshooting doesn’t work:
Repair the Charger
If you can’t figure out what’s wrong with the charger, take it to a professional to have it checked. The coils might be misaligned, or there could be something wrong with the power input port. Most minor issues can be fixed with a professional repair, especially if it’s a high-quality charger.
Replace the Charger
If the charger is damaged beyond repair, your only option will be to replace it. Wireless chargers usually last a long time since there are fewer cables involved in charging, so get a quality one that won’t get damaged easily. One of our favorite wireless chargers is the Yootech 10W Fast Wireless Charging Pad (on Amazon).
Make Sure the Phone Is Compatible With the Charger
While all wireless chargers follow the Qi standard, some work better with certain phone brands. For example, Apple MagSafe (on Amazon) will charge an iPhone at maximum power output, while other wireless chargers may take double the time.
Have Your Phone Checked
A faulty receiver coil or phone battery may also cause your wireless charger to get damaged. If your phone is compatible with wireless charging and there’s nothing wrong with your charger, have your phone checked by a professional as a last resort.