How to Fix a Dead Smartphone Battery

Having a smartphone with a dead battery can be extremely frustrating. However, there are steps you can take to try to fix it before assuming you need a replacement. This article will cover some troubleshooting tips and solutions to attempt to revive your smartphone’s dead battery.

Determine if the Battery is Dead

Before trying to fix a potentially dead battery, first determine if the battery actually will not charge. Follow these steps:

Plug phone into charger and wall outlet – Use the charging cable and power adapter that came with your phone. Ensure the wall outlet is working properly.
Check charge indication on phone – There should be some sign the phone recognizes it’s plugged in – a charging icon, percent indicator, etc.
Leave phone plugged in for at least 30 minutes – It can sometimes take time for a phone to display it’s charging again.
Check charge level after 30 minutes – If the phone still shows no signs of charging or life after 30+ minutes, then the battery can likely be considered dead.

Try an Alternate Charger

If your phone shows no signs of charging, first try using an alternate charging source:

Another wall charger
Computer USB port
Battery pack/power bank
Car phone charger

Use a cable you know to be working properly with other devices. This helps determine whether the issue is with the phone’s charging port, cable, or battery itself failing to charge.

Inspect Hardware and Ports

If trying alternate charging sources does not revive the battery, closely inspect the phone’s physical hardware:

Charging port – Check for debris inside preventing a proper connection. Carefully clean out with canned air.
Charging contacts – Examine pin connectors for damage or corrosion.
Battery – Open phone case and ensure battery is properly connected. Carefully remove & re-seat battery.

This can resolve charging issues caused by hardware. Power off the phone first before removing any components.

Replace Battery

If you are certain the battery will no longer charge and hold energy, replacement is likely needed. Consider options:

Official battery – Purchase an OEM Li-ion battery from the device manufacturer
Third party option – Research quality third party replacements online for your phone model
Repair shop – Take phone to a repair center for battery replacement service

Be sure to dispose of lithium-ion batteries properly. Reputable shops will handle battery recycling.

What to Look for in Replacement Batteries

Correct model number for your phone
Reputable seller with positive reviews
Proper mAh capacity
Overcharge / overheat protection
At least 6 month warranty

Reset Phone to Factory Settings

Resetting your device essentially gives the phone’s operating system a fresh start, which can sometimes resolve software issues preventing charging and battery function.

Note: This will erase all data, accounts, and settings on the phone.

To reset, access the recovery menu and choose the factory reset / master reset option. Steps vary by phone model.

With the phone powered off:

Press and hold the Volume Down button
Then press and hold the Power button without releasing the Volume button
Using the Volume button, scroll to highlight Wipe data/factory reset
Press the Power button to select

Replace Charging Port

If you’ve determined the battery to be okay, another culprit could be a faulty USB charging port. Signs pointing to a bad port:

Loose port movement
Scuffed/missing metal contacts
Fails to properly connect with cables

You can take the phone to an electronics repair shop have have the USB port replaced. Or search online for a charging port replacement part specific to your phone make and model if you are comfortable replacing it yourself.

Summary of Fixes

To summarize, when faced with a smartphone with a dead battery that will not charge, here are fixes to try:

Use an alternate wall/car/battery charger
Inspect and clean charging port for debris
Check battery connection – re-seat battery
Replace old battery with new Li-ion option
Do a factory reset to refresh phone software
Replace faulty charging port

With persistence, there is a good chance you can revive a dead smartphone battery without needing expensive motherboard repair or getting an entirely new phone. Be methodical in your troubleshooting, and do not hesitate to enlist the help of phone repair professionals when needed.

FAQ

What are the most common causes of a dead smartphone battery?

The most common causes are:

Old battery has been drained and no longer holds charge
Poor charging habits like overcharging and overheating
Damaged charging port unable to make proper connection
Defective or incorrectly installed battery

How long should I leave the phone plugged in before assuming the battery won’t charge?

Leave the smartphone plugged into a known good charger for at least 30 minutes before determining the battery will no longer charge. It can sometimes take a phone that long to display charge signs again.

What should I check on the phone hardware if it’s still not charging?

Inspect the charging port for dirt/debris preventing proper connection. Use canned air to carefully clean it out. Also check that battery is still properly seated and snap connectors are not damaged. Reseat battery by removing and gently snapping back into place.

Is it safe to buy replacement smartphone batteries from any website?

No, it’s important to buy replacement batteries from reputable sellers to ensure proper phone model compatibility, voltage, and safety protections. Check seller reviews and product ratings first.

If my battery won’t charge after a factory reset, what should the next troubleshooting step be?

If a factory reset did not restore charging ability, next inspect the phone’s USB charging port itself for damage or excess movement indicating it may need replacement. Take phone to repair shop for further USB port diagnosis if still won’t charge.

How do I properly dispose of an old, dead lithium-ion battery?

Never throw old lithium phone batteries in the regular trash. Find a local hazardous waste disposal program or battery recycling drop off to safely dispose of and recycle dead lithium-ion phone batteries.