How To Fix It If Samsung Galaxy S21 Won’t Charge

The only original charging accessories the Samsung Galaxy S21 has is the USB Type-C data cable since it’s packed without a power adapter.

So when you start having charging problems after a few months of use, there is always a possibility that it’s just due to an issue with the charger you’re using, especially if you’re not using a Samsung charger.

But then of course, that’s just one of the possibilities. It is also possible that the charging cable is broken, or your phone’s charging port is obstructed, wet or even broken.

Some Galaxy S21 owners reported that their devices will no longer charge, and if you’re one of them, then continue reading as we may be able to help you fix the problem.

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Troubleshooting A Galaxy S21 That Won’t Charge

A charging issue can be pretty minor or a really serious problem and it all depends on how it started. If your Galaxy S21 stopped charging after it is dropped and sustained physical damage, then it’s possible that its circuitry is messed up or some connectors may have come off.

If it stopped charging after snapping a few underwater photos, then there’s a possibility that it suffered a liquid damage. With that being said, here are the things you should do to know what caused the problem and how to fix it:

First solution: Do a physical inspection of your phone

A physical inspection will tell you right off the bat what caused the charging problem. What you have to look into are the signs of physical or liquid damage or both.

So try to see if your Galaxy S21 has some scratches, dents or cracks on the outside. If there is, try to see if there are other issues aside from charging.

For instance, if there’s a big dent or crack at the back, try to see if the screen is affected because it’s possible that the damage has reached the components inside.

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Also, check the charging port to see if it’s wet or there’s some kind of obstruction. Needless to say, clean the port if you find it necessary.

But assuming that your phone doesn’t have any signs of physical or liquid damage yet it refuses to charge, then move on to the next solution.

Second solution: Check the electrical outlet

It’s easy to do this, all you need is an appliance. Carefully plug the power cord to the power socket to know if it works. If it does, then there’s no problem with the outlet.

However, if the appliance doesn’t work, then try plugging to another outlet or extension cable. After making sure that the outlet is working, try the next solution.

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Third solution: Check the power adapter

Regardless of whether you’re using a Samsung charger or one from a third-party manufacturer, you have to check if it has a problem.

When it comes to the charging process, the DC electricity for your phone always comes from the charger. That’s why it’s important that the charger is working properly.

What you have to do is check the USB port to see if it’s obstructed with dirt, lint or any debris that prevents the electric current from flowing.

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One way to test the charger is to connect your other devices to it and see if they respond because if not, you have to use a different charger.

Fourth solution: Check the charging cable

It is very important that when troubleshooting a charging problem, you must use the original cable if possible.

What you need to do next is to physically check the cable to see if it’s broken or something. You also need to check both connectors to see if metal charging contacts or pins are bent or broken. Aside from that, you also have to make sure there are no debris, lint or dirt stuck in any of the connectors.

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One way to check if the cable is working is to use it to connect your phone to a computer to see if the latter detects your device. Or you may use it to charger other devices as well. It is also an option to use a different cable if the original one is broken or faulty.

Fifth solution: Force restart your Galaxy S21

After doing a physical inspection and checking the accessories, what you need to do next is to do the Forced Restart or simulated battery removal, especially if your phone is stuck on a black screen and won’t charge.

It is because the problem can be due to a stuck firmware that left your phone to become unresponsive even when charged.

Step 1: To force restart your phone, press and hold the Volume Down button and the Power key for 8 seconds.

This will trigger your device to boot up even if it’s stuck on a black screen.

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Step 2: If the Samsung logo shows, release both keys and allow your Galaxy S21 to continue the boot process.
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If your phone boots up, then connect it to its charger to see if it charges after doing such a procedure. If not, then allow your phone to charge for a few minutes–it’s possible that it has a drained battery–and then do the forced restart procedure while it’s connected to the charger.

You may also try running your phone safe mode just to see if it’s still capable of booting up even in other modes. Sometimes third-party apps can also cause problems like this and that might be the case here.

In safe mode, only the system apps will run and none of your files will be deleted. So it’s safe and it will give you information about the problem.

Sixth solution: Have your Galaxy S21 checked

Your last resort will be to bring your Samsung Galaxy S21 back to the store and have a technician check it for you, especially if it won’t turn on anymore as it can be a hardware issue.

However, if your device still has enough juice, backup your important files, data and personal information and then do the factory data reset to protect your privacy. A factory reset will delete all your files and data in your phone.

Also, it’s better to check for a software update if possible, because if it’s a widespread issue, then Samsung will roll out updates to fix the problem.

Workaround: Try using a wireless charger (optional)

Fortunately, your Galaxy S21 has a wireless charging capability so if available, try using your wireless charger to see if it responds to it.

The thing is that if the problem is the battery or one of its circuitry, then your phone will not charge even with the wireless charger.

If your phone is charging properly if placed on a wireless charging pad, then it means that the charging port is defective and you may need help from a tech and have your device fixed professionally.

Bottom line

A charging problem can be pretty serious if it’s due to physical or liquid damage. But we want owners to do some basic troubleshooting procedures to know and understand the problem.

Sometimes it’s even better to just buy a new device that to have the phone fixed. However, if you think the problem isn’t that serious, then a Samsung technician might be able to help you.

We hope that this troubleshooting guide can help you one way or the other.

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Harold Hisona

Harold has been in the tech industry since 2008 when he started out as a tech support for companies like Time Warner, Comcast and Tracfone. He’s been troubleshooting phones when the smartphone industry started booming. During his tenure as a tech support, he’s already been writing for various tech blogs and doing some freelance SEO. In 2012, he joined a small team of bloggers to write for The Droid Guy, and he has been with the company ever since. Today, he doesn’t only write tutorials and troubleshooting pieces but also shoots and edits videos for The Droid Guy channel while trading stocks on the side. Contact me at Email

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