Why is my Google Pixel 2 XL not charging, charging very slowly, or unable to charge completely [Troubleshooting Guide]

When your phone does not charge, chances are that you would immediately put the blame to any of your charging paraphernalia. But most of the time, the problem is actually on the device itself. Something in your phone is preventing it from charging properly, thus it won’t be able to refuel the battery even when it’s connected to a power source. What would that be and what must be done in order to make things go back to normal? These are the questions that this post will attempt to address. If you are troubled with relevant issues, particularly on a Google Pixel 2 XL device, then this content might be able to help you. Explicated later in this post are the possible reasons as to why a Google Pixel 2 XL device not charging, charging very slowly or unable to charge completely. And to further assist you in troubleshooting, potential solutions and workarounds are also provided. Read on to learn more on how to deal with this trouble.

In case you are trying to find a solution to a different problem, drop by our Pixel 2 XL troubleshooting page as we’ve already addressed some of the most common issues reported by the owners. If you still need our help, then fill up our Android issues questionnaire and hit submit to contact us.   

Possible reasons why your Google Pixel 2 XL won’t charge as intended

A faulty charger, adapter, or charging port and likewise bad battery on the phone are among the first factors to consider when dealing with charging problems in mobile devices. As much as possible verify and ensure that all your charging equipment work as intended. Doing so will help you isolate the problem within the device itself.

Contrary to what many people thought of a hardware damage causing the device to not charge, charge but very slow, or unable to be fully charged, the problem is often linked to a software glitch.

It is the software that tells your device when and whether to charge or not in the first place. Thus, if the software or program responsible for charging gets corrupted by some bugs and suddenly becomes rogue, that’s when charging problems instigate. To elucidate this further, think of the camera app on your phone. The camera (hardware) will not work without a camera app (software) and same thing goes with the app which can be useless without the physical camera. The same thing goes with your phone’s charging feature. A specific program is tasked to instruct the device to recharge the moment it detects that the battery is running low or almost empty. When that program is messed up by something, it will not be able to carry out its function and so the device just won’t charge as no program triggers it to do so. This applies to all devices as each one of them is designed as a system, which denotes that each of them is comprised of multiple programs or applications that work as one to make it a smartphone.

Among the most common sources of bugs that can ruin a device’s normal function including charging are software updates. In fact, charging issues appeared to be one of the widespread problems encountered by end-users after installing an update to apps or Android system. These are all software-related issues, which means that they can be resolved on your end or without having to take a trip to a service center. If you are certain that the problem has nothing to do with any of your phone’s hardware components, which might have been damaged, then you may now begin troubleshooting with the following options.

Possible solutions, workarounds and charging tips

Use the following workarounds to isolate the problem, identify the root-cause and get your Google Pixel 2 XL back up and charging properly again. If you did not obtain resolution from the first method, don’t forget to try the next until the problem gets fixed.

Charge your phone again

This time, make sure that you are doing it the right way, which denotes the need for you to check and ensure that charging cable is properly connected to the power source and charging port on your device. Also examine your charging equipment to ensure that all are working properly. Aside from charging paraphernalia, also consider checking the charging port and the power source you are using. Make sure you are using the original (OEM) charger and adapter that comes with your phone and that they are fully functional. You can try to use a different wall outlet or power source like a USB port on your computer, car charger, or power bank. Doing so will help you determine whether or not the problem is on the port in use.

As much as possible do not use your phone while charging. There may be some apps installed on your phone that consumes significant amount of power when activated or launched. So even if your phone is connected to the charger and power source, it’s still possible that it couldn’t get to increase the battery power because the app you’re using continues to drain the battery charge. This is usually among the main reasons as to why your device is charging very slowly or couldn’t get to a 100 percent battery charge.

Perform a soft reset on your Google Pixel 2 XL (if applicable)

If your device still has a little power left, try to perform a soft reset or reboot your phone and then try charging it again. Doing so will eliminate any glitches or bugs that might have prevented the device from charging. The process won’t affect any of your critical information stored on your phone. In case you haven’t done it yet, here’s how:

1. Press and hold the Power button on the right corner of your phone.
2. Tap the option to Power Off.
3. Wait for about 30 seconds then press the Power button again to turn it back on.

Alternatively, you can also press and hold the Power button for about 10 seconds or until the Google logo or animation screen appears.

Your device then reboots. Connect it to the charger and attempt to charge it again once the phone boots up completely.

Calibrate the battery on your Google Pixel 2 XL

Again this is only applicable if you still have a little power left on your device. Calibrating the battery is essential to keep battery performance optimized and that the your phone only shows the correct battery level at all times. The calibration process involves draining the battery completely and therefore it should only be done occasionally. Calibrating the battery more often can depreciate the battery’s lifespan from constant draining or fully discharging. If you haven’t done it yet and you would want to give it a shot, then follow these steps:

1. Use your device until it powers off or when the battery is completely drained.
2. Turn it back on and then let it turn off on its own.
3. When your device is powered off completely, connect it to a charger and then allow it to charge until the charging indicator or battery icon says it has reached a 100 percent.
4. Disconnect your phone from the charger then turn it on.
5. If the battery life does not reach 100 percent, plug it back into the charger and allow it to charge longer until it is completely charged at 100 percent.
6. Unplug the charger when the battery is full.
7. Restart your phone.
8. Then start using your phone again as you normally do until it runs out of power and turns off on its on.
9. Charge it again until the battery gets fully charged.
10. Turn on your phone.

Your battery is now calibrated.

Other Options to consider if possible

You may opt to try troubleshooting apps or perform a factory reset, if your device still has remaining power to stay on.

• Boot into Safe Mode. To troubleshoot apps, boot your Google Pixel 2 XL into Safe Mode then diagnose which apps are consuming much power. You may opt to remove the app temporarily, if you’re not using it and then see if your device charges normally without the app. You can also try charging your device while in Safe Mode. Should a third-party app is preventing your device from charging properly, it should work or charge as intended while in safe mode since all third-party apps and services are disabled.
• Master Reset. Another possible solution but should only be considered the last resort (if possible) is a master reset or restoring your Google Pixel 2 XL to factory defaults. Doing so will help eradicate system bugs that might have affected the device’s charging functions. But you also have to note that all your data will be erased in the process including your personal settings and contents. That being said, creating a backup of all your important files would be necessary beforehand. Then you may proceed with a factory reset through the Settings menu on your phone or use the hardware key combos (Power and Volume buttons).

Escalate the problem for more help

If none of the prior methods is able to fix the problem and that your Google Pixel 2 XL still won’t charge, charge slowly or won’t charge completely, then it’s time to seek more help. Contact your device carrier or Google Support to escalate the problem and seek further assistance and official recommendations.

Connect with us

We are always open to your problems, questions and suggestions, so feel free to contact us by filling up this form. This is a free service we offer and we won’t charge you a penny for it. But please note that we receive hundreds of emails every day and it’s impossible for us to respond to every single one of them. But rest assured we read every message we receive. For those whom we’ve helped, please spread the word by sharing our posts to your friends or by simply liking our Facebook and Google+ page or follow us on Twitter.