How to fix an HTC U12/U12 Plus smartphone that is not charging or charging but very slowly [Troubleshooting Guide/Charging Tips]

Charging problems in mobile devices can be due to software issues or hardware damage. In most case though, software errors are to blame especially in new and high-tiered devices. This means that the problem can be resolved by end-users themselves.

Highlighted below are some applicable solutions and workarounds to deal with charging problems on the new HTC U12/U12 Plus smartphone. If you own this device and having troubles when charging it, like when it’s charging very slowly or not charging at all, then this post may be able to help you.

Before we move on to our troubleshooting, if you are looking for a solution to a different issue, make sure you drop by our troubleshooting page as we’ve already addressed some of the most common problems reported by our readers. Find issues that are similar with yours and use the solutions we suggested. If you still need our help after that, then feel free to contact us by filling up our Android issues questionnaire.

How to troubleshoot your HTC U12 / U12+ that’s not charging

Before you begin to troubleshoot software problems on your HTC U12/U12 Plus that might have prevented it from charging properly, try to think of what has happened before your phone stops charging. Doing so can help you go straight to the required solution. Otherwise, you may have to consider spending more time in trying each of the following solutions. Be sure to test your device after performing each method to determine if the problem is solved.

What to do when your HTC U12/U12 Plus is not charging at all?

If your phone doesn’t charge at all, that’s likely because of a defective or damaged component like a defective charger, adapter, power port, and the like. To rule these out, consider the following suggestions.

Use only the original charging equipment. It is but recommended to use only the original charger for your HTC U12/U12 Plus. Other chargers’ power output is not the same from that of the OEM charger, and therefore it’s likely incompatible.
Remove third-party phone accessories. Non-HTC phone accessories like casing or housing may not fit your device. Thus, there is a chance that it would block the charging port or prevent the charger from establishing proper contact with the charging port. To rule this out, try to remove any third-party casing or other phone accessories, then retry charging your device.
Make sure no blockage in the charging port. Dirt and lint can also be the main culprit. Your phone may not be able to charge properly because the charging port is clogged with dirt or lint. In that case, cleaning the port would be necessary. You can use compressed air to blow out any dust or lint from the phone’s charging port and get your USB connection back to normal.
Charge from the right source. Another possible reason as to why your battery is charging very slowly is that the power source in use doesn’t produce the right amount of power needed for the phone to charge in the specified period of time. This is usually the case if you’re charging your phone from a computer USB port, laptops, car, or portable power banks. As recommended, charge your device directly from a working wall outlet.
Check and ensure no damage to the charging equipment. Scrutinize your charging equipment particularly the charger. At this point, you can use other compatible charger to determine if the problem is with the original charger or not. If your device is able to charge using other chargers, then apparently the charger is at fault and therefore it has to be replaced. If your phone refuses to charge using any of your other chargers, then your device need service.

What to do when your HTC U12/U12 Plus is charging very slowly?

Something must be halting the phone’s charging system from carrying out its task properly. If it’s not a defective hardware, then it must be on the software. To rule software errors out from the possible triggers, you can try the following workarounds.

First solution: End/force stop all running apps.

Application errors can affect other functions of your device given that everything in it is interrelated. Among the usual culprits are background apps that become corrupted. Background apps are recently used apps that aren’t closed. They’re in standby mode but still running in the background. Eventually, any of these apps can crash and when this happens, there’s a chance that it would affect other functions including that of the phone’s charging system. As resolution, ending or forcing background apps to stop is needed. Here’s how:

Press the Recent Apps button.
Flip through the apps previews to navigate to different apps.
Then swipe the app preview left or right to end or close it.
If you see multiple running apps, tap Clear All to close them all at once.

After ending all background apps, try to charge your phone and see if it’s now charging faster. If not, then move on to the next possible solution.

Second solution: Soft reset/device restart.

A soft reset or device restart is the simplest yet most effective way of clearing cached files and corrupted data from the phone’s internal memory. These corrupted may affect and prevent the charging system from carrying its usual routine and thereby results to slow charging. To soft reset your HTC U12/U12 Plus, follow these steps:

Press and hold down the Power button for a few seconds.
Select Power off from the menu options then tap OK to turn off your phone.
After 30 seconds, press and hold the Power button again until the phone restarts.

This won’t affect any data stored on the internal memory, so all your apps, settings, and personal information remain.

Third solution: Charge while in safe mode.

Third-party apps and services are temporarily disabled while in safe mode leaving all preinstalled apps running. This is the best way to determine whether or not the problem is due to a third-party application. To enable safe mode on your HTC U12/U12 Plus, follow these steps:

Press and hold the Power button for a few seconds until the menu options show up. Then tap and hold Power off option. Your phone will restart and you should see Safe Mode at the lower portion of the screen.

Alternatively, you can restart your phone in safe mode using the hardware keys.

To do so, press the Power button to turn on your phone. As soon as you see the HTC logo on the screen, press and hold the Volume Down button until you see Safe Mode at the lower portion of the screen.

Test your device to see if Safe Mode resolves the problem. If the problem is fixed or your phone is charging properly or faster while in safe mode, uninstall a recently-downloaded app that might be causing the issue. To exit Safe Mode and switch back to normal mode, simply restart your phone.

Fourth solution: Update software to the latest Android version.

Installing the latest software or Android version for your phone can be the ultimate solution if bugs and malicious software are the main culprit. The latest Android version released last July 11 for example, provides security enhancement or fix patches to clear any bugs and malware from the phone system. To check and see if that update is available on your device, follow these steps:

Tap Settings from the Home screen.
Tap General tab.
Tap Update center, then tap System update.
Tap the option to Check for update.

You will be prompted with an update notification if a new Android version is available. Before you download the update file, consider backing up all your important data for safekeeping. Your phone must also be connected to the Internet as the update will be installed over-the-air or wirelessly. Once you’ve got all the update requisites met, follow the onscreen instructions to download and install the new software on your phone.

After successfully installing the update, restart your phone to ensure that the new system changes are properly implemented and likewise to prevent any apps from acting up.

If your HTC U12/U12 Plus is still charging very slowly or not charging at all, connect it to the charger then let it charge overnight. And if that won’t work either, then your device likely needs service.

Other options

You can take your phone to the nearest HTC service center in your area so that it can be thoroughly examined by an authorized technician. The problem might be attributed to some sort of physical or liquid damage that needs physical repair. Also bring the charger so that it can also be scrutinized. The charger might have been defective and therefore needs to be replaced.

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