What to do if your Samsung Galaxy Tab is not charging

There may be several reasons why your Galaxy Tab does not charge with a wired charger. In general, the most common issues are due to cables, chargers, or adaptors being damaged or incompatible with the device. Additionally, dust or debris accumulation in the device charging port, cable, adaptor, or PC may interfere with proper charging.

Follow our guide below to troubleshoot your charging issues.

A person holding a Galaxy Tab connected to a charger but isn’t charging.

Please note: Before you try the recommendations below, be sure to check if your tablet’s software and related apps are updated to the latest version.

Check that the charger is Samsung Authorised and compatible with your tablet

Even if adaptors or charging cables appear similar, their quality and charging speed may differ. To preserve your Galaxy tablet’s lifespan, make sure to use Samsung Authorised chargers and charging cables that are compatible with your tablet, as they are designed to maximise battery life. Please be mindful that if you choose to use products that are not specifically for the Galaxy Tab (travel chargers or standard chargers) or products that are not Samsung Authorised, your tablet may be damaged or may not charge properly.

Check for damage to your adaptor or charging cable

Check to see if there is damage to your adaptor or charging cable. If you notice any issues such as cracks or exposed wires, immediately stop using the cable. Charging cables must fit snugly into the charging port and should not feel loose or ill-fitting. Disconnect and reconnect all charging cables, USB connectors, and charging ports, then re-check your connection.

Damaged charging cable attached to Samsung Galaxy Tab

Try using a different adaptor or charging cable

If there is no noticeable damage, try using another adaptor or charging cable. You can also try connecting another device to your adaptor or charging cable to check if it charges properly.

Check for other issues

If there are no issues with your adaptor or charging cable, check to see if it is a problem with the power supply. Rather than charging your tablet with a notebook or PC, try using a power outlet.

You can use Samsung Members to run a test on your battery and charging port.

Samsung Members app home screen Samsung Members app home screen

Step 1. Open the Samsung Members app > Select the Support tab.

Support tab in Samsung Members Support tab in Samsung Members

Step 2. Tap Tablet diagnostics.

Tablet diagnostics screen Tablet diagnostics screen

Step 3. Select Battery status and Cable charging.

One of the most common causes of charging issues is debris lodged in the charging port. If debris such as dust or lint accumulates inside the charging port, the charging cable may be unable to properly connect to the charging terminals in the tablet. This may cause issues with charging.

Step 1. Turn off your tablet.

Step 2. Using a flashlight, look inside the charging port. If there is dust or debris near the metal terminal, cleaning is required.

Step 3. Gently blow into the charging port to remove the dust and debris.

Step 4. If your charging port is completely blocked, seek professional help from your nearest Service Centre.

If your tablet supports fast charging, Adaptive Fast Charging (AFC) is recommended. If your tablet is charging slowly, check that Fast charging is enabled on your device.

Device care home screen Device care home screen

Step 1. Open Settings > Select Device care > Tap Battery.

Battery setting screen Battery setting screen

Step 2. Select Charging settings.

Charging settings screen Charging settings screen

Step 3. Enable Fast charging.

There is a risk of causing damage to the internal circuits if a device is charged when there is moisture in the USB port or charger. When this is the case, your device will alert you of moisture or debris.

Wipe your tablet with a soft and clean cloth or leave it in a well-ventilated area to dry. If you experience charging issues even after completely drying your tablet, seek help from a professional engineer at an authorised Samsung Service Centre.

Moisture detected error notification

If your tablet still has power remaining, try a soft reboot. This will allow the tablet to reset its temporary memory and will help you determine if the problem is software related. To perform the reboot press and hold the Power and Volume Down keys until the tablet restarts.

Power and volume down keys selected

Please note: The key combinations may differ slightly depending on the model of your tablet.

Physical damage such as a cracked screen or case may affect the performance of your tablet. You should also check your charging port for any signs of damage.

Insert a charging cable into the charging port of your tablet. The charging cable should fit snugly into the port and should not feel loose. Using a light, look inside the charging port to check for any damage.

If your charging port is damaged, you can book a repair to get your tablet fixed.

Safe mode allows you to use your tablet on its original interface without third-party applications. This means that any apps or downloads affecting your tablet can be isolated and prevented from causing issues, allowing you to identify problems more easily. To find out more about how Safe mode works read our article on how to start your galaxy tablet in Safe mode.

To reboot your tablet in Safe mode, follow the steps below:

Quick settings panel Quick settings panel

Step 1. Open the Quick setting panel > Tap the Power off icon.

Power option Power option

Step 2. Long press the Power off button.

Screen booting in Safe mode Screen booting in Safe mode

Step 3. Tap Safe mode.

* If none of the suggestions above resolve your issue, you can book a repair or visit your closest Samsung Service Centre for further assistance.

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