Everything you need to know about wireless charger not working, 8 fixes for iphone, samsung, and android, explained plainly.
Work through these in order, the most common causes come first.
Our picks
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Picks are based on manufacturer specs, independent reviews and owner reports.
Anker
A Qi2-certified 15W stand that charges an iPhone and AirPods at once.
Belkin
Belkin's official MagSafe stand that charges an iPhone and AirPods, with a power supply included.
FAQ
Three common causes: the power adapter is below 20W (see Fix 3), the iPhone is in Low Power Mode (which limits charging to 7.5W Qi speed even with MagSafe), or the phone is very warm. iPhones above 35°C (95°F) throttle wireless charging speed to prevent battery heat damage. Allow the phone to cool and move it off the charger temporarily. For Low Power Mode: go to Settings, Battery and turn off Low Power Mode before placing on the MagSafe charger.
Samsung Fast Wireless Charging requires a charger certified for Samsung Fast Wireless, generic Qi chargers charge Samsung phones at 5W or 7.5W, not 15W. Check that the charger specifies Samsung Fast Wireless Charging compatibility, not just Qi. Also verify the power adapter provides at least 15W, a 10W adapter limits Samsung fast wireless charging to 10W regardless of charger rating.
Standard Qi, MagSafe, and Qi2 wireless charging are safe for phone batteries. All certified wireless chargers include overcharge protection and thermal management. Heat generation is the primary concern: wireless charging generates more heat than wired charging, and sustained heat above 40°C accelerates battery degradation slightly. For battery longevity: avoid leaving the phone on the wireless charger in direct sunlight or on a surface that traps heat (a thick foam pad, inside a case that does not dissipate heat). Using Apple's Optimized Battery Charging reduces the duration the battery spends at 100% charge and is the most effective battery longevity measure for overnight wireless charging.
A buzzing or clicking noise from a wireless charger is coil whine, the electromagnetic coil vibrating at the charging frequency. This is normal and harmless at low volumes. Louder buzzing indicates the charger is having difficulty maintaining the connection, often because the phone is slightly misaligned with the coil. If buzzing continues when charging is indicated as connected, the charger's coil is vibrating against a loose internal component, contact the manufacturer for a replacement under warranty.
Keep researching
