Try a known-working cable, compatible charger and wall outlet before changing settings. Inspect the connectors for damage. A temperature warning or charging limit can pause charging intentionally. The model checks below separate a power-source problem from a worn battery or a damaged charging connection.
Differential
Likely causes of “Google Pixel will not charge”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A weak or damaged cable
What separates it It charges on one cable and not another, or drops in and out when the cable moves
How to confirm Swap in a second cable and adapter, which is where Google's charging article starts
- 2
Lint packed into the port after years of pocket use
What separates it The plug is loose or does not seat firmly
How to confirm With the phone off, light the port and lift out lint with a wooden toothpick
- 3
A worn cell that will not accept charge
What separates it The phone dies quickly, or shows a percentage that jumps on unplugging
How to confirm Try a known-good charger for an hour; if it still fails, price the battery
- 4
A case or accessory in the way
What separates it It charges without the case and not with it
How to confirm Take the case off and test Google's wireless charging advice if you use a pad
- 5
Moisture in the port
What separates it A moisture warning or charging refusal after rain or a splash
How to confirm Dry the phone; the Pixel 5 is IP68 per Wikipedia but the port still needs to be dry
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Which phone it is, the Android version and how the phone was charged (wired or wireless)
- The charger, cable and outlet you used, and what a different set does
- Whether a charging animation, a warning or nothing shows
- Whether the phone is warm and whether it has a case on
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedWake the phone
ReversibleHold the power button for a few seconds in case the phone is on but frozen, as Google's charging article suggests.
Change the cable and adapter
ReversibleUse a different USB-C cable and adapter in an outlet you know works.
Clear the port
ReversibleSwitch the phone off, shine a flashlight into the port and pick out lint with a wooden pick. Do not use metal.
Remove the case
ReversibleTake the case off and charge the phone on a hard surface.
Test wireless on the Pixel 5
ReversibleIf wired fails and the phone supports it, try a Qi pad; wireless working while wired fails points at the port.
Leave it an hour
ReversibleA deeply drained old cell can need time on a good charger before it shows anything.
Book a repair or replace
ReversibleIf nothing works, a repairer can test the port and battery. iFixit lists $99.99 (4a) and $129.99 (Pixel 5) for the battery.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Google Pixel 5 and 4a family will not charge or charges slowly
- If a Pixel 5, 4a or 4a (5G) will not charge, work in Google's order: press the power button to wake it, remove the case, try a different cable and adapter, and look into the USB-C port for lint. All three use USB-C, so an ordinary USB-C adapter works; Wikipedia lists 18W fast charging for the Pixel 5 and adds 12W Qi wireless. A worn cell can also refuse to take charge or fall from a full reading, which is the point where a repairer's battery test is worth more than another cable.
- Charging by model
- Pixel 5: 18W wired and 12W Qi wireless with reverse wireless charging, per Wikipedia. Pixel 4a and 4a (5G): USB-C wired charging; Wikipedia lists no wireless charging for them.
- Water rating
- Wikipedia lists IP68, up to 1.5 m for 30 minutes, for the Pixel 5. The port still needs to be dry before charging.
- Part numbers
- Google identifies repairs by device model, shown under Settings, About phone; there is no owner part number for the port.
- Tools and supplies
- A second USB-C cable and adapter, a flashlight for the port, a wooden toothpick and a dry towel. Never put metal into the port.
- Repair cost
- iFixit's table lists Google-authorized battery replacement at $99.99 (4a) and $129.99 (Pixel 5); a charging-port repair is quoted by the repairer, so no fixed price is stated.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the Pixel 4a.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !No charge on a second cable and adapter after clearing the port means starting a repair request or visiting an authorized repairer
- !A loose, bent or corroded port needs a repair, not more chargers
- !A hot, wet or swollen phone should be unplugged and inspected
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Wake the phone, case, accessories, port and repair.
Wireless charging, temperature and pad advice.
Charger recommendation and cool-place tip.
Pixel 5 battery, charging, chip, storage, Wi-Fi 5, IP68, display and Android versions.
Pixel 4a and 4a (5G) batteries, chips, storage, Wi-Fi 5 and Android versions.
Table of Google-authorized (Asurion) battery prices by Pixel model.
Exact questions
Common questions
How fast can the Pixel 5 charge?+
Wikipedia lists 18W wired fast charging and 12W Qi wireless charging for the Pixel 5.
Why is my Pixel charging slowly?+
Google's wireless article ties slow charging to warmth and pad alignment, and a tired cell on an old phone can also charge slowly. Test with a different adapter and cable.
Does a full reset fix charging?+
Rarely. If the port or cell is at fault, a reset does not change it. Restart first and try a different cable.
Is it safe to keep charging overnight?+
Google's battery article advises charging in a cool place. On an old cell, avoid charging under a pillow or in a case that traps heat.
The phone shows 100 percent then dies. Why?+
That pattern usually means the cell's real capacity has fallen below what the meter reports. A battery replacement is the fix.
Is the Pixel 4a's port different from the Pixel 5's?+
Both use USB-C. The Pixel 5 adds wireless charging, and Wikipedia's Pixel 4a article lists no wireless charging for the 4a or 4a (5G).
Will Google repair a Pixel 5?+
Google's Pixel repair pages list repair for phones in its supported range. Check the repair page for your model, since older phones may be offered through authorized repairers instead.
not charging: model differences
Also covered: Google Pixel 6 family.
Pixel 6a, 4a and 4a (5G)
These phones do not support wireless charging. Test USB-C power and cable operation; a Qi pad staying inactive is expected and cannot establish a charging fault.
Google: charge your Pixel phone