If a Galaxy Z Fold5 or Z Fold6 will not charge, or charges slowly, follow Samsung's sequence: check the cable and port, restart with Side key plus Volume down, leave it an hour on a Samsung charger in an outlet you know works and hold the Side key for 15 to 20 seconds if the screen stays dark. Wikipedia lists 25W wired charging for both phones, with the Fold5 listed as 25W over PPS and 15W without it, so an ordinary adapter may charge it slowly. On a Fold, the pack is large and split into two cells, so a full charge from empty takes longer than on a smaller phone even when everything is healthy.
Differential
Likely causes of “Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 and Fold5 family will not charge or charges slowly”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
An adapter without PPS
What separates it Charging is slow with a generic charger and faster with a Samsung one
How to confirm Wikipedia lists the Fold5 at 25W over PPS and 15W without, so use a PPS-capable 25W charger
- 2
A damaged or low-quality cable
What separates it It charges on one cable and not another because of a damaged or low quality cable
How to confirm Try a Samsung cable on the same adapter and outlet
- 3
Debris in the USB-C port
What separates it The plug sits loose or charging drops out when the phone is moved
How to confirm Look into the port with a flashlight and clear loose debris with a wooden toothpick while the phone is off
- 4
Heat while charging
What separates it Charging slows or pauses and the phone is warm, especially after use in split screen or video
How to confirm Let the phone cool in the shade and charge again; Samsung says heat can pause charging
- 5
Moisture in the port
What separates it A warning shows or charging refuses to start after rain or a splash
How to confirm Dry the phone and leave the port open to air before charging again
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Fold5 or Fold6, the SM-F946 or SM-F956 number and the One UI version
- The charger, cable and outlet used, and what happens on a different set
- Whether a charging animation, a moisture warning or nothing shows on the cover screen
- Whether the phone is warm and whether it is in a case
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedSwap the charger and cable
ReversibleUse a Samsung 25W charger with PPS support and a Samsung cable, in an outlet you know works.
Clear the port
ReversibleWith the phone off, shine a flashlight into the USB-C port and clear lint with a wooden or plastic pick.
Take the case off
ReversibleTake the case off, and charge without a case so that nothing presses on the hinge or hides heat.
Restart properly
ReversibleHold Side key and Volume down for more than seven seconds. If there is no response, hold the Side key for 15 to 20 seconds, per Samsung's charging article.
Check the charging settings
ReversibleSettings, Battery, Charging. Samsung lists fast charging as a setting and a protect-battery limit of 80 percent, which can look like a stopped charge.
Charge cool and idle
ReversibleCharge cool and idle, by putting the phone on a hard, shaded surface with both screens off.
Run diagnostics
ReversibleSamsung Members, Support, Phone diagnostics. If the charging test fails, take the phone to Samsung.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Charging by model
- Z Fold5: 25W over USB PD PPS, 15W without PPS, 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse. Z Fold6: 25W wired, 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse, per Wikipedia.
- Water and dust
- Fold5: IPX8. Fold6: IP48. Samsung's foldable care article states that no foldable is dust resistant and that a rated phone should be rinsed and dried after getting wet.
- Part numbers
- No part number is involved. Samsung identifies the phones by model number, SM-F946 for the Fold5 and SM-F956 for the Fold6.
- Tools and supplies
- A Samsung PPS charger and cable, a flashlight for the port, a wooden toothpick and a dry towel or microfibre cloth. Nothing metal goes into the port.
- Repair cost
- Samsung's US list shows inner screen module repair at $539 (Fold5) and $549 (Fold6); a charging-port repair is quoted by Samsung, so no fixed price is stated.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If it still will not charge on a Samsung charger and cable after a forced restart and an hour, contact Samsung
- !If the port is loose, bent or corroded, book a repair rather than continuing to try
- !If the phone is hot, or a screen bulges while charging, unplug it and go to a Samsung center
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Charger, cable, fast charging setting, PC charging and the 80 percent cap.
Hinge cleaning, no object between the screens, water and dust ratings, the pre-installed main-screen protective layer and magnets.
Heat pauses charging.
Fold5 battery, charging, chip, RAM, storage, IPX8 rating, Wi-Fi, S Pen support and software support.
Fold6 battery, charging, chip, RAM, storage, IP48 rating, Wi-Fi 6E, displays, S Pen support and seven-year updates.
Samsung's suggested US inner and outer screen prices for the Fold5 and Fold6.
Exact questions
Common questions
What charging speed do the Folds support?+
Wikipedia lists 25W wired, 15W wireless and 4.5W reverse wireless for the Fold5 and Fold6. The Fold5 entry specifies 25W over USB PD PPS and 15W without PPS.
Why is the Fold slow to charge?+
It has a 4,400 mAh pack, so a full charge takes a while, and a non-PPS adapter drops the Fold5 to 15W according to Wikipedia. A worn cell can also slow it.
Can wireless charging work if the cable does not?+
Both phones support 15W wireless. If wireless works and the cable does not, suspect the port or cable rather than the battery.
Is it safe to charge after getting it wet?+
Dry it first. The Fold5 is IPX8 and the Fold6 IP48, but Samsung tells you to rinse residue and dry the phone, and says no foldable is dust resistant.
Is the reverse wireless feature draining it?+
Reverse charging at 4.5W uses the phone's own battery. Switch it off if the phone is charging other devices unintentionally.
Does a magnetic case affect charging?+
Samsung's care article says the phone contains magnets and warns about magnetic items near it. Remove a magnetic case or wallet while testing.
Does the battery wear out with charging?+
Yes, over years. A poor Samsung Members battery result on an older Fold5 is the cue to price the inner screen repair.