Phone Overheating While Charging? What to Check
A phone that feels warm while charging is normal. A phone that is too hot to hold comfortably is not. This guide helps you tell the difference and work through the usual causes, one at a time.
Follow these steps
- Unplug and let it cool down first. If the phone is very hot, unplug it and set it aside in a cool, ventilated spot. Do not put it in a fridge or freezer: sudden cold can cause condensation inside the phone. Let it return to room temperature on its own.
- Check the charger and cable. Use the charger and cable that came with the phone, or a reputable replacement of the right type. A damaged cable, a frayed connector, or a cheap charger that delivers the wrong power can all cause excess heat. Try a different known-good charger and cable to see if the heat goes away.
- Take the case off while charging. Thick or insulating cases trap heat. Charge once with the case removed and see if the phone stays cooler. If it does, the case was part of the problem, and you may want a thinner case or to charge without it.
- Close heavy apps before you plug in. Games, video calls, and video streaming generate heat on their own. Charging at the same time adds more. Close demanding apps while charging, and avoid playing games or streaming video while plugged in.
- Charge in a cool place, not in sunlight or under bedding. Charging on a bed, under a pillow, or in direct sunlight traps heat around the phone. Charge on a hard, open surface at room temperature instead.
- Watch for warning signs that mean stop. If the phone swells, smells unusual, shows a temperature warning, or stays hot even after you change charger, case, and apps, stop using it and stop charging it. Those signs point to a battery or hardware fault, and the phone should be checked by a repair professional.
What NOT to do
- Do not keep charging a phone that is painfully hot, swollen, or giving off a smell. Unplug it and get it checked.
- Do not cool a hot phone in a fridge or freezer. Condensation can damage it further.
- Do not use a damaged or frayed cable because it still works. It is a fire risk as well as a heat risk.
- Do not charge a phone under a pillow or blanket. Trapped heat is one of the most common causes of overheating.
Some warmth while fast charging is normal, especially in the first part of a charge, and it usually eases as the battery fills. If the phone is comfortable to hold and cools down after unplugging, you have most likely solved it with the charger, case, or apps above.