Samsung Slow Charging: Causes and Solutions You Should Know

Few things are as annoying as seeing “charging” on your Samsung and realising the battery percentage is barely moving. Samsung slow charging can stem from something as minor as a worn-out cable or as hidden as problematic apps in your phone.

Before you assume the battery’s on its way out, it helps to know what’s normal, what’s not, and how to troubleshoot. This article walks you through the common culprits and practical fixes, so you can spend less time tethered to a socket.

 

What Counts as Samsung Slow Charging (And What’s Normal)

Noticed that charging your Samsung phone takes longer than usual? Samsung phones support different charging speeds depending on the model and charger. Here’s a simple rule of thumb, so you can tell whether it’s really “slow” or considered “normal.”

[if !supportLists]· [endif]Up to 15W (Wired): Older or entry Samsung models only support Adaptive Fast Charging up to 15W. A full charge usually takes about 1.8–2 hours.

[if !supportLists]· [endif]Up to 25W (Wired): Most Galaxy S-series, A-series, and Z Fold/Flip phones support 25W Super Fast Charging (SFC). They can reach 50% in around 30 minutes and be full in 70–90 minutes.

[if !supportLists]· [endif]Up to 45W (Wired): Recent Galaxy Plus or Ultra models often feature Super Fast Charging 2.0 (SFC 2.0) up to 45W. You should see 50% in about 20–25 minutes and a full charge in 60–80 minutes.

[if !supportLists]· [endif]Up to 15W (Wireless): Many modern Galaxy phones also support wireless charging up to 15W. Generally, 2+ hours for a full charge is normal.

On a Samsung phone, the lock screen also briefly labels the speed when you plug in, like “Fast charging” or “Super fast charging.”

Did you plug into a proper wall charger and only see “Charging” instead of “Fast” or “Super fast charging?” Is the time to full unusually long, like well over 2.5 hours? Then that counts as slow charging for Samsung and needs troubleshooting.

Why Your Samsung Is Charging Slowly (Common Culprits)

Samsung slow charging can stem from several causes. Here are the most common ones:

[if !supportLists]● [endif]The charger or cable isn’t powerful enough: If you’re using an older or low-wattage adapter, the phone will only charge at standard speed. For example, plugging a Galaxy S24 Ultra into a 15W charger instead of a 25W or 45W one can add hours to the process.

If you want the fastest 45W speed, you’ll need a 45W or greater USB-C power adapter that supports USB Power Delivery (PD 3.0) and the 9V/5A PPS (Programmable Power Supply) protocol, plus a 5A, e-marked USB-C cable. A weaker setup still works but silently caps your charging speed.

[if !supportLists]● [endif]Damaged charger or cable: If your cable or charger is faulty, the current flow is disrupted. Frayed wires, bent connectors, or poor-quality replacements are usually to blame.

[if !supportLists]● [endif]Charging settings are off: Fast charging features can be switched off in settings. If the toggles are disabled, you’ll only get standard charging even with the right gear.

[if !supportLists]● [endif]You’re plugged into the wrong source: A laptop port, car USB, or power bank often delivers less power than a mains socket. These are fine for topping up but not for a full, fast charge.

[if !supportLists]● [endif]Wireless charging trade-offs: Wireless pads are convenient but less efficient. Heat, metal in a case, or poor alignment can all slow things down further.

[if !supportLists]● [endif]Heat management: Your phone actively slows charging when it gets too warm. High room temperatures, using demanding apps while charging, or leaving the phone in direct sun or under a pillow can all trigger this safeguard.

[if !supportLists]● [endif]Port or moisture issues: Lint, dust, rust, or damage in the USB-C port can block a stable connection. If the phone detects moisture, it pauses charging altogether until the port is dry.

[if !supportLists]● [endif]Outdated software: Old firmware may have bugs that impact performance. Without timely updates, you risk slower speeds and missed optimisations.

[if !supportLists]● [endif]Problematic apps in the background: Some apps drain power faster than the charger can top it up. When your Samsung charges slowly, heavy games, streaming apps, or poorly optimised background services can all be the culprit.

[if !supportLists]● [endif]Declining battery health: As batteries age, they lose efficiency. A weak battery cannot retain a charge or accept power at the same rate as a new one.

How to Fix Samsung Slow Charging Issues

Most Samsung slow charging problems have straightforward fixes. Work through these steps one by one. You’ll often find the cause quickly.

Enable fast charging in settings

Samsung lets you turn fast charging features on or off. If you’re wondering how to turn off slow charging on Samsung, open Settings > Battery > Charging settings.

On some models, the route is Settings > Battery and device care > Battery > More battery settings.

From there, you can toggle on Fast charging, Super fast charging, and Fast wireless charging if your phone supports them. Once done, plug in again and check the lock screen for the charging label.

Check and swap the charger and cable if needed

A weak or faulty charger is one of the most common causes of slow charging. Try swapping in another wall plug or cable you know works well to rule out any issues. A frayed cable may still connect but quietly limit speed.

Most Galaxy phones support 25W fast charging, while some of the newer Plus and Ultra models can go up to 45W when paired with a proper PD 3.0 + PPS USB-C adapter and a 5A cable.

If you’ve confirmed your current charger is damaged or underpower, here are two Samsung fast chargers from Anker that will work reliably:

Using a Galaxy S24+ or S25 Ultra? This compact Anker Nano Charger (45W) with USB-C Cable is built with GaN technology, which keeps it small and efficient. It delivers up to 45W over USB-C with PPS, matching Samsung’s SFC2.0 charging mode perfectly.

The design includes a foldable plug for easier storage and a bundled 5A USB-C cable. The advanced ActiveShield 3.0 tech monitors temperature in real time to maintain safe output. You won’t have to worry about overheating. At about 49 × 49 × 34 mm and ~100 g, it’s light enough to carry yet powerful enough for fast daily charging.

 

 

If you prefer one adapter for several devices, the Anker 735 Charger (Nano II 65W) is a versatile option. It provides up to 65W of power and comes with two USB-C ports and one USB-A, making it practical for charging your phone, tablet, or earbuds from the same plug.

If you’re using a standard S23, S24, or S25 model, you can trust its USB-C port to deliver consistent 25W Super fast charging speed. Thanks to GaN technology for efficiency, this multi-port brick is still small. Dimensions of around 38 × 29 × 66 mm mean it fits easily into a bag without taking up much socket space.

 

 

Clean the charging port safely

Power off your phone first. Shine a light into the USB-C port. If you see lint or debris, gently blow it out with compressed air or use a soft brush. Avoid sharp tools that could damage the pins.

Clear cache partition to resolve charging issues

Sometimes charging bugs come from corrupted temporary files. Clearing the cache partition wipes these without touching your photos or apps.

To do it, turn off the phone, then press and hold Volume Up + Power/Side key until recovery mode appears. Select Wipe cache partition, confirm, and reboot. This can refresh the system and resolve odd charging behaviour.

Identify problematic apps affecting charging

If charging is slow only when the phone is in use, background apps may be the cause. Heavy games, video streaming, or poorly optimised apps can drain power faster than the charger can supply it.

Open Settings > Battery to see which apps use the most energy, and limit or uninstall them if needed. Try charging again with the screen off to compare results.

Cool it down

Phones slow charging deliberately when they get too hot. To speed things up, move the phone to a flat, cool surface, remove any thick case, and pause demanding apps until the battery is topped up. Avoid charging in direct sunlight, under pillows, or near heaters.

Update software

Samsung regularly releases updates that improve battery management and charging stability. Go to Settings > Software update > Download and install to check if one is available. Installing the latest One UI or Android patches can quietly fix issues you might not even realise were software related.

Try a hard reset

A quick restart clears minor glitches, but a hard reset (force restart) goes a step further. Hold down the Power and Volume Down buttons together for about seven seconds until the phone restarts. This can refresh charging functions without erasing your data.

Still slow? Run Samsung’s diagnostics or book authorised repair

If none of these steps help, use the Samsung Members app > Support > Phone diagnostics to test the battery and charging hardware.

If the diagnostic shows faults, or if the phone still charges slowly despite the right charger and settings, it’s time to book an appointment with an authorised Samsung repair centre. They can rule out hardware problems such as a failing port or battery.

Conclusion

Samsung slow charging is frustrating, but in most cases, it’s caused by simple, fixable issues like the wrong charger, a blocked port, or background apps eating power. By knowing what charging times to expect and following straightforward checks, you can often restore normal speeds without a trip to the repair shop. Keep your software up to date, use the right accessories, and let the phone cool when it needs to. If problems persist, Samsung’s built-in diagnostics can confirm whether it’s time for a professional repair.

FAQs

How to fix Samsung charging problem?

Start by using a genuine Samsung USB-C cable and adapter plugged into a wall socket. Check the charging port for dust or debris and gently clean it (don’t insert sharp objects). Try charging with another charger you know works to rule out a faulty cable or adapter. Enable fast charging in your settings, close unused apps, and update your software. Still not working? Run Samsung’s built-in diagnostics or book an authorised repair.

How do I turn on fast charging on my Samsung phone?

Open Settings > Battery > Charging settings (or More battery settings) and switch on Fast charging, Super fast charging, or Fast wireless charging. Only the speeds your phone supports will appear, and the device automatically chooses the fastest option when paired with a suitable charger. For Super Fast Charging, you’ll need a compatible 25W or 45W adapter along with the correct USB-C cable.

Why is my Samsung S24 slow charging?

Your Galaxy S24 supports up to 25W wired charging, so you’ll need a USB-C PD PPS 25W power adapter for best results. Charging may slow due to a weak power source, a damaged cable, or a dirty charging port. Using the phone while charging, outdated software, or overheating can also slow things down. In some cases, background apps drain power while charging. If none of these apply, the battery itself might be declining and need attention.

How to check Samsung battery health?

You can check directly in the Samsung Members app. Go to Diagnostics in the Discover tab, tap Phone diagnostics, and run the Battery status and Cable charging tests. This will show your battery’s condition (for example, “Good” or “Normal”) and highlight any issues.