Why Does My Phone Keep Charging and Stopping When Connected to a Fully Charged Power Bank?

Have you ever noticed your phone automatically stopping the charge process even when it's connected to a fully charged power bank? While this issue can be frustrating, understanding the root causes and how to resolve it can save you both time and money.

Understanding the Problem

When your phone starts charging via a power bank, it enters the charging mode set by the manufacturer. If this process is interrupted or repeatedly stopped, it can indicate several underlying issues. Let’s explore the possible causes:

1. Power Bank Battery Issues

A significant factor that could be causing your phone's intermittent charging is a problem with the power bank's battery. A battery with low capacity, even if it displays a full charge, might struggle to supply consistent power. This can often be due to a faulty battery cell, age-related wear, or failure to maintain proper voltage levels.

2. Initial Inrush Current and Current Limiting

Another possibility is that the initial inrush current (the high surge of current at the beginning of a charging session) is triggering a current limiting mechanism in your power bank. Many power banks have overcurrent protection to prevent damage to the device or the battery during charging. This mechanism can sometimes misinterpret the initial surge as a problem and stop the charge. This is more commonly observed with power banks that have less sophisticated charging circuits.

3. Charging Cable Quality

The cable used to connect your phone to the power bank also plays a crucial role. Poor quality or damaged charging cables can cause unstable voltage levels, leading to intermittent charging. Additionally, charging cables with lower amperage ratings (like 2.1A or 1.5A) may not be able to handle the current required for your phone to charge properly, leading to the stop and start behavior.

4. Charging Protocol Mismatch

Charging protocols between your phone and power bank can also contribute to the issue. Most modern phones and power banks support proprietary charging protocols (like Qualcomm’s Quick Charge, Motorola’s TurboPower, or Samsung’s Adaptive Fast Charging). If these protocols are not compatible, your phone may stop charging due to a mismatch or error during the initial charge session.

How to Diagnose the Issue

Before assuming your power bank is faulty, there are a few steps you can take to determine if the problem is isolated to the power bank:

1. Test with Multiple Power Banks

Try connecting your phone to different fully charged power banks. If the issue persists with multiple power banks but disappears with another, it is likely a problem with the power bank you were using. This helps isolate the issue to the battery or the charging circuitry within the power bank.

2. Use a Different Charging Cable

Reconnect your phone using a different high-quality charging cable. High-quality cables are designed to support higher current levels and maintain consistent voltage to the device. If the issue resolves after using a new cable, it confirms that the cable was part of the problem.

3. Check Phone and Power Bank Compatibility

Ensure that both your phone and the power bank are up to date with the latest firmware and software updates. This can improve compatibility and resolve any issues arising from outdated software.

Conclusion

Intermittent charging when connected to a fully charged power bank can be caused by multiple factors, including a failing power bank battery, an overcurrent protection mechanism, low-quality charging cables, or charging protocol mismatches. By systematically testing your power bank and charging accessories, you can pinpoint the issue and address it accordingly.

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