Help! My Google Nexus 5 Won’t Charge

After being on the market for more than eight months, the Google Nexus 5 remains one of the leading smartphones. It’s powered by an blazing-fast quad-core Snapdragon processor, 2 GB RAM, 16/32 GB storage, 8-megapixel primary camera, and it runs the latest version of Google’s own Android operating system. But like all devices, it’s prone to errors from time to time. This week, we’re going to troubleshoot Nexus 5 devices that no longer charge.

Use The Official Nexus 5 Power Cord

The Nexus 5 comes packaged with a micro USB power cord and outlet adapter. When attempting to charge your device, you should ONLY use this power cord. There are dozens of similar micro USB cords with the same connections, but while they may look identical, using a non-official power cord may result in failure to charge or exceptionally slow charging speeds.

Check Your Power Cord For Damages

Assuming you are using an official Nexus 5 power cord and still are unable to charge your device, your next course of action should be to inspect the cord for damages. Pay close attention to areas around the micro USB connection, as frequent use may wear down the protective plastic covering. Do not attempt to use the power cord if you discover any exposed metal wiring, cuts, or other visible damage. Even if the cord works and successfully charges your device, it could leave your Nexus 5 susceptible to permanent damage.

Clean Your Nexus 5’s Charging Port

If your power cord is intact, try cleaning your Nexus 5’s charging port. It’s not uncommon for dust, dirt, crumbs and other debris to become lodged inside the charging port, preventing a full connection from occurring. With your device turned off, shine a flashlight into the charging port and use a toothpick to dislodge any stubborn debris. When you are finished, shoot a couple quick blasts of canned air into it and try to charge your device once again.

Perform a Soft Rest

When in doubt, perform a soft reset to see if it solves your Nexus 5’s charging problem. A soft reset is performed by holding the power button down until the device restarts (usually about 30 seconds). Wait until your Nexus 5 has finished rebooting and plug the power cord back in.

If you purchased your Nexus 5 through Google Play, contact Google for further advice on how to resolve this issue. If you purchased your Nexus 5 outside of Google Play, contact LG.

Did any of these methods work for you? Let us know in the comments section below!