Help Unable to charge phone, notification always shows "Charging connected device via USB"

King Mustard · Nov 23, 2019

As of a few months ago, the Pixel 2 XL wouldn't charge with the boxed TC G1000-UK A/C charger and boxed USB-C to USB-C cable.

A workaround was to use a Samsung ETA-U90UWE A/C charger (uses USB-A) and a USB-A to USB-C cable bought on Amazon.

Recently, that cable became damaged and there is currently only access to the boxed USB-C to USB-C cable, so the Samsung charger can no longer be used.

When the boxed charger and boxed USB-C to USB-C are used, the phone does nothing.

A permanent notification (including when the phone is unplugged) from Android System states: "Charging connected device via USB". It can not be swiped away.

Tapping on the notification displays USB Preferences. It states that USB is controlled by "Connected device".

When trying to change it to manually to "This device", "Switching..." shows, then "Couldn't switch".

The charge port appears appears to be gunk-free and I don't believe there has been past water damage.

When I connect the phone to a computer, USB Preferences automatically selects "This device" and it starts charging without issue (though, of course, slower than with a fast-charging A/C charger).

Running Android 10 (November 2019 security patch).

Any ideas?

MrJavi · Nov 23, 2019

I see you were able to charge the Pixal with a USB-A to USB-C cable. Your pretty clever, I never would have thought of that. The few suggestions I have are knocked out by viewing your screen shots. Is your original usb cable loose in the phone port? I know one, I had a cable that changed every phone but mine. A new cable fixed the issue. With another I used a wood skewer to carefully bend the center pinout of the phones usb port but that was my last option. In the meantime, go with what works and order a few USB-A to USB-C cables.

codesplice · Nov 24, 2019

I'd start with a new C-to-C cable and see if that works with the original charger. If not, replace the charger as well.

King Mustard · Nov 24, 2019

codesplice said:
I'd start with a new C-to-C cable and see if that works with the original charger. If not, replace the charger as well.

I forgot to say, the boxed charger and USB-C cable works fine with every other device.

It's literally just the boxed charger/USB-C cable with the phone itself.

I wonder if it's an authentication issue?

codesplice · Nov 24, 2019

Are those other devices also Pixels or something else? Pixels are notoriously picky in that they more strictly follow the USB specification than many other devices, and will refuse to charge if something is out of spec.

You say that the USB port appears to be gunk free, but you might want to try folding a business card diagonally to make a sharp pick and using that to scrape out the inside of the port - preferably while the phone is powered off.

King Mustard · Nov 24, 2019

codesplice said:
Are those other devices also Pixels or something else? Pixels are notoriously picky in that they more strictly follow the USB specification than many other devices, and will refuse to charge if something is out of spec.

You say that the USB port appears to be gunk free, but you might want to try folding a business card diagonally to make a sharp pick and using that to scrape out the inside of the port - preferably while the phone is powered off.

The other devices are not Pixel devices.

Basically the Pixel charger and cable do not charge the Pixel but they charge everything else I've tried (including a Huawei P30 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S8+).

The Pixel will charge (including fast charge) using any other charger/cable (such as the Samsung charger, Huawei charger and via. PC charging).

The issue appears to be related to the permanent notification.

codesplice · Nov 24, 2019

Charging with an A-to-C cable forces the phone into a legacy dumb charging mode which bypasses all the smart negotiation and checks which are used when charging with USB-C.

I think you're right though: that persistent notification likely indicates a problem with the phone's charging circuitry which prevents it from being able to negotiate a charge with USB-C. If it's not something as simple as debris stuck in the port then I'm afraid it's likely a hardware fault which will need to be repaired or replaced.

Andrew Handley Pitoniak · Aug 20, 2021

This happened to me on my 3a recently. We had just gotten back from a camping trip so I thought it was dirt. Cleaned the charging port thoroughly and still no luck.

I found if I turned the device off it would charge.

It seems like it was moisture because in a few days the problem went away.

Chance cook · Aug 2, 2022

This happened to me on my Coolpad legacy,still don't have a permanent fix for it it did go away for a while at one point but now it's back don't know how I fixed it in the first place but it's really annoying

Help Unable to charge phone, notification always shows "Charging connected device via USB"

Well-Known Member

Android Expert

Elite Recognized Moderator

Well-Known Member

Elite Recognized Moderator

Well-Known Member

Elite Recognized Moderator

Lurker

Lurker

BEST TECH IN 2023

Smartphones

Best Android Phones

Upcoming

Best iPhones

Upcoming

Tablets

Best Tablets

Upcoming

Laptops

Best Laptops

Upcoming

Televisions

Best TVs

Upcoming

Game Consoles

Best Game Consoles

Upcoming

Wearables

Best Wearables

Upcoming

Smart Home

Smart Home Tech

Upcoming

Similar threads