Phones & tablets troubleshooting

Phone gets hot while charging

Fast charging, high ambient temperature, heavy use, a poor charger or cable, wireless charging losses, a damaged battery, or a stuck app can raise phone temperature.

Reviewed Jul 17, 20264 minute guideSmartphone
Quick answer

Fast charging, high ambient temperature, heavy use, a poor charger or cable, wireless charging losses, a damaged battery, or a stuck app can raise phone temperature.

Start here: Stop games, camera, hotspot, and navigation. Let the screen turn off while charging.
Guided check

Match the symptom, then work through the safe checks.

0/3 checked

1. What best matches what you observe?

2. Complete only the checks that are safe for you.

Disconnect if there is a temperature warning or swellingDamaged lithium batteries require safe service.Professional
3 user-level checks are available in this guide.Stop immediately if any warning condition applies.
Show stop conditions
  • Battery swelling, smoke, chemical smell, or hissing
  • The charging port or connector is burned or melted

Likely causes

  • Fast or wireless charging produces normal heat
  • The phone is being used heavily while charging
  • The case or environment traps heat
  • The charger, port, cable, or battery is damaged

Quick checks, in order

Stop games, camera, hotspot, and navigation

Let the screen turn off while charging.

safe

Remove the case and move to a cooler dry place

Do not put the phone in a refrigerator or freezer.

safe

Use a certified compatible charger and cable

Inspect for heat, looseness, discoloration, or damage.

safe

Disconnect if there is a temperature warning or swelling

Damaged lithium batteries require safe service.

Professional

How hot does the phone become?

Warm but no warning

Some warmth can be normal during fast or wireless charging.

Charging pauses with a temperature message

Let the phone cool naturally and investigate load, environment, charger, and battery.

Very hot, swollen, or smells chemical

Disconnect if safe, move away from flammables, and stop using it.

Stop and get qualified help when

Do not continue troubleshooting if any of these apply:
  • Battery swelling, smoke, chemical smell, or hissing
  • The charging port or connector is burned or melted

Frequently asked questions

Is wireless charging hotter?

It can generate more heat because alignment and conversion losses reduce efficiency.

Should I cool the phone with ice?

No. Rapid cooling and condensation can damage the device and battery.

Keep diagnosing

Related troubleshooting guides

View more →
Phones & tablets4 min

Phone camera black screen

The camera may be held by another app, blocked by permissions or privacy controls, frozen in software, covered physically, or damaged after impact or liquid exposure.

Smartphone cameraOpen guide
Phones & tablets4 min

Full signal but no mobile data

Signal bars can show radio coverage while mobile data is blocked by the plan, SIM provisioning, APN, roaming, data limit, outage, or phone network settings.

Mobile dataOpen guide
Home appliances5 min

Washing machine will not drain

A blocked filter or hose, a jammed pump, an installation problem, or incorrect cycle behavior can leave water in a washing machine after the cycle ends.

Washing machineOpen guide