5 causes of charger overheating and what to do about it

It is perfectly normal for the charger on your smartphone to heat up slightly during charging. However, it should never become uncomfortably hot to the touch. If it does, it’s a sign that something is wrong, and it’s essential to fix the problem quickly.

A charger that is too hot can reduce the life of your phone’s battery and other vital components. Although the likelihood of a heated charger posing a fire risk is low, it is a consideration worth bearing in mind.

TCL explores the most common reasons for overheating chargers and outlines possible remedies.

1. Incompatible or unofficial charger: Using the wrong charger or cable for your device is one of the main causes of charger overheating. Chargers specially designed for your phone are calibrated to supply the precise amount of energy required. Conversely, unofficial or incompatible chargers are often deficient in this respect. In particular, cheap unofficial chargers are prone to overheating problems.

2. Faulty charger: Although rare, chargers may occasionally have defects or be delivered with imperfections. A malfunctioning charger may be unable to handle the power or voltage flowing through it, resulting in overheating.

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3. Damaged cable: A damaged cable can cause the charger to overheat. Visible signs of damage may be exposed wires or tears in the plastic casing. An effective troubleshooting step is to test the charger with another cable to determine if overheating persists.

4. Charging in a hot environment: Placing your charger in direct sunlight on a hot summer’s day while charging your phone can cause the charger to overheat.

5. Prolonged charging periods: Leaving your phone to charge continuously throughout the day or night can cause the charger to overheat. Persistent overcharging of your phone can also damage the battery.