Health and Safety for Beginners Forums

Folks

I hoping someone who is a bit more "tech-savvy" than me can answer my query. I have a Samsung Galaxy S3 and recently when I've been leaving it connected to my laptop via USB cable, it seems to lose power rather than receive a charge. Previously I have been able to connect the S3 this way and it has received a charge, albeit quite slowly.

Can anyone explain why this may have started happening?

Wendo aka "confused of Aberdeen"

Hi Wendo. I found this information.

From the way you describe the problem it looks like the charger tip has a problem or it could be an issue with the charging port on your S3. Here’s what you need to do to check which one is causing the problem. Try using a different charger with a different USB cable that is known to normally work with other devices. If your S3 charges normally then your old charger is defective. If the issue still exists and you still have to move your device around then there’s something wrong with the charging port of your S3.

Turn your S3 off and take out its battery. Clean its charging port with cotton and alcohol and let it dry for a few seconds. Replace the battery and see if you can charge it. If it charges then it’s probably just an issue with dirt accumulation. If not, then you need to have your device checked at an authorized service center.

http://thedroidguy.com/2014/06/fix-comm ... t-19-93645" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks Alexis, I'll give this a try. My brain's just not remotely in "techno" mode today......

Every Samsung phone I've been near has ended up having charging issues. Usually it's the pin that plugs into the phone that is imperceivably damaged.

Try a different cable, try having the wire pulling at perpendicular angle to the phone (both 'up' and 'down').

If that makes no difference, try plugging it into the wall, but that really shouldn't be a factor.

If nothing works, get an old Nokia.

Thanks for the techy support guys. It charges ok (most of the time) with the main power point charger, where the cable going into the phone is hard-wired to the plug unit. I have borrowed another usb cable with the same connection that fits my phone, so far it seems to be okay when plugged into my laptop. Sounds like I need to get myself a replacement USB cable from that well-known internet auction site. Should I buying a branded cable(and if so can anyone recommend a brand) and what sort of price should I be paying to ensure I'm getting something that will do what it "says on the tin"?

Wendo, take care when using cheaper USB cables or ones not specifically for the implement you are using.

I don't know if there are dangers per sa, but worth looking up our Mr G with the wording "USB cable dangers" before purchasing anything.

Do other items charge from this usb port? It could be an issue with the port itself not giving out the necessary voltage.

Have you used the same USB cable successfully in the past?

You may not have noticed, but USB Cables are a bit like SCART leads (Those big connectors that people used on TVs and Video/DVD before HDMI became popular) in that not all connections are made in all cables.

Some are purely 'Data' cables, while others also have the 5v power connections.

I have some USB leads where the cable is only half the diameter of others, and they are frequently the ones without a power connection (but not always).

Going on my experience of my work phone which is a Samsung S3 I would highly recommend binning it! Awful phones! The battery doesn't last long. The sound quality on calls is appalling, it is slow to react to the touch screen commands and the list is endless!