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Have you been using the same charging cable for years? It’s easy to get emotionally attached, but you may not realize that your devices charge much slower than they should. Here are some clear signs that it could require a replacement.
Frayed or broken cable
Everyone has dealt with this a couple, if not dozens of times in their life. You buy a new charging cable for your electronic devices, and a few months or even weeks later, the cable starts to fray or stops working.
If you see any exposed cables, it means that the cable is on its last legs. It is better that you refrain from using the cable as it might cause further damage to your device or worse, electric shock or fire. If you don’t see any visible damage to the cable but it’s still not charging, make sure it’s plugged in properly or try a different outlet.
It’s usually better to buy a new replacement cable than to try to fix it yourself. Charging cables are usually pretty cheap, especially when it comes to smaller devices like your phone or iPad. This time, consider investing in a higher quality cable from a reputable brand. You should be able to tell that they are made of a strong, reinforced material, like the iPhone charger from Native Union. The best part is that these types of reinforced cables are designed to withstand constant wear and tear, so you don’t have to worry about bending and breaking them.
All cables eventually deteriorate and die, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take good care of them. Do your best to avoid subjecting them to too much damage. Learn how to wrap cables properly, use cable protectors and keep them away from places where temperatures are high.
Some charging cables can be expensive to replace, especially for larger devices like laptops. Instead of throwing out a broken one, contact a cable repair shop to see how much they’d charge to fix it. Of course, if the repair costs more than a replacement, get the replacement.
Slow upload speeds
Charging cables that take forever to recharge your devices are practically dead. Yes, you will eventually get your batteries back to 100 percent, but only after hours of waiting. Waiting for hours is incredibly inconvenient and possibly dangerous.
An unusually long charging process could cause an unusual build-up of heat, which could even damage the device or reduce battery capacity. You don’t want to risk the dangerous things that can happen to an overcharged or overheated device that’s still charging.
It’s not worth the risk of a damaged cable, but you can still use a slow one. Just be sure to keep an eye on your devices and unplug them as soon as they’re at full capacity. If at any time the charger or your device gets very hot, unplug it immediately and wait a while before charging again. Feel the charging cable while it is connected to your device. If it starts to overheat after a while, it means the charger is overcharging and not the battery itself.
If you want faster recharging, upgrade to a cable designed for fast charging. You will usually see the term “Fast Charger” in the product name, such as iPhone fast charger cable. You should also look for cables that are durable in addition to their high speeds.
Bad connection
It’s the worst feeling when you try to connect your charger to one of your devices but it doesn’t fit anymore. You have to push it harder or move it around until you find the perfect place to load it. Not only is this a nuisance, but it’s also a sign that your charging cable is damaged.
The worst case is that the charging port of your device is damaged and not the cable. Hopefully this is not the case as it will be much more expensive to repair your device. Take another charging cable, preferably a newer one, to see if it fits properly. If it fits, the charging cable is probably damaged. But if it doesn’t fit, your charging port is probably damaged.
Gently blow into the port to clean it and try again. Alternatively, you can use a toothpick or anti-static brush to remove any lint or dust. Be careful not to damage the charging port while cleaning it by applying too much force. Carefully remove anything that may be obstructing the cable connection to your device.
If all else fails, consider replacing your charging cable instead of trying to fix it. As usual, this will save you the trouble and potential cost of the repair.
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