You are charging your Samsung phone only to find it constantly restarting, freezing, or switching off while plugged in.
This wildly frustrating issue makes normal charging impossible. Luckily, with the right troubleshooting steps, you can stop your Samsung from continuously rebooting when connected to power.
A Samsung phone that keeps restarting while charging is often fixed by replacing faulty charging components, updating software, removing apps that disrupt charging, or correcting settings that prevent normal operation during charging.
Getting to the root cause takes some diligent investigation, but will allow you to charge your Samsung properly again.
Keep reading as we examine in detail why your Samsung phone keeps restarting while charging and how to fix it.
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Understand Why Your Samsung Phone Keeps Restarting While Charging
Before attempting solutions, it’s important to understand what exactly could be causing repeated restarts or powering down when you plug in your Samsung. The issue stems from either hardware or software faults.
A. Hardware Issues That Cause Restarting
Damaged Charging Port – If the physical USB port where you plug in the charger is damaged, bent, or contains debris, improper connections will cause erratic charging behavior and reboots.
Defective Charger – Using an unsupported low-quality charger, frayed cable, or underpowered source can lead to voltage irregularities that disrupt normal charging.
Swollen Battery – If the battery is old, faulty, or expanding from damage, it may short circuit when charging and force random restarts.
Bad Power Management IC – This integrated circuit regulates power flow. If damaged from drops or liquid, it can malfunction during charging.
Faulty Charging IC – Specifically controls charging functions. May improperly regulate power when damaged, causing charge disruption.
Cracked Solder Joints – Internal solder connections can crack from drops or age. Charging instability results when power can’t flow through cracked joints.
B. Software Issues That Cause Restarting
Outdated Software – Older versions of Android and Samsung firmware are more prone to charging bugs and instability from apps.
App Conflicts – Particularly battery optimizer and cleaner apps that aggressively kill background processes can disrupt normal charging behavior.
Cache Buildup – Too much-cached data can overwhelm the phone during charging and cause system instability.
Incorrect Settings – Samsung settings like Fast Charging, Adaptive Fast Charging, and other modes may conflict and cause crashes.
OS Corruption – Serious software corruption from viruses, failed updates, or rooting can lead to charging issues and restarts.
By understanding the type of issue, you can tailor troubleshooting steps to your particular situation. Software fixes won’t help physical damage, and vice versa.
How to Fix a Samsung Phone That Keeps Restarting While Charging
The following are tested ways to fix your Samsung phone that keeps restarting while charging:
I. Try Alternative Chargers, Cables, and Wall Outlets
An easy first step is testing different charger components to isolate problems:
Try another cable – A frayed or faulty USB cable can cause charging issues. Connect your Samsung with a different known good cable.
Swap chargers – Use a friend’s Samsung charger or a standard phone charger. Avoid sketchy dollar store chargers.
Change wall outlet – Try plugging the charger into another AC outlet in your home. Sometimes a finicky outlet contributes to instability.
No extensions – Charge directly from a wall outlet, not a USB hub, power strip, or extension cable which can corrupt power flow.
Different charging bricks – If you have access to a wireless charging pad or fast charging brick, test if these stabilize charging.
By trying different combinations of chargers, cables, and outlets you can isolate the problematic component leading to restarting.
If the phone still randomly reboots and turns off while charging, the issue likely lies within the device itself rather than the external accessories.
II. Inspect the Charging Port for Damage
A damaged charging port is the most common hardware reason Samsung devices restart while charging. The USB port takes a lot of wear and tear over time.
Carefully visually inspect the charging port using a flashlight and magnifying glass if necessary. Look for:
- Loose, pushed in, or missing pins
- Corroded, rusty, or stained pins
- Accumulated pocket lint, debris, and dirt
- Cracked or scratched housing around the port
- Bent or misaligned pin tray
Even a single broken pin can cause charging issues and reboots. Debris buildup leads to improper connections between charger and port. Always keep the port clean.
If physical damage is present, the charging port will need professional microsoldering repair or replacement. This involves disassembling the phone and soldering on a new port module.
For mild debris, carefully clean out the port using compressed air, toothpicks, or non-conductive picks. Avoid metal tools that can scratch or bend pins.
III. Test for Overheating While Charging
Another consequence of hardware damage is overheating during charging. The phone may get abnormally hot when plugged in right before restarting.
Feel along the phone’s external housing as it charges up. Areas right above the battery and around the charging port tend to get hottest.
If you feel excessive heat or burning sensations, the battery or charging components are likely defective. Allow the phone to fully cool down before troubleshooting further to avoid injury.
Prevent overheating going forward by:
- Not using the phone while charging when possible
- Charging in a cool location without direct sunlight
- Removing protective cases during charging
- Updating faulty battery management software
- Replacing swollen or expired batteries
- Utilizing a lower-wattage charger for overnight charging
Controlling heat through preventive steps stops forced restarts related to high temperatures. But if your Samsung isn’t overheating, then software is likely the culprit.
IV. Update Software to Latest Versions
Outdated and unstable software definitely causes random restarts while charging on Samsung. Updating to the latest versions can deliver critical charging stability improvements.
Ensure your Samsung is running the newest version of Android and Samsung’s software:
1. Go to Settings > About phone and note the Android version.
2. Navigate to Settings > Software update and download any available OS updates.
3. Once on the newest Android build, open the Galaxy Store and update all Samsung apps like Bixby and Samsung Pay.
4. Also update firmware by going to Settings > System updates.
After fully updating, let the phone charge without using it to allow proper installation. Samsung and Android software updates frequently patch charging bugs that can cause repeated reboots and crashes as the battery charges.
If issues persist after updating, try uninstalling recently downloaded apps interfering with charging.
V. Boot Into Safe Mode While Charging
Safe mode starts your Samsung with only the essential system apps and services running. This isolates potential instability from third-party apps.
To boot into safe mode:
1. Fully power down the phone.
2. Press and hold the Power button to turn it back on.
3. When the Samsung logo appears, release the Power button and press and hold Volume Down.
4. “Safe mode” will display in the bottom left when booted up to confirm entry.
While in safe mode, connect your charger and monitor for restarts. If the phone now charges smoothly without rebooting, a third-party app is likely the issue.
Restore normal startup and systematically uninstall recently downloaded apps until you pinpoint the problematic one disrupting charging. Only reinstall apps from trusted sources going forward.
VI. Reset App Preferences
Resetting app preferences can also fix software issues without fully resetting the phone. This restores all apps to their default states and settings implemented by the system.
To reset app prefs:
1. Go to Settings > Apps.
2. Tap the options icon in the top right.
3. Select Reset app preferences.
4. Confirm by tapping Reset apps.
After resetting preferences, apps will run under default conditions set by Samsung during charging. This corrects any unstable custom settings.
VII. Wipe the Cache Partition
Accumulated cache and temporary data can overload the RAM during charging and cause instability. Wiping the cache partition purges this built-up junk data.
On supported models:
1. Power off the device completely.
2. Simultaneously press and hold Volume Up, Home, and Power.
3. Use buttons to highlight Wipe cache partition.
4. Select it with Power button.
5. Confirm wiping the cache.
6. Select Reboot to restart when complete.
This clears space to operate more smoothly during charging. Try charging again without any other apps running to confirm the issue is fixed.
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VIII. Disable Fast Charging Modes
Samsung’s adaptive fast charging and fast charging features can sometimes conflict with third-party chargers and cause crashes during charging.
Disabling these modes forces the phone to charge at standard slower speeds without fast charging auto-negotiation with the power adapter.
To disable fast charging:
1. Go to Settings > Device care > Battery.
2. Tap the options icon and select Settings.
3. Disable Fast cable charging and Fast wireless charging.
4. Toggle off Super fast charging if available.
With fast charging toggled off, charge the phone while powered off to avoid interference from other apps. Slower charging avoids overtaxing the battery and system resources, which may stabilize operation.
IX. Reset Charging Settings and Battery Calibration
Resetting battery usage and charging settings essentially starts these functions fresh. Any unstable prior settings are wiped to their defaults.
To reset charging and battery settings:
1. Go to Settings > Device care > Battery.
2. Tap the options icon and select Reset.
3. Confirm by tapping Reset settings.
4. Let the phone fully discharge until shutdown.
5. Fully recharge it while powered off for calibration.
Resetting brings charging stability by erasing bad settings and refreshing the battery’s internal monitoring and reporting functions.
X. Factory Reset as a Last Resort
If all else fails, you may need to perform a factory reset to wipe your Samsung back to stable stock defaults unaltered by apps and settings.
Back up critical data first, as this erases all content. Then:
1. Go to Settings > General management > Reset.
2. Select Factory data reset.
3. Choose Reset to confirm.
4. If prompted enter your PIN, password, or pattern to authorize the reset.
5. Let the phone reboot and restore factory conditions.
This should eliminate any software bugs, misconfigurations, or corrupted data causing repeated restarts and crashes while charging. Apps can be slowly reinstalled after.
When to Take Your Samsung to a Repair Shop
If you’ve tried all troubleshooting steps without success, it’s time to seek professional phone repair.
A technician can open up your Samsung to diagnose and fix internal hardware causing charging issues.
Consider visiting a repair shop if:
- Phone restarts while charging despite software fixes
- Charging port is loose, pushed in, or has rust/debris
- Fast charging won’t work or overheats the phone
- Cracks, dents, or screen damage are visible
- The phone has been dropped in water
- DIY disassembly attempts have failed
Quality independent and authorized Samsung repair centers have the tools, testing equipment, and components to accurately troubleshoot charging issues and make necessary replacements.
For severe liquid damage, motherboard faults, or component-level defects, a shop may be your only option to fix restarting during charging.
Choose a shop with solid online reviews and warranties on work performed. Repair technicians have the micro soldering skills to swap charging ports, ICs, connectors, and other intricate components that smartphone charging depends on. This finessed work can finally stop the constant reboots when you plug in.
Preventative Maintenance for Charging Health
Once your Samsung charging functions normally again, implement these practices for ongoing stability:
- Don’t use devices in hot areas like under sunlight
- Keep the charging port clean by blowing out debris
- Carefully remove lint and debris with toothpicks/dental floss
- Avoid bending or jerking the charging cable
- Don’t charge to 100% when possible for battery longevity
- Use the original Samsung cable and power adapter
- Replace worn out charging components
- Update to latest firmware/OS versions promptly
- Only install apps from trusted sources like Google Play
- Reset the phone to factory settings every 6-12 months
With attentive charging habits and software maintenance, random restarts can be avoided long-term.
When to Replace an Old Samsung Phone
If your Samsung is very outdated, repairs would exceed buying a replacement, or issues persist after professional repair, it may be time to retire the phone for a new model.
Signs it’s time for an upgrade:
- Charging issues return quickly after repair
- Repair costs are 50%+ the value of a replacement
- Parts/firmware can’t be located anywhere for your model
- General performance is extremely slow and limited
- Major functions like the screen, cellular, or battery are unusable
- Cracks or screen damage make normal use hazardous
Sometimes an aging Samsung isn’t worth sinking more money into. In that case, be sure to backup data and recycle the device if possible before properly replacing it.
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To Sum Up
Samsung phones restarting endlessly while charging is incredibly aggravating. However, carefully isolating hardware defects versus software issues can help identify the root cause.
Updating software, removing problematic apps, resetting to defaults, cleaning ports, replacing worn chargers, and professional repair are all great measures to stop constant reboots, freezes, and shutdowns while charging your Samsung.
With some handy troubleshooting and preventative maintenance, you can finally charge without interruption and maximize the lifespan of your Galaxy.
Just be sure to leverage repair professionals when advanced fixes are needed inside the phone’s internal hardware.
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