If your phone gets extremely hot while charging, you are not alone. Overheating during charging is one of the most common issues Android and iPhone users face. A warm phone is normal — but a very hot device is dangerous and can cause battery damage, slow charging, performance issues, and even shorten the phone’s lifespan.
This complete guide explains why your phone overheats while charging and gives you proven, step-by-step fixes to cool it down and prevent long-term damage.
Why Your Phone Overheats While Charging
There are several possible causes:
- Using the wrong or low-quality charger
- Fast charging generating extra heat
- Charging while gaming or watching videos
- Heavy background apps running
- Overheating battery
- Damaged charging port or cable
- High room temperature
- Software bugs or outdated system
Below are all the solutions you need — follow them in order.
Fix 1: Stop Using Your Phone While Charging
Using your phone while charging increases the workload on the CPU and GPU. This leads to overheating because:
- The battery supplies power to the screen and the charger at the same time
- Apps demand more processing power
- The phone cannot cool down properly
Solution: Leave the phone idle while charging. Even 10–15 minutes of not using it helps significantly.
Fix 2: Use the Correct Charger
Not all chargers are equal. A charger that is too powerful or too weak can make the phone overheat.
Do this:
- Use the original charger if possible
- If not, use a high-quality certified charger (Samsung, Anker, Baseus, etc.)
- Avoid cheap fast chargers — they often have unstable power output
If your phone supports fast charging, but you use a slow charger, the battery and CPU may heat up while trying to stabilize power delivery.
Fix 3: Check the Charging Cable
A damaged or cheap cable can deliver inconsistent voltage, causing the battery to heat up.
Check for:
- Bent connectors
- Frayed or loose ends
- Rust around the USB tip
Try another cable and check if the heating stops.
Fix 4: Remove the Phone Case While Charging
Most phone cases trap heat. When the phone charges, heat gets stuck inside the case, making it hotter.
Do this:
- Remove the case before charging
- Place your phone on a cool hard surface
Avoid soft surfaces like beds or blankets because they trap even more heat.
Fix 5: Close All Background Apps
Apps running in the background increase CPU usage, which raises the temperature.
To close apps:
- Open Recent Apps
- Tap Close All
Do this every time before charging.
Fix 6: Turn Off Fast Charging Temporarily
Fast charging is convenient but generates a lot of heat. If your phone overheats, disabling fast charging can help.
How to do it (Android):
- Go to Settings → Battery
- Find Fast Charging or Super Fast Charging
- Turn it OFF
Regular charging generates far less heat.
Fix 7: Check for Software Updates
Bugs in the system can cause poor heat management.
Update your system:
- Go to Settings → Software Update
- Tap Download and Install
Many phones receive thermal management improvements through updates.
Fix 8: Avoid Charging in Hot Environments
Your phone may overheat simply because the room is too hot.
Tips:
- Charge in a cool, shaded room
- Avoid leaving your phone in the sun
- Do not charge in closed spaces like cars
Charging generates heat — high temperatures make it worse.
Fix 9: Turn On Airplane Mode While Charging
This reduces battery usage during charging by turning off wireless signals.
To enable it:
- Swipe down the Quick Panel
- Tap Airplane Mode
This brings the heat down and speeds up charging.
Fix 10: Check for Battery Health Issues
If your battery is degraded, it may heat up even during normal charging.
Signs of battery damage:
- Phone gets unusually hot
- Battery drains extremely fast
- Charging is inconsistent
- Battery percentage jumps around
If your battery health is below 75%, you may need a replacement.
Fix 11: Clean the Charging Port
Dirt inside the charging port causes poor electrical contact, which can heat up the area.
How to clean it:
- Use a wooden toothpick
- Gently scrape out dust
- Do NOT use metal objects
A clean port ensures stable charging.
Fix 12: Restart Your Phone
A restart resets system processes and lowers CPU usage.
Restart before charging:
- Hold the power button
- Tap Restart
This alone can reduce heat by 20–30%.
Fix 13: Use a Different Power Source
A faulty wall socket or extension cord may be causing overheating.
Try this:
- Charge from another socket
- Try a direct wall outlet (not a power strip)
- Avoid charging from laptops
Fix 14: Disable Unnecessary Features
Turn off features that consume power:
- Bluetooth
- GPS
- NFC
- Mobile data
This reduces heat and speeds up charging.
Fix 15: Factory Reset (Last Resort)
If the overheating is caused by software issues, a reset can fix it.
Warning: Backup your data first.
How to factory reset:
- Go to Settings → System
- Tap Reset Options
- Select Erase All Data
Conclusion
Overheating while charging is usually caused by poor chargers, background apps, fast charging, or environmental heat. By following the steps above, you can quickly reduce the temperature and protect your battery from long-term damage.