Why does the phone heat up when charging and how to fix it?

Have you ever felt your phone getting unusually hot while charging? This is a fairly common phenomenon that almost every smartphone user has encountered. However, few people understand why this happens, whether it is harmful to the device or not, and how to handle it.

In this article, we'll take a detailed look at the most common reasons why phones get hot while charging, highlight the potential risks associated with overheating, and provide effective solutions to cool your device and minimize the risk of long-term damage.

Why is the phone hot?up when charging?

The phenomenon of the phone getting hot while charging is something that many users encounter, especially in new devices that support fast charging. Although this is a fairly common phenomenon, if it lasts for a long time, it can affect the battery life and device performance.

Here are the most common reasons why your phone heats up while charging:

Overcharging:When the battery reaches 100%, some phones continue to draw power from the charger. This excess power, if not used properly, can be converted to heat, causing the device to warm up, especially if you leave it charging overnight.

Fast charging technology:Fast charging saves time but generates a large current, increasing the temperature during the charging process. If not managed properly, the heat generated can make the device noticeably hot.

Poor heat dissipation:If the phone is placed on a heat-retaining surface (such as a blanket, pillow, or non-ventilated table) while charging, the device's ability to dissipate heat is significantly reduced. The internal components cannot dissipate heat effectively, causing overheating.

Using non-genuine charger or cable:Using a poor quality or incompatible charger can cause the phone to receive an unstable current, which can easily cause heat. Some cheap accessories also lack a safety cut-off mechanism when the battery is full.

Charge while using:Activities like watching videos, playing games, or making video calls while charging will force the device to handle multiple tasks at the same time, while still charging the battery. This causes the CPU and battery to generate heat together, leading to a noticeable overheating phenomenon.

Battery degradation:Over time, the lithium-ion batteries in your phone lose their performance and ability to withstand heat. Older batteries are more prone to heat generation during charging, especially when combined with fast charging technology.

Understanding these causes not only helps users feel more secure when the device heats up during charging, but also contributes to prolonging the life of the battery and phone if they know how to handle it properly.

What are the consequences of an overheating phone?

It is normal for a phone to heat up while charging. However, if the device is constantly overheating, this will not only affect immediate performance but also have serious long-term consequences for the hardware and the life of the device.

Here are four notable consequences if this situation is not remedied:

Reduces battery life and damage:Lithium-ion batteries are very sensitive to high temperatures. When exposed to constant heat, the battery will lose capacity more quickly, will not hold a charge as long, and is at risk of permanent damage.

Fast-degrading components:Inside your phone are a series of sophisticated microchips and electronic components. Prolonged high temperatures can warp, brittle or damage these components, significantly reducing the life of the device.

Charging efficiency reduced:When the battery temperature exceeds a safe threshold, the device's power management software automatically slows down the charging speed to protect the hardware. This results in longer charging times and less stable charging cycles.

Performance degradation:Overheating directly affects the performance of the phone. The processor may limit its clock speed to avoid overheating, causing lag, freezing or reduced responsiveness during use.

Prolonged overheating not only causes inconvenience in use but also causes users to face the cost of repairing or replacing the device sooner than expected.

Quick Fix to Cool Your Phone While Charging

If the phone becomes too hot during charging, it is important to take timely intervention to protect the device and extend battery life.

Here are some simple but effective solutions to help reduce overheating and ensure a safer charging process:

1. Stop charging immediately when it gets too hot

If your phone feels unusually hot, unplug it immediately. Continuing to charge in an overheated state can damage the battery and internal components. Wait for the device to cool completely before plugging it back in.

2. Remove the case when charging

Many cases are thick or made of insulating materials that can trap heat inside your phone. Removing the case will help your phone dissipate heat better while charging.

3. Place the device in a cool place

Avoid placing your phone in direct sunlight or near heat sources such as stoves, laptops, or other electrical appliances. Ideally, keep your charging device in a cool, well-ventilated area.

4. Use a fan or heatsink

If you regularly charge for long periods of time, you can use an additional mini fan or a dedicated heat sink to help cool the device quickly and effectively.

5. Switch to airplane mode while charging

Enabling airplane mode disables wireless connections like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular networks, which consume a lot of power and generate heat while charging.

6. Close background apps

Before charging, turn off active or background applications to reduce CPU load and save energy, thereby preventing the phone from overheating.

7. Prioritize using wall sockets

Charging via a computer USB port or unstable power sources can easily cause voltage fluctuations, causing the device to heat up. Using a genuine household power outlet and charger will ensure a more stable and safe electric current.

By applying the simple tips above, users can improve battery charging efficiency, minimize the risk of overheating, and protect the device more comprehensively during daily use.

6 tips to keep your phone from overheating while charging

A phone that gets hot while charging is not only annoying, but also potentially damaging to components and reducing battery life. To avoid this situation, you should proactively apply the following simple but effective measures:

1. Avoid overcharging

Overcharging your phone after it is already full can cause unnecessary heat to build up. Unplug your phone as soon as it reaches 100%, especially at night or when you will not be using it immediately.

2. Use high quality chargers and cables

Using poor quality or incompatible charging accessories can lead to overheating due to unstable current. Choose a charger from a reputable brand with safety certification.

3. Turn off unnecessary connections while charging

Connections like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS continue to drain power even when not in use, causing your device to heat up while charging. Turn these off if you don't need them.

4. Always keep your operating system and application software up to date

Operating system and application updates often come with performance optimizations and reduced power consumption. Regular updates help keep your device running cooler and more stable.

For iPhone:Setting>General Settings>Update software.

For Android:Setting>About the phone>Update software.

5. Uninstall apps that are not working properly

Some apps that are buggy or consume too much resources can cause the CPU to work harder, generating more heat. Check and remove apps that cause freezing or abnormal battery drain.

6. Monitor and maintain battery condition periodically

Batteries that have deteriorated or become worn out over time are more likely to overheat when charging. Check your battery health regularly in your device's settings, or through apps like AccuBattery (Android) or Battery Health (iOS). If necessary, replace your battery early to avoid overheating or reduced performance.

In short, the phone heating up while charging is a common phenomenon, originating from many causes such as fast charging, using an unsuitable charger, the habit of charging while using, or a degraded battery.

Although it is normal for a device to heat up slightly, if the temperature is allowed to rise frequently, users may face the risk of reduced performance, battery failure, and even damage to internal components.

Correctly identifying the cause and applying simple measures such as using genuine chargers, limiting usage while charging and ensuring the device is well ventilated will help you control the temperature more effectively.

Proactively protecting your device not only provides a safer charging experience, but also helps extend the life of your phone over the course of use.