Fairphone 3 not charging (or very slowly), LED lights up, no data transfer

Help Fairphone 3
7

Could be poor module connections, you could remove and replace the bottom module, etc.

and just because it doesn’t charge with either of two cables doesn’t mean it isn’t the cable, even if they are ok with other devices. The Fairphone has an ‘intelligent’ algorithm that communicates with the source and sometimes a really spot on cable is required. Do you have the one that Fairphone sells or something with similar specs.

8

Thanks, I’ll check that!

I think the cable is good, but it’s not the one from Fairphone, though. What I find confusing about the cable issue is that this is new - it’s been working fine with that cable for a couple of months now. But there could indeed be some microdamage,

9

It’s been an issue with a number of people.

10

I also had my FP3 charging issues. And I indeed had debris in my USB port, which resulted in poor connection quality. The debris was some blue/black fibre vom my jacket pockets so it was hard to see.

But this helped me a lot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YxsOsliBSQ Though I used a needle, not a toothpick.

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11

Ther’re a number of posts on this and I used a needle too,. and after damaging a Samsung after multiple cleans I bought a case so I could cover the port.

12

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13

Thanks for all the feedback!

I’ve tried needles and vacuum cleaner, and I see no debris, and it’s not been fixed - but it got better!

So I’m starting to believe it might indeed be debris. Right now I’m considering taking it to a local repair shop & see if they can help me with that.

14

Debris can cause resistive coating on the contacts and of course the port connection both soldered and otherwise may have a fault.

15

Could you tell me the code to dial to get to the service menu you mention please? I’ve seen it somewhere but damned if I can find it now?

16

Hi this is the dial code *#*#66#*#*

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17

thank you again amoun :slight_smile:

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18

I’ve found out that if I accept the slow charging I can live with the resulting battery lifetimes (today I got 28% by leaving the phone plugged in overnight) if I have battery saving mode on constantly.

That, of course, means that the phone is currently not really useful for browsing the Internet or playing music etc. It doesn’t matter that much as my daytime job as a programmer tends to pull towards being less digital when off duty.

However, my phone is less than three months old. If it’s so vulnerable to debris, it might be a design flaw, or maybe the phone should ship with a protective lid.

If I manage to fix it I’ll definitely get a casing for it so it doesn’t happen again.

19

I doubt it’s a design flaw and yes a lid would be good :slight_smile:

Still if the charger can provide 5V @ 500mA, the same as the older USB2 computer ports it should charge completely in 6 hours ~ so I would still question the cable :frowning:

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20

Any luck with fixing this? - I have a three month old phone too with exactly the same issues it seems and non of the cleaning solutions/new battery/ cable have worked so just about to start a process of consultation with FF helpdesk but just thought id check with you

21

Maybe you could provide more info ~ ‘this’ is vague. Your problem is unlikely to be resolved in the way others have.

  • Android update
  • Was this an issue from day 1?
  • What rate does the phone charge at?
  • Is it different if the phone is switched off?
  • Have you data for the battery via the dialling code *#*#66#*#*
  • What charger are you using?
  • So do you not have data transfer either?

All this and more will be asked by support@fairphone.com

I spent 4 moths emailing them to no avail, but I decided to quit the query given my charger was not a recommended ‘type’

22

I took my phone to a local repair shop today, and they told me it is not a problem with the cable - we see the same problem when using their cable.

The guy in the repair shop thinks the battery is broken. As I got the phone in February, this is early, but he said this can happen. It might (my own thought) be some connector soldering etc. but I’m now filing a warranty claim to Fairphone customer support.

23

Presumably you don’t know anyone else with a Fairphone that you can try a battery swap or a #fairphoneangel near you?

24

No, unfortunately. In all cases, this is a warranty thing, as the guy in the shop also said.

25

I’ve now switched back to my trusty old Fairphone 2 with a broken front microphone - I use an external mike to speak, but it charges. :slight_smile:

26

Yes definitely under warranty unless you’ve taken it for a swim :slight_smile:

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