Nexus 7 charging issue

[BigLar]

I've have a Nexus 7 (2013) LTE running Android 5.1. The device is just about perfect for my needs, but I'm have charging difficulties.

When I plug the charger in, the battery charge indicator shows the lightning bolt, but usually it is unable to charge. It's not the battery because, every once in a while, I am able to get it to take a full charge. The Nexus runs for a normal period on that charge.

I've used the stock charger and cord that came with it to no avail. I've used a high current (2.1 amp) charger that charges all my other devices successfully, but no dice with the Nexus. I've swapped out numerous micro-USB cords, but its a no-go.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

 

[sm625]

What happens if you power down and then charge?

 

[BigLar]

Unfortunately, at the moment I'm powerless save for the blinking light on the bottom. Still plugged into a 2 amp charger, but nothing happening.

 

[Nithin]

I have the exact same problem on my nexus 7 2012. I was thinking of changing the USB ribbon cable for that model since it supposedly has issues.

 

[BigLar]

After the battery was almost completely exhausted (with only the blinking light as a pulse) it seemed to start charging again. After a couple of hours its up to 18%.

Beginning to sound like a software issue. I've downloaded Android 5.1.1 but can't install it until the battery is more fully charged.

Questions for Nithin: 1) What version of Android are you running? and 2) Can you charge after a full discharge?

To quote Kurt Vonnegut: "Busy, busy, busy."

sm625: How did you anticipate that?

 

[BigLar]

Now back down to 16%. Nuts.

 

[salvorhardin]

I don't think it will be software, more than likely it's your usb connector on the nexus. You've tried other cables and power bricks so that narrows it down to the tablet itself. Have you tried using a wireless charger?

 

[Platypus]

Not normal, likely not a software issue.

I would plug it in to the wall when the device is off and get it to fully charge if you can. If that doesn't work, and you're fully stock on all the software, this sounds like a hardware problem. Bum port? Bad battery?

 

[BigLar]

I don't think my device has wireless charging capability (unless it's something I missed along the way). Since it will occasionally take a full charge I don't think its the battery.

Next thing to try is to replace or have replaced the micro-USB port...

 

[salvorhardin]

I also have a nexus 7 (2013) LTE, It has qi wireless charging. You might try to wirelessly charge it to see if it's the microusb port that is damaged. If it's the port you can wirelessly charge it until you have it fixed.

 

[lothar]

It's a hardware issue. Something to do with the USB port or ribbon cable being loose. I have the same problem with my Nexus 7.

ASUS wanted to charge me ~$180 to fix it and I told them to pound sand. Mine still works perfectly fine with wireless charging.
What moron would pay $180 for a refurbished tablet when a new one cost $200? Screw that.

 

[BigLar]

I feel a little dumb, but I never realized the Nexus 7 had Qi charging capabilities. Thanks Salvorhardin!

This sounds like the right diagnostic tool to prove that the problem is in the USB port. So its off to Amazon Prime for the charger!!!

 

[jdoggg12]

The USB port on my 2013 N7 got super loose after only a couple of months. I have to prop something under the cord to get it to hit the USB terminals just right in order to charge. Qi charging works very well however.

I've grown to hate this thing. Mine is one of the ones that randomly loses touch sensitivity on the screen unless i'm touching the back of it or charging it. The volume sometimes increases to maximum like someone is holding the volume-up button... even if nothing is touching it. And will continue to do so while I try to turn it down... The power button sometimes randomly stops functioning... so, to restart it, I have to wait for it to die.

Hard reset hasn't helped.

When it works, it's great. Sadly, I experience none of these issues about 20% of the time. The other 80% of the time any combination of the above issues are occurring.

Anywho... if your cord hasn't been damaged, try resting either the cord or the tablet on something so that the charging cord hits the innards of the N7 charging port at different angles. That's what I have to do.

 

[openwheel]

My favorite little tablet has qi charging? I feel quite stupid right about now....

 

[BigLar]

So I got a 3-coil Chloe charger from Amazon and, in about 2 hours, I'm up to 20% charge! Guess its time to get the USB port fixed.

jdoggg12: The cord trick worked for quite a while, but doesn't work for me anymore. So it goes.

openwheel: Welcome to the club! The only thing I'm wondering is, "What other gadgets do I have that I could charge with the Qi?" This could be even more embarrassing...

 

[jdoggg12]

Something that was never really covered by any of the descriptions (that I saw) for wireless charging devices is that they're VERY dependent on high current power sources. I used a crappy 1Amp charger at first and couldn't get my N7 charged in under 12 hours. When I plugged the Qi charger into the 2Amp one below, it'll charge in about 4 hours.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MLVTL88?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s01

 

[BigLar]

To every cloud there's a silver lining. As I was trying to track down my charging problem, I invested in a big boy charger. I happened to plug the Qi into that and its working just fine.

 

[sonitravel09]

I had the same problem with mine on Kit Kat. It wouldn't charge when I plugged it in with the unit in sleep mode or on, but it would if I turned it off. A factory reset would fix the problem for a short while and then it would return. Google and Asus customer service were absolutely no help. The issue was resolved, however, when I updated to Lollipop. If you can upgrade do it and see if that helps.

 

[SlitheryDee]

My brother had a similar problem with his nexus 7. In his case it turned out to be nothing more than a loose charging port. The only solution was to slip a small piece of paper into the port with the usb plug so it was tight and then it charged reliably.

Possibly you're plugging yours in and it's making the connection while in your hand, but then shifting slightly when you set the nexus 7 down and losing the connection. You may be able to clean the port out and bend the small metal clips out a bit to fix it without having to wedge something into the port though.

 

[balloonshark]

Some of the first gen models had a problem where the battery was only half way plugged in. I have no idea if 2nd gen fixed that issue or not.

 

[BUTCH1]

Some of the first gen models had a problem where the battery was only half way plugged in. I have no idea if 2nd gen fixed that issue or not.

Yea, you have to pop off the back to check it out, if OP doesn't move his tablet around a lot it's probably not the issue though. We just fixed that issue with my wife's '12 N7, what solved it was us buying a used dock on Amazon for $17, we were LUCKY to get one at that price as they average around $50 on Ebay. Sadly the POGO pins were not included for the '13 model BUT it can be charged wireless (it has a Q coil), For the '13 model the replacement board is around $70 or a much cheaper option is keeping the board and just replacing the USB port itself, link. That would probably require some soldering skills which I'm not sure OP want's to tackle. Kinda sad on Asus's part in that the issue carried over to the '13 model, I also have a '12 and my port's fine. OP might want to try a different cable 1st though as those can go bad too and the battery symbol will show charging but the battery never charges!.

 

[BUTCH1]

I had the same problem with mine on Kit Kat. It wouldn't charge when I plugged it in with the unit in sleep mode or on, but it would if I turned it off. A factory reset would fix the problem for a short while and then it would return. Google and Asus customer service were absolutely no help. The issue was resolved, however, when I updated to Lollipop. If you can upgrade do it and see if that helps.

He might want to hold off on Lollipop as my wife's issue started with upgrading. TBO this is a physical connection problem though and whatever version your running it will happen. Also Lollipop runs like crap on her '12 so I'm staying with Kit-Kat for now.

 

[Nithin]

I replaced the usb ribbon cable and now it's charging fine.