Why Xiaomi or Redmi is charging, but the phone is not charging: a full analysis of the problem

You plugged a Xiaomi or Redmi smartphone into a charger, a charging animation appeared on the screen, but the battery percentage didn't increase - or even fall? This problem is more common than it seems. In 80% of cases, mechanical damage or software failures are to blame, but sometimes the reason lies in the specific features of the MIUI firmware. For example, after upgrading to MIUI 14, some Redmi Note 10 Pro users faced "false charging" due to an error in the power controller driver.

In this article, we will examine all possible reasons why charging is going, but the phone does not charge - from the banal contamination of the connector to hidden energy saving settings. You will learn how to diagnose a problem in 5 minutes, what tools to use for repair, and when to carry the device to the service center. 9A, Poco X3 Pro and Xiaomi 11T — They often have such malfunctions due to design features.

1. Checking the charger and cable: why 90% of the problems are here

To start with, the obvious is that a faulty cable or adapter, even if the charging indicator is on, it doesn't mean that current is actually going into the battery. For example, cheap cables without USB-IF certification can only transmit a connection signal, not energy. And adapters with damaged capacitors (blown or leaking) give unstable voltage, which the smartphone recognizes as charging, but doesn't actually use.

How to check:

🔌 Connect another cable and power supply (preferably original from Xiaomi with the labeling) MDY-11-ED or MDY-12-EU). If charging went - the problem in the accessories.
📱 Try charging another phone with the same set, and if it's not charging, it's the cable/adapter fault.
🔍 Check the cable on the curves (especially at the connectors) damaged insulation or broken veins is a common cause of "false charging".

⚠️ Note: If you use wireless charging, check the compatibility of standards. Xiaomi models support Qi 1.2.4, but some cheap charging pads give out insufficient power (less than the standard). 5W), The phone thinks it's charging, but the battery is actually running out.

📊 What type of charger do you use more often?

Wire (Type-C)

Wireless (Qi)

From Power Bank

From laptop/PC

Type-C connector diagnostics: dirt, oxidation and mechanical damage

The Type-C connector in Xiaomi/Redmi smartphones is one of the most vulnerable areas: Dust, pile from pockets, moisture or even microscopic particles from covers can disrupt contact, while the phone recognizes the connection (the indicator lights up), but the current does not pass due to poor connection of the power contacts (usually pins A4/A9 and B4/B9 in the connector).

What to do:

🧹 Clean the connector with a wooden toothpick (not metal!) or compressed air. Use alcohol to remove oxidation (90%+) and cotton swab.
🔦 Light the flashlight in the connector: if the contacts are bent or absent, you will need to replace the connector (cost) ~1500₽ service).
🔄 Try plugging the cable into the connector at different angles, and if the phone starts charging only in a certain position, the problem is mechanical wear and tear.

What does a damaged Type-C connector look like?

Inside the connector, there may be bent pins (often central), black oxidation spots, or missing "tongues." The image below shows a worn-out Redmi Note 8 Pro connector after a year of use without a case: [This would be a photo, but it's not in text format]

⚠️ Warning: Never use a needle, pin or knives to clean, as they may close contacts or damage the board. If the phone stops turning on after cleaning, you have closed data lines (D)+ and D-), which leads to short circuit.

3. Battery problems: bloating, wear and calibration

If the Xiaomi/Redmi phone is older than 2 years, there is a 60 percent chance that the problem lies in a degraded battery, Lithium polymer batteries lose capacity after 300 to 500 charging cycles, and their controller starts to misrepresent the charge level.

📉 The charge is “stuck” at the same level (for example, 80%) and does not grow.
🔋 The phone turns off at 20-30% charge, and after switching on shows 0%.
🔥 The body is swelling (especially noticeable on the Redmi 9 and Poco models). M3 rear-facing).

How to check the status of the battery:

Type in the phone app code ##4636## → select Battery Information. Health below 80% indicates critical wear and tear.
Install the AccuBattery app (available on Google Play) and check the Design Capacity. If it's less than 70% of the factory's capacity, it's time to change the battery.

Model phone	Factory capacity (mAh)	Critical wear (mAh)	Cost of replacement (₽)
Redmi Note 10 Pro	5020	<3500	2500–3500
Xiaomi 11 Lite NE	4250	<3000	3000–4000
Poco X3 NFC	5160	<3600	2000–3000
Redmi 9A	5000	<3500	1800–2500

Important: If the battery is swelling, stop using the phone immediately. The risk of fire or damage to the board increases by 5 times.

4. Software failures: MIUI, kernel and power controller

Sometimes the problem lies in the firmware MIUI or power controller drivers, for example, after upgrading to MIUI 13/14 Some of the users of Xiaomi 11T redmi K40 We've had a bug where the system is showing charging, but the battery is not getting current. power_hw.c, power-management.

How to fix software failures:

🔄 Restart your phone in Safe Mode (click the power button) → "Restart in Safe Mode. If charging started, it's the third-party app's fault.
📱 Reset the settings to factory (Settings) → The phone. → Reset settings. Pre-reverse backup!
🖥️ Fastboot your phone (instruction below) will help if you crash. boot.img oral.

Download official firmware from [en.miui.com](https://en.miui.com)|Install ADB/Fastboot Drivers|Unlock bootloader (if not unlocked)| Charge phone to at least 30%|Unlock antivirus on PC-->

⚠️ Note: If you have never flashed Xiaomi through Fastboot, you should contact the service.The wrong firmware can turn the phone into a brick (for example, if you choose the wrong version for the region). EEA/Global).

5.Problems with the board: Power controller and charging circuit

If all the previous steps didn't work, the problem could be the hardware of the board.

🔌 Charging controller (chip) BQ25890 or SY6974 When damaged, it signals a charge on the screen, but it doesn't control the current.
🔥 Safety lock on the supply line (marking) F1 or FUSE). It burns out when you run out of voltage.
📶 Antenna switch (found in Xiaomi 12 and newer) can block charging if damaged.

Diagnosis and repair:

🔧 Call the circuits with a multimeter (diode vertebrae mode). ~3.7–4.2V plug-in.
🛠️ Re-sweeten the power controller (sweeter station and experience required) Cost of service: 3000-6000₽.
🔄 Replace the safety lock (details are worth it) ~50₽, But you need a precise ration).

💡

If the phone warms up when charging but doesn't charge, it's a sign of a short circuit on the board. disconnect it immediately from the grid and don't use it until repaired!

6. Hidden MIUI settings that block charging

There are several features in MIUI firmware that can mimic charging, but actually block it:

🔋 "Optimized charging" (Settings → Battery → Battery settings: Stops charging 80-90% to save battery life.
⚡ "Fast charging can be turned off when overheating (if the battery temperature is >45°C).
📵 Do Not Disturb During Charging Sometimes Resets Processes Responsible for Power Management.

How to disable restrictions:

Go to Settings → Battery → Battery settings and turn off “Optimized Charging”.
In Settings → Additional → Special features check whether the power saving mode for charging is turned on.
Reset your BMS (Battery Management System) settings via the engineering menu: type ##3644633# → Battery → Calibrate.

7.When to contact the service: signs of serious malfunctions

If you've tried all the methods, but the phone is still not charging, it's time to carry it for repair.

💥 The phone is switched on only from charging, but immediately switches off when the cable is disconnected.
🔥 The body is strongly heated in the area of the chamber or connector (a sign of a short circuit).
📵 The error appears on the screen: "Charging paused" or "Battery temperature too" low/high", but the temperature is normal.
🔌 Charging is only in the off state.

Average prices for repairs in Xiaomi service centers (Moscow, 2026):

Type of repair	Cost (₽)	Date(s)
Replacement of Type-C connector	1500–2500	1
Battery replacement	2000–4000	1–2
Board repair (power controller)	3000–8000	2–5
Diagnostics + firmware	1000–2000	1

💡

If you have a warranty, don't open it yourself! 90% of the time, it will void the Xiaomi warranty.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi/Redmi charging issues

❓ Why the phone only charges when it’s off?

It's a sign of a malfunctioning power controller or a severely worn-out battery, and when the phone is off, it uses a minimum of power, and the current somehow enters the battery, and when it's turned on, the load increases, and the charging stops, and the solution is: replace the battery or repair the board.

❓ Can I use my phone if it only charges to 80%?

Yes, but it's a sign of activated battery charging or wear optimization: If the phone turns off at 20 to 30 percent, the battery needs to be changed; if it just gets stuck by 80 percent, turn off optimization in settings (Settings → Battery).

❓ Why does the swelling go on: it goes on, it stops?

Causes: Poor contact in the connector (wiggle the cable - if charging resumes, clean the connector); faulty cable (try another); battery overheating (phone suspends charging for cooling); malfunction of the BMS controller (diagnosis required).

❓ How to check if the charging is actually going?

Install the Ampere app (available on Google Play) which shows the actual charging current in mA. If <100 mA or negative, no charging, although the indicator is on. Normal fast charging current: 1500-3000 mA.

❓ Can the virus block charging?

In theory, but extremely rare: some malicious applications (such as mining bots) can block power-saving services, which prevents the phone from charging. Check the phone with an antivirus (Malwarebytes or Dr.Web) and remove suspicious applications.