Stop your charging cables breaking – tips and good advice

You stop your cables breaking by pulling the plug instead of the cable, avoiding sharp bends by the plug and coiling the cable loosely. Almost all charging cables break in the same place: right where the cable meets the plug. With a few habits, the cable can last much longer.

Below you can see why cables break, how to look after them, and when you should replace them.

Why do charging cables break?

Inside the cable are thin copper wires. Every time the cable is bent sharply, the wires are put under strain. Eventually they break, usually by the plug, where the movement is greatest. Heat, pulling and the cable getting trapped in a door or drawer make it happen faster.

How to stop your cables breaking

• Pull the plug, not the cable: Hold the plug itself when you take it out of the phone or the wall socket.
• Avoid sharp bends: Don’t use the phone in bed with the cable bent sharply at the plug.
• Coil the cable loosely: Make big, loose loops instead of wrapping it tightly around the charger.
• Use cable protectors: A small spiral or rubber sleeve by the plug spreads the bend.
• Choose a good-quality cable: A certified cable (for iPhone: MFi-certified) or a braided cable often lasts longer.
• Keep it away from heat and moisture: Don’t leave the cable in the sun or in a hot car.

Signs that the cable is about to break

• Charging starts and stops when you touch the cable
• The phone charges more slowly than normal
• The rubber by the plug is cracked, or you can see the metal wires
• The cable or the plug gets hot

If the cable is frayed or gets hot, stop using it. A damaged cable can cause poor charging and, at worst, damage the phone.

Is it the cable or the phone?

Try a different cable and a different charger. If the phone still doesn’t charge properly, the fault may be in the phone’s charging port. Lint from your pocket can also get into the port. Read more about charging port repair.

Frequently asked questions

If your phone charges poorly, even with a new cable, ITech-Rep can check the charging port in our shops in Odense and Nyborg. See prices or book a time online.