Portable power station not charging? How to find out why

Try these first

1. Plug the charger straight into a different wall outlet. Skip the extension cord and power strip.
2. Check the charger's indicator light, if it has one. Jackery says it should light up when connected correctly.
3. Look at the screen. It should show input watts and a rising percentage.
4. Unplug the cable at both ends and reseat it firmly.
5. Move the unit somewhere room-temperature and try again.
6. If it stops at the same percentage every time, check the app for a charge limit.

The outlet, power strip or extension cord

Symptom: It charges slowly, stops and starts, or doesn't charge at all.

Why it happens: EcoFlow says a faulty wall plug or an overloaded extension cord can cause trouble, and so can a power strip not rated for a power station's high draw. The built-in charger may slow down or stop as a safety step.

How to check and fix it: Anker's advice is to test another known-good wall outlet and connect directly, with no extension cord. If it charges from the second outlet, the first outlet, strip or cord is the problem. Stop using any outlet that feels loose, smells burnt or shows heat damage.

The cable, adapter or charging port

Symptom: The charger light is off, or the screen shows no input at all.

Why it happens: Jackery lists four sources of charging trouble: the connection, the outlet, the charger or cable itself, and internal faults. Anker notes that loose plugs, worn insulation, bent connectors, dirt or heat damage around the port can all interfere.

How to check and fix it:

1. Unplug everything. Look at the cable, adapter and input port for fraying, debris, discoloration or signs of overheating.
2. Reconnect everything firmly.
3. If the charger's light stays off, Jackery says to try a different charger to see if that's the fault.
4. Use the original charger or a replacement that matches the maker's voltage, current and connector specs. Anker is clear on this.

Try another way to charge

Symptom: It won't charge from the wall, and you're not sure if the unit or the charger is at fault.

Why it happens: Testing another input tells you which part has failed.

How to check and fix it: Jackery says to try a different method, such as the car charging cable. If it charges from the car but not the wall, the wall charger or cable is the likely fault. If it won't charge from anything, the power station itself needs support.

Too hot or too cold

Symptom: It won't start charging, or stops partway, after sitting in a hot car, in the sun, or in a cold garage.

Why it happens: Lithium batteries have a safe charging temperature range. EcoFlow says charging is very hard below freezing, usually below 32°F (0°C). The battery system may refuse to charge, because charging a frozen battery can permanently damage it. EcoFlow says most units work best between 68°F and 86°F, and they pause charging if they get too hot.

How to check and fix it:

1. Unplug it.
2. Move it to a dry, ventilated spot at room temperature, out of direct sun.
3. Wait until it feels room-temperature, then try again.
4. Anker warns not to use heaters or ice packs to force a quick temperature change.

It stops at 80% or 90%

Symptom: It charges fine, but always stops at the same number.

Why it happens: Anker says a battery-care setting or maximum charge limit may be switched on. That's especially likely if it stops at exactly the same percentage every time. Anker and EcoFlow both say outdated firmware or a wrong battery reading can make the percentage look stuck.

How to check and fix it:

1. Open the maker's app or settings menu and look for a charge limit. Raise it if you need a full charge.
2. Check for firmware updates in the app. EcoFlow says updates can fix software-related charging issues.
3. If the reading seems wrong, EcoFlow's suggestion is a full cycle: run it down to 0% until it shuts off, then charge it straight back to 100% from a wall outlet.

The screen stays dark

Symptom: Nothing lights up, and plugging in the charger does nothing.

Why it happens: Jackery lists an unresponsive unit with a dark screen as one of the "unable to charge" symptoms. It can be a charger problem or an internal fault.

How to check and fix it: Work through the charger and outlet checks above. Then try the car charger. If nothing wakes it, contact the maker's support.

When to stop and call a pro

Stop using it right away and contact the maker if you notice any of these, from Anker's and Jackery's own lists:

• Swelling, bulging or leaking
• Smoke, or a burning or unusual smell
• Severe overheating, or melted or damaged charging ports
• Repeated battery or temperature warnings

Jackery says that if you see smoke or smell something odd while charging, stop, unplug it, and move it outdoors to a well-ventilated area.

Please don't open the case. It holds a large lithium battery, and opening it can be dangerous and will likely void your warranty. Anker says plainly not to open the battery enclosure yourself. Contact support with your model, serial number, firmware version and any error codes.

Using a gas generator to recharge it? Run the generator outdoors only, 20+ feet from the house: generator carbon monoxide safety.