Phone Recognized but Not Charging: Check for Bent USB-C Pins
A user's smartphone (Android) will not charge via the USB-C port. The technician tries a different cable and charger, and also tries cleaning the port with compressed air. The phone still does not charge. However, the phone can be recognized by a computer when connected via USB. Which of the following should the technician try next?
Quick Answer
The most important clue in this scenario is that the phone still gets recognized by a computer over the same USB-C port, which tells you the connector's data pins and the port's basic physical alignment are still functional enough to establish a connection. A USB-C port carries separate sets of pins for data and for power delivery, and it is entirely possible for one set to be damaged while the other remains intact, since they occupy different physical positions within the same small connector. The technician has already ruled out the cable and charger by testing known-working ones, and compressed air only clears loose debris rather than fixing physical damage, so once those steps fail to resolve a charging-only failure with data still working, the explanation shifts from something removable to something physically bent or damaged inside the port itself, most likely the power-related pins responsible for VBUS or ground. A visual inspection is the appropriate next step because it is non-destructive and can confirm or rule out physical damage before moving to a more invasive repair. Whenever a device retains data connectivity over USB but cannot charge, even after ruling out the cable, charger, and debris, think about physical pin damage inside the port itself rather than continuing to test with different accessories.
⚠ Common exam trap
The 220-1101 exam often tests the distinction between data connectivity and power delivery in USB-C; the trap here is assuming that because the phone charges with a different cable or after cleaning, the issue must be software-related, when in fact a bent pin can selectively break only the power path.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Inspect the port for bent pins.
The phone can still communicate data over USB (recognized by a computer), which proves the power and data lines are partially functional, but a bent pin in the USB-C connector can break the power delivery (PD) negotiation or the VBUS connection required for charging. Cleaning with compressed air only removes debris, not physical damage like bent pins, so a visual inspection is the logical next step.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Replace the battery.
Why it's wrong here
The battery is likely functional since data transfer works. A bad battery would not explain why the phone doesn't charge but still communicates via USB.
When this WOULD be correct
If the phone does not charge and also fails to be recognized by a computer, and the port appears clean, a faulty battery could be the cause. In that scenario, replacing the battery would be the next step.
- ✗
Perform a factory reset.
Why it's wrong here
A factory reset would not fix a hardware-related charging issue. It is only effective for software or configuration problems.
When this WOULD be correct
A factory reset would be correct if the phone fails to charge due to a software bug that disables charging, and the phone also exhibits other erratic behavior like random reboots or app crashes, with no hardware damage evident.
- ✓
Inspect the port for bent pins.
Why this is correct
Bent or damaged power pins (VBUS or GND) in the USB-C port can prevent charging while data pins remain intact. Visual inspection is the prudent next step.
- ✗
Update the phone's firmware.
Why it's wrong here
Firmware updates typically address system-level bugs, not hardware port damage. The symptom is consistent with a physical issue, not a software glitch.
When this WOULD be correct
A technician should update firmware when a device exhibits intermittent charging or connectivity issues that are not resolved by cable/charger swaps and port cleaning, and the device still charges slowly or erratically after verifying no physical damage.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The 220-1101 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓Inspect the port for bent pins.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
Bent or damaged power pins (VBUS or GND) in the USB-C port can prevent charging while data pins remain intact. Visual inspection is the prudent next step.
✗Replace the battery.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The phone can be recognized by a computer via USB, indicating that the battery and charging circuit are likely functional. The issue is isolated to the charging port, not the battery.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the phone does not charge and also fails to be recognized by a computer, and the port appears clean, a faulty battery could be the cause. In that scenario, replacing the battery would be the next step.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may assume that a non-charging phone always has a dead battery, overlooking that the phone powers on and connects to a computer, which rules out battery failure.
✗Perform a factory reset.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
A factory reset addresses software issues, but the phone can be recognized by a computer via USB, indicating the data pins work. The charging issue is likely hardware-related, such as bent pins or debris, not software.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A factory reset would be correct if the phone fails to charge due to a software bug that disables charging, and the phone also exhibits other erratic behavior like random reboots or app crashes, with no hardware damage evident.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may think a software glitch is causing the charging failure, especially after basic hardware checks (cable, charger, cleaning) fail, and they overlook that USB data connectivity suggests the port is partially functional.
✗Update the phone's firmware.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The phone can be recognized by a computer via USB, indicating that data communication works and the port is not completely dead. Updating firmware addresses software issues, but the problem is likely physical since charging fails despite data connectivity.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A technician should update firmware when a device exhibits intermittent charging or connectivity issues that are not resolved by cable/charger swaps and port cleaning, and the device still charges slowly or erratically after verifying no physical damage.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may think a firmware bug could prevent charging, especially if they've encountered devices where updates fixed power management issues, overlooking that data connectivity suggests the port is functional.
Analysis generated from the official 220-1101blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Mobile Operating Systems: iOS and Android
Key term
Universal Serial Bus Type C
A small, reversible 24-pin USB connector that supports high-speed data transfer, power delivery, and video output, used in modern devices.
Key term
Universal Serial Bus
A Universal Serial Bus (USB) is a standard interface that allows you to connect devices like keyboards, mice, storage drives, and printers to a computer for data transfer and power delivery.
About these practice questions
This 220-1101 question is part of Courseiva's 896-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on 220-1101
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A user reports that their Android smartphone no longer charges when connected to a wall charger. The technician tries a different charging cable and power adapter, but the phone still does not charge. The phone's charging port appears clean and free of debris. The technician then attempts to charge the phone using a wireless charging pad, and the phone charges successfully. Which of the following is the most likely cause of the issue?
medium- A.The smartphone's battery has reached end of life.
- ✓ B.The USB-C connector on the charging port is damaged.
- C.The wireless charging coil is malfunctioning.
- D.The operating system has a power management bug.
Why B: The phone charges wirelessly but not via the USB-C port, which isolates the issue to the wired charging circuit. Since different cables and adapters were tried and the port is clean, the most likely cause is physical damage to the USB-C connector, such as bent pins or worn contacts, preventing proper electrical connection. Wireless charging uses a separate coil and circuit, so its functionality confirms the battery and power management system are intact.
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1101 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1101 exam.