Some Samsung phone users have reported getting repeated notifications saying “USB Connected” followed by “USB Disconnected”, even when no USB cable is plugged into the device. This can be annoying and concerning, as it may indicate an issue with the phone’s charging port or software.
The “USB Connected/Disconnected” notification is triggered when the phone detects a connection and disconnection from a USB cable or charger. But in cases where no cable is attached, it likely means the phone’s software is incorrectly sensing a phantom attachment and detachment.
This article will examine the potential causes of the USB connected/disconnected issue on Samsung phones, troubleshooting tips, and preventative measures you can take.
Potential Causes
One common potential cause for the “USB connected, disconnected” error message on Samsung phones is a faulty or damaged USB cable. Over time, the cables can become worn out from repeated plugging and unplugging. The charging port connection pins inside the USB cable connector head may get bent or broken, resulting in a loose connection with the phone’s charging port.
As noted in the Android Central forum thread titled “Weird micro USB charging issue…” https://forums.androidcentral.com/threads/weird-micro-usb-charging-issue.717365/, micro USB cables are prone to failure and you may find you have multiple bad cables at the same time if they are all from the same batch and used regularly. A loose connection in the cable can cause intermittent charging errors on Samsung devices.
Damage to Charging Port
One potential cause for the “USB connected disconnected” error is physical damage to the USB-C charging port itself, which prevents a proper connection between the charger cable and port. This can happen due to normal wear and tear over time, or if the port gets bent, compressed, or otherwise damaged. According to iFixit, the USB-C charge port is hard mounted on the motherboard, so physical damage likely requires soldering a replacement port onto the board to fully resolve it (1). Attempts to simply replace the port may not resolve the issue if there is damage to traces or connections behind the port.
Signs that physical damage may be the culprit include the cable feeling loose in the port, the port feeling crooked or misaligned, or noticing cracks/chips around the port. Damage can occur from frequent plugging/unplugging, cord strain, dropping the phone, or other impacts near the charging port. Users may notice the phone intermittently charging, needing to be plugged in at just the right angle, or not charging at all in this scenario. Overall, physical damage to the charging port itself can cause the “USB connected disconnected” problem in Samsung phones when the damage prevents a solid connection.
(1) https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/690497/My+USB+C+charging+port+is+not+working.+Can+I+replace+it
Software Bug
Some Samsung and Android phones have known software bugs that can cause the “USB connected, disconnected” error message. These bugs occur in the USB drivers or charging software and can prevent the phone from properly recognizing a connected USB cable or charger.
For example, some Samsung Galaxy S23 users report frequent disconnections when using USB to aux adapters, likely due to a bug in how the S23 handles USB audio connections. There are also reports of similar bugs affecting Android 11 and 12 that disrupt USB connections.
These types of software bugs may occur after an OS update and require a software repair or update to resolve. Trying different chargers is unlikely to fix the issue if it is caused by a system-level software bug.
Incompatible Charger
One of the possible causes of a Samsung phone showing “USB connected disconnected” could be using an incompatible charger. Samsung recommends using official Samsung chargers and cables for charging their phones. Using a non-Samsung charger, especially low quality or knock-off chargers, could result in connectivity issues. The phone may struggle to establish a stable connection with a charger that does not meet Samsung’s charging specifications. This can lead to the “USB connected disconnected” message flashing on and off. To resolve this, try replacing the non-Samsung charger with an official Samsung wall charger designed for your specific model of Samsung phone. Using the correct charger will provide a steady and fast charging experience.
Troubleshooting
There are a few troubleshooting steps you can try if your Samsung phone is showing the “USB connected disconnected” notification:
First, try using a different USB cable to connect your phone to a charger or computer. Faulty or damaged cables are a common cause of connection issues. Switch to a high-quality cable designed for data transfer and charging Samsung devices. This Samsung community thread recommends trying a different cable as a first troubleshooting step.
You may also want to try a different wall charger or USB port on your computer. Use an official Samsung adaptive fast charging wall adapter if possible. The charging port on your phone could be having issues communicating with some third-party adapters as noted in this USB troubleshooting guide.
Finally, inspect the USB port on your phone for any debris, damage or moisture. Carefully clean out the port with a toothpick or soft brush. Avoid metallic tools that could further damage the port. Refer to Samsung’s cleaning guide if needed. A dirty or damaged charging port is a prime suspect for connectivity problems.
Software Repair
One potential solution to fix the “USB connected disconnected” issue on a Samsung phone is to try some software repairs. Two main options for this are clearing the app cache/data and doing a factory reset.
Clearing the cache and app data for apps like the Android System, the USB settings, and any other system apps can help resolve software glitches that may be causing the disconnect messages [1]. To do this go to Settings > Apps, select the app, tap Storage, then Clear Cache and Clear Data. Keep in mind this will delete any local data stored in the app.
If clearing the cache doesn’t work, the nuclear option is to do a factory reset which will erase all data and restore the phone to original factory settings [2]. This should eliminate any software bugs causing the disconnects, but at the cost of losing your data and customized settings. So only opt for a reset if the issue is ongoing and serious.
Charging Port Repair
If your Samsung phone is showing the USB connected/disconnected error, the charging port may be damaged or filled with pocket lint and debris. First, inspect the charging port using a flashlight to check for any visible damage or blockages. Use a toothpick or soft brush to gently remove any lint or dirt from the port according to Samsung’s guide (https://www.samsung.com/uk/support/mobile-devices/how-to-self-repair-your-charging-port/). Avoid using metal tools to avoid further damage.
If the charging port is damaged, you will need to replace it. Refer to repair guides for your specific Samsung phone model, as the process can vary. In most cases, you’ll need to disassemble the phone to access the charging port module on the main logic board and detach any connecting cables. Then remove the old port and install the new Samsung genuine replacement part. Take care to reassemble the phone properly. Charging port replacement services are also available through Samsung and some repair shops.
Preventative Measures
Using high-quality cables and chargers can help prevent the USB connected/disconnected issue in the future. Here are some tips:
- Use the original charger and cable that came with your Samsung device. Third-party or lower quality cables may not make a solid connection with the charging port, leading to the disconnected notification. Stick to Samsung-approved OEM chargers and cables for the best performance. [1]
- Inspect cables and chargers for damage before use. Cables with frayed or exposed wiring can cause connection issues. Chargers with bent pins may not make proper contact. Visually inspect accessories and replace any that are damaged. This will prevent issues down the line.
- Try cleaning the charging port on your device with compressed air. Lint and debris buildup in the port can impact connectivity. Use a can of compressed air to safely blow out any dust or dirt. This can improve the connection with cables and chargers.
- Avoid using your phone while charging when possible. Frequent movements and cable strain while the device is charging can contribute to connection problems over time. Allow your device to charge fully before unplugging and using it.
Following these tips can help prevent and troubleshoot the “USB connected/disconnected” notification on Samsung devices.
Summary
There are a few potential causes for why a Samsung phone may show the USB connected and then disconnected notification repeatedly. The main culprits are physical damage to the charging port, software bugs, and incompatible or faulty chargers.
The best solutions are to try software repairs through rebooting the device or wiping the cache partition, inspecting the charging port for debris or damage and cleaning it out, or using a different charger. If the issue persists, you may need to replace the USB port or perform a factory reset.
To prevent this from happening, avoid using low-quality chargers that can damage the port over time. Also keep the charging port clean and free of lint or debris. Update to the latest software version available for your device model, as Samsung often fixes USB connectivity bugs in software updates. If the problem arises suddenly, it’s likely a hardware issue like port damage rather than a software glitch.