Why Your Charger Gets Hot (and When to Worry)

Every charger produces some heat while working, especially during fast charging. The question is how much, because excessive heat is a sign something is wrong and a potential fire risk.

Normal heat vs a problem

A charger that's warm to the touch during fast charging is normal. A charger that's too hot to hold comfortably, or that stays hot when nothing is charging, is a problem. Unplug it and stop using it.

What causes excessive heat

• A cheap or uncertified charger with poor heat dissipation
• A charger working above its rated wattage
• A blocked or poorly ventilated outlet
• A damaged cable causing resistance

What to do

Unplug a hot charger and let it cool. Check that it's certified and matches your device's wattage. If a known-good charger runs hot, the cable or the outlet may be at fault, so test with a different cable.

Warm is fine, hot is not. If a charger is ever too hot to hold, replace it rather than risk damage or fire. Chargers are cheap; the consequences of a failed one are not.