Is Your VTech Phone Not Charging? (7 Easy Fixes)

It must be very frustrating picking up your phone to make a call, only to realize that the handset is dead because the VTech phone not charging.

Don’t worry–it’s unlikely to be a serious fault.

Whether it’s the battery losing contact, a fault with the VTech base, or an equipment issue, this guide will help you identify and solve the problem.

In this guide you will learn how to:

How to Fix When VTech Phone Not Charging? – [7 Methods]

Note: If the handset shows any signs of life, such as the display lighting up, characters on the screen, and sounds whenever one of the keys is pressed, it means that the phone isn’t dead.

1. Power Reset the VTech Base

A power reset is a common solution for any issues with the VTech base or handset.

Hence, if the charging is disrupted, no power will reach the base due to a fault with the adapter or outlet.

Follow these steps to power cycle the VTech base:

1. Lift the base and unplug the power adapter.
2. Next, remove the handset if it’s on the base.
3. Disconnect the other end from the A/C outlet.
4. Wait for 60 seconds until the base discharges.
5. Now, reconnect the power cable on both ends.

While waiting for the base to discharge, closely inspect the power adapter for any visual signs of damage or wear.

You should also remember that the power cord could be faulty without a visual sign, hence there wouldn’t be any way of knowing unless a replacement cable is implemented.

2. Check the VTech Base Contact

Well, if the VTech handset does not receive power from the base, there is probably a contact failure.

The base uses terminal pins to click in with the ports on the bottom of your handset and start charging.

If there’s any obstruction, debris, or accumulation, the handset won’t charge.

How to Know if VTech Handset is Charging?

So, upon placing the handset on the charging base, the “CHARGE” light on the handset should illuminate.

This indicates that both the VTech phone and the base are receiving stable power and that the equipment should be usable within 15–20 minutes in case the battery is fully dead. 

How to Ensure a Proper Base Contact?

To ensure the handset contacts properly, do the following:

1. Unplug the base station’s adapter from both ends.
2. Wait for 10–15 seconds until the electricity drains.
3. Apply some rubbing alcohol to a clean fiber cloth.
4. Now, use the cloth to clean the base’s terminals.
5. Wait until the terminals dry up and place the phone.

Note: Remember that keeping the Vtech phone in a dusty or not-so-well-ventilated location may contribute to an accelerated accumulation of dust and debris. 

3. Check the Base’s Connections

Any loose or unsecured connections are the leading cause of why your VTech phone battery not charging.

The VTech base uses a detachable power adapter on both ends, meaning if the cable is not properly connected to the outlet or VTech handset’s end, your equipment will not charge.

Inspect the following connections in your phone’s setup:

• Check the power adapter’s connection on the base’s end.
• Inspect the power adapter’s connection on the outlet’s end.
• Check the power adapter’s condition and search for damage.

Important: NO Third-Party Equipment!

Using any type of external equipment with your handset could result in issues with the charging.

It’s important to install the power adapter directly on both ends, without any strips, dividers, cord extenders, or something similar.

If there’s a fault with an external device you’ve installed, this will not only prevent the handset from receiving a charge but also damage the internal battery. 

4. Plug the Base to a Different Outlet

An insufficient outlet power supply will prevent the base from charging up the handset’s battery, even if all connections are in a proper condition.

So, unplug your VTech base’s power cord and install it in a functional outlet along with the handset.

Keep checking if the “CHARGING” lamp on the handset illuminates, upon plugging the base’s power adapter to a different outlet. 

Note: Verify that you’re plugging the base directly into the outlet (no smart plugs).

5. Sync the Handset to the Base

While the synchronization of the handset and base is not responsible for the charging, it may help with issues with the functionality.

The wireless sync allows for all calls received through the telephone cable of the base to be transferred to the VTech handset over a set wireless distance.

Here’s how to sync the VTech handset and base:

1. Press and hold “HANDSET LOCATOR” on the base.
2. Release after four seconds once the LEDs illuminate. 
3. Press the “#” key on the handset to finish the syncing.

Note: The process may take up to 10 seconds until your handset is synchronized with the base!

6. Factory Reset the Handset

Well, if your VTech handset still turns on and allows you to access the menu, you should use the remaining battery to conduct a factory reset.

It takes less than 30 seconds to activate the reset and shortly after, all of your phone’s settings will be erased to default values. 

Follow these steps on your handset to factory reset:

1. Open the phone’s menu and navigate to “Status”.
2. Select “Network” and type down the IP address. 
3. Open a browser on a locally connected PC/laptop.
4. Paste the IP address in the browser’s search field.
5. Type “admin” in the username and password field.
6. Once in the phone’s GUI setup, go to “Servicing”.
7. Click “Reset” under the “Reset Configuration” tab.
8. Follow the instructions to factory reset the phone.

Warning: All of your phone’s settings will be erased to factory defaults after the reset ends, so after the procedure test for any potential VTech phone ringing issues.

7. Reseat the Handset’s Battery

If the VTech phone not charging after trying all of the suggested solutions, the fault is probably with the handset.

As you may probably know, the handset has an internal rechargeable battery that starts to refill when in contact with the base’s terminals. 

Reseating the handset’s battery might help temporarily, but if it already started to degrade, start considering replacement alternatives.

Here’s how to reseat the battery of your handset:

1. Eject your VTech handset from the base terminals.
2. Locate the battery compartment panel on the back.
3. Push the release latch to access the internal battery.
4. Unplug the power cord of the battery and remove it.
5. Hold any button on the handset for 10–15 seconds.
6. Place the battery back in and reinstall the A/C cord.

The VTech handset uses a battery pack with a detachable adapter.

Ensure the adapter is in good condition and there are no obstructions to the power port found in the compartment.

Note: If your VTech handset is not charging, get in touch with VTech customer service, and/or bring your phone to the local merchant for a replacement.