Sex Toy Won't Charge? Try These Fixes Before You Swear Again

The vibrator has spent all afternoon beside the charger. Unfortunately, beside it and connected to it are different things. A magnetic lead hanging half a centimetre away can ruin some very good plans.

If your sex toy won't charge, start with the cable, power supply and connection. Then separate a flat battery from a locked toy. You might be one small adjustment away from getting it working, rather than one expensive replacement away from your next wank.

Use the right cable and a working socket

Use the cable supplied for the toy or an approved replacement. Magnetic and pin-style leads can look almost identical without being compatible. The mystery cable from the back of the drawer isn't a bargain if it doesn't charge the bloody thing.

Make sure the USB end is firmly plugged in and the power source is actually on. Try another working USB port or suitable adaptor if you have one. Change one thing at a time so you can tell what fixed it.

If the lead is frayed, the connector is bent or the casing is damaged, stop there. Don't hold a broken cable at a special angle and call it sorted.

Get the charging contacts lined up

Magnetic leads need their metal contacts aligned with the toy's contacts. Rest the toy somewhere stable, with enough slack in the cable that its weight isn't pulling the connector off.

Watch what happens when you take your hand away. A connection that works only while you're holding it explains why the toy was still flat after an afternoon “charging”. Annoying discovery. At least you've found the bastard.

Disconnect the power before cleaning any residue from the exposed contacts. A soft, slightly damp cloth can remove surface grime; let the contacts and toy dry completely before reconnecting. Keep liquid out of sockets, and keep the charger dry.

For a plug-in connector, use the actual charging socket. Don't poke a lead into seams or openings trying to find somewhere it might fit.

Give it time to charge, then unplug it to test

A completely flat toy may not respond straight away. Give it its normal full charging time with a secure connection rather than unplugging it every few minutes to see if you've won yet.

Charging lights don't all behave alike. Some blink while charging, some change colour, and some go out when full. No light on its own isn't enough to diagnose a dead battery. A connection that keeps coming loose is a clearer clue.

Disconnect the charger before trying the power button. Some toys won't run while connected. That can look like another failure when you're standing there in your pants getting increasingly pissed off.

A travel lock can make a charged toy look dead

If it seems to charge but won't start, the travel lock might still be on. Our travel-lock guide explains what that does and includes a verified unlocking example.

Lock controls differ, so there isn't one button combination that fixes every vibrator. Once you've found yours, save it. You shouldn't have to look up the same buttons every time you fancy a wank.

If it still won't charge, ask for a repair or replacement

Stop using or charging a toy that swells, leaks, smells burnt or becomes unusually hot. Don't open a sealed rechargeable toy or attempt an internal battery repair.

For an ordinary charging fault, contact the retailer with the toy's name, order details and what you've already tried. Describe what the light does and whether another suitable power source helped. A photo of the connector can be useful; your bedroom technique isn't part of the warranty enquiry.

Once it's working, keep the correct lead with the toy. Our storage guide has more on that. If charging is always the chore you forget, the rechargeable versus battery-powered comparison may help with your next purchase.

For now, make sure that magnetic lead stays connected when you walk away. Then you can spend the evening enjoying the vibrator instead of glaring at it.