Dragon Touch S8 Charging Issue: Proven Fix

Dragon Touch S8 Charging Issue: Proven Fix

Experiencing Dragon Touch S8 charging issues? Common causes include a faulty cable, adapter, or a dirty port. This guide offers proven, step-by-step fixes to get your Dragon Touch S8 charging reliably again, ensuring your child can get back to their favorite apps and games.

Dragon Touch S8 Charging Issue: Proven Fix

Hi there, tablet explorers! Walter Moore here from Tabletzoo, your friendly guide to all things tablet. So your Dragon Touch S8 isn’t charging? Don’t worry, this is a fairly common hiccup, especially with a tablet that gets as much use as the S8 often does. It can be a bit frustrating when you need it charged and ready to go, but the good news is, most of the time, it’s a simple fix. We’re here to walk you through it, step-by-step, with easy-to-understand solutions. We’ll go from the simplest checks to more involved troubleshooting, so hang in there!

Why Your Dragon Touch S8 Might Not Be Charging

It’s a bummer when your Dragon Touch S8 refuses to charge. You plug it in, expecting that familiar battery icon to fill up, and… nothing. This can happen for a variety of reasons, and understanding them can help you pinpoint the problem faster.

The Accidental Mute: Sometimes, the simplest things are overlooked. Maybe the charger isn’t fully plugged in, or there’s a little debris in the charging port that’s blocking the connection.
Wear and Tear: Like any electronic device, chargers and cables can get worn out over time. A frayed cable or a damaged adapter might not be delivering power effectively anymore.
Software Glitches: Believe it or not, your tablet’s software can sometimes influence charging. A temporary glitch might be preventing it from recognizing the power source.
Battery Health: While less common on newer devices, batteries do have a lifespan. If your tablet is older, the battery itself might be having trouble holding a charge.

Troubleshooting Steps: From Simple to Advanced

Let’s dive into the practical fixes for your Dragon Touch S8 charging issue. We’ll start with the easiest solutions and work our way up.

Step 1: The Obvious Checks (Don’t Skip These!)

Before we get too technical, let’s cover the basics. Sometimes, the solution is surprisingly simple.

Check the Cable and Adapter:
Inspect for Damage: Look closely at your USB cable. Are there any nicks, cuts, or frayed wires? If so, it’s time for a new cable. The Dragon Touch S8 uses a standard USB-C, so finding a replacement is easy.
Test with Another Device: Does the cable and adapter work with another USB-C device? If not, you’ve likely found your culprit.
Secure Connection: Ensure the USB-C cable is firmly plugged into both the tablet and the power adapter, and that the adapter is securely in the wall outlet.

Try a Different Outlet: Sometimes, the wall outlet itself might be the issue. Try plugging the charger into a different outlet in your home.

Ensure the Port is Clean: This is a BIG one, especially for kids’ tablets that might have seen some action!
What to look for: Dust, lint, and other debris can accumulate in the USB-C port, preventing a proper connection.
How to clean:
Turn off the tablet. This is important for safety.
Use compressed air: A can of compressed air is excellent for gently blowing out debris. Hold it upright and use short bursts.
Gentle scraping (with caution): If compressed air doesn’t work, you can try very gently using a toothpick (wooden or plastic, not metal!) or a non-conductive sim ejector tool to dislodge stubborn debris. Be extremely careful not to damage the internal pins of the port.
Avoid liquids: Never spray cleaning solutions or water directly into the port.

Step 2: The Power Cycle and Reset

A simple restart (or a forced restart) can often resolve temporary software glitches that might be interfering with charging.

Standard Restart:
Press and hold the Power button on your Dragon Touch S8.
Tap “Power off” or “Restart” when the option appears.
If you choose “Power off,” wait about 30 seconds, then press and hold the Power button again to turn it back on.

Forced Restart (If the tablet is unresponsive):
This procedure can vary slightly by model, but generally, you’ll need to press and hold the Power button for an extended period (around 15-20 seconds) until the tablet screen goes black and the Dragon Touch logo reappears. This forces the device to shut down and restart.

Step 3: Testing with Different Charging Accessories

If the basic checks and restarts haven’t worked, it’s time to isolate the problem further by trying different charging components one by one.

Use a Different USB-C Cable: As mentioned before, cables can fail. Try a known-good USB-C cable that you know works with other devices. This is a crucial step in determining if your original cable is the issue. You can find compatible cables from reputable brands like Anker or AmazonBasics, which are known for their reliability.

Use a Different Power Adapter (Wall Charger):
Not all USB power adapters are created equal. Some older or lower-power adapters might not provide enough juice to charge the S8 effectively, or they might be faulty.
It’s best to use the original Dragon Touch charger if possible, or a reputable USB-C charger that supports at least 10W (5V/2A) or higher, as recommended for many tablets. You can often find compatible USB-C chargers on Amazon or from electronics stores.

Try Charging from a Computer’s USB Port:
While usually slower, a computer’s USB port can confirm if the tablet and cable are capable of receiving a charge. If it charges even slowly from a computer, it indicates the tablet itself is likely fine, and the issue lies with your wall adapter or outlet.

Step 4: Checking Battery Health and Software Updates

While the Dragon Touch S8 doesn’t have a user-accessible battery health report like some higher-end devices, a software update can sometimes improve power management.

Check for Software Updates:
Plug your tablet into a working charger (even if it’s charging slowly) and ensure it has at least 20% battery if possible.
Go to Settings > System > System update (or similar path depending on your Android version).
Tap “Check for updates” and install any available updates. A clean software installation can sometimes resolve underlying bugs affecting charging.

Factory Reset (Last Resort for Software Issues):
Warning: A factory reset will erase all data on your tablet. Back up any important files, photos, and essential app data first! You can usually back up to Google Drive or a cloud service.
To perform a factory reset:
Go to Settings > System > Reset options > Erase all data (factory reset).
Follow the on-screen prompts.
After the reset, set up your tablet again. Then, try charging it before reinstalling all your apps and data. This helps determine if a specific app or setting was causing the problem.

Step 5: When to Consider Hardware Failure

If you’ve gone through all the above steps and your Dragon Touch S8 still won’t charge, it’s possible there’s a hardware issue.

Faulty Battery: The battery itself might have degraded and can no longer hold a charge. This is more likely on older tablets.
Damaged Charging Port: While we’ve covered cleaning, the charging port internally might have physical damage from repeated use or an accident. Tears in the internal connections can happen.
Motherboard Issue: In rare cases, a more complex internal component failure could be the cause.

What to Do if Hardware Failure is Suspected

If you suspect hardware failure, your options are:

1. Contact Dragon Touch Support: Even if the tablet is out of warranty, they might offer repair services or advice. Their official website is a good place to start. You can often find support contact information there.
2. Professional Repair: Look for a local, reputable tablet repair shop. They can diagnose hardware issues and may be able to replace components like the battery or charging port. Be sure to get a quote beforehand.
3. Consider Replacement: If the repair cost is high, or the tablet is quite old, it might be more cost-effective to purchase a new tablet. Dragon Touch offers various models, and there are many other budget-friendly options available on the market. For instance, looking at newer Dragon Touch models or brands like Amazon Fire tablets could be an alternative. You can compare specifications on tech review sites like CNET or TechRadar.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dragon Touch S8 Charging

Here are some common questions users have when facing this frustrating issue.

Q1: My Dragon Touch S8 was working fine, then suddenly stopped charging. What’s the first thing I should check?
A: Start with the simplest things: ensure the cable is firmly plugged into both the tablet and the charger, try a different wall outlet, and most importantly, check the USB-C port for any visible debris or damage. A quick clean with compressed air can often do wonders.

Q2: Can I use any USB-C cable and charger for my Dragon Touch S8?
A: While it uses a standard USB-C port, it’s best to use the charger and cable that came with your tablet or a reputable replacement. Using a low-quality charger or a cable that doesn’t support sufficient power output (at least 10W) might result in slow charging or no charging at all. Always err on the side of caution with reputable brands.

Q3: How do I know if the battery is bad?
A: If your tablet charges very slowly, drains extremely rapidly even when not in use, or shuts off unexpectedly even when showing a decent battery percentage, it could indicate a degraded battery. Unfortunately, there’s no easy battery health checker built into the S8, so this is often diagnosed by eliminating other possibilities.

Q4: Will a factory reset fix the charging issue?
A: A factory reset can fix charging problems caused by software glitches or corrupted system files. However, it erases all your data, so back up your important information first! If the issue is with the physical charger, cable, or internal hardware, a factory reset won’t help.

Q5: My tablet is charging but it’s very slow. What can I do?
A: Slow charging is often due to a weak charger/adapter, a damaged cable, debris in the port, or background apps consuming power. Try the cleaning steps, a different known-good cable and adapter, and ensure no demanding apps are running while it’s plugged in. Also, check for any available software updates, as these can sometimes improve power management.

* Q6: Is there a way to charge the Dragon Touch S8 faster?
A: To ensure the fastest charging, use the original charger and cable that came with the tablet, or a high-quality, compatible USB-C charger that provides at least the same wattage as the original. Avoid using the tablet extensively while it’s charging, as this can slow down the charging process.

Conclusion: Getting Your Dragon Touch S8 Back Online

It’s certainly frustrating when your Dragon Touch S8 decides to take a break from charging. Hopefully, by following these step-by-step troubleshooting tips, you’ve managed to pinpoint the issue and get your tablet powered back up. Remember, most charging problems are surprisingly simple to solve – often a dirty port, a worn-out cable, or a simple software hiccup.

If you’ve tried everything and are still facing difficulties, don’t hesitate to explore professional repair options or consider an upgrade. At Tabletzoo, we believe every user should have a reliable tablet experience, and we’re glad we could assist you in navigating this common challenge. Happy tablet-ing!