Not Turning On
Anker Power Bank
Severity: ModerateWhat Does This Error Mean?
An Anker power bank that does not turn on is almost always completely discharged, in protection mode due to deep discharge, or has been put into shipping/storage mode. Connect it to a wall charger for at least 30-60 minutes before pressing the power button.
Affected Models
- Anker PowerCore 10000
- Anker PowerCore 20100
- Anker PowerCore Slim 10000
- Anker PowerCore Essential 20000
- Anker 737 Power Bank
- Anker Prime Power Bank
Common Causes
- Battery fully or deeply discharged — most common cause
- Deep discharge protection mode — battery too flat to respond until partially recharged
- Shipping/storage mode activated to comply with airline regulations
- Charging cable or wall adapter fault — the power bank is not actually receiving charge
- Internal battery fault or cell failure on older units
How to Fix It
-
Connect the Anker to a wall charger and wait at least 30-60 minutes.
A completely discharged power bank will not respond to the power button immediately — the battery must reach a minimum charge level before the controller activates. Use a wall charger capable of at least 10W. Do not use a laptop USB port to recover a deeply discharged battery — the current is too low.
-
Check that the charging cable and adapter are working.
Test the cable and adapter with another device to confirm they are delivering power. A faulty cable is one of the most common reasons a power bank appears dead — it is not actually receiving any charge.
-
Try the reset procedure if available on your model.
Some Anker models have a small reset pinhole on the side or bottom. With the power bank connected to a charger, use a SIM tool or straightened paperclip to press and hold the reset button for 5-10 seconds. Check your model's manual or the Anker support page for the reset procedure specific to your unit.
-
Leave it on charge for several hours if it still does not respond.
A deeply discharged lithium battery can take 2-4 hours of trickle charging before it recovers enough to power on. Plug it in, leave it alone, and check back after 2-3 hours. If the charge LED shows any sign of life (blinking or dimly lit), it is recovering.
-
Contact Anker support if the unit does not respond after several hours of charging.
Anker power banks have an 18-month warranty (longer on some models). If the unit is genuinely dead and within warranty, Anker support is responsive and typically replaces dead units. Have your purchase receipt and model number ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my Anker power bank suddenly stop turning on after being stored?
After extended storage, lithium batteries self-discharge slowly. If the power bank was stored for more than 3-6 months without being charged, the battery may have dropped below the minimum voltage threshold — a state called deep discharge. Below this threshold, the battery management system shuts everything down as a protection measure. Slow charging for 1-2 hours usually recovers it. To prevent this, charge the power bank to about 50% before storing it.
My Anker shows a blinking light but will not turn on — what does that mean?
A single LED blinking slowly while charging means the battery is critically low and in recovery mode. Leave it connected to a wall charger for another 30-60 minutes. Once it reaches a minimum threshold, the other LEDs will light up and the unit will function normally.