What Does This Error Mean?

A wireless charger foreign object detection (FOD) alert is triggered by a metal object (coin, key, card chip) on the charging pad. Remove the phone, wipe the pad surface, check that no metal is between the pad and phone, and replace the phone centered on the pad.

Affected Models

Anker wireless chargers
Belkin wireless chargers
Samsung wireless chargers
Apple MagSafe chargers
Any Qi-certified wireless charging pad

Common Causes

A coin, credit card chip, or small metal object left on the charging pad
Metal ring or plate inside a phone case interfering with the FOD sensor
NFC payment chip in the phone case positioned near the charging coil
Charging pad detecting its own metal housing if placement is off-center
Moisture or condensation on the pad surface causing a false FOD reading

How to Fix It

Remove the phone and inspect the charging pad.

Lift the phone off the pad and wipe the surface with a dry cloth. Look for coins, card chip stickers, paper clips, or any other metal object on the pad. Even a small metal fragment too small to see can trigger FOD.
Remove metal accessories from the phone case.

Magnetic car mount plates, metal kickstand rings, and credit card holders added to phone cases contain metal that triggers FOD. Remove any metal attachments from the phone case before placing it on the wireless charger. Use a MagSafe-compatible case if you want a magnet and wireless charging to coexist.
Center the phone precisely on the charging coil.

Qi chargers use the FOD circuit to detect misalignment as well as foreign objects. Place the phone flat and centered on the charging pad — most pads have a small indicator or indentation showing the coil location. Misaligned placement can trigger a false FOD error on sensitive pads.
Dry the charging pad surface.

Moisture or condensation on the pad surface — from a cold drink glass placed nearby or a humid environment — can cause the FOD sensor to misread the surface. Wipe the pad dry with a clean cloth and let it air for 5 minutes before replacing the phone.
Try charging without a phone case.

Remove the phone case entirely and place the bare phone on the pad. If charging works without the case but not with it, the case itself contains metal that is causing the FOD alert. Switch to a wireless-charging-compatible case that does not include metal components.

When to Call a Professional

FOD errors are almost always caused by placement or interference — no hardware repair is needed. If the charger shows a FOD error on an empty, clean, dry pad, the FOD sensor circuit inside the charger may have failed.