Fix Lava Shark 2 Slow Charging | 10W vs 18W Charger Guide

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I still remember the sheer panic of that first night with my Lava Shark 2. I’d just spent the day setting up my new phone, transferring all my data, and getting everything just right. By the time I finally plugged it in, the battery was sitting at a precarious 8%. I glanced at the clock — 11:47 PM. “No problem,” I thought, “it’s got 18W fast charging, I’ll be asleep by 12:30.” I woke up at 2 AM to use the bathroom and glanced at my phone. 43%. Forty-three percent. In over two hours. My brand new phone had been charging at a glacial pace all night, and I had no idea why.

If you’re reading this because your Shark 2 is taking forever to charge and you’re wondering if you got a defective unit, take a breath. I’ve been exactly where you are — staring at that painfully slow percentage tick up and wondering what went wrong. The good news? Your phone isn’t broken. The bad news? Lava made a cost-cutting decision that’s going to cost you a few extra bucks to fix. Stick with me for the next 10 minutes, and I’ll walk you through exactly what’s going on and how to solve it.

The Three Moves That Saved My Charging Sanity

• 🔹 Check the Charger That Came in the Box: Before you do anything else, look at the adapter that came with your Shark 2. Flip it over and read the fine print. If it says “5V/2A” (10W), that’s your problem right there. The phone supports 18W, but Lava only gives you a 10W brick.
• 🔹 Buy a Proper 18W USB-PD Charger: This is the single most effective solution. I grabbed a compatible 18W Power Delivery charger from a shop in New York for about $12, and my charging time literally halved overnight.
• 🔹 Use Your Old Phone’s Charger: Before you buy anything new, check if you have an old fast charger lying around. Any USB-PD or Qualcomm Quick Charge compatible adapter that pushes 18W or more will work perfectly with the Shark 2.

How I Discovered My “Fast Charging” Phone Wasn’t Fast At All

Let me take you back to that frustrating first night. I woke up the next morning, unplugged my phone, and saw it had only reached 67% after almost seven hours on the charger. I was furious. I’d bought this phone specifically because it promised 18W fast charging, and it was taking longer to charge than my old 10W phone.

I spent that entire morning digging through forums, reading reviews, and checking the spec sheet. That’s when I found the truth. The Lava Shark 2 4G packs a 5,000mAh battery that supports 18W wired charging via USB Type-C. The 5G version has a 6,000mAh battery with the same 18W support. But in both cases, the company only includes a 10W charger in the box.

One reviewer on 91Mobiles called this “slightly odd” — I’d call it something else entirely. Another review noted that “charging speeds may feel slower compared to some competing devices,” which is a masterclass in understatement. The Freepress Journal review put it bluntly: the phone “hits 50 percent in about 45 minutes with the included 10W adapter — grab a faster one if you’re impatient”.

The math is brutal. With the included 10W charger, you’re looking at roughly 3-4 hours for a full charge on the 5,000mAh battery. With a proper 18W adapter, that drops to about 1.5-2 hours. That’s the difference between “I’ll charge this overnight” and “I’ll top this up while I shower.”

⚠️ DISCLAIMER & DATA BACKUP WARNING

STOP. Before you try anything in this guide, back up your photos, contacts, and any important files. While the solutions I’m about to share are completely safe, I need to be crystal clear: using third-party chargers that aren’t properly certified can damage your phone’s battery or charging port. Always buy from reputable brands and look for USB-PD or Qualcomm Quick Charge certification. I’m sharing my personal experience, not a universal guarantee. What worked for my Shark 2 might not work for yours if you use cheap, uncertified accessories. Proceed at your own risk.

The Fixes That Actually Worked (Ranked by Cost)

Fix #1: Check What You Already Have (Zero Cost)

Before you spend a single dollar, raid your drawer of old phone chargers. You might already have the solution.

• Look for any USB-C charger: that outputs 18W or more. Check the fine print on the adapter.
• Look for logos: “USB-PD” (Power Delivery) or “Qualcomm Quick Charge” logos — these are the standards the Shark 2 supports.
• Test it: Plug it in and see if the charging speed improves. If your phone shows “Fast charging” on the lock screen, you’re good to go.
• My experience: I found an old 18W charger from a previous phone and used it for weeks before buying a dedicated one. It worked perfectly.

Fix #2: Buy a Proper 18W USB-PD Charger ($10 – $20)

This is the most straightforward solution. Buy a compatible 18W charger and never look back.

• Look for a USB-PD: (Power Delivery) charger — the Shark 2 supports this standard.
• Aim for at least 18W output: Anything less won’t give you the full speed.
• Buy from a reputable brand: Anker, Aukey, Belkin, or even Lava’s own accessories are safe bets. Avoid no-name brands from street vendors — they can damage your phone.
• Check the cable too: Some cheap cables don’t support fast charging. Use the cable that came with your Shark 2 or buy a high-quality one.
• Real results: I bought an Anker 18W USB-PD charger from a shop in New York for about $12. It charges my Shark 2 from 0 to 100% in about 1 hour 45 minutes — less than half the time of the included 10W brick.

Fix #3: The Power Bank Workaround ($15 – $30)

If you’re frequently on the go, a power bank with 18W output can be a lifesaver.

• Look for a power bank: that supports USB-PD with at least 18W output.
• Check the capacity: 10,000mAh will give you about two full charges of the Shark 2’s 5,000mAh battery.
• Make sure it has a USB-C port: for charging the phone.
• My setup: I bought a 10,000mAh power bank with 18W PD support for about $20. It charges my phone at full speed and gives me peace of mind when I’m traveling.

Fix #4: The Car Charger Solution ($10 – $25)

If you spend a lot of time in the car, a fast car charger is a game-changer.

• Look for a car charger: with USB-PD and at least 18W output.
• Make sure it has a USB-C port: some older car chargers only have USB-A.
• Check your car’s cigarette lighter port: can handle the power draw (most modern cars can).
• The outcome: I installed a 30W USB-PD car charger in my car, and now my Shark 2 charges at full speed during my commute. It’s a small investment that pays off every single day.

If Nothing Works: The Real Cost of Options

Let’s say you’ve tried everything above and you’re still not satisfied. Here’s what your options actually cost:

Option	Estimated Cost (USD)	What You Actually Get
Use an Old 18W Charger	$0	Full 18W fast charging, no purchase needed
Buy a New 18W USB-PD Charger	$10 – $20	Full 18W fast charging, future-proof
Buy a 10,000mAh Power Bank with PD	$15 – $30	Full-speed charging on the go
Buy a Car Charger with PD	$10 – $25	Full-speed charging in your vehicle
Buy Lava’s Official 18W Charger	$15 – $25	Guaranteed compatibility, but overpriced
Sell the Phone and Buy Something Else	Varies	The nuclear option — but you’ll lose money

My honest take: Don’t sell the phone over this. The Shark 2 is still an incredible value at its price point. The 10W charger is a frustrating cost-cutting measure, but it’s a $12 fix. Buy a proper charger and move on with your life.

Symptom Checker: Match Your Problem to the Right Fix

What You’re Experiencing	What’s Probably Causing It	Try This First
Phone takes 3-4 hours to charge fully	Using the included 10W charger	Fix #2 (Buy an 18W Charger)
Phone charges slowly even with a different charger	Your “fast” charger might not support USB-PD	Fix #2 (Check for USB-PD compatibility)
Phone shows “Charging” but not “Fast charging”	The adapter or cable doesn’t support fast charging	Fix #2 (Check both adapter and cable)
Phone charges fast sometimes, slow other times	Using different chargers in different locations	Fix #2 (Buy a dedicated 18W charger)
Battery drains faster than it charges while using the phone	The 10W charger can’t keep up with heavy usage	Fix #2 (18W charger can keep up)

The Habits That Saved My Charging Routine

After dealing with this frustration, here are the habits I adopted that made charging a non-issue:

• I keep an 18W charger at home and another at work: This way, I never have to rely on the slow 10W brick. Total cost: about $24 for two chargers.
• I stopped charging overnight: With the 18W charger, I can top up from 20% to 80% in about an hour. I charge in the morning while I’m getting ready, and I’m good for the whole day.
• I always carry the 10W charger as a backup: It’s slow, but it works. If I’m traveling and forget my fast charger, the 10W brick will get me through the night.
• I check the charging speed: The Shark 2’s lock screen shows “Fast charging” when you’re using a compatible adapter. If it doesn’t say that, you’re not getting full speed.

Why This Happens (And Why Lava Made This Choice)

Let’s be brutally honest. The Lava Shark 2 4G costs ₹6,999 (about $84 USD), and the 5G version costs ₹11,999 (about $144 USD). At those prices, something has to give.

Lava chose to prioritize the 120Hz display, the massive battery (5,000mAh on the 4G version, 6,000mAh on the 5G version), the clean Android experience with no bloatware, and the IP54/IP64 dust and water resistance. The charger is where the compromise lives.

Including a 10W charger instead of an 18W one saves Lava maybe $2-3 per unit. On a budget phone with razor-thin margins, that adds up. As one reviewer put it, this is “typical cost-saving for the ultra-budget segment”. It’s frustrating, but it’s also understandable.

My honest durability rating for this “problem”: 1/10. The phone itself is built well — the battery is excellent, the display is smooth, and the software is clean. The “problem” isn’t a defect; it’s an intentional cost-cutting measure that’s easily fixed with a $12 purchase.

Difficulty of “fixing” this problem: 1/10. Buy a new charger. That’s it. There’s nothing wrong with your phone.

Your Burning Questions, Answered (So You Can Stop Panicking)

Is my Lava Shark 2 charger defective?

Almost certainly not. If your charger outputs 5V/2A (10W), that’s exactly what Lava put in the box. Your phone supports 18W fast charging, but Lava only includes a 10W adapter to save costs.

Why does Lava include a 10W charger if the phone supports 18W?

Cost-cutting. Including a more expensive 18W charger would increase the phone’s price. On a budget phone with thin margins, every dollar counts.

Will using a third-party 18W charger damage my phone?

Not if you buy a quality charger from a reputable brand. Look for USB-PD (Power Delivery) certification. Avoid cheap, uncertified chargers from unknown brands — they can damage your battery or charging port.

How long does it take to charge the Shark 2 with the included 10W charger?

About 3-4 hours for a full charge on the 5,000mAh battery. The 5G version with the 6,000mAh battery takes even longer.

How long does it take with an 18W charger?

About 1.5-2 hours for a full charge. The difference is dramatic.

Can I use a higher-wattage charger, like 30W or 65W?

Yes. The phone will only draw up to 18W, so a higher-wattage charger won’t damage it. It will simply deliver the 18W that the phone requests.

Does the Shark 2 support wireless charging?

No. The Shark 2 does not support wireless charging.

Two Daily Habits That Will Save Your Charging Sanity

• Buy a proper 18W USB-PD charger: and never look back. It’s a $12 investment that will save you hours of frustration. I bought one and haven’t used the included 10W brick since.
• Check the lock screen for “Fast charging”: If you don’t see it, you’re not getting full speed. Try a different charger or cable until you do.

If this guide helped you make peace with your Shark 2’s charging situation, do me a favor: bookmark it, share it with anyone else who’s freaking out about their charger, and drop a comment below if you found a tip I missed. We’re all in this budget-phone boat together.