My iphone 4s charger only charges when its off?

I'm trying to charge & put music on my iphone but the thing is the charger only works when the phone is off and its on the wall. But i try doing the same method on my laptop but it wouldnt work.

Well with the computer the issue may be the UBS port simply does not put out enough power to charge the phone. Try another USB port. As for charging only when it is off connected to a wall that may be anything. Try using different cables, wall outlets and wall chargers and see if it helps at all.

Do you have a USB 3.0 port? USB 2.0 ports do not supply enough amps to charge any modern device.

If not, you will have to use the wall charger, or buy a new one.