Complete Guide to Fixing an iPhone That’s Not Charging
If your iPhone isn’t charging, follow these steps to
troubleshoot and resolve the issue:
1. Check Basic Components
a. Inspect the Lightning Cable and Adapter
- Look
for visible damage (fraying, bent pins, etc.). - Test
with another cable and adapter to confirm the issue isn’t with your
accessories. - Use
certified Apple or MFi (Made for iPhone) accessories.
b. Verify the Power Source
- Ensure
the wall outlet, USB port, or power strip is working. - Try
a different outlet or power source.
2. Clean the Charging Port
- Dust,
lint, or debris in the charging port can prevent proper contact. - Use
a flashlight to inspect the port. - Gently
clean the port using a toothpick, a soft brush, or compressed air. Be
careful not to damage the connectors.
3. Restart Your iPhone
- A
simple restart can often resolve software glitches. - Steps
to restart:- iPhone
X and later: Press and hold the Volume Down button and the Side
Button, then slide to power off. - iPhone
SE (2nd Gen) and earlier: Hold the Power Button, then slide to
power off.
- iPhone
- Turn
it back on after a few seconds and reconnect the charger.
4. Force Restart the iPhone
- If a
regular restart doesn’t work, try a force restart:- iPhone
8 and later: Quickly press and release Volume Up, then Volume
Down, then press and hold the Side Button until the Apple logo
appears. - iPhone
7/7 Plus: Hold the Volume Down and Power Button until
the Apple logo appears. - iPhone
6s and earlier: Hold the Home Button and Power Button
until the Apple logo appears.
- iPhone
5. Update iOS
- Outdated
software can cause charging issues. - Go
to Settings > General > Software Update to check for updates. - Connect
your iPhone to Wi-Fi and install any available updates.
6. Check for Temperature Issues
- iPhones
may stop charging if they’re too hot or too cold. - If
the device displays a temperature warning, move it to a cooler or warmer
location before attempting to charge again.
7. Test Wireless Charging (if supported)
- If
your iPhone supports wireless charging, test it with a Qi-compatible
charging pad. - If
wireless charging works, the issue may be with the Lightning port.
8. Reset All Settings
- Misconfigured
settings can occasionally cause charging issues. - Go
to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset >
Reset All Settings. - This
won’t delete your data but will reset preferences like Wi-Fi and
wallpaper.
9. Restore the iPhone (as a last resort)
- If
none of the above works, restoring the iPhone may fix deep software
issues. - Steps
to restore:- Connect
your iPhone to a computer. - Open
iTunes (or Finder on macOS Catalina and later). - Put
your iPhone in Recovery Mode and follow on-screen instructions to Restore
the device.
- Connect
10. Visit Apple Support
If the issue persists after trying all the steps, it may be
due to hardware problems, such as:
- A
damaged charging port. - Battery
issues. - Logic
board problems.
Visit an Apple Store or Authorized Service
Provider for a diagnosis. If your device is under warranty or covered by
AppleCare+, repairs might be free.