My iPhone Won’t Charge! 7 Reasons & 13 Quick And Easy Fixes!

It’s aggravating to discover that your iPhone isn’t charging while being hooked into an outlet for a time it shouldn’t be. When “my iPhone won’t charge” at all, it’s one of the scarier – and most frightening – issues. Do you agree?

If you’re confident your iPhone isn’t the source of the problem, something else must have gone wrong. Maybe the charger you’re using has developed internal malfunctions or the cable is the culprit.

There are numerous possibilities as to why “my iPhone won’t charge” . However, don’t be alarmed; there is a solution to this situation, no matter how frightening it may appear in the first place. There are a few prevalent explanations for this, and they’re usually simple to address.

The good news is that, while the treatments vary slightly depending on your iPhone model, the underlying problems are frequently similar. There’s no need to look for model-specific information: whether your iPhone 7 won’t charge or your iPhone 8 won’t charge when plugged in, these methods will help. So, let’s get started. 

7 Potential Reasons Why “My iPhone Won’t Charge”

Your iPhone’s software, not its hardware, keep it from charging most of the time. Thus, changing the battery when you suspect your device isn’t charging will almost always have no impact if your iPhone doesn’t charge! Similarly, here are the other 7 common reasons to know in this regard. 

1. The charging connection is loose

Defective wires account for over 90% of the time when your iPhone won’t charge at all or charge at an unusually slow pace. Your connection can go slack at any time, and you may not realize it until you pick up your phone hours later and discover it hasn’t charged at all.

Plus, it’s possible that the connection between your cable and the charging port on your iPhone isn’t strong enough, or that the USB cable isn’t correctly inserted in.

You should double-check that the connection between the cable and your iPhone is stable. If not, it’s also possible that the lightning charger’s connection to the wall outlet is loose. In that scenario, double-check that the power plug is properly put into the outlet.

2. The charging port is dirty or damaged

Check if your iPhone’s lightning port is clogged with muck or microscopic lint particles. Believe it or not, material accumulates in the port over time, preventing the iPhone from charging when plugged in. As a result, you should clean the port regularly to ensure that it remains clean.

You can use a toothpick or a toothbrush to clear out the dust and muck inside. To avoid long-term damage, turn off your phone first. After that, give it a light cleaning. When cleaning, remember not to use water.

Whether your iPhone still won’t charge after you’ve cleaned it, check to see if your charger is compromised. Examine the region around the connector with care.

3. Liquid has entered the charging port

While dirt and debris in the charging port can prevent the phone from charging, liquid damage can also be a significant issue. If you’ve dropped your phone in water and set it aside to dry, double-check that it’s entirely dry before plugging it in. 

Keep in mind that even a small amount of water within the port might cause the connections to short, resulting in not just charging issues but possibly more serious issues.

4. Your charging cable is busted

If your iPhone isn’t charging, it’s probably time to acquire a new lightning cable to see if a faulty cable is an issue.

• Several power sources can be used to charge your iPhone. If you usually charge your laptop with a wall charger, try charging it with a USB port on the laptop, and vice-versa.
• If your iPhone charges with one power source but not with the other, you understand the issue is with the cable.

You must be sensitive when it comes to securing your charging wires. Make sure it doesn’t get stuck underneath your seat. You must store it in a secure location where you can be certain that it will not be harmed after usage. When it comes to charging wires, you can never be too cautious.

5. Your charging outlet has developed some problems

To rule out all other possibilities, double-check that the problem isn’t caused by a faulty computer port or a faulty electrical outlet. Switch outlets — it may seem insignificant, but it’s preferable to kicking yourself later after performing a system restore.

Use other chargers or put different objects into your socket to see if it has a problem. If everything else works except your charger, it’s your charger that’s the issue. If nothing works, the problem is most likely the outlet, which is arguably a worse problem than a faulty charger.

6. The iPhone software is malfunctioning

If your iPhone isn’t charging when plugged in, you might think it’s the battery, but the chances are that it’s a software glitch. This makes sense if you think about it: while the hardware does the heavy lifting, the software is the brains behind the operation, and a more fragile system is more likely to encounter a tiny hiccup now and again.

Because newer versions of iOS (including iOS 15) are notoriously problematic, you should never rule out the potential of a rare bug creating the charging issue. As a result, consider updating your iPhone’s software.

7. The charging accessories aren’t Apple-certified

Are you using Apple-certified accessories? If not, that’s the reason why your iPhone won’t charge. Ordinary wires and adapter should never be used since they will not be able to charge your iPhone. Apple-certified cords aren’t necessarily unique to the Apple shop.

Don’t get rid of your third-party cable just yet. Any cable will work as long as it is Apple-certified. If a cable is Apple-certified, it will include a label that reads “Made for iPhone.” This label can be applied to the cable or the actual lightning charger. On one of the two, it’s typically a sticker.

Moreover, there are Apple-certified devices that aren’t labeled. These chargers will still work on your iPhone, but you won’t know unless you use them. It is preferable to get a lightning charger with an Apple-certified branding as a solution.

So, these were the common reasons why your iPhone won’t charge.  

13 Fixes For iPhone Won’t Charge 

Now that you’ve determined what’s keeping your iPhone from charging, let’s work around the potential fixes as no one likes a charge-less phone, right?

1. Turn your iPhone off and back on again
2. Try a different iPhone charger
3. Keep liquid damage in mind
4. Update your iOS
5. Make sure your charger is not damaged
6. Clean the Lightning Port
7. Does the charging stop at 80%? Disable optimized battery charging
8. Ensure that your case is compatible
9. Hard Reset (or Force Restart) your iPhone
10. Getting “Accessory May Not Be Supported” error message? Check MFi compatibility
11. Reset all iPhone settings
12. Restore your iPhone as new
13. Try wireless charging

Let’s discuss each of the fixes below. 

1. Turn your iPhone off and back on again

When debugging a problem, it’s always a good idea to restart the system and see if it solves the problem. If your phone’s battery life is still sufficient, restart it and attempt charging it again.

2. Try a different iPhone charger

Consider trying a different Apple-certified charger if you feel the problem is caused by a malfunctioning charger or lightning wire. Other options include using a power bank, a computer, a MagSafe charger, or even a car charger to charge it. The plan is to try a different charger and see if it makes a difference.

If you need a new charger, look for one that has been certified by Apple. For iPhone chargers, the maximum allowed amperage is 2.1 amps. 

3. Keep liquid damage in mind

Anything that exposes your charging port to dampness, and hence the inside of your phone, risks damaging the circuitry. If your phone becomes wet, switch it off right away and dry it as soon as possible. Water will leak in through the charge port and headphone jack the longer it is exposed to water.

4. Update your iOS

It’s possible that your phone isn’t charging because you’re not running the most recent version of iOS. When your phone is working well, software updates may not seem significant, but they can help prevent a variety of problems and even improve performance.

Here’s how to check for and download updates on your iPhone:

• Open your iPhone and go to its Settings by tapping on its Gear icon on the screen
• Select General from the Settings menu. 
• Select Software Update from the drop-down menu. Your iPhone will now begin to look for the most recent iOS update. 
• Tap Install Now if an update is available.

5. Make sure your charger is not damaged

Generally, this should be the first step you take when you notice malfunctions in your phone’s charging. Damaging chargers are very common and especially when you use third-party chargers, this is a recurring issue. 

Check if the wires are visible from the corners of the charger. Look out for any frayed wires or cuts in your rubber material. Such damages can cause serious problems if ignored. 

6. Clean the Lightning Port

It’s very natural for the iPhone’s charging port to become dusty over time. Even if the charger is plugged in, everything from dust to pocket lint can “clog” a lightning port and prevent the circuitry inside from interfacing with the charger.

If wireless charging works, it’s a sign that there’s a problem with the lightning port. Wireless charging is available on all recent iPhones, beginning with the iPhone 8. If the iPhone charges satisfactorily on a wireless charging pad but not with a standard lightning port charger, the lightning port is most likely the issue.

7. Does the charging stop at 80%? Disable optimized battery charging

If your iPhone won’t charge past 80%, you may not have anything to be concerned about. Apple has begun employing the Optimized Battery Charging function to increase the life of their device batteries. It is compatible with all Apple devices running iOS 13 and higher.

The feature detects when you use your phone the most and whether it becomes too hot while charging using machine learning and temperature sensors.

If your phone doesn’t charge past this point, wait a few hours and charge it again to see if there’s a problem with the charging or if the Optimized Battery Charging feature kicked in to restrict the phone from charging any further.

8. Ensure that your case is compatible

In certain cases, accurate cuts for connections and buttons are missing. As a result, adjusting the buttons or plugging a charger into the socket becomes cumbersome. Remove the casing if the connector is unable to achieve a secure connection.

If you use a magnetic ring holder or a heavy-duty case on your iPhone, the issue could be with your cover rather than the iPhone itself.

9. Hard Reset your iPhone

A hard reset, also known as a Device Firmware Update or DFU restore, puts the iPhone in recovery mode and effectively resets it to factory settings. Regrettably, just like a factory reset, this operation will wipe all of the data on the phone except the core operating system that came with it. Backing up all of the data on the iPhone is the first step in a force reset. In this manner, once it’s operating again, it may be reinstated.

10. Getting “Accessory May Not Be Supported” error message? Check MFi compatibility

A notice such as “accessory may not be supported,” “this accessory is not supported by this device,” or anything similar could appear for a variety of reasons. The following are some of the possible causes:

• Your device is defective, damaged, or not MFi-certified.
• The operating system on your device is either obsolete or broken.
• Your device is incompatible with the attachment.
• The Lightning port on your iOS smartphone is filthy or damaged.
• Your accessory is no longer in style. If Apple discontinues the production of a particular accessory, it may become incompatible with current devices.

11. Reset all iPhone settings

A factory reset is a tried-and-true all-in-one solution. This one is important, especially when dealing with complicated circumstances. So, if your iPhone still won’t charge, don’t be afraid to give it a shot.

1. If you’re using iOS 15 or later, you’ll be able to: Go to Settings -> General -> Transfer or Reset iPhone -> Reset -> Reset All Settings on your iPhone.
2. If you’re using iOS 14 or later, you’ll be able to: On your iPhone, go to Settings -> General -> Reset -> Reset All Settings.

12. Restore your iPhone as new

When you’re having problems with your iPhone, a factory reset might occasionally assist.

A reset will restore it to its factory default settings, presumably resolving any issues you may be experiencing. This is a last-ditch effort to resolve the problem on your own, and it’s worth a shot.

13. Try wireless charging

Last but not least, if your iPhone still won’t charge after the aforementioned fixes, you can try wireless charging if your device supports it. In most cases, a wireless charger works when other solutions don’t. 

BONUS!!

How to clean your iPhone charging port? 

Cleaning your iPhone’s charging port is no rocket science. Here are the steps to properly and safely clean the charging port. 

• It’s critical to turn off your iPhone before cleaning the Lightning connector to avoid accidentally producing shorts that could harm your phone. Depending on which iPhone model you have, you can accomplish it in one of three ways:

1. Hold the side button and the volume up button or volume down button for around four seconds until the power-off slider shows on iPhones without a Home Button.
2. Hold the side button for a few seconds until the power-off slider displays on the screen on iPhones with a Home Button and a Side Button.
3. Press and hold the top button on iPhones with a Home Button and a Top Button until the power-off slider displays.

• Slide to the right when the “Slide to Power Off” slider appears on the screen, and your smartphone will switch off.
• Next, get a torch and investigate what you’re up against. It’s also a good idea to do this after each step so you can see how far you’ve come.

Tip: Using compressed air to clean iPhones is not recommended by Apple. Although most iPhone owners tend to go that way as this is a well-known and effective procedure. Thus, we’ve provided instructions for individuals who wish to utilize compressed air.

Hold a can of compressed air, such as Falcon Dust, upright and blast the port a few times to clean away any dust that has accumulated. After that, plug in your iPhone to see if the problem has been resolved. If the issue persists, move to the next step.

Instead of the compressed gas, we found that a wooden toothpick works best: it doesn’t conduct electricity, so it won’t cause an inadvertent short, and it’s soft enough to avoid harming the lightning port’s connector pins.

• To begin, gently insert the toothpick into the iPhone’s Lightning port just at the bottom.
• Try to scrape lint or dust out by moving it back and forth. 
• To avoid harming the pins on the connector’s bottom side, maintain the toothpick centered in the port as you move it. Some websites propose wrapping a toothpick in cotton, however, this may contribute to the debris in the port, therefore, we suggest sticking with the toothpick.
• You can also give the port a couple of blasts between toothpick insertions if you’re using compressed air. You shouldn’t use anything other than a toothpick because metal instruments will harm the port and force it to be replaced, which isn’t ideal.
• Repeat the cleaning procedure until the iPhone responds. If that doesn’t work, you’ll have to take it to an Apple store.

Conclusion

We hope we were prepared to support you in determining the cause of your iPhone’s inability to charge. When someone’s iPhone refuses to charge, it’s usually for one of the reasons listed above. Moving forward, there are always things you can do to avoid the issue recurring.

As previously noted, you can usually remedy this issue by cleaning the port, selecting an approved charger, and rebooting the device. So, keep these helpful hacks on hand to deal with this typical problem. If nothing of the above works, take your iPhone to a repair shop or contact Apple Support. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)