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Reasons Your iPad Is Charging Slow

It can be quite frustrating when your iPad isn’t fully charged even though it was left plugged in the whole night. Perhaps you want to watch your favorite series on Netflix while lounging on the couch or play games on your iPad while relaxing in your bed, but now you’ve got to stay near a power outlet. So, what could be the cause of this problem?

Your iPad might charge slowly if you’re using an adaptor with low power output or one that’s designed for an iPhone. Charging an iPad from a power bank, car, or laptop also takes longer. If resetting your iPad and cleaning out your charging port doesn’t do the trick, you might need a new charger.

Typically, iPads have a long battery lifespan, but there still might be some issue with your iPad that can slow down its charging speed. Luckily, most of these issues can be easily remedied. Let’s find out the reasons behind this problem and how you can fix your slow-charging iPad. 

Why Is My iPad Charging So Slowly? 

Plugging the charging cable in the port of a tablet device to charge the battery

The best way to effectively fix your iPad’s charging problem is to pinpoint the problem first. There are a few possible reasons why your iPad is charging slowly:

Issues With Your Adaptor, Wall Outlet, or Cable

The first thing that you should do is make sure that there’s nothing wrong with your charging cable and adaptor. Make sure that you use the original power adaptor or one that’s Apple-certified to charge your iPad. 

It’s also a good idea to check the charging speed of your iPad by using a different adaptor. If the problem is fixed, then you might have a faulty charging block. An old or frayed charging cable may also be the reason behind your slow-charging iPad. 

And you should also know that portable chargers do not typically charge nearly as fast as the included apple charger. While a normal battery bank for a phone may change literally 20-30% as fast as the orignal charger, other bigger battery banks designed for laptops, like the IDMIX 20000mAH PD30W charger (on Amazon) are designed to power laptops and iPads at the designed charging speeds (which is way faster).

It’s best to only use charging cables manufactured by Apple. Charging cables available from third-party manufacturers can be bought at attractive prices, but they don’t provide the same high quality and performance as Apple products.

You can also try different wall outlets if one doesn’t work.

iPad Not Updated

Make sure that your iPad is updated to the latest software version. It’s possible that your iPad is facing a bug that’s been fixed by Apple in the latest software update.

Go to your iPad settings, click on ‘General,’ and then select ‘Software Update.’ Follow the instructions on your iPad screen to download the most recent version. 

Your iPad may also experience caching issues and hangups after some time, which can affect its charging performance. The best solution for these issues is to restart your iPad and then try charging it.

Using Your iPad While It’s Charging

Have you been using your iPad while it’s charging? This could be another reason why it’s charging so slowly — since you’re charging and using the battery at the same time. If your iPad is old, it’s possible that the battery level doesn’t increase as much while you’re using. 

Make sure that when you charge your iPad, the screen is off and there are no apps running in the background. Downloading large files, app updates, or movies can also put additional strain on the battery. 

iPad Is Too Hot or Too Cold

Your iPad could be charging slowly if its temperature is outside the normal operating temperatures. According to Apple, an iPad should be used in a place that isn’t above 95 degrees Fahrenheit or below freezing.

If your iPad becomes too hot, it might charge more slowly to prevent overheating. Make sure that you don’t leave your device in direct sunlight, near your heater or oven, or in a parked car.

It’s Time to Change Your iPad Battery

Another reason why your iPad may be charging slowly is that it needs a new battery. If you’ve been using your iPad for more than two years and have never replaced the battery, then it might be time to do so. 

Although you can check the health of your iPhone battery in battery settings, this option unfortunately isn’t available for iPads. If you want to get your iPad’s battery checked, you’ll have to take it to an Apple Store.    

How to Fix Your iPad Charging Issue

Now that you know why your iPad might be charging so slowly, let’s look at some ways to address the issue and get your iPad back up to full speed.

Use the Correct Charging Block 

The charging block or the power adapter is the external power supply that is plugged into the outlet. The cable is then plugged into the charging block. It’s vital to use the right charging block for a quick charge.  

One of the most common reasons why people have charging problems with their iPads is because they use their iPhone adaptors to charge their iPads. It’s important to note that different adaptors come with different power outputs. Charging your iPad with an iPhone adaptor is typically going to take twice as long. 

Check Your Wattage 

Power adapters are designed with different wattage. It’s not advisable to use a 5W power adapter to charge an iPad, as it will take quite a long time to be fully charged. The minimum power output for an iPad should be 10W, and the ideal wattage is 12. 

You can charge your iPad four times faster by using a 20W charger (on Amazon). These chargers are easily available online and in tech shops. Just make sure that the charger you pick is compatible with Apple devices.

It’s best to use a power adapter with high power output, as it will ensure fast charging without causing any damage to your iPad. It’s also essential to take into account the type of iPad you have.

Charging an iPad Pro with an adapter designed for iPad Mini is definitely going to take longer. You can easily use an 18W or 20W charger to charge an iPad Pro.  

Clean Your Charging Port

A dirty charging port is another reason why your iPad may be slow charging. If you carry your iPad around, there’s a good chance that some dust or dirt may have gotten into the port.

You can remove this dirt by blowing into the port or using compressed air (on Amazon) to clean the charging port if it’s filthy.

Avoid using toothpicks, needles, or any chemicals to clean the charging port as it may damage the pins. After cleaning the port, try charging your device to make sure that the issue is resolved.

Always Opt for Wall Charging When Possible 

Tablet and charger on black background

Charging your iPad with your computer is definitely going to take longer, as the power output and voltage of a computer are much lower compared to those of a wall outlet.

However, if you do need to charge your iPad from your computer, make sure that it’s not in sleep mode. Also, avoid multitasking with your computer and iPad while it’s charging. 

Similarly, charging your iPad from your car port is also going to take longer. Even though the amperage produced by the charging port of a car depends on its model, it’s best not to consider it as your primary charging method.

It should be used as a backup to prevent your iPad from losing power. The same is the case with a power bank. It’s going to take a long time to fully juice up your battery.