When an iPhone suddenly won’t charge, the first thing iPhone users look to is the charger. While that’s a major reason most iPhones don’t charge, it’s certainly (and unfortunately) not the only reason.
The most common reasons your iPhone has stopped charging are a frayed/damaged charging cable or lint clogging the charging port preventing a good connection with the cable. Try a different charger, and use a flashlight to look in the port. Consider wireless charging as an option.
Before you pull out the big guns and take your iPhone to a technician, you should try various quick fixes. Of course, there’s no guarantee that any of them will work, but they’re worth a try.
Why is Your iPhone Not Charging When Plugged in?
The first thing that comes to mind when an iPhone, or any phone for that matter, won’t charge is that the charger may be faulty. While that’s usually the case, it’s not always why an iPhone won’t charge.
There are several possible reasons why your iPhone isn’t charging, many of which have nothing to do with your charger.
Clogged Charging Port
Another reason for an iPhone failing to charge is a clogged charging port. The charging port is the opening at the bottom of your phone, where you plug in your charger. This opening consists of tiny cables that conduct electrical current from a power source to your phone.
Dirt, lint, and dust can accumulate in the charger port over time, blocking the flow of electrical current. For that reason, the charging port should be thoroughly cleaned periodically.
Using Uncertified Chargers
Using an uncertified or counterfeit charger can also prevent your device from charging. Regarding chargers and other accessories, iPhone users aren’t limited to purchasing iPhone-specific products.
Third-party chargers may also be used, provided they’re Apple certified. In addition to not charging your iPhone, uncertified cables may damage your phone, overheat or destroy your phone’s battery.
How Do You Fix an iPhone That’s Not Charging
Here are quick fixes you can try at home before taking your iPhone to a specialist;
Try a Different Charger
Sometimes the most obvious solution is the correct one, and in this case, you want to rule out this option first to save yourself lots of time and money.
Chargers often stop working over time because they’re damaged. This occurs for various reasons, such as power fluctuations, repeated plugging and unplugging, or material wear-off.
With that being said, the first thing you want to try when your iPhone won’t charge is to try a different charger. If other chargers work fine on your phone, you may need a new certified iPhone charger (on Amazon).
Check The Power Source
The power source may be the reason your iPhone isn’t charging. If you’re charging from a USB port on a computer, try cleaning out that port or switching to another port. Also, check that your computer is awake and not in sleep mode.
If, however, you’re charging from a wall outlet, you want to make sure it’s, in fact, the outlet that’s faulty. To verify this, try plugging your charger into a different outlet, preferably far away from the previous one, and see if your phone charges.
If it works on another socket, you know the previous one is faulty. A common cause when a wall socket stops working is a failed internal connection.
Try Charging Wirelessly
Wireless charging is easy and convenient, and it could give you another option if you’re standard wall charger and cable aren’t working.
Apple’s MagSafe charger (on Amazon), or any generic Qi charger, may allow your phone to stay charged and connected while you figure out the problem with the charging brick/cable or port on the phone.
Perform a Restart + a Hard Reset
An often overlooked reason an iPhone isn’t charging is a software malfunction. The charger may do most of the legwork, but the phone’s software ultimately dictates how much power the phone draws from the charger.
So, start by, well, re-starting the phone. This is pretty simple, and we recommend doing it routinely anyways. If that didn’t clear your issue, keep reading.
Your iPhone may not draw any power if the software is malfunctioning. Performing a hard reset on an iPhone usually takes care of the problem. Here’s how to go about it:
- First, press and swiftly release the Volume Up button.
- Do the same with the Volume Down button.
- Then, press and hold the side button and release it when the Apple logo comes on.
How Do You Clean Your iPhone Charging Port?
If you’re positive your phone’s charging port is the culprit and you’ve ruled out all other possibilities, the next thing to do is clean it. Cleaning an iPhone charging port is a relatively straightforward process, but you need to be extra careful, given how intricate and sensitive the internal parts are.
Ideally, you want to use an object that will not scrape the sensitive parts. However, while you’re at it, be sure to practice patience, as rushing through the process will likely cause you to damage the charging port.
Follow these steps to remove gunk from your charging port:
- Start with shutting down your device.
- Then, wrap a thin layer of cotton or tissue onto the tip of a toothpick.
- Insert the toothpick into the charging port and wiggle it gently.
- Gently remove the toothpick and blow some air into the port.
Alternatively, you can try out the compressed air method:
- Again, turn off your iPhone.
- Grab a can of compressed air (on Amazon) and place the nozzle right in front of the charging port.
- Spray the air in light and rapid bursts.
- Turn your phone back on and plug it in to see if it charges.
How Do You Know if Your Charger Port is Damaged?
Given how many possible reasons there are for why an iPhone isn’t charging, pinpointing the exact cause can prove to be daunting, especially if the problem is caused by a damaged or clogged charging port.
The first sign that your charger port is damaged is if your iPhone only charges when positioned at a specific angle, regardless of which lightning cable you use. Another major sign is if the charger adapter and cable work on other similar devices.
A thorough inspection of the charging port is the only way to know for sure. In addition, examining the port may unveil issues like broken pins and debris build-up.
How Much Does it Cost to Fix an iPhone Charging Port?
The best thing to do when your iPhone charging port is damaged is to have it repaired by a professional; it’s the safest option and the one that will break the bank.
Whether a few parts need to be repaired or the entire charging port needs to be repaired, you’re looking at a cost range of 80 to nearly 600 bucks. The good news is that there are several repair shops that may be able to get the work done at more affordable rates.