It’s a common frustration: you plug in your phone, expecting it to power up, only to find it stubbornly refusing to charge. When your phone isn’t charging, it can disrupt your day and leave you feeling disconnected. Understanding why your charger might not be working is the first step to getting your device back in action. This guide will walk you through the common reasons why your phone might not be charging and provide step-by-step troubleshooting tips to get you back on track.
Common Reasons Why Your Phone Isn’t Charging
Before diving into solutions, it’s helpful to understand the potential culprits behind your phone charging issues. Often, the problem is simpler than you might think. Here are some of the most frequent reasons why your phone isn’t charging:
Problem with the Power Source
Sometimes, the issue isn’t with your phone or charger, but with the power source itself. This could be anything from a faulty wall outlet to an underpowered USB port on your computer.
- Wall Outlet Issues: The wall outlet you’re using might not be working. This is easily checked by plugging another device into the same outlet to see if it receives power.
- Computer USB Ports: While convenient, not all computer USB ports are created equal. Some, especially older USB 2.0 ports or those on keyboards, might not provide enough power to effectively charge your phone, or the computer might be in sleep mode, cutting power to USB ports. USB 3.0 ports are generally better for charging.
- Power Accessories: If you’re using a USB hub, docking station, or a third-party power accessory, it might be the source of the problem. Unpowered USB hubs, or accessories that aren’t Apple-certified, may not deliver sufficient or stable power for charging.
Faulty Charging Cable or Adapter
The charging cable and adapter are essential components, and they are often subjected to wear and tear. Damage to either of these can prevent your phone from charging.
- Cable Damage: Inspect your charging cable for any visible damage. Look for frayed wires, bends near the connectors, or cracks in the cable insulation. Internal damage can also occur without being immediately obvious.
- Adapter Issues: Check your USB power adapter for signs of physical damage like cracks or bent prongs. Adapters can also fail internally over time.
Image of a lightning to USB cable and a USB-C wall adapter
Debris in the Charging Port
Lint, dust, and other debris can accumulate in your phone’s charging port over time. This buildup can obstruct the connection between the charging cable and the phone’s internal contacts, preventing charging.
Software Glitches and Optimized Battery Charging
Software glitches can sometimes interfere with the charging process. Additionally, features like Optimized Battery Charging, designed to prolong battery health, might sometimes appear to be preventing a full charge.
- Optimized Battery Charging: iPhones with iOS 13 and later have “Optimized Battery Charging.” This feature learns your charging habits and may pause charging at 80% to reduce battery aging. It usually resumes charging to 100% based on your usage patterns. This is not a malfunction but a battery health feature.
- Software Bugs: Less frequently, a software bug can cause charging issues. Restarting your phone can often resolve temporary software glitches.
Overheating
If your phone gets excessively hot, especially during charging, it might temporarily stop charging to protect the battery. High temperatures can degrade battery health, so phones are designed to prevent overheating.
Accessory Not Supported or Certified Errors
If you see an “Accessory Not Supported” or “Accessory Not Certified” alert, it indicates a problem with the accessory you’re using.
- Non-Certified Accessories: Using cheap, non-certified charging cables and adapters can lead to charging problems and even damage your device. Apple-certified accessories are designed to meet specific quality and safety standards.
- Damaged Accessories: Even certified accessories can become damaged and trigger these alerts.
- Dirty or Damaged Charging Port: As mentioned before, debris in the charging port can also sometimes trigger these error messages.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide
If your phone isn’t charging, follow these troubleshooting steps, trying to charge your phone after each step to see if the issue is resolved:
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Restart Your Phone: A simple restart can often fix temporary software glitches that might be interfering with charging. Restart your iPhone or iPod touch.
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Inspect Your Charging Cable and Adapter: Carefully examine your charging cable and USB adapter for any signs of damage. Look for fraying, bent pins, or cracks. If you notice any damage, try using a different, known-good cable and adapter. Avoid using damaged accessories.
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Try a Different Power Outlet: Plug your charger into a different wall outlet to rule out a problem with the initial outlet. Ensure the connections between the charging cable, adapter, and wall outlet are firm.
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Clean Your Phone’s Charging Port: Use a small, non-metallic tool, like a dry toothbrush or compressed air, to gently remove any lint or debris from the charging port at the bottom of your phone. Be gentle to avoid damaging the port. After cleaning, firmly plug in your charging cable again.
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Let it Charge for a While: After trying the above steps, plug your phone into a power source and leave it to charge for at least 30 minutes. Sometimes, if the battery is deeply discharged, it might take a little while to register a charge.
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Force Restart Your Device: If your phone is still unresponsive and not powering on or displaying a charging icon after 30 minutes, try force restarting it while it’s connected to the charger. The force restart process varies depending on your iPhone model:
- iPhone 8 or later and iPhone SE (2nd generation and later): Press and quickly release the Volume Up button. Press and quickly release the Volume Down button. Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
- iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, and iPod touch (7th generation): Press and hold both the Side (or Top) button and the Volume Down button until the Apple logo appears.
- iPhone 6s or earlier, iPhone SE (1st generation), and iPod touch (6th generation) or earlier: Press and hold both the Side (or Top) button and the Home button until the Apple logo appears.
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Charge for Another Half Hour: After force restarting, let your device charge for another 30 minutes to see if it starts to take a charge.
When to Seek Professional Help
If you’ve tried all the troubleshooting steps and your phone still isn’t charging, it might indicate a more serious hardware issue. In these cases, it’s best to seek professional help.
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Contact Apple Support: If your iPhone is still under warranty or you have AppleCare+, contact Apple Support or visit an authorized Apple Service Provider. They have the expertise to diagnose and repair hardware problems. You can get service here.
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Consider Professional Repair: If your phone is out of warranty, you can consider reputable third-party repair services. However, ensure they use quality parts and have experienced technicians.
Conclusion
Dealing with a phone that won’t charge can be frustrating, but often the problem is easily resolved with simple troubleshooting. By systematically checking the power source, cable, adapter, charging port, and trying basic software fixes, you can often get your phone charging again. Remember to use certified accessories and avoid forcing connections. If the problem persists after trying these steps, don’t hesitate to seek professional help to diagnose and fix any underlying hardware issues. Keeping your phone charged is crucial for staying connected, and understanding these troubleshooting steps can save you time and stress.
