Experiencing issues with your iPhone not charging can be incredibly frustrating. A dead or dying iPhone can disrupt your day, preventing you from staying connected, accessing important information, or simply enjoying your device. If you’re asking “why won’t my iPhone charge?”, you’re in the right place. This guide will walk you through a comprehensive series of troubleshooting steps to identify and resolve the common reasons behind iPhone charging problems, ensuring you can get your device powered up and running again.
Common Charging Scenarios and What They Mean
Before diving into fixes, it’s helpful to understand what your iPhone is telling you through its charging behavior. Different scenarios can point to different underlying issues.
Plugged into Power But No Charging Icon
If you’ve connected your iPhone to a power source and see no lightning bolt icon in the battery indicator, or the large battery icon on the Lock Screen doesn’t appear, it means your iPhone isn’t recognizing any power input. This could be due to a problem with the power source, cable, adapter, or the iPhone itself.
Slow Charging
Is your iPhone charging at a snail’s pace? Slow charging can be caused by using a low-powered adapter, a damaged cable, software issues, or even background apps consuming power faster than it’s being replenished.
Charging Stopped at 80%
If your iPhone consistently stops charging around 80%, it’s likely due to Apple’s Optimized Battery Charging feature. This is designed to prolong battery health by reducing the time your iPhone spends fully charged. While usually normal, if it’s happening when you need a full charge, it can be inconvenient. Temperature can also play a role, as iPhones may limit charging above 80% if they get too warm.
“Accessory Not Supported” Alert
Seeing an “Accessory Not Supported” or “This accessory may not be supported” message indicates your iPhone is having trouble communicating with the charging accessory. This often points to a non-certified or damaged accessory, or debris in your iPhone’s charging port.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide: Fix iPhone Charging Issues
Now, let’s get into fixing the issue. Follow these steps in order, testing your iPhone after each to see if the problem is resolved.
1. Basic Checks: Power Source, Cable, Adapter
Start with the simplest checks:
- Wall Outlet: Ensure the wall outlet is working by plugging in another device. Try a different outlet to rule out electrical issues.
- USB Power Adapter: Make sure your USB power adapter is properly plugged into the wall outlet and firmly connected to your USB cable. If possible, try a different USB power adapter, ideally one that is Apple-certified or from a reputable brand.
- USB Charging Cable: Inspect your USB cable for any visible damage like fraying, bends, or breaks, especially near the connectors. Try using a different Apple-certified USB cable that you know is working. Avoid using USB ports on keyboards, as they may not provide enough power.
2. Inspect for Physical Damage
Carefully examine your charging cable and USB power adapter for any signs of physical damage. Bent or broken prongs on the adapter, or frayed or split cables are clear indicators of damage. Do not use damaged accessories as they can be unsafe and may not charge your iPhone properly.
Image of a lightning to USB cable and a USB-C wall adapter
Alt text: Close-up of a white Lightning to USB cable and a USB-C wall power adapter, illustrating typical iPhone charging accessories that should be inspected for damage when troubleshooting charging issues.
3. Clean the Charging Port
Dust, lint, and debris can accumulate in your iPhone’s charging port, preventing a solid connection. Use a small, non-metallic tool like a toothpick or a SIM card ejector tool to gently remove any visible debris from the charging port. Be gentle to avoid damaging the connector pins inside. After cleaning, try plugging in your charging cable firmly.
4. Restart Your iPhone
A simple restart can often resolve minor software glitches that might be interfering with charging.
- To restart your iPhone: Press and hold either volume button and the side button until the power-off slider appears. Drag the slider, then wait 30 seconds for your device to turn off. To turn it back on, press and hold the side button until you see the Apple logo.
5. Force Restart
If a regular restart doesn’t work, try a force restart. This is a more forceful way to reboot your device and can sometimes fix deeper software issues. The method 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.
After force restarting, plug your iPhone into a power source and let it charge for at least half an hour.
6. Check for Software Updates
Outdated iOS software can sometimes cause charging problems. Ensure your iPhone is running the latest version of iOS.
- To check for updates: Go to Settings > General > Software Update. If an update is available, download and install it.
7. Test Wireless Charging (if applicable)
If you have an iPhone 8 or later and it supports wireless charging, try charging it wirelessly. If wireless charging works but wired charging doesn’t, the issue might be specifically with your iPhone’s Lightning port or related components. However, if neither wired nor wireless charging works, the problem could be more systemic.
Understanding Optimized Battery Charging and Temperature
As mentioned earlier, Optimized Battery Charging, introduced in iOS 13 and later, is a feature designed to extend your iPhone battery’s lifespan. It learns your charging habits and may delay charging past 80% until it predicts you’ll need your iPhone unplugged. This is normal behavior and generally beneficial for battery health.
Additionally, iPhone batteries are sensitive to temperature. If your iPhone gets too hot while charging, the software may temporarily limit charging above 80% to protect the battery. If you suspect temperature is the issue, move your iPhone and charger to a cooler location and allow it to cool down before attempting to charge again.
Dealing with “Accessory Not Supported” Alerts
If you consistently see the “Accessory Not Supported” alert, even after trying different cables and adapters, focus on these steps:
- Clean the Charging Port: Debris is a common culprit.
- Restart Your iPhone: Rule out temporary software glitches.
- Try Different Accessories: Test with different USB cables and power adapters, ideally Apple-certified ones.
- Update iOS: Ensure you have the latest iOS version to eliminate software compatibility issues.
If the alert persists even with certified accessories and a clean port, there might be a hardware issue with your iPhone.
When to Seek Professional Help
If you’ve tried all these troubleshooting steps and your iPhone still won’t charge, it’s likely a hardware problem that requires professional attention. It’s time to contact Apple Support or visit an authorized Apple service provider. They have the expertise and tools to diagnose and repair more complex charging issues.
Don’t let a charging problem keep your iPhone out of commission. By systematically working through these steps, you can often pinpoint and resolve the reason “why won’t my iPhone charge?” and get back to enjoying your fully powered device.
