If your iPhone is not charging, it can feel like an instant emergency—especially when you’re about to leave the house, your battery is on 2%, and the phone just won’t respond. Sometimes the charging icon appears but the battery percentage doesn’t move. Other times, nothing happens at all—no vibration, no lightning symbol, and no “charging” sound. It’s frustrating because the problem could be something small… or something more serious.
I’ve helped troubleshoot charging issues for years through hands-on device support and tech troubleshooting, and I’ve seen this exact problem happen for so many reasons. I think most people assume the phone is “dead” right away, but in my opinion, the issue is often the charging cable, power source, or dirt in the charging port. I feel like the biggest win is figuring out the cause quickly so you don’t waste money replacing parts you don’t need.
The good news is: you can solve many charging problems at home in just a few minutes. This guide will walk you through the most common fixes first, step-by-step, so you can get your iPhone charging again with less stress and more confidence.
Why Your iPhone Won’t Charge (Most Common Causes)
Before jumping into fixes, it helps to understand what’s usually behind this problem. An iPhone may stop charging because of:
- A damaged cable or loose charging connector
- A weak or faulty wall adapter
- A dirty Lightning port (lint and dust build up fast)
- A power outlet problem
- A software glitch causing charging to freeze
- Overheating or temperature protection
- Battery health issues or hardware damage
Quick takeaway: Most charging issues are caused by something external, not the iPhone itself.
Try These Fixes First (In the Best Order)
These steps start with the easiest, most likely solutions first—so you don’t waste time.
1) Check the Cable and Adapter (This Fixes It Surprisingly Often)
Charging cables wear out faster than people realize. Even if it “looks fine,” the inside wiring can be broken.
Try this:
- Use a different Apple-certified Lightning cable
- Try a different charging brick / power adapter
- Plug into a different wall outlet
✅ If your iPhone starts charging with another cable, the original one is the problem.
Pro tip: Cheap cables often cause slow charging or random disconnects. IMO, sticking with MFi-certified accessories saves a lot of headaches.
2) Try a Different Power Source (Wall vs USB vs Power Bank)
Sometimes the iPhone isn’t the problem—the power source is.
Test these options:
- Wall outlet + charger brick
- USB port on a laptop
- Power bank
- Car charger
If it charges in one place but not another, your power source is likely weak or faulty.
Watch for this sign:
If it says charging but the battery still drops, the power source may not deliver enough power.
3) Inspect the Charging Port (Lint Is a Big Deal)
One of the most common reasons an iPhone won’t charge is a blocked charging port. Pocket lint can pack inside and stop the cable from making full contact.
Look inside the port using a flashlight.
If you see fuzz, dust, or debris, you’ve likely found the cause.
How to Clean the iPhone Charging Port Safely
Use gentle cleaning only—don’t scrape aggressively.
Steps (carefully):
- Turn off your iPhone.
- Use a flashlight to inspect the port.
- Use a dry wooden toothpick or soft anti-static brush.
- Gently pull lint out (don’t push it deeper).
- Try charging again.
⚠️ Avoid:
- Metal objects (pins, tweezers)
- Water
- Compressed air (can push debris deeper)
Key point: A tiny bit of lint can completely stop charging.
4) Force Restart Your iPhone (Fixes Glitches)
Sometimes your iPhone doesn’t charge because iOS is stuck or a background process froze. A restart can reset the charging behavior.
Force Restart Steps
(Choose your model)
iPhone 8 / X / 11 / 12 / 13 / 14 / 15:
- Press Volume Up (quickly)
- Press Volume Down (quickly)
- Hold the Side Button until the Apple logo appears
iPhone 7 / 7 Plus:
- Hold Volume Down + Power Button
- Release when the Apple logo appears
iPhone 6s or earlier:
- Hold Home + Power Button
- Release when you see the Apple logo
After restarting, plug it in again and wait 2–3 minutes.
5) Look for the “Accessory Not Supported” Message
If you see “Accessory not supported” or “This accessory may not be supported,” your cable or adapter may not be compatible.
What to do:
- Switch to an Apple original or MFi-certified cable
- Clean the charging port
- Try a different wall adapter
Bold truth: Some third-party cables charge one day and fail the next.
6) Let Your iPhone Cool Down (Overheating Stops Charging)
If your phone feels hot, iOS may pause charging to protect the battery.
This happens often when:
- You’re charging while gaming
- Using GPS or hotspot
- Leaving it in the sun
- Charging under a pillow or blanket
Fix:
- Unplug it
- Move it to a cool place
- Wait 10–20 minutes
- Try charging again
FYI: If your iPhone displays a temperature warning, charging won’t resume until it cools down.
7) Check for Liquid Damage (Even Small Moisture Can Block Charging)
iPhones can detect moisture in the charging port. If it thinks liquid is present, it may stop charging and show a warning.
If you recently:
- Used your phone in rain
- Had it near steam
- Dropped it in water (even briefly)
Do this:
- Unplug immediately
- Leave the phone in a dry place
- Wait several hours before charging again
- Try charging with a different cable
Avoid using “rice”—it’s not reliable and can leave particles behind.
If Your iPhone Still Won’t Charge (Deeper Fixes)
If nothing worked above, the issue may be software settings, battery health, or internal hardware.
8) Try Wireless Charging (If Your iPhone Supports It)
If your iPhone supports wireless charging and it works, that’s a clue.
- If wireless charging works but cable charging doesn’t → likely a port issue
- If both fail → could be battery, board, or software
Test wireless charging with a reliable charger and remove thick cases.
9) Check Battery Health (Battery May Be Too Weak)
Old or damaged batteries can cause charging to behave weirdly—like jumping percentages or shutting off unexpectedly.
Go to:
Settings → Battery → Battery Health & Charging
Look for:
- Maximum Capacity below 80%
- Service warning message
- Sudden battery drops
Important takeaway: If the battery is worn out, charging becomes unstable and unreliable.
10) Update iOS (Sometimes Charging Bugs Are Software-Based)
It doesn’t happen daily, but some charging issues improve after an update.
Steps:
- Go to Settings → General → Software Update
- Install any available updates
If your phone won’t charge enough to update, try wireless charging or charge it from a high-power wall adapter first.
11) Reset Settings (Not Full Reset)
Resetting settings can fix hidden system issues without deleting your data.
Steps:
- Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone
- Tap Reset
- Choose Reset All Settings
This won’t erase photos, apps, or files—but it will reset Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and preferences.
When It’s Time to Get Professional Help
Sometimes charging problems are hardware-related and won’t be fixed at home.
You may need repair if:
- Your iPhone only charges at a certain angle
- The port is loose or damaged
- It repeatedly disconnects while charging
- It won’t charge even with multiple new cables and adapters
- The phone randomly powers off at high battery %
At that point, your best move is getting the device checked by Apple Support or a trusted repair shop.
Strong recommendation: If your iPhone is under warranty or has AppleCare, don’t delay—charging issues can worsen.
Quick Checklist: What to Try First (Fast Summary)
If you want the fastest “do this now” list, here it is:
- Try a different Lightning cable
- Try a different wall adapter
- Try a different power outlet
- Clean the charging port
- Force restart the iPhone
- Let it cool down
- Check for moisture warning
- Test wireless charging
- Check battery health
FAQ: iPhone Not Charging (Answers You Can Trust)
1) Why is my iPhone plugged in but not charging?
This usually happens because of a damaged cable, dirty charging port, or a weak power adapter. It can also happen if the phone is too hot and iOS pauses charging for safety.
2) How do I know if my iPhone charging port is damaged?
Signs of a damaged port include:
- Charging only at a certain angle
- Cable feeling loose
- Frequent disconnects
- No response even with new cables
If cleaning doesn’t help, the port may need repair.
3) Can software cause an iPhone not to charge?
Yes. A frozen system process or iOS bug can block charging. A force restart often fixes it. If not, try updating iOS or resetting settings.
4) Is it safe to clean the iPhone charging port myself?
Yes—as long as you do it gently. Use a dry wooden toothpick or a soft brush, and avoid metal tools or liquids. Always turn the phone off first.
5) What should I do if my iPhone won’t charge at all and won’t turn on?
Try a known-good cable and adapter and leave it plugged in for 15–30 minutes. If there’s still no response, test wireless charging (if available). If nothing works, the battery or charging hardware may need professional repair.
