Why Is My iPhone Not Charging? You May Need A New Charger Port

In 2017 alone, Apple sold more than 216 million iPhones.

All those sales despite the fact that Apple has made it notoriously difficult to troubleshoot problems with your iPhone. One of the most common of those problems being an iPhone that’s not charging.

Luckily, this is one iPhone complication that you can easily find the reason for. With a bit of testing and knowledge, you can find out whether the problem is a simple faulty wire or a broken charger port.

Before bringing in your phone for repair, follow our “Why is my iPhone not charging” guide and diagnose the problem on your own. Keep reading to learn how.

iPhone Trouble Charging Wirelessly

If you have an iPhone 8 or later version of the iPhone, you’re able to charge your phone wirelessly. But if your iPhone won’t charge that way, you should check that it’s not a problem with your phone.

First, you need to connect your phone with the USB cable and adapter it came with. If you’re not using the original, make sure the adapter and cable are either from Apple or from a third-party manufacturer that’s Apple certified. Sometimes, your iPhone won’t charge with non-Apple certified products.

When you’re sure you have the right cable and adapter, plug your phone into either a wall power outlet, a computer, or another power accessor.

If you’re using a wall outlet, plug the USB cable into the adapter and then plug that into the wall. In some cases, your wall outlet might be the problem. If it still doesn’t charge after plugging it into the wall, try another outlet.

To charge using your computer, plug the USB cable into a 2.0 or 3.0 USB port on the computer. Make sure the computer isn’t in sleep mode and don’t use any USB ports located on the keyboard. If that doesn’t work, the USB port could be the problem so try another USB port.

Using a power accessory such as a USB hub or docking station, plug your USB cable into the port. When using these types of devices for charging, remember that they should be Apple-certified. Often, third party knock offs aren’t compatible with Apple products.

If after following the above steps you don’t see a lightning bolt beside the battery icon or a large battery icon on your lock screen, you’ll need to take additional steps.

Check for Damage and Loose Connections

The first place to check for damage is on the USB and cable itself. Breakage, bent prongs, and frayed wiring might be the issue. Replace any damaged accessories with Apple-certified products.

You should also check that your wall outlets or other charging devices have a secure connection to your phone. A loose connection between your phone and the charging device could be a simple answer to the question “why is my iPhone not charging?”

Restart Your Device

When your hardware isn’t the cause of your iPhone not charging, a reboot might be all you need to remedy the problem. If there’s a software issue that’s causing the problem, a reboot can help your software recognize your phone and start charging it again.

Forcing a restart is pretty simple. Depending on the type of device, follow these instructions:

• On iPhone 6s or earlier, press and hold the Home button along with the Top button. Hold these down for at least 10 seconds. When you see the Apple logo appear, your device has been reset.
• On iPhone 7 or 7 Plus, press and hold the Side and Volume Down button. Hold for at least 10 seconds and wait for the Apple logo to appear.
• On an iPhone 8 or later, press and release the Volume Up button followed by pressing and releasing the Volume Down button. Then, press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.

After resetting your device, plug it in to charge. If after allowing it to charge for a half hour, nothing happens, you might have a bigger issue on your hands.

Why Is My iPhone Still Not Charging?

In many cases, the above steps will help an iPhone with trouble charging. But when they don’t, you’re looking at a more serious problem with your phone. Before considering selling your device, read more about those potential issues below.

Battery

Your iPhone battery wasn’t meant to last you more than a few years. Usually, after 2+ years of use, they won’t hold the same charge they once did. That’s especially true if you discharge and recharge them often, and without letting them drain of power first.

Physical Damage

We’ve all cracked our screen at least once, and that’s not usually enough to affect your phone’s ability to charge. But if you’ve dropped it from a high height or crushed it with intense force, you’ve probably done some internal damage. When your internal hardware has been damaged, it can cause problems with charging – among other things.

Water Damage

When your phone comes into contact with water or has been dropped into water, it can cause serious internal damage. If you don’t dry it out properly, you’ve probably destroyed a lot more than your battery.

Damaged Charger Port

But one of the most common reasons that an iPhone won’t charge is the charge port. Because there’s no cover on your charging pore, dust, debris, lint, and other obstructions can easily get in there. Then, every time you plug your phone in to charge, you’re compressing that grime.

Sometimes, getting your iPhone to charge is only a matter of clearing away that buildup. Before taking your phone in to get serviced, try cleaning it out on your own.

You can do this with some care and a cotton swab, toothpick, or even a dry toothbrush. A can of compressed air might help clear it out as well.

However, if your charge port is broken in any way, It’s not a good idea to try and fix internal problems like this on your own. You’re probably going to need professional service to get your iPhone to start charging again.

Looking for Repairs in Toronto and the GTA?

One of the most common questions we get is “why is my iPhone not charging?”. The answer is often a simple fix, such as a loose connection or damaged wire. But sometimes, it’s something serious such as water damage or a damaged charger port.

In the latter cases, we can help. In fact, we can help with all kinds of electronic repairs and service. Contact us today for a free quote.