Is your iPhone not charging? You’re not alone—and you’re definitely not imagining things. Whether your iPhone won’t charge at all, charges slowly, or keeps disconnecting when plugged in, you’re likely staring down one of the most frustrating issues in smartphone history.
Before you throw your iPhone across the room and write a passive-aggressive review of all things Apple, take a deep breath. This guide will walk you through every proven fix for an iPhone that won’t charge—without needing a degree in electrical engineering or divine intervention.
Why Won’t My iPhone Charge? (Common Causes)
If your iPhone is not charging when plugged in, there are only a few real possibilities—and thankfully, most are fixable. Here’s what could be going wrong:
- Faulty charging cable or adapter
- Dirty or blocked Lightning port
- Software glitches or iOS bugs
- Overheating or moisture detection
- Hardware damage (battery, charging IC, logic board)
Let’s dig into how to fix them—before your phone flatlines at 1%.
1. Check Your Charging Cable (Spoiler: It’s Probably the Problem)
Your cable is more fragile than your last relationship. Damaged or low-quality charging cables are the #1 reason iPhones stop charging.
How to test your iPhone charging cable:
- Look for fraying, exposed wires, or bent metal connectors.
- Plug your cable into another iPhone. Does it charge?
- Try a different, MFi-certified Lightning cable on your iPhone.
Avoid fake or uncertified cables. They may cost less, but they often stop working—or worse, fry your phone.
2. Inspect Your Charging Adapter (a.k.a. The Wall Brick)
If the cable’s fine but your iPhone still won’t charge, the power adapter could be to blame.
What to try:
- Swap to another Apple or MFi-certified charging adapter.
- Plug it into a different wall socket (yes, really).
- Avoid USB ports on computers or old power strips—they’re often underpowered.
3. Clean the iPhone’s Lightning Port (You Might Be Shocked)
Dirt. Dust. Pocket lint. Snack crumbs. The iPhone charging port is a magnet for microscopic trash—and if your cable can’t make a clean connection, your iPhone won’t charge.
Safely clean your charging port:
- Turn off your iPhone.
- Use a wooden or plastic toothpick to gently loosen debris.
- Use compressed air (short bursts only) to blow out particles.
- Avoid using water, metal tools, or shaking it like a maraca.
You might be disgusted by what comes out. But hey—welcome to the real reason your phone wasn’t charging.
4. Force Restart Your iPhone (Digital CPR)
Sometimes, it’s not hardware at all—it’s iOS acting like it needs a coffee.
To force restart:
- iPhone 8 or later: Press and release Volume Up, then Volume Down, then hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo.
- iPhone 7/7 Plus: Hold Volume Down and the Power button.
- iPhone 6s or earlier: Hold the Home and Power button together.
Try charging again after the restart. You’d be surprised how often this works.
5. Update iOS (Because Bugs Happen)
Apple regularly releases updates to fix bugs—including ones that break charging functionality. If your iPhone stopped charging after a recent update, the fix may already be waiting for you.
Update iOS:
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
- Download and install any available update.
- Plug your iPhone back in and check if it charges normally.
If you suspect the update caused the issue, contact Apple Support. Rolling back isn’t easy, but it’s possible in some cases.
6. Try Wireless Charging (If Supported)
If you have an iPhone 8 or newer, test wireless charging to see if the Lightning port is the issue.
What this tells you:
- If wireless charging works: The port, cable, or adapter is likely faulty.
- If it doesn’t work: There could be deeper hardware or software issues.
If you’ve never tried wireless charging before, now’s a good time to embrace the future—and stop jamming cables into dusty holes.
7. Let Your iPhone Cool Down (Or Dry Out)
Your iPhone is smart enough to protect itself. If it’s too hot or detects moisture in the port, it will refuse to charge as a safety measure.
What to do:
- If it feels hot, unplug and let it cool in a shady place.
- If you see a “Liquid Detected” warning, unplug it immediately.
- Don’t stick it in rice (that’s a myth).
- Let it air-dry in a dry room for a few hours.
Then, try charging again with a known-good cable and adapter.
8. Reset All Settings (The Nuclear Option)
Still no luck? Resetting your iPhone’s settings can fix rare software conflicts.
Warning: This resets Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, VPN, and more—but not your data.
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings.
- After it reboots, try charging again.
If your iPhone starts charging, the issue was software-related. Congratulations—you’re a tech genius now.
9. iPhone Still Not Charging? Time to Call in Reinforcements
If you’ve tried everything and your iPhone still won’t charge, you may have a hardware failure. Possible issues include:
- Dead battery
- Damaged charging port
- Failed charging IC (internal chip)
- Logic board damage
At this point, DIY is risky. Your best bet is to:
- Visit the Apple Store or an authorized repair provider
- Check your AppleCare+ status
- Get a diagnostic done before authorizing repairs
Final Thoughts: Don’t Panic, Just Troubleshoot
It’s easy to spiral when your iPhone won’t charge—especially if you depend on it for everything from emails to existential doomscrolling at 2AM. But most iPhone charging problems are surprisingly fixable.
Start simple: inspect your cable, adapter, and charging port. Then move through software resets, updates, and testing wireless charging. Only when you’ve exhausted those should you start considering repairs or replacements.
Sometimes, the solution is just a $10 cable. Sometimes it’s a repair bill that makes you question your entire relationship with technology.
Either way, you’ve got options—and now, a step-by-step plan to follow before giving up.