We all like surprises but an iPhone charging problem is the last thing you would ever like to experience. Unfortunately, some things are inevitable and your iPhone may fail to charge especially when you most need it to be fully charged.
Some of the common charging issues include iPhone not charging at all, the phone freezes when connected to a charger and iPhone partially charging among others. While there may be many reasons that could cause charging issues in iPhones, most of these problems can easily be fixed.
This article explains how you can troubleshoot and fix charging problems in iPhones.
Related: Why Is My Phone Battery Dying So Fast All of a Sudden?
Solution 1: Fixing Simple Software Issues
Sometimes when your iPhone stops charging, the iPhone software could be the cause. Therefore, before you think of the battery or damaged hardware, you should try to fix any simple software malfunctions.
Step 1: Restarting the iPhone
- Most software related issues that could be causing charging issues can be solved by restarting the system.
- Press the Wake/Sleep button on the side of the phone until the switch off slider appears.
- Slide the switch as shown to switch off the device.
- Once switched off, long-press the Wake/ Sleep button until the Apple logo appears.
- Now try charging the device to see if it works correctly.
Step 2: Reset the iPhone Settings
Resetting your iPhone settings may help to fix the charging issue. To do so,
- Tap the gear icon to open the device settings. Scroll down and expand the “General” settings.
- Scroll to the bottom of the options and select “Reset”.
- At the top of the display, tap “Reset All Settings”, enter the passcode when prompted and then tap the resulting red “Reset All Settings” link <Image: ResetAll.png>.
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Step 3: Hard Reset Your iPhone to Fix Charging Issues
Hard resetting an iPhone depends on the model you have:
- iPhone 6 and older models: Press and hold 'Power + Home' buttons together and release them when you see the Apple logo appear on the screen <Image: HardReset.png>.
- iPhone and Plus: Long-press the ‘Power + Volume Down' buttons simultaneously and then release when the Apple logo appears on the screen.
- iPhone 8 and Later Models: The process for these models involves 3 steps;
- Quickly press and release the ‘Volume Up’ button
- Quickly press and release the ‘Volume Down’ button
- Lastly, long-press the ‘Power (Side)’ button.
Note: You should patiently hold down the 'Power' button and only release it when the logo appears. Some people are unable to hard reset their iPhone only because they don't press the button long enough.
Once you release the Power button, the iPhone will restart automatically and you can now test to see whether it will start charging.
It is important to allow the device to charge for about 30 minutes and if the charging issue still exists then proceed with other solutions.
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Solution 2: Basic Hardware Troubleshooting
If you have problems charging your iPhone, the best way to fix it is step-by-step elimination troubleshooting until you find the cause of the problem.
Step 1: Check and Fix Loose Connections
Most of the time your iPhone may fail to charge just because of connection issues between the charger and the power outlet.
Ensure that the charging cable is firmly connected to the iPhone charging port and the other end to the power outlet.
You can also check if the charging port is dirty and use a soft towel soaked in an alcohol-based cleanser to wipe out the dirt.
If the problem persists, it means that the issue is not a loose connection.
Step 2: Fixing a Damaged Cable or Charging Port
Another possible cause of charging problems in iPhones is a damaged charger or the iPhone charging port. In this case, you need to test whether the charger is faulty or the iPhone charging port has been damaged.
Examine the charging cable for visible physical damage. You may find that the charger cable is broken.
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You can also check if the charging edge of the cable is scratched or has a black spot as this could be the source of the problem.
If you have connected the cable using an extender-to wall power outlet, try to charge using the laptop and if this works, then the problem is the outlet charging port.
If you cannot see any physical damage on the cable, try the charge on a different iPhone to see if it will charge and if it does, the problem could be the iPhone itself.
You should also try charging the device with a different charger and if the charger is the problem, you need to replace it with an Apple-certified iPhone charger cable.
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Note: There are so many third-party iPhone chargers in the market today and there are higher chances of purchasing a substandard charger for your device. In this regard, it is important to invest in an Apple Certified cable and charger to continue using your device without any issues.
Solution 3: Resolving Battery Related Problems
iPhones use Lithium-ion battery technology which ensures that the battery charges faster and has a longer life. However, the battery still has a limited lifespan and if you use the device frequently, the battery will wear out with time resulting in charging issues.
Step 1: Check the iPhone Battery Health
- Open the iPhone’s settings, open the “Battery” settings and on the resulting screen, select the “Battery Health” service.
- Check the “Maximum Capacity” and if it is below 50%, it could be the cause of the charging problem.
If this is the case, you should buy a new battery from an authorized Apple Service provider.
Step 2: Disable Optimized Battery Charging
The optimized battery charging feature is a protective feature that ensures your charging better and longer battery health. However, it can slow down the charging or stop charging after the iPhone is charged to some percentage. You may disable this feature to see if the iPhone will charge properly.
- Navigate to “Settings > Battery > Battery Health” and at the bottom of the screen, tap to turn off the toggle switch.
If this is not the problem, remember to turn it on as this prevents your battery from ageing faster.
Solution 4: Fixing iPhone Freezing When Connected to Charger
Sometimes your iPhone may freeze when connected to the charger. In this case, you can try the following fixes.
Disconnect the device from the charger, switch it off and allow it to cool for a few minutes. Switch it on and try charging.
Ensure that you are using the charging cable that came with the iPhone or a replacement from the Apple Certified brand.
iPhone Charging Problem Resolved?
Nothing can be so annoying than when your iPhone fails to charge but before you panic and run to the Apple Service store, you should try the above quick fixes and have your device charging again.
However, if the above solutions do not work, the problem could be bigger than just a minor software and hardware glitch. At this point, it is advisable to take your device to the nearest Apple Service Outlet for repair.