“My iPhone won’t charge past a few percent. I’ve tried different cables, but it still won’t work. Anyone know how to fix this?”
This is a frequent problem for many iPhone users. If your battery also drains fast during the day, see our guide on iPhone battery draining quickly. Below are updated and tested tips to help.
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Why Won’t My iPhone Charge
Before diving into solutions, here are some of the most common causes of charging problems:
- 1.Dirty or damaged charging port (Lightning or USB-C) — lint, dust, or corrosion can block the connectors.
- 2.Faulty cable or adapter — the cable may be frayed, internally broken, or the adapter may not supply correct power.
- 3.Uncertified or non-MFi cable — non-Apple certified (non-MFi) cables may get rejected. Apple support mentions that alerts such as “accessory not supported” may occur if accessories are defective, not certified, or if the port is dirty. (Apple support: If your iPhone or iPod touch won’t charge)
- 4.Faulty charging source or outlet — power outlet, wall adapter, USB port or hub may be bad.
- 5.Software or firmware issues — a bug in iOS can prevent proper charging.
- 6.Battery health or hardware failure — an aging battery, a damaged power IC, or liquid damage may block charging.
- 7.Battery protection / temperature limits or charging limits — iOS may limit charge above 80% to prolong battery life, or to avoid overheating. (Apple support: charging limit, optimized battery charging)
Ways to Fix an iPhone That Won’t Charge
1. Force Restart (hard reboot)
A force restart clears many temporary software issues and may restore proper charging detection.
iPhone with Face ID (iPhone X and later)
- Press and release Volume Up, then press and release Volume Down, then press and hold the Side (power) button.
- Release when you see the Apple logo.
iPhone 8 or SE (2nd gen and later)
- Press and release Volume Up, then press and release Volume Down, then press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
iPhone 7 / 7 Plus
- Press and hold Volume Down and Sleep/Wake (Side) simultaneously until the Apple logo appears.
iPhone 6s or SE (1st gen)
- Press and hold Home + Sleep/Wake (Side) until you see the Apple logo.
2. Inspect and Clean the Charging Port
Debris in the Lightning or USB-C port is a very common cause. Use a flashlight to look inside the port.
- With the phone turned off, gently use a wooden or plastic toothpick to remove lint or debris. Avoid metal pins which might damage the contacts.
- You may also use compressed air sparingly and from a safe distance (Apple generally advises caution).
- Gently shake or tap the phone with port facing down to dislodge loose particles.
If the port is visibly damaged or cleaning is difficult, take it to a repair technician.
3. Try a Different Cable, Adapter, or Power Source
- Use a known good cable (Apple or MFi certified). Check for broken wires, frays, discoloration, bent connectors.
- Use a different wall adapter, a USB port on a computer, or a power bank. Check whether any of those sources charge successfully.
- Remove protective cases, magnetic mounts, battery packs or accessories that may block connection or interfere.
- Avoid using long or poor quality extension cords or hubs.
4. Charge with the Phone Turned Off
Turning the iPhone off before charging can sometimes remove software interference so that charging begins more reliably.
5. Let It Charge for 30 Minutes (or more)
If your battery is near zero, the iPhone may need a few minutes before it shows any charging indicator. Look for a lightning bolt icon or large battery icon on the lock screen.
6. Check for Charging Limit / 80% Cap
iOS includes “Optimized Battery Charging” which delays the last part of a full charge to reduce battery aging. To disable it:
- Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging
- Turn off Optimized Battery Charging
- Some models (iPhone 15 and later) may have a Charge Limit setting — if the limit is set below 100 %, adjust it to allow full charge.
7. Update iOS / Firmware
Software updates often fix charging bugs. Make sure your iPhone runs the latest iOS. If updates fail, restart and try again.
On the iPhone
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update
- Tap Download and Install if available
Using a Mac or PC
- Connect iPhone to your computer
- On Mac (Finder) or on Windows (via iTunes), select your iPhone
- Click Check for Update or Update
- Follow prompts to install updates
8. Try Wireless or MagSafe Charging (if supported)
If your iPhone supports Qi or MagSafe (iPhone 8 and later), try using a known good wireless charger. This can bypass faults in the wired port.
Sometimes users report that using wireless charging and then switching back to wired charging "wakes" the charging circuit. (This is anecdotal, but some users on forums find it helpful.)
9. Restore or Reset iPhone (as last resort)
If no hardware or software fix worked, consider restoring the iPhone. Always back up your data first.
Recovery Mode (iPhone with Face ID or newer models)
- Turn off the device
- Plug it into your computer
- Press and hold Power + Volume Down (or the equivalent buttons) for ~20 seconds
- When recovery screen appears, choose Restore via Finder or iTunes
After restore completes, check whether charging works again. If it fails, hardware repair is likely needed.
FAQs
Why does my iPhone only charge up to 80 percent?
That is usually due to the Optimized Battery Charging feature, or a manual charge limit setting. You can disable it under Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging. Also, if the phone is too warm, iOS may reduce charging above 80 %.
What if my charging port looks fine but the phone still won’t charge?
Try different cable, adapter, and power source, force restart, and update software. If none of that works, there is likely an internal hardware issue.
Can using a non-certified cable damage my iPhone?
Yes. Non-MFi cables may not work correctly, may produce errors, or even damage internal charging circuits. Stick to Apple-certified accessories when possible.
Should I charge my iPhone immediately after it got wet?
No. Let it dry completely first. Plugging in a wet phone can cause short circuits or corrosion over time.
What if restoring in recovery mode doesn’t help?
Then the issue is almost certainly hardware, battery, charging chip, port damage, or liquid corrosion. At that point, contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Authorized Service Provider or reputable repair shop.
