Few things cause panic quite like plugging in your iPhone and seeing nothing happen. No chime, no lightning bolt, just a battery icon that keeps dropping. Before you assume the worst, know that most cases of an iPhone not charging come down to a dirty port, a tired cable or a setting doing exactly what it was designed to do.
Here are nine fixes, from the quickest to the more involved.
1. Check whether it is really “not charging”
There is a difference between an iPhone that will not charge at all and one that stops partway. If the battery icon shows a charging bolt but the percentage stops at 80 percent, that is almost certainly a battery-saving feature, not a fault. Jump to fix 6. If there is no bolt at all, start at the top.
2. Try another cable and adapter
Lightning and USB-C cables both wear out, usually right at the connector where they bend. Try a different cable and a different power adapter, ideally an Apple one or a certified (MFi) accessory. If the iPhone shows an alert saying the accessory may not be supported, the cable is the problem.
Also try another wall socket or a different USB port. It sounds obvious, but a dead power strip catches people out more often than you would think.
3. Clean the charging port
Pocket lint is the number one hidden cause of charging problems. It packs into the bottom of the port so the cable cannot seat properly, and the connection becomes loose or intermittent.
- Turn the iPhone off.
- Shine a torch into the port.
- If you see lint, gently scrape it out with a wooden toothpick, working from the back of the port outward.
Do not use metal objects, compressed air blasted straight in, or liquid cleaners. If the cable clicks in firmly afterwards, you have probably found your fix.
4. Force restart the iPhone
A software glitch can stop the charging process from starting. A force restart is not the same as turning the phone off and on, and it clears more.
On iPhone 8 and later, including models with Face ID:
- Press and quickly release Volume Up.
- Press and quickly release Volume Down.
- Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears, then let go.
If the battery was completely flat, leave the phone on the charger for 30 to 60 minutes before expecting it to turn on.
5. Watch out for liquid detection
If your iPhone shows a Liquid Detected alert, it has found moisture in the port and is blocking charging to protect itself. Unplug it, tap the connector gently against your hand with the port facing down, and leave it somewhere dry with good airflow for at least 30 minutes. Do not put it in rice. Apple specifically advises against that, because small grains can get stuck in the port. Wireless charging is a safe alternative while you wait.
6. Check Optimized Battery Charging and the charging limit
Modern iPhones learn your routine and may pause charging at 80 percent overnight, finishing just before you usually unplug. Newer models also let you set a fixed limit such as 80 percent.
Go to Settings > Battery > Charging (on some models, Battery Health & Charging) and look at Optimized Battery Charging or the charge limit setting. If you need a full battery right now, you can tap the notification on the lock screen to Charge Now, or change the limit. These features are good for long-term battery health, so consider switching them back on later.
7. Let it cool down
iPhones pause charging above a certain temperature. You might see a message saying charging is on hold. Take off the case, move the phone out of the sun or off a warm car dashboard, and let it cool before trying again.
8. Update iOS
Charging bugs occasionally show up in iOS updates and get fixed in the next one. Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install anything available. If storage is too full to update, our guide on iPhone storage full and System Data will help you make room.
9. Check battery health
Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health (or Battery Health & Charging). If the maximum capacity is low or there is a service message, the battery may be near the end of its life. A worn battery can charge erratically, drain quickly or shut down unexpectedly.
When to get it repaired
If you have tried several cables, cleaned the port and force restarted, and the iPhone still will not charge by cable or wirelessly, it is time for a professional. The charging port, battery or charging circuitry may need replacement. Apple’s official support site lets you check warranty status and book a repair.
Quick recap
When your iPhone is not charging, swap the cable and adapter, clean the port with a toothpick, and force restart. If it stops at 80 percent, check Optimized Battery Charging and the charge limit. Let it cool, update iOS, and check battery health. Most people never get past step three before it starts charging again.
