Why Your iPhone Charger Isn’t Working — 5 Common Issues & Quick Fixes

Our phones are essential to our everyday lives, so when your charger starts acting up, it can be frustrating. Sometimes you can get away with a makeshift solution–you’ve probably had to hold your charging cable at a certain angle at one point to get it to work. However, you’ll have to address the issue soon before it worsens.

Faulty charging can be caused by many issues. While some are easier to fix than others, some of them aren’t so straightforward. We’re here to help you figure out why your iPhone charger isn’t working. Here are 5 common issues and how to fix them.

Common Signs Your iPhone Isn’t Charging Properly

Several signs may indicate that your iPhone isn’t charging properly. The most obvious indicator is if the charging symbol doesn’t appear when you plug in your phone. If the symbol appears, but your phone charges very slowly or even drops, there’s likely an issue. 

There may be a loose connection between the cable and the charging port, which may cause your phone to connect and then disconnect repeatedly, or may require you to hold the cable at a certain angle to get a charge. Other signs include an “Accessory Not Supported” error message or the phone getting unusually hot.

Now, the reason for your phone not charging properly can vary. There may be dust or lint clogging the port, your cable may be damaged, your phone’s battery may be degraded, or there may be a software bug. Even environmental factors can affect how hot your phone gets while charging.

Check the Essentials: Cable, Adapter & Charging Port

Before going to drastic measures to fix your charging issues, check the basics: the charging cable, the power adapter, and the charging port. Trying other solutions first can end up doing more harm to your phone.

Your cable has likely been through a lot. With all the pulling, bending, and twisting the cable goes through, they’re likely to give out eventually. However, inspecting the cable first can determine if it’s the issue. Look for any frayed or exposed wires or cracks near the cable ends. Check for any bent or missing connector pins.

Test the cable by adjusting the angle while it’s connected. If it begins charging at a certain angle but stops once it moves again, the cable is likely damaged. You can try using the cable with another device to see if similar results occur. If you have access to another cable, try charging your phone with it. If it works, the original cable was likely the issue.

While the cable is often the culprit, sometimes the power adapters can be at fault. They experience wear from power surges, overheating, and internal damage. To check the adapter, try plugging it into a different outlet. Sometimes the wall outlet or extension cord you’re using stops working. 

If it still doesn’t work, try plugging the cable into a different power source, such as another adapter or laptop plug-in. If the cable works with these power sources, the original adapter is likely bad.

If both the cable and power adapter work, the issue may be within the phone. Before trading it in, however, try cleaning the charging port. Your phone spends a lot of time in pockets, purses, and outdoors. 

Oftentimes, dust, lint, and dirt can get lodged in the port and prevent the cable from making proper contact, so even if the cable seems to lock into the port, it may not be charging. Luckily for you, cleaning the port is a simple process.

How to Clean Your Charging Port Safely

Cleaning your charging port is simple, but it requires plenty of care and patience. All you’ll need is a flashlight, a wooden toothpick, and/or a small, soft brush. Do not use anything metal, as it can damage the internal components. First, power off your phone to prevent any electrical damage while you’re working. Shine the flashlight into the port to look for any debris. 

Use the toothpick to gently remove any lint, dust, or debris trapped in the port. The brush can be used to sweep out any loose dust and dirt. Avoid using too much force to prevent the internal pins from breaking.

Once you’ve cleaned out the port, plug in your phone and test if it works. If it still doesn’t work, there may be internal damage or software issues.

Certified vs. Uncertified Accessories: Why It Matters

Not all phone accessories are made the same. Certified accessories meet high-quality safety and performance standards, and Apple’s MFi (Made for iPhone) certification highlights whether an accessory meets these standards. It can be tempting to buy the cheapest option available, but uncertified accessories can deliver inconsistent performance and pose safety concerns.

Using an uncertified charger poses risks of inconsistent power delivery, overheating, faster battery degradation, “Accessory Not Supported” errors, and possible damage to the charging port. MFi-certified accessories should have a “Made for iPhone” badge on the packaging or charger itself. You can also look your charger up in Apple’s MFi certification database. If your accessory isn’t listed, it’s likely uncertified and the cause of your issues.

Software Fixes That Often Solve Charging Problems

Sometimes, issues aren’t caused by physical parts but rather the phone’s software. iOS software bugs can affect charging recognition, making it ignore a fully functional charger. Start with a simple restart. Turning your phone off and on again can reset background processes and fix minor bugs that may affect charging. 

Ensure your phone is updated with the latest iOS software, as these updates can sometimes address battery performance and charging issues. Check if Optimized Battery Charging is enabled. This feature slows down the speed of charging after 80% to extend battery life, but it can also make it seem like your phone isn’t charging. 

If all else fails, try resetting all settings. Doing so won’t erase your data, but instead reset the system settings that may affect charging.

Wireless Charging Issues: Causes & Easy Fixes

Wireless charging is a convenient solution to a faulty wired connection, but even wireless charging can run into issues. Misalignments, thick phone cases, debris on the pad, incompatible devices, and software bugs can all cause issues. 

If your wireless charger isn’t working, ensure the phone is centered on the pad to create the strongest connection. You can also remove your phone case to verify that it isn’t too thick and interfering with the connection.

Try wiping down the pad and back of your phone to remove any dirt or debris that could affect the connection, and ensure the pad is compatible with your phone. Check if the pad works with another phone, or use a more powerful power adapter in case the one you’re currently using is low-wattage, and ensure all the connections are secure.

Check if your phone is too hot while charging; overheating may slow or stop the charging process to protect the phone’s battery. Much like wired charging, wireless charging can also be affected by software bugs. Try restarting your phone and updating to the latest iOS software.

When Hardware Is the Real Problem

Unfortunately, if none of the above methods solves your issues, there may be something wrong with the hardware. Hardware issues can include a damaged port, a failing battery, internal component issues, and water damage. Signs of damaged hardware may include faulty or no charging with multiple chargers, overheating during charging, and random shutdowns.

A damaged port can cause your cable to fit loosely inside the port or require you to hold the cable at a certain angle to charge. Check the inside with a flashlight and look for any bent or broken connector pins. If you’re experiencing issues with the port despite cleaning it, it may need to be repaired by a professional.

Eventually, your phone’s battery is going to give out. An aging battery loses its ability to hold a charge and charge efficiently. Check the battery health in your phone’s settings for the status of your battery. A replacement may be needed if it’s significantly degraded. 

The internal components of your phone can be damaged after it’s been dropped or has gone through a power surge, and these issues must be handled by a professional repairman.

Water damage can also impair your phone’s charging ability. Typically, your phone will notify you if there is water in the charging port. Your phone may also have an externally visible liquid damage indicator (LDI) that turns red when it comes in contact with liquid. The LDI is present behind the SIM tray, so if your phone only supports eSIM, you probably won’t be able to see it. 

There’s still an LDI inside the phone, but you’d have to remove the screen to see it. If your phone has experienced water damage that is affecting charging capabilities, it’ll need to be serviced.

Quick Fix Checklist (At-a-Glance)

There are quite a few causes for charging issues and quite a few fixes. Here’s a handy checklist for troubleshooting your phone’s issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my charger not working when I plug it in?

If your charger isn’t working when plugged in, you may have a bad cable, a weak adapter, or a dirty charging port. Your charger may not be MFi-certified, or your phone may be experiencing software bugs. Test each component individually to try to identify where the issue lies.

How do I clean my iPhone charging port?

To clean your charging port, first turn the phone off to avoid an electric shock. Use a wooden toothpick and/or soft brush to gently remove any lint, dirt, or debris from the port. Do not use anything metal or use too much force, as that can damage the connector pins.

How do I know my iPhone’s charging port is damaged?

You’ll have an idea that the charging port is damaged if the charging cable feels loose or needs to be held at a certain angle to charge, even after cleaning. Make sure you know the charger works before assuming your port is damaged, and look for any bent or broken connector pins inside the port.

Can I fix a charging port myself?

You can clean a charging port yourself with a wooden toothpick and/or a soft brush. However, an actual hardware repair requires specialized tools and technical skill. Trying to do the repair yourself can end up causing more damage to internal components, so it's best to contact a professional.

Ready to Power Up with Casely Power Pods?

When your charger begins to fail, it’s easy to assume the worst. However, many of the most common issues have a quick and easy fix. While it takes some trial and error, ruling out possible issues is the best way to figure out where the real problem lies. From there, a simple accessory replacement, software update, or cleaning typically solves the issue.

Solve your wired charging issues for good with Casely Power Pods. These compact battery packs attach to your phone using MagSafe technology and keep your phone charged while you’re on the go. Don’t fidget with charging cables again and shop Casely today.