Dealing with an iPhone that will not charge can be highly frustrating. This article looks into the common causes and solutions to this problem, offering clear, concise, and easy-to-follow methods to restore your device to optimal performance.
1. Plug in Your iPhone to Charge
If your iPhone isn’t powering on, the first step is to plug it in to charge. This might seem like an obvious action, but it could prevent further issues down the line.
Connect your phone to a power source and wait to see if the charging screen appears. Typically, this screen shows up within a few minutes if everything is functioning properly. It’s recommended to keep your phone connected for up to an hour before concluding that it’s not responding (as advised by Apple).
If your phone still remains unresponsive, consider using a different USB cable and power adapter. Also, inspect the charging port on your phone to ensure it’s not the source of the problem.
Check both your cable and adapter for any visible signs of damage that could be hindering the charging process, such as a frayed cord. You might even consider charging a friend’s phone to determine if the issue lies with your charger.
2. Restart Your iPhone
If your iPhone still refuses to power on, the next course of action is to restart it. The standard procedure for restarting involves holding down the Sleep/Wake button located on the top of the phone and sliding the slider to initiate the restart process. However, if your iPhone screen remains black, you might encounter difficulties with this method.
3. Examine Your Charging Cable for Damage
Thoroughly inspect the lightning cable for any indications of physical damage, such as fraying, cuts, broken, or bent prongs. Take extra care during the inspection process, as even minor issues can lead to significant problems with your device if not promptly and properly addressed.
- Test with a Different Cable: To assess this, attempt to connect using a different USB port, such as one on your computer, using the same or another lightning cable. If your device begins charging, it’s likely that the original cord was faulty. Replace it and observe if this resolves the issue permanently!
- Try Another Outlet or USB Port: This step will help determine whether a specific port has become unusable, rather than continuously swapping out cables until a temporary solution is found.
4. Hard Reset Your Phone
If your iPhone is frozen due to a software glitch, performing a hard reset will force it to restart. Rest assured, this process will not delete any data or information from your phone. However, the steps to hard reset vary depending on the version of iPhone you own.
Here’s a general guide:
- Press and release the Volume Up button.
- Next, press and release the Volume Down button.
- Finally, press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears on the screen.
5. Clean Your iPhone’s Charging Port
The iPhone’s charging port may not be functioning due to blockage, which hinders a stable connection between the cable and your iPhone. Let’s explore how to detect such debris in the port and safely eliminate it. The initial step is to inspect both your adapter and charging cable – if they are still operational, we can proceed to clear any obstructions in your iPhone’s charging port. Identifying Debris To ensure that your iPhone’s charging port is free of debris, use a flashlight to examine the area where you insert the cable. Look for any lint or dust that may be obstructing it from establishing a reliable connection. If particles are present in this area, it’s time to clean out the port.
6. Inspect Your iPhone for Physical Damage
Another crucial step is to examine your phone for any evident damage that might be contributing to a hardware issue. Even if liquid was spilled on the phone a week ago, it could now be hindering its ability to turn on. Are there any signs of water damage or cracks on the screen? Ensure to thoroughly check the charging jack for any liquid, debris, or foreign objects that could be causing a problem.
7. Update iOS
Downloading the latest iOS version can potentially restore your device’s proper charging functionality. To update your iOS, follow the steps outlined below:
- Launch Settings on your iPhone.
- Tap General, then select Software Update.
- Choose the desired update if multiple options are available.
- Select Install Now or Download and Install, depending on your device.
- If prompted, enter your passcode, then tap Install Now.
- After installing the latest update on your phone, verify if normal charging capabilities have been restored for effective use again.
8. Connect Your iPhone to iTunes
Connecting your iPhone to iTunes can be beneficial if there’s a hardware issue with the display alone but the phone itself is functional, or if the iOS operating system has become corrupted and requires reinstallation or an update. It’s advisable to ensure you have the latest version of iTunes installed on your computer before attempting this step.
Here’s what you should do:
- Plug your iPhone into your computer and launch iTunes. Check if an iPhone icon appears in iTunes, indicating that iTunes recognizes the phone.
- Once your phone is recognized in iTunes, proceed to access the phone settings on iTunes and back up your data. This is a crucial step to prevent data loss.
- With your iPhone now recognized in iTunes and your data backed up, you can proceed to update the iOS on your device. Updating iOS via iTunes won’t result in the loss of personal data.
9. Restore Your iPhone Using iTunes
If your iPhone still refuses to power on even after following the aforementioned steps, you may need to restore it to its original factory settings.
Here’s what you can do:
- Ensure your phone is plugged into your computer and is recognized by iTunes.
- Navigate to the settings in iTunes and locate the option to ‘restore’ your phone. Be aware that this action will erase all data and information from your device, so it’s crucial to take a backup if possible to restore it afterward.
- If you encounter that the update or restore process takes longer than 15 minutes, you may need to reconnect the phone to iTunes. Begin by holding down the appropriate buttons for your specific version of iPhone.
10. Try Using Wireless Chargers
If the previously mentioned solutions fail to resolve the issue, you might consider using wireless chargers as an alternative. We’ll discuss compatible models and assist you in selecting the right one for your device. When contemplating the purchase of a wireless charger, bear in mind that not all chargers are compatible with every iPhone model. With thoughtful consideration, finding a charger tailored to your specific requirements should pose no challenge.