Why Isn't My iPhone Charging

June 19, 2024

If ‘why isn’t my iPhone charging’ is something you have asked yourself all day, then you could probably do with some help. Here, we will go through some tips and tricks to help get your iPhone charging again while we troubleshoot.

Unfortunately, it’s all too common to experience tech issues. From failed iPhone software updates, SIM cards not being read, and devices that won’t vibrate, we’ve run into our fair share. Because many of these issues can be fixed at home, we want to give you the tools to do just that, so you don’t have to spend money you don’t have.

At imFixed, we offer our professional services for all kinds of repairs in Oldham, Rochdale, and the Manchester area, including home repairs in Bury. We like to give you the information you need to get your devices working on their own wherever possible, too, and our guides on solutions for water damage, iPhone screen repairs, and what to do when your iPhone won’t turn on, will help you navigate tech issues.

We also have a variety of blogs dedicated to things like how to bring your iPhone back to life, why its battery might be draining, and how to find the best mobile phone repair company. Whatever you need, we have information that will help.

Charging Issues Are Very Common

You would be surprised to learn that issues with charging (or, not charging), are incredibly common in the tech world. This is because charging can be affected by the smallest things – a faulty cable, dirt in the Lightning port, and so many other things.

So, if you are experiencing charging issues with your iPhone, don’t worry too much. You are not alone, and it can usually be fixed.

Why isn’t My iPhone Charging?

So, why isn’t my iPhone charging? We will look at a multitude of reasons below, and what you can do to fix the issue. By the end, we hope that you have a fully functioning iPhone again, and you will be better equipped to deal with issues like this in the future – your friends will definitely thank you.

The Magic Restart

Depending on the iPhone model you have, you will need to take different steps to force restart your device. We will outline the steps for different models below.

For iPhones that Support iOS 16 or Later

Quickly press the volume up button and release
Quickly press the volume down button and release
Hold down the side button
Release the side button when the Apple logo shows

For iPhones that Don’t Support iOS 16 (iPhones 6, 7, 8 and SE (1st Gen)

iPhone 6 models and iPhone SE (1st Gen) – Hold down the home and sleep/wake button at the same time, then release the buttons when you see the Apple logo
iPhone 7 – Hold down the sleep/wake button and volume down button at the same time, then release the buttons when you see the Apple logo

iPhone 8 and iPhone SE (2nd Gen) – Quickly press the volume up button and release, then do the same with the volume down button. Hold down the side button, and release it when you see the Apple logo

Is the Cable Damaged?

There’s a good chance that your charging cable might be damaged if your device won’t charge. Try using a different cable and see how it goes. If it works with a different cable, you know what the problem is. If it doesn’t, then you will need to keep looking.

Clean Your Lightning Port

It is so easy for dirt and debris to build up in your Lightning port, and this can impact your charging. The same applies to headphone jacks and other similar areas, so always double-check before panicking.

If your Lightning port is dirty, you can use a toothpick or something similar (small, sharp, and non-metal) to gently scrape away the debris. Compressed air would also be beneficial for cleaning, but this is not necessary if you don’t have it.

See if it Needs a Software Update

Hopefully your iPhone updates without any issues in settings, but this isn’t always the case.

If your iPhone refuses to update, you can try to update your iOS in Recovery Mode (you will need the latest version of iTunes on a Windows or Mac laptop/PC).

Connect your Windows/Mac device to the phone
Do a force restart (steps outlined in an above section) to get your phone in Recovery Mode
Don’t let go of the buttons until the phone screen has the Recovery mode screen (a charging cable with an arrow pointed at a laptop)
Select ‘update’ when the option to restore or update on your computer shows up
Confirm, then follow the instructions given to you (it can take up to 15 minutes, so have some patience)
Your phone will restart on its own once you’re done

In the situation where this doesn’t work, the final thing to try is DFU Mode to update the iOS. Because DFU Mode is more complex than Recovery Mode, and varies depending on the device model you have, follow these steps to effectively go through the process.

Just be aware that DFU will restore iOS to a clean slate while bypassing iBoot, which Recovery Mode uses. As such, make sure you back up all your important data before proceeding.

If this doesn’t work, you will need to get in touch with a professional like us, or Apple.

Factory Reset Your Device

If nothing else is working, you might need to erase your iPhone to its default state. This will get rid of everything on the device, so make sure you back up all your important data before proceeding

To reset your iPhone, follow these steps: Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset → Erase All Content and Settings → Erase iPhone.

Skip the Wireless Charging

Wireless charging is popular with new iPhones, but it isn’t always the answer. If you have been charging your device wirelessly, and it has stopped, try using the charging cord again and see if that works.

Phones can be fickle, and sometimes you just need to change things up to snap it back to reality. Using a corded charger can often do the trick.

If All Else Fails…

If everything else on this list fails, you will need to visit the repair shop (like us), or go to an Apple Store. There, you might be able to find some answers that will allow the issue to be resolved at last.

iPhone Stops Charging at 80%

It’s common for iPhones to stop charging at 80%. This happens when the battery is getting too warm, and is a safety feature on your device.

There’s no need to worry – charging will resume when it cools down again, so you can move your phone to a cooler spot for a while before continuing.

imFixed Can Help

At imFixed, it’s our mission to help you with your tech-related issues, and offer call-out screen repairs in and around Manchester. We believe that local is best, and our top-quality service means that we can focus on getting your devices up and running as soon as possible.

Here, we answer your burning questions – like if it’s worth fixing a MacBook screen, what new MacBook users should know, and if your MacBook battery can be repaired. If you need accessories for your devices, we also have a collection of cases and holders, headphones and adapters, Apple screen protectors, chargers, and cases, so you can always care for your devices.