How To Fix A Iphone Battery That Won T Charge

When an iPhone won't charge, it's a big deal. fixing iPhone charging problems was a big part of my daily work. The good news is that the majority of iPhone charging problems can be fixed at home. In this article, I'll show you how to fix an iPhone that won't charge, step-by-step.

How To Fix An iPhone That Won't Charge

Hard Reset Your iPhone

Sometimes the solution is as simple as hard resetting your iPhone. That's the first thing an Apple tech would do in the Apple Store, and it's easy to do at home. Here's how:

How To Hard Reset Your iPhone

Apple tech tip: The #1 mistake people make while trying to hard reset their iPhone is that they don't hold the buttons down for long enough. On iPhone 8 and X, however, make sure you are pressing the first two buttons very quickly and holding the power button down for a long time. Sometimes the process can take 20 seconds or more!

If that doesn't work, don't worry! We'll dive into the hardware fixes in the next step..

Check Your Lightning Cable For Damage

Take a very close look at both ends of the USB cable you use to charge your iPhone. Apple's lightning cables are prone to fraying, especially at the end that connects to your iPhone. If you see visible signs of wear, it might be time for a new cable.

How can I tell whether my lightning cable is the reason why my iPhone won't charge?

If there is no visible damage to the outside of the cable, try plugging your iPhone into a USB port on your computer to charge instead of using the wall adapter that came with your iPhone. If you already charge your iPhone using your computer, try using the wall adapter. If it works in one place and not the other, your cable isn't the issue.

This might seem obvious, but sometimes the best way to determine whether you have a "bad cable" is to try charging your iPhone using a friend's cable. If your iPhone suddenly springs back to life after you plug it in, you've identified the reason why your iPhone won't charge — a faulty cable.

Don't forget about your iPhone's warranty!

If your iPhone is still under warranty, the USB cable (and everything else in the iPhone box) is covered! Apple will replace your lightning cable for free, as long as it's in decent shape.

You can set up a return on Apple's support website or call your local Apple Store to make an appointment with the Genius Bar. If you decide to go to the Apple Store, it's always a good idea to have an appointment at the Genius Bar before you go in. That way, you won't have to wait in line — at least not for long.

3rd-party cables can charge iPhone charging problems

One of the most common reasons why an iPhone won't charge comes from low-quality 3rd-party iPhone charger cables that people buy in gas stations. Yes, Apple cables are expensive, but in my experience, those $5 knockoffs never hold up like the real thing. There are good ones out there — you just have to know which ones to choose.

How to turn off Optimized Battery Charging

While the Optimized Battery Charging feature is supposed to help you extend your battery's life, maybe you want to turn it off to see if your device can fully charge to 100%. Or perhaps you don't like the feature. Thankfully, turning it off is easy!

Launch Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
Scroll down and tap on Battery.
Tap Battery Health.
Tap the toggle for Optimized Battery Charging to OFF (gray).
You'll get two options for when turning Optimized Battery Charging to off: Turn Off Until Tomorrow or Turn Off (permanently). Choose which one you prefer.

To turn Optimized Battery Charging back on, repeat steps 1-4 above, except the toggle should be green instead of gray.

Try A Different iPhone Charger

Do you charge your iPhone by plugging it into the wall, using a car charger, in a speaker dock, in your laptop, or some other way? There are a lot of different ways to charge an iPhone.

Remember that it's your iPhone software that says 'Yes' or 'No' to charging when your iPhone connects to an accessory. If the software detects power fluctuations, it will prevent your iPhone from charging as a protective measure.

Brush The Gunk Out Of Your iPhone's Charging Port

Use a flashlight and take a close look at the charging port in the bottom of your iPhone. If you see any debris or gunk in there, it might be preventing the lightning cable from making a solid connection to your iPhone. There are lots of connectors down there (the lightning cable has 9), and if the wrong one is blocked off, your iPhone won't charge at all.

If you find lint, gunk, or other debris in the charging port of your iPhone, it's time to brush it out. You need something that won't conduct an electric charge or damage the electronics in the bottom of your iPhone.

5. Put Your iPhone Into DFU Mode And Restore

Even if your iPhone won't charge, a DFU restore may still work! You've eliminated the possibility of asimple software problem and taken a look at your USB cable, charger, and the iPhone itself, so it's time for a last-ditch effort — the DFU restore. A DFU restore is a special kind of restore (when yourestore your iPhone, you erase everything on it and restore it to factory settings) that can solve severe software issues —if they exist.

Check out my article abouthow to DFU restore an iPhoneto learn how to put your iPhone into DFU mode, and cross your fingers before you try. When I worked for Apple, this is the first thing I'd try, even when the phone appeared to be damaged. There's a small chance that a DFU restore will bring a non-functional iPhone back to life.

If it doesn't work, come back here to learn about some great repair options you may not be aware of.

6. Repair Your iPhone

If you go to an Apple Store to repair your iPhone and there has been liquid or physical damage to phone, the only option they can offer is to replace your entire iPhone. If you don't have AppleCare+, this can get expensive, fast. If you had pictures, videos, or other personal information on your iPhone and your iPhone won't charge, Apple will say they're gone forever. Fortunately, there are other options:

Another Repair Option

If you need to fix your iPhone today,Pulsis a great, affordable, in-person repair service. They'll meet you at home or a location of your choice in as little as 60 minutes.

Puls offers a lifetime warranty on parts and labor, and you only pay after they complete the repair. They also offer the option to repair your iPhone's charging port and other smaller components that Apple won't touch. There's a chance you'll be able to recover your data and save money too!

iPhone Charging Again!

I hope your iPhone has sprung back to life and you're on your way back to a full charge. I'd love to hear from you about your experiences fixing the iPhone charging problem, and I'm here to help along the way.

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