When your iPhone doesn’t start charging when plugged in, there are many causes of why this problem happens. Maybe the particular cable is damaged, or the charger itself is broken. All iPhone devices use a reversible lightning cable, meaning you can use either side of this cable.
Article summary
The most common reasons your iPhone won’t charge when plugged in include the charging port being dirty or the battery being damaged.
On the other hand, we’ll also take a look at other reasons that include the following:
- A bad button
- A broken logic board
- A frozen phone
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After the release of the iPhone 8, wireless charging was introduced by Apple. Newer phones can charge their batteries without the need for a cable that can get damaged over time. Even for the simple process of charging your phone, there are many parts involved that work together for this operation.
Table of Contents
To identify the cause of the problem, you should individually check every component. Look for broken parts or any other damage. This way, you can eliminate potential problems until you reach the cause. Be advised that iOS 13 introduced a feature named Optimized Battery Charging. It stops the charging process when the battery reaches 80%.
If this happens on newer models such as iPhone X or iPhone 12, there is nothing wrong with the charging process. The cable is damaged when your phone charges well with one cable but doesn’t work with your own. You will need to replace it.
If you are wondering why it doesn’t charge when plugged in, look below. We help you identify problems and find solutions.
Reasons your iPhone won’t charge when plugged in
If your iPhone ran out of battery, charging it is the only solution. If this process doesn’t work, there is a problem with your phone or charger. Many causes are responsible for this inconvenience. Here are the reasons your iPhone won’t charge when plugged in.
1. Your phone is frozen.
Your phone’s battery might be dead and completely drained of charge. The screen might not immediately turn on when you plug it into a power source. Leave it for at least 30 minutes before powering up the device.
2. The charging port is dirty.
Maybe your phone doesn’t turn back on after 30 minutes of charging. You should check the cleanliness of the charging port and the cable. The charging process can be interrupted if they are dirty and full of debris. You can use a toothpick to clean the port or take your phone to a specialized workshop that will clean your phone for you.
3. The battery is damaged.
The previous solution should easily fix the problem. If your phone still doesn’t power up, it may have a bad port or even a dead battery. You should replace the battery with an already charged one and check if the phone turns on. If it still doesn’t turn on, you might have a problem with the power button.
4. Bad power button
If your phone is charging and receiving power and the screen turns on, your battery works perfectly. But if it still doesn’t start when you long-press the power button, there might be an issue with this key.
5. The display is malfunctioning.
The opposite can also happen when your phone starts charging, but the display is not working. You can listen to the sound your phone makes when it turns on. If this sound is audible and the screen is still turned off, consider purchasing a new display and getting a screen replacement.
6. The logic board is broken.
If you still cannot identify the cause of your problem, the logic board might be damaged and needs replacement. Get your phone to an electronic repair shop, and the staff there will help you.
Here’s a list of everything to check for when the phone doesn’t charge:
| Phone frozen | Charging port dirty | Logic board broken | Display malfunctioning | Bad power button | Battery is damaged |
| ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
If even a simple box is checked for you, there’s a reason for your phone to not charge.
Why do chargers stop working?
Even though Apple manufactures gadgets that can cost well over $1,000, they use cheap charger designs intentionally. It is part of their business tactic that convinces customers to buy more from them. It is a strategy employed by many big companies.
These cables are cheap, and you can purchase multiple ones for a single phone. If they were expensive, you’d have to pay a large sum every time your cable got damaged or when you forgot it somewhere during a trip.
When you purchase a new lightning cable, make sure to use the ones that are certified by Apple. Your phone can get damaged if you use products that are not certified by this manufacturer. It is recommended to stop using them immediately. The battery’s health might be at risk if it gets charged through methods it was not designed to.
The age of your device influences the battery performance as well. Older phones will struggle to function properly when the battery drops below 30%.
While this problem is common in older models, the same effect can be seen in newer ones if they are being charged with a non-certified charger. It is also recommended to stop using your iPhone when it is charging. It is the reason why cables are so short nowadays.
The reduced length discourages you from using the phone while it is charging and plugged into a power source. With fast charging technology, you can use it again in as little as 40 minutes if you don’t want a full charge.
