All Apple fans love iPads because of their large screen and versatility. The iPad experience is further enhanced because Apple has provided software update support to iPads for a long time. However, during this long period, your iPad can undergo some malfunctions, and it won’t charge. There are a lot of factors that can cause your iPad to refuse to charge at all.
Long-term use can cause dust and debris buildup inside the lightning port, which is one of the major causes of an iPad not charging. A software bug, faulty charger, damaged lightning cable, unresponsive socket, and even some hardware issues can deprive your iPad of the lightning bolt charging icon that shows up while charging.
However, most of these issues are easy to resolve, and you can get your iPad up and charging in no time. Some major problems might require you to trip to a nearby Apple store.
Whatever the case, we will cover everything that can cause your iPad to not charge in the article below. You can follow the guide to check up on your iPad and fix the issues using the solutions above.
Why Your iPad Won’t Charge?
There are several reasons why your iPad won’t charge. Let’s dive into the most common ones below.
Dirty Lightning Port
Before blaming Apple for providing a defective unit, you might want to look inside your iPad’s lightning port. Most people don’t realize it, but your iPhones and iPads can catch a lot of dirt and debris.
The surface of an iPad can be cleaned with alcohol-based wiping liquids; however, the ports require some deeper attention. A lot of dirt and dust can enter your lightning port over time which can cause it to block.
Software Bug
iPhones and iPads may have the upper hand in the software department over other Android phones, but it doesn’t mean they are bug-free. Some little bugs and glitches can infest your iPads occasionally, which may cause them not to take up any charge.
Some of these glitches or bugs are temporary and will get sorted automatically; however, they can often become a permanent source of inconvenience.
Faulty Adaptor or USB Cable
It’s not always your iPad; the charging cable or adaptor can sometimes be the culprit. It can be that your adaptor isn’t working anymore, or the cable you’re using is not able to deliver power to your iPad.
These accessories can wear out after some time, and replacing them is always better before they cause significant damage.
Charging Cable Not Providing Enough Power
Plugging in only a single time doesn’t provide any conclusive results. If your iPad has been lying around for quite some time, chances are that its battery has been fully discharged. The older generation of iPads that do not support fast charging also falls under this category.
These devices need a lot more time to charge than the newer iPads, and if your charging cable doesn’t support fast charging, it will not be able to turn on these iPads instantly.
How To Fix an iPad That Won’t Charge
Given the common reasons your iPad won’t charge, we can now discuss quick fixes and solutions to get your iPad up and running again. Take a look.
Cleaning the Port
To eliminate the debris buildup, you must start by cleaning it up using a pointy and narrow object. Remember not to use a metallic object as it can damage the port from the inside.
Moreover, you should avoid using a fragile object that might break up inside your port because it’s the last thing you want. Always use an object like a toothpick and gently pick out all the dirt from the port.
You will be amazed to see how much dirt your iPad was carrying. If you feel reluctant, you can always pop by a nearby repair shop and ask them to clean your iPad.
Fixing Software Issues
Restarting your iPad is the easiest and most common method to remove little glitches. A quick restart can fix most problems on your iPad, including charging issues.
If the issue persists, you might want to perform a DFU reset on your iPad. This should be your last option if everything else doesn’t seem to work.
Trying Different Accessories
If you have another iPad charger at hand, you can plug it into your iPad. If your iPad charges, it means that your adaptor is faulty. You can do the same to your lightning cable and verify if the cable is still working or not. You can also try changing the socket or power outlet you’re currently using.
It is always recommended to use original Apple accessories for your iPad. Not only will the cheap accessories wear out very quickly, but they can also damage your iPad as they are not exactly made for your device.
Fixing a Slow-Charging iPad
If all these things apply to your iPad, you should plug it in and leave it for a few hours. A low-charging cable will take some time to deliver enough power to your iPad so it can display the Apple logo.
After it boots up, you can monitor the charging speed or buy a new charging cable to reduce charging times.
The Ultimate Solution
If your iPad doesn’t start charging even after trying all these solutions, then there might be a hardware issue causing this problem. Fixing a hardware part or issue isn’t easy, and you should consider visiting a nearby Apple store.
They can examine your iPad and tell you about the issue; in most cases, they will hard reset your iPad during fixing. So, you must back up your data before handing over your iPad to the store worker.
The Bottom Line
Like any other gadget, your iPad is prone to internal issues and malfunctions. Your iPad can stop charging after some time, and many reasons can make it happen. Most commonly, there might be a lot of dust and debris collected in your lightning port that prevents the charging cable from inserting into the port properly.
There can also be a software issue, faulty adaptor, damaged lightning cable, or the cable you’re using simply not providing enough power to your iPad.
