The iPad has become one of Apple’s more popular products since it was first introduced. It might not have gotten quite the reception of the iPhone, but it has the features and portability that justify its continued presence in the market. There are a few different problems you’ll sometimes encounter with iPads, though, and when yours refuses to charge the way it’s supposed to, it can be irritating. Let’s dive into some reasons that your iPad might not be charging, and review some options as to what you can do about it.
Are You Using the Charger and USB Cable that Came with the iPad?
The first question that is worth asking in this scenario is whether you are using the charger and USB cable that originally came with the product. If you bought your iPad brand-new, then this isn’t likely to be a concern, unless something happened to either of these components that necessitated you getting replacements.
If you did get a replacement for either the USB cable or the charger, and what you got was not Apple-approved, then that might be what’s causing the difficulty. There are plenty of third-party makers of chargers and USB cables that supposedly work with Apple products. You can buy them online, or in electronics stores. Some of them work, while others might prove to be problematic.
If you bought the iPad secondhand, then you’re potentially looking at this same issue. Do yourself a favour and buy an Apple-issued USB cable and a charger if you purchased your iPad used. It’s far less likely that you’ll run into charging issues that way.
Try Different Outlets if Your iPad Doesn’t Charge
The next thing you might do is to try charging your iPad at different wall outlets if the first one didn’t work. It’s best if you try some in different rooms or even on different floors of your house if that’s an option.
You could also take the iPad to someone else’s residence and try their outlets. That should give you a better idea of the problem you are experiencing has to do with your iPad or with the outlets in your home.
Try Alternate Means of Charging the iPad
If no wall outlets seem to be working, you could also use the USB cable and connect the iPad to a laptop or a PC. Maybe that’s what will get it to charge. If you don’t have any luck there, you could try charging it in your vehicle. If none of these options works for you, then move on to some other possibilities.
iPad Still Not Charging? Check Your Equipment for Damage
Next, you can check your USB cable, charger, and the iPad itself for damage. If you have some pets in the house, maybe one of them got hold of the USB cable and chewed it up. Look for frayed wires, bent prongs on the charger, etc. Examine the exterior of the iPad as well. If you dropped it or it got jostled at some point, then it’s possible the damage has led to charging issues.
Check for Charging Port Debris if Your iPad Still Doesn’t Charge
Next up, you can take a look at the charging port for the iPad and see if there’s any dirt or debris that is blocking it. Any kind of buildup or particulate matter could be preventing a normal charge.
If you do see something, you can clean it out of there with a Q-tip or a clean cloth. It’s best not to use any kind of chemical solvents on that part of the iPad. Doing so might damage the device further, and it could also void the warranty.
Do a Force Restart of the iPad if it Still Won’t Charge
At this point, it would be fair to guess that what is happening with your device might be a software issue. If that is the case, then you might be able to get it to charge after you do a forced restart. Follow these directions if your iPad has a Home button.
- Begin by pressing and holding both the Side or the Top button and the Home button.
- Hold them down for at least 10 seconds, or until you see the Apple logo come up on the display.
- Wait for the device to restart, then try charging it again.
If you have Face ID on your iPad, follow these directions.
- Press and then release the Volume Up button.
- Do the same with the Volume Down button.
- Press and hold the Top button, and the Apple logo will come up on the screen.
- Wait till it’s done restarting, then plug it in and try charging it again.
What if the iPad Stops Charging at 80%?
You might also get a situation sometimes where the iPad will charge up to 80%, and then it won’t go any higher than that. If that’s what is happening, then most likely, you’re dealing with an elevated temperature issue. If the device is too hot (like if you’ve got it sitting in the sun on a warm day while you’re charging it, for instance), then as a protective measure, it will only charge up to a certain point. This is to extend the lifespan of the battery.
You should move the device to a cooler spot, then try charging it again. Once the temperature drops, this should cease to be an issue. You also should refrain from putting the iPad in the fridge or the freezer to try and get it to cool off sooner. Don’t put it directly in front of the air conditioner either. These might seem like sound ideas, but this treatment of the device can be harmful to some of the internal components.
IMAGE: Don’t Use the AC if iPad Not Charging
If Your iPad is Still Not Charging, Contact Apple Support
It would now be an appropriate time to contact Apple Support so they can weigh in on what’s happening with your device. You could do an online chat with them, but this has some limitations because whoever is helping you is not able to physically see or handle the iPad.
It’s better for you to head to the Apple Store nearest to you that has a Genius Bar. The employees there can look over the iPad and possibly come up with a workable solution. It might be that an internal component of the device needs to be replaced. If that’s the case, then it shouldn’t cost you anything if the iPad is still under factory warranty. If the warranty has expired, then the cost of the repair will probably come out of your pocket.
