The most common reason your Apple Pencil won't charge is a dirty or damaged charging connector
Apple Pencils charge through a small connector at the bottom or side, depending on your model. Lint, dust, or dried adhesive from a case can block the connection completely, and the pencil will appear dead even though the battery is fine. Before you assume the hardware is broken, clean the connector with a dry cotton swab or soft cloth and try again.
The second most common issue is that your iPad or Mac isn't actually charging the pencil, even though it looks like it should be. The pencil may be paired to your device but not actively charging. This happens when the device's battery is too low, when the pencil is paired to a different device, or when the charging port itself has a problem.
Key Takeaways
- Clean the charging connector on your Apple Pencil with a dry cotton swab, since lint and dust block the connection most often.
- Check your iPad or Mac's battery level — most devices won't charge an Apple Pencil if their own battery is below 20 percent.
- Verify which device your pencil is paired to, because it will only charge when connected to that specific device.
- If cleaning and checking battery level don't work, try restarting your iPad or Mac, then unpair and re-pair the pencil.
- A pencil that won't charge after these steps may have a hardware fault and may need replacement through Apple.
How to clean the charging connector
The charging connector is a small metal contact point. On Apple Pencil (1st generation), it's on the side where you remove the cap. On Apple Pencil (2nd generation) and Apple Pencil Pro, it's on the flat edge where the pencil magnetically attaches to your iPad. On Apple Pencil (USB-C), the connector is at the bottom.
Turn off your Apple Pencil if it's on. Use a dry cotton swab, soft cloth, or pencil eraser to gently rub the metal connector for 10 to 15 seconds. Do not use water, alcohol, or any liquid — moisture can damage the internal circuitry. If you see visible debris, use a dry toothpick to carefully remove it, but do not scratch the metal contact itself.
After cleaning, wait a few minutes before attempting to charge. Then connect your pencil to your device the same way you normally would and check whether the charging indicator appears.
Check your iPad or Mac battery level
Your device must have enough battery to charge your Apple Pencil. Most iPads and Macs will not charge an Apple Pencil when their own battery is below 20 percent. If your device is in low-power mode, charging may also be delayed or disabled.
Plug your iPad or Mac into power and let it charge for at least 30 minutes. Once the battery level is above 20 percent and low-power mode is off, try charging your Apple Pencil again. You should see a charging indicator on your iPad's lock screen or in the battery widget on your Mac.
Verify the pencil is paired to the right device
An Apple Pencil will only charge when it's paired to the device you're trying to charge it with. If you use your pencil with multiple iPads or Macs, it may be paired to a different one than the device you're holding right now.
Go to Settings on your iPad or Mac and look for the Bluetooth or Apple Pencil section. Check whether your pencil appears in the list of paired devices. If it doesn't, you'll need to pair it first before it can charge. If it's paired to a different device, unpair it from that device, then pair it to the one you want to use.
To unpair on iPad: go to Settings > Bluetooth, find your pencil in the list, tap the info icon, and select "Forget This Device." To unpair on Mac: go to System Settings > Bluetooth, find your pencil, click the info icon, and select "Remove."
Restart your iPad or Mac and re-pair the pencil
Sometimes the connection between your device and pencil gets stuck, and a restart clears it. Turn off your iPad or Mac completely, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. While it's restarting, keep your Apple Pencil nearby but not connected.
Once your device has fully restarted, unpair the pencil using the steps above, then pair it again. On iPad, go to Settings > Apple Pencil and follow the on-screen prompts. On Mac, go to System Settings > Bluetooth and click "Pair" next to your pencil. After pairing is complete, try charging it again.
When the charging port itself is damaged
If your Apple Pencil still won't charge after cleaning the connector, checking battery levels, and re-pairing, the charging port may be physically damaged. This can happen if the pencil was dropped, if liquid got inside, or if the connector was bent or scratched.
Inspect the charging connector closely under good light. Look for bent pins, corrosion, or visible cracks. If you see damage, the pencil will need to be replaced. Contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store to discuss your options — depending on your pencil's age and warranty status, you may be able to get a replacement.
Troubleshooting by Apple Pencil model
| Model | Charging method | First thing to check |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Pencil (1st generation) | Remove cap and plug into iPad charging port | Clean the connector on the side of the pencil |
| Apple Pencil (2nd generation) | Attach magnetically to the side of iPad Pro | Make sure the flat edge is clean and aligned with the magnetic strip |
| Apple Pencil Pro | Attach magnetically to the side of iPad Pro or iPad Air | Clean the flat edge and check that your iPad supports this model |
| Apple Pencil (USB-C) | Plug USB-C connector into any USB-C power source | Clean the USB-C port and try a different USB-C cable or charger |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an Apple Pencil take to charge?
Most Apple Pencils charge fully in 15 to 30 minutes. The Apple Pencil (USB-C) can charge faster if you use a higher-wattage USB-C charger. If your pencil is taking much longer than this, the charging connection may be poor — try cleaning the connector again or using a different charging method.
Can I charge my Apple Pencil with any USB-C cable?
Yes, the Apple Pencil (USB-C) works with any standard USB-C cable and charger. However, using a higher-wattage charger (20W or more) will charge it faster. Other Apple Pencil models use proprietary connectors and cannot be charged this way.
What does the charging indicator look like on my iPad?
When your Apple Pencil is charging, a small battery icon appears on your iPad's lock screen or in the battery widget. The icon shows a lightning bolt while charging and fills up as the battery percentage increases. If you don't see this icon after connecting your pencil, the connection isn't working.
Can I use my Apple Pencil while it's charging?
Yes, you can use your Apple Pencil while it's charging on a 2nd generation or Pro model, since they charge magnetically while attached to your iPad. With the 1st generation model, the pencil is plugged into the charging port, so you cannot use it during charging. The USB-C model can be used while plugged in if you're using a USB-C hub or adapter.
My Apple Pencil charges on one iPad but not another. Why?
Your pencil is likely paired to the first iPad and not the second. Apple Pencils are device-specific and will only charge when paired to that device. Unpair the pencil from the first iPad, then pair it to the second one. After pairing, it should charge normally.