Your iPhone stops charging for a few specific reasons, and most of them you can fix yourself in minutes
When your iPhone won't charge, the problem is almost always one of four things: the cable or adapter is damaged, the charging port is blocked or dirty, the battery itself has failed, or a software issue is preventing the phone from recognizing power. You do not need to replace the phone. Start by checking the cable and port — that solves the problem in most cases — then move through the other causes in order.
This guide walks you through each cause and shows you exactly what to do at each step. You will know within 15 minutes whether the fix is something you can do at home or whether the phone needs service.
Key Takeaways
- Check the charging cable first: look for visible damage, try a different cable if you have one, and make sure the connector clicks firmly into the port.
- Clean the charging port with a dry toothpick or soft brush, because lint and debris block the connection more often than any other single cause.
- Force restart your iPhone by following the button sequence for your model, which clears software glitches that prevent charging from starting.
- If the phone charges when plugged into a computer but not a wall adapter, the adapter is the problem — replace it rather than the cable.
- Battery failure is permanent and requires service, but it is rare in phones less than three years old unless the phone has been dropped or exposed to water.
Inspect the cable and connector for visible damage
Before you do anything else, look at the cable itself. Bend it gently along its entire length and watch for cracks in the rubber coating, exposed wires, or a connector that looks bent or corroded. If you see any of these, the cable is damaged and needs to be replaced — do not try to use it.
Next, look at the connector end that plugs into your phone. It should be clean and shiny. If it looks dull, discolored, or has a white or green coating, corrosion has built up on the metal contacts. Wipe the connector gently with a dry cloth or a cotton swab. Do not use water or cleaning liquid — dry only.
Now plug the cable into your phone and listen for a click. The connector should seat firmly and not wiggle. If it slides in loosely or falls out on its own, the port on the phone may be damaged, or the cable connector is worn out. Try a different cable if you have one. If a different cable charges the phone normally, your original cable is the problem.
Clean the charging port on your phone
Lint, dust, and debris collect inside the charging port over time and prevent the connector from making a solid connection. This is the single most common reason an iPhone stops charging. You can clean it yourself in about two minutes.
Turn off your iPhone completely. Take a dry toothpick or a soft-bristled brush — a clean toothbrush works — and gently scrape or brush inside the port. Work slowly and do not force anything. You should see lint and dust come out. Repeat until the port looks clean and shiny inside.
Turn the phone back on and try charging again. If this was the problem, charging will start immediately. Do not use water, compressed air, or any liquid inside the port — water damage is expensive to repair and dry cleaning is all you need.
Force restart your iPhone to clear software issues
Sometimes iOS gets stuck in a state where it does not recognize that power is connected, even though the hardware is working fine. A force restart clears this without erasing anything on your phone.
The button sequence depends on which iPhone model you have. For iPhone X and newer (including iPhone 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16): press and release the Volume Up button, then press and release the Volume Down button, then press and hold the Side button until you see the "slide to power off" screen appear. Keep holding the Side button — do not slide — until the screen goes black and the Apple logo appears. This takes about 10 seconds. Release the button and let the phone restart.
For iPhone 8 and earlier: press and hold both the Top (or Side) button and the Volume Down button together until the "slide to power off" screen appears. Keep holding both buttons — do not slide — until the screen goes black and the Apple logo appears. Release the buttons and let the phone restart.
Once the phone is back on, plug it in and check whether charging starts. If the phone now shows a charging symbol or the screen lights up, the software issue is fixed.
Test with a different power adapter
If your phone charges when you plug it into a computer with a USB cable but does not charge when you use a wall adapter, the adapter is the problem, not the cable or the phone. Wall adapters fail more often than most people realize, especially if they have been dropped, sat on, or exposed to heat.
Borrow a different wall adapter — one made by Apple or a certified third-party brand — and try charging with that. If the phone charges normally, your original adapter is damaged and should be replaced. Do not keep using a faulty adapter; it can damage the phone's charging port over time.
If you do not have access to another adapter, you can charge through a computer's USB port temporarily. This charges slowly, but it works and tells you whether the problem is the adapter or something else.
Check whether the battery itself has failed
If you have worked through the steps above and the phone still will not charge, the battery may have reached the end of its life. Batteries degrade over time and eventually stop holding a charge or accepting power. This is permanent and cannot be fixed by restarting or cleaning.
You can check the battery's health on your phone. Go to Settings, then Battery, then Battery Health & Charging. Look at the "Maximum Capacity" number. If it is below 80 percent and your phone is more than two years old, the battery is degraded. If it is below 50 percent, the battery is significantly worn and should be replaced.
Battery replacement requires service from Apple or an authorized repair shop. If your phone is still under warranty or covered by AppleCare+, the service may be free or low-cost. If not, battery replacement typically costs between $50 and $100 depending on the model.
What to do if the phone has been dropped or exposed to water
If your iPhone has been dropped recently or exposed to water, liquid may have damaged the charging port or the battery. Physical damage and water damage are not something you can repair at home — the phone needs to be opened and inspected by a technician.
Do not keep trying to charge a phone that has been damaged. Repeated charging attempts can cause further damage or create a safety risk. Take the phone to Apple or an authorized repair shop and describe what happened. They can tell you whether the damage is repairable and what it will cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my iPhone charge when it is plugged into my computer but not when I use a wall outlet?
The wall adapter is almost certainly the problem. Computer USB ports deliver power differently than wall adapters do, and a faulty adapter will not work even though the cable and phone are fine. Try a different wall adapter to confirm. If the phone charges with the new adapter, replace the old one.
Is it safe to use my iPhone while it is charging?
Yes, it is safe. Using your phone while it charges does slow down the charging speed because the battery is powering the phone at the same time it is receiving power. If you want faster charging, turn the phone off or put it in Airplane Mode while it charges.
My iPhone gets very hot while charging. Is that normal?
Some warmth is normal, but the phone should not be too hot to hold. If it is extremely hot, stop charging immediately and unplug the cable. Heat during charging usually means the adapter is faulty or the battery is failing. Do not continue using that adapter or cable.
Can I use any USB-C cable to charge my iPhone 15 or 16?
Any USB-C cable will physically fit, but Apple recommends using a cable certified for iPhone to ensure safe charging. Third-party cables that are MFi-certified (Made for iPhone) work reliably. Avoid very cheap cables from unknown brands, as they may damage the port or battery over time.
What should I do if cleaning the port does not work?
If the port is clean and you have tried a different cable and adapter without success, the problem is likely inside the phone — either the battery or the charging circuit. This requires service. Contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store to have the phone diagnosed. Bring your phone and the cable and adapter you have been using so the technician can test them.