My iPhone Won't Charge! What Do I Do?

If your iPhone doesn't work, it might not be the battery

If your iPhone won't charge, it may be time for a new battery (and, since the iPhone's battery can't be replaced by the average person, you'll be paying for that service along with the battery itself).

Before you pay to replace your iPhone battery, try the troubleshooting steps from this article. There are a number of other factors interfere with your iPhone's ability to charge its battery. You may be able to fix the problem yourself and save money.

01
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Restart iPhone

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Restarting your iPhone solves many basic problems people experience with their devices. The process won't solve the more serious glitches, but if your phone won't charge, give it a restart and try plugging it in again.

02
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Replace USB Cable

On the hardware malfunction front, it's possible that there's a problem with the USB cable you're using to connect the iPhone to your computer or power adapter. The only way to test the cable is to get access to another iPhone cable and try using that one instead.

One good option is the iXCC Element Series USB cord, which at 3 feet in length, is certified by Apple, and is compatible with the iPhone 5 and higher. As an added bonus it also comes with an 18-month warranty.

03
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Replace Wall Charger

A phone plugged into a charger on a white shelf
Михаил Руденко / Getty Images

If you're charging your iPhone using a wall charger power adapter rather than by plugging it into your computer, it could be the adapter that's preventing your iPhone from charging.

Just as with the USB cable, the only way to check is by getting another power adapter and trying to charge your phone with it (alternatively, you could also try charging using a computer instead).

04
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Check USB Port

USB ports, one with a plug

Image credit: Sharleen Chao/Moment Open / Getty Images

You need a USB 2.0 port to charge your iPhone. Odds are, that's what you're plugging into, but it doesn't hurt to check.

Once you know you're using the right kind of USB port, if you still can't get a charge, it may be the USB port itself that's broken. To test it, try plugging your iPhone into another USB port on your computer. If that other port recognizes and charges your iPhone, the USB port on your computer may be broken.

You can also try plugging in another USB device that you know for sure works. That approach can help you rule out that the problem is with your USB ports.

05
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Don't Charge Using the Keyboard

To make sure your iPhone charges properly, you need to make sure you're charging it in the right place. Because the iPhone has high power demands, it needs to be charged using high-speed USB ports. The USB ports that are included on some keyboards don't provide enough power to recharge the iPhone.

So, if your iPhone doesn't seem to be taking the charge, make sure it's plugged directly into one of your computer's USB ports, not the keyboard or another peripheral device.

Consider the best Bluetooth keyboards for your phone.

06
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Use iPhone Recovery Mode

An iPhone in recovery mode

 Lifewire

Sometimes problems with your iPhone require more extensive steps to solve them. One of those measures is Recovery Mode. This is like a restart but can help solve more complex problems. In Recovery Mode, you delete the data on your phone. When you use Recovery Mode, your phone will expect to have its data restored from a backup or to be returned to factory settings.

07
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Check For Lint

This isn't a common problem, but it's possible that lint from your pockets or purse could be jammed into the iPhone's Lightning connector. If there's enough lint there, it could prevent the hardware from connecting properly and thus stop electricity from reaching the iPhone battery. Check your cable and dock connector for gunk. If you find it, a shot of compressed air is the ideal way to clear it but blowing will also work.

Supercharge your phone with one of the best iPhone Lightning cables.

08
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You've Got a Dead Battery

iphone with drained battery

Bence Bezeredy / Getty Images

If none of these solutions work, it's likely that your iPhone's battery is dead and needs to be replaced. Apple charges $79 plus shipping for the service. Spending some time at a search engine will turn up other companies that provide the same service for less. It's worth remembering, too, that if your iPhone is less than one year old, or if you have AppleCare, battery replacement is covered for free.

To learn more about iPhone battery replacement pricing or start a battery replacement claim, go to the iPhone battery replacement support page.

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