One of the most irritating cases of owning a smartphone is when your device suddenly refuses to charge. If your phone doesn’t charge, apparently you won’t be able to use it as it won’t turn on. That being said, you have a big problem to solve. Charging problems in mobile devices are caused by various factors due to a malfunctioning charger, a damaged charging cable or a faulty power source.
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In older devices, the problems of non-recharging and intermittent recharging are generally marked among other types of power supply problems, in particular, due to a low battery or other damaged power components.
However, it is highly recommended to perform some alternative solutions before rushing to a service center. This will eliminate software-related factors that could potentially offer a permanent solution to the problem. Below are some effective solutions to recharge problems related to the software on an iPhone. Read on to know what to do if your iPhone suddenly stops charging.
Before moving on to troubleshooting, if you happen to find this post while looking for a solution to a different problem, visit our iPhone Guides page for having already solved some of the most common problems with this device. We may have already published articles that could help you solve your problem. Find problems similar to yours and feel free to use our solutions.
Troubleshoot your Apple iPhone that doesn’t recharge
When an iPhone stops charging, it is not always due to a damaged charger. In fact, many cases of charging problems on mobile devices are linked to software defects. It is the charging system (software) that requires the hardware to start charging when it is connected to a power source.
If the charging system is interfered with, its normal charging routine will be ruined. That when adverse charging symptoms occur. To eliminate the factors related to the software from the underlying causes, it is recommended to perform these subsequent procedures.
Don’t forget to try charging your iPhone after implementing each method to know whether the problem has been solved or not.
What to do if your iPhone does not charge
First solution- Force your iPhone to restart during recharging
Using the original or Apple-supplied charger, plug it into a wall outlet and then perform a forced restart. Performing this change can help eliminate minor app defects that may have interfered with or stopped the charging process. The steps to perform a forced restart vary depending on the iPhone models.
To force an iPhone X or later model to restart, follow these steps:
- Press and release the Volume Up button.
- Then press and release the Volume Down button.
- Finally, hold down the side button and release it when the Apple logo appears.
If you’re dealing with the same charging problem on iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, here’s how a forced reboot is performed:
- Press and hold the Volume down button and the power button (suspend/resume) at the same time and then release both buttons with the Apple logo.
For older iPhone models like iPhone 6s, 6s Plus, 6, SE and 5s, refer to these steps to force the device to reboot.
- Hold down the power (suspend/wake) button and the Home button for a few seconds, then release both buttons when the Apple logo is displayed on the screen.
Try to see if this solves the problem. If your iPhone isn’t loading yet, try the next solution.
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Second solution- Update your iPhone software to the latest version
If your iPhone still has some energy and you think it could last between 20 and 30 minutes, check out the new iOS update that you could implement. Installing an iOS update could be the key to solving the problem if the main culprits are malware and software bugs.
Just make sure your phone is connected to the Internet and has ample storage space to allocate the new update file. Follow these steps to proceed:
- From the main screen, tap on Settings.
- General Touch.
- Tap Software Update.
If an update notification is displayed, this usually indicates that a new version of iOS is available. Select the option to download and install when you’re ready.
After the update, restart your iPhone to save and apply recent changes to the system. So see if this solves the problem. If the device does not charge again, restore all default settings.
Third solution- Restore all the settings on your iPhone
Another suggestion for eliminating invalid settings that caused reloading errors is a restoration of system settings. This reset has eliminated recent customizations along with any associated errors and restores the original values and options.
This does not require backup creation as no saved information is affected by the process. However, all custom settings will be deleted. If you wish to proceed, follow these steps:
- Tap Settings from the Home screen.
- General Touch.
- Scroll down and tap Reset.
- Choose Reset all settings from the options provided.
- Enter your passcode when asked to proceed.
- Finally, tap the option to confirm the reset of all settings.
Allow the phone to finish restoring and, when finished, restart. After this, try to see if it is still loading or if it is already working well because if the problem persists, it’s time to reset the device.
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Fourth solution- Restore your iPhone’s factory settings
Among the definitive solutions to complex system problems that it was not possible to solve with the initial procedures is the restoration of factory settings. This recovery erases everything from the phone system, including app and file downloads, saved contacts, custom settings, and other personal data.
Likewise, fatal system errors are eliminated that have caused stubborn symptoms. The only negative aspect is the permanent loss of data. At least 50 percent of the battery is required to ensure the recovery is complete.
If you believe that your device could still last so long, you can consider performing this recovery to rule out complex system errors. Just refer to these steps:
- From the main screen, tap Settings.
- Select General.
- Scroll down and tap Reset.
- Choose the option to delete all content and settings.
- Enter your passcode when asked to proceed.
- Then tap the option to confirm that you want to completely delete your iPhone and restore the factory default settings.
The reset will then start. Allow the device to finish restoring and, upon completion, restart itself. At that point, you can configure it as new.
Alternatively, you can connect your iPhone to a computer and perform a factory reset via iTunes. This can be considered an alternative if your iPhone is low on power and able to charge itself through a computer’s USB port. Make sure you have the latest version of the iTunes app installed on your computer. And once your iPhone syncs with iTunes, you can follow the on-screen commands to start deleting and restoring the device. If after performing this procedure your iPhone is still not loading, restore it.
Fifth solution- Restore your iPhone with iTunes
This method is applicable only if your iPhone is able to recharge via a computer’s USB port. Performing an iOS restore using iTunes requires sufficient power to complete the entire process. If the system recovery is not completed, the system may be damaged and therefore worse than fatal problems may occur.
There are two recovery options that you can try if your iPhone is able to charge through a computer port. The first is a restoration of recovery mode and the other is the restoration of DFU mode. Both of these methods require the use of iTunes on a Windows or Mac computer.
If possible, you can start with a recovery in recovery mode before putting your iPhone into a recovery state and then repairing its faulty charging system via iTunes. Just refer to the following procedures to put your iPhone in recovery mode.
If you are using an iPhone 8 or later model, access to the recovery mode is performed this way:
- Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
- Then press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
- Finally, hold the side button until it is the displayed Recovery Mode screen.
Note- do not release the button if you see the Apple logo because you need to enter the recovery mode.
If you are using an iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus, follow these steps to put the device into recovery mode:
- Press and hold the side/power button and the volume down button at the same time, then release both buttons when the recovery mode screen is displayed.
If you have an iPhone 6s, 6s Plus and a previous model, follow these steps to access the recovery mode:
- Hold down the Home button and buttons Top/Power, then release both buttons when is the displayed recovery mode screen.
When your iPhone correctly enters recovery mode, follow the on-screen commands to start system recovery in iTunes. The restore process may take up to 15 minutes depending on the iOS file to restore from. Do not disconnect the device from the computer unless the recovery process is finished.
If the problem persists and your iPhone is not yet loading, the last option would be a restore of DFU mode. This, however, is only an optional procedure as it could also put your iPhone at risk of becoming masonry especially when the recovery process is interrupted.
You can refer to a complete guide on how to restore an iPhone in DFU mode available in the tutorial section of this site.
But if you suspect there is liquid damage, better bring your iPhone to an authorized service center and ask for a technician to repair it. Performing a DFU mode restore on a liquid-damaged iPhone may cause more fatal system problems due to incomplete or incomplete system recovery.
For example, the operating system may be completely corrupted because the recovery process was interrupted or not completed. And if that happens, you may end up having a fully bricked and deceased iPhone.
Check the hardware components of your iPhone
The following are the hardware components that must be examined because each of them can be the underlying cause of the problem.
Charging cable/charger. Many cases of charging problems are directly attributed to a defective charger or charging cable. The iPhone Lightning cable is prone to damage, so take some time to inspect it. Try using a different charger compatible with your iPhone. If possible, try using at least 3 other chargers to determine if the problem is isolated from the original charger in use. If your iPhone is able to charge using another charger, you need to replace the charger with a new one.
Charging port. Make sure the charging or lightning port is free of blocked debris. The charging port at the bottom of your iPhone can accumulate dust or debris over time, especially with frequent exposure to dusty environments. When dust and debris clog the charging port, this may prevent a secure connection between the charging cable and your iPhone. This often leads to intermittent charging, slow charging or, worse still, your iPhone may not be able to charge at all. You can use a torch to check the inside of the phone charging port and, if necessary, clean it using an antistatic brush or a normal toothbrush.
Power socket. The problem may also be due to a wall socket or a defective or dysfunctional power source. If your iPhone does not charge from a wall outlet, try connecting it to a computer’s USB port or portable iOS power banks. If you charge through other power sources, the problem is neither the charger nor the iPhone.
