This article was created to help iPhone users diagnose what might be causing problems with their device taking charge.
Before we begin, it is important to note the difference between charging problems and battery life problems.
Charging problems refer to an issue with the device receiving charge in order to grow the batteries stored capacity. Some examples of a charging issue with an iPhone may be:
- When plugged in, the iPhone battery percentage does not increase.
- When plugged in, the iPhone battery percentage increases very slowly.
- The iPhone does not register that a cable is plugged into the port at all.
A battery life problem on the other hand refers to any issue with the batteries performance once it is charged. Examples include the battery quickly depleting or the device powering down on random percentages.
If one of the 3 above charging problems are symptoms you can empathise with, then this article is a starting point to help you diagnose what might be causing the problem.
Step 1: Try charging your iPhone with a new or different cable
Check your charging cable and wall adaptor for signs of damage, breakage or bent prongs. Better yet, try charging your iPhone with a different cable altogether to rule out the problem being related to the cable and not the device.
Step 2: Clean out the charging port
If the cable does not click tightly when it is plugged in, does not appear to insert the whole way, or feels loose (wiggles around) then your issue may be with the port itself.
Try cleaning out the bottom port to see if that resolves the problem. As iPhone users, we spend a lot of time plugging the charging cable in and out of your phone, and more often than not, the cable is carrying dust, debris, and lint which clogs the port therefore preventing any cable from being able to actually charge the phone. After inspecting the port, if we find it to be dirty or clogged, carefully remove it – gently with a toothpick or any other non-metallic pointed objects.
Step 3: Attempt replacing the port and/or battery
If the problem has not been resolved by attempting step 1 or 2 above, this could mean two things:
- Your iPhone charging port is damaged and will need to be replaced; or
- Your iPhone battery has come to the end of its life. (this is usually the likely issue)
As with most electronic repair problems, diagnosing from here is best performed as trial and error. The only way to know for sure if the issue lies in the port or the battery will be to attempt replacing one or both of these parts in your device to see if either resolves the problem.
We have refined the method of replacing an iPhone battery to be as simple as possible - created by Experts for Beginners. However we do not currently hold DIY solutions for charging port repairs. These can be tricky and fiddly repairs that are often best performed by a repair professional.
Reach out to our Support Team if you have any questions about charging problems you are experiencing.
Many thanks for article.
Always handy to have easy check list if problems occur