Is your iPhone not charging but turns on when plugged in? iPhone charging issues are some of the most common issues that get iPhone users frustrated and frantically searching Google for a fix. In this article, I’ll try to discuss some of the most probable causes for this issues and the best fixes, both those we have tested and those we have seen other users try. Let us know which one works for you in the comments!
Why is your iPhone not charging But Turns on When Plugged In?
Your “iPhone not charging but turns on when plugged in” issue might be caused by an old charger and/or an incompatible charger. As expected, charger cables and adapters become weak after months or years of use, and their performance gets reduced the older they get. These make the charger unable to send enough power to charge an iPhone or in rare cases, too much power for an iPhone.
Overheating
Another reason why you might be facing the “iPhone not charging but turns on when plugged in” issue is that your phone or charger gets overheated when plugged in. If your phone gets too hot when it is plugged in, this might cause it to halt the charging process in an attempt to cool down. Also, if your charger gets too hot while plugged in, it simply means that there might be a malfunction somewhere or the charger in question is incompatible.
Dead or Failed Battery
Your “iPhone not charging but turns on when plugged in” issue could happen when the battery in your phone is completely drained. This means that it would take a longer time for the battery to charge enough to boot up your phone. Another issue one could face is the failure of the iPhone battery. An iPhone battery might fail from the frequent use of low-quality, third-party charger cables, and adapters. It might also fail due to a defect in the gas gauge line between the logic board and the battery. Water damage and corrupted calibration are some other causes of battery failures.
Damaged or Dirty Charging Port
When dealing with the “iPhone not charging but turns on when plugged in” issue, you should also consider the charging port of your iPhone. Your phone’s charging port might’ve gotten damaged due to frequent plugging and unplugging, improper connection, or water damage. This might cause your battery to stop charging while the phone is plugged in. The charging port might also have some dirt or debris stuck in it, affecting the necessary connection to get the battery charging properly.
How to fix iPhone Not Charging but Turns on When Plugged In
To fix the “iPhone not charging but turns on when plugged in” issue, you should check the LCI on your iPhone for water damage. To do this, first, locate the LCI on your iPhone. It is located differently on various iPhone models, either the bottom, left, or right of the phone. Then, use a magnifying glass and a flashlight to look into the LCI to check its status. It is usually silver or white but turns red to indicate contact with water. If the LCI indicates water damage, the next step is to take your phone to the nearest Apple store and have them diagnose and fix the damage done.
Fix 2: Clean the Charging Port
The next thing to try if the above step doesn’t work for you is to clean your iPhone’s charging port.
- Use a flashlight to check the port for any dirt, liquid, dust, or debris in it.
- If any is spotted, use a new toothbrush to gently brush out the dust or dirt in the port. You can also use a Q-tip or tweezers to do this. We do not recommend the use of paper clips or pins as these might cause more issues.
- After this is done, plug your phone in and see if it charges.
Read also: iPhone Showing Charging But Battery Percentage Not Increasing? Best Fixes
Fix 3: Try a Hard Reset
Doing a hard reset on your phone is sometimes the one thing you need to fix some hardware and software-related issues.
For iPhone 8 and newer:
- Press the volume up button on the side of your phone and let go
- Press the volume down button and let go
- Then press the power button and hold until the screen goes OFF and ON again. Let go when the Apple logo comes up.
Read also: Samsung Wireless Charger Light Codes
For iPhone 7, 7 plus:
- Press the power button and volume down simultaneously and hold until the screen goes OFF and ON again.
- Let go when the Apple logo comes up
For iPhone 6 and later:
- Press the power and home button simultaneously and hold until the screen goes OFF and ON again.
- Let go when the Apple logo comes up
Fix 4: Switch Chargers/Outlets
When dealing with the “iPhone not charging but turns on when plugged in” issue, one fix that might get your phone back to normal is to try out other chargers, and outlets to determine if the cause of the issue is the battery or just the charger. Connect your phone via another charger cable and adapter to a different wall socket or extension. If you usually charge your phone using a laptop, then you should try connecting your phone to another USB port on your laptop, or a wall socket instead.
Read also: Why Is My iPhone Charger Cable or Adapter Not Working?
Fix 5: Recharge Battery
This issue might be a result of a dead battery and one way to fix it is to properly recharge the battery enough to power your iPhone. To do this:
- Plug your phone in and let it charge while turned OFF for a while – at least 30 minutes
- Then turn the phone ON and check the battery percentage
- If it has increased, leave your phone to fully charge and then unplug it
This should get your phone back to normal, but, if it doesn’t then you should seek the help of a professional.
Fix 6: Software Update
Another software-related fix you can try is updating your iPhone. If you aren’t on the latest iOS update, then updating your iPhone might just fix the problem.
- Navigate to ‘Settings’ on your iPhone, scroll down, and select ‘General’
- Tap ‘Software Update’ and then ‘Download and Install’
- Enter your passcode when prompted and then tap ‘Install Now’
Read also: iPhone Charging Port Not Working? Best Fixes
Fix 7: Restore To Factory Settings
If none of the above fixes solves your ‘iPhone not charging but turns on when plugged in’ issue, then you can try restoring your iPhone to factory settings. You should note that doing this will delete all the data saved on your phone like your media, documents, apps, contacts, and everything else on your iPhone including the glitch that is causing the malfunction.
- ENSURE YOU BACK UP YOUR IPHONE BEFORE TAKING THIS STEP
- Navigate to ‘Settings’ on your iPhone, scroll down, and select ‘General’
- Scroll down and tap ‘Reset’
- Enter your passcode or Apple ID password when prompted, then confirm the reset
- Wait for your phone to erase and restart, then try charging it
Fix 8: Get Professional Help
If all the fixes above do not fix your “iPhone not charging but turns on when plugged in” issue, then you might want to take your phone to the nearest Apple store and have them check it. The issue might be a damaged battery or something more complex.
Read also: How to Get Water Out Of iPhone Charging Port
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