iPhone Not Charging But Turns On When Plugged In, 6 Solutions
By Robert Jones · 2021-08-15
Sometimes, the phone battery shows a lightning symbol when plugged in but
Right, so you've got an iPhone that's playing up. It turns on when it's plugged in, but the battery just won't charge. You might see that little lightning bolt symbol, which usually means it's charging, but the percentage stays put. Frustrating, isn't it? I've had a few bits of gear act similarly over the years, not just phones. Usually, it points to a power delivery issue. So, let's dig in and see if we can get your phone sorted. ## 1. Do The Basic Checks First Before we start pulling our hair out, let's cover the simple stuff. It's amazing how often the easiest fix is the one we overlook. ### Check Your Charger & Cable First off, have a good look at your charging cable. Any fraying? Bends? Scratches on the connector? These cables take a beating, especially if you're like me and just shove them in a bag. A damaged cable often won't deliver power properly. Try a different cable if you have one – preferably an official Apple one or a certified MFi (Made For iPhone) accessory. I've seen cheap cables cause all sorts of bother. Next, the charger itself. Is it getting warm? Does it feel a bit loose in the socket? Try a different power adapter if you've got one. Again, an official Apple one is best here. And make sure the wall socket is working fine. Plug something else in, like a lamp, just to be sure. ### Clean the Charging Port This one's a classic. Dust, lint, pocket fluff – it all gets jammed into that little charging port over time. I've had to clear out more gunk from phone ports than I care to mention. Get a small, soft brush (an unused toothbrush works a treat), or even a wooden toothpick. Be gentle, though. You don't want to damage those tiny pins inside. Just carefully scrape any crud out. You'd be surprised how much difference this can make. ### Restart Your iPhone It sounds daft, but a simple restart can clear up a load of software glitches. Hold down the side button and either volume button until the power-off slider appears. Drag it across. Once it's off, wait a minute, then turn it back on. See if that kicks the charging circuit back into life. ## 2. Try DFU Mode (But Be Careful!) Alright, if the basics haven't worked, we might need to get a bit more serious. DFU (Device Firmware Update) mode is a deeper restore than a normal one. It basically reinstalls the entire software of your iPhone. This can fix some really stubborn software-related charging problems. But a word of warning: *it will wipe your phone*. So, make sure you've backed everything up first. ### How to Enter DFU Mode (on most iPhones): 1. Connect your iPhone to a computer with iTunes or Finder open. 2. Quickly press and release the Volume Up button. 3. Quickly press and release the Volume Down button. 4. Press and hold the Side button until the screen turns black. 5. While still holding the Side button, press and hold the Volume Down button for 5 seconds. 6. Release the Side button but *keep holding the Volume Down button* for another 10 seconds. If the screen stays black, you're in DFU mode. iTunes/Finder should pop up a message saying it's detected an iPhone in recovery mode. Follow the prompts to restore your device. If you see the Apple logo, you've held the buttons for too long and need to start again. ## 3. Check for Software Updates Sometimes, a bug in the iOS software itself can interfere with charging. Apple often releases updates that fix these sorts of issues. Make sure your iPhone is running the latest version of iOS. Go to `Settings > General > Software Update`. If there's an update available, install it. It's a long shot, but worth checking. ## 4. Let the Battery Completely Drain (and then some) This is a bit of an old trick, but I've known it to work on various pieces of tech over the years. If your battery is stuck in some kind of weird state, letting it completely drain down to absolute zero can sometimes reset its internal logic. Unplug the phone, put it somewhere safe, and just let it die completely. Leave it for a few hours, or even overnight, after it's died. Then, try plugging it into a known good charger and cable. It might take a little longer than usual for it to show any signs of life, but give it time. ## 5. The "Heat Trick" (Use With Caution!) Now, this one isn't in any official manual, and you need to be very careful. This is more of a last resort, for when you're convinced it's a connection issue somewhere inside the phone. Sometimes, a slight bit of heat can help re-seat tiny connections on a circuit board. *I'm not suggesting you stick it in the oven!* No, no, no. What I mean is, if your phone is cold, just letting it warm up to room temperature, or even slightly above, naturally (e.g., leaving it in a warm pocket for a bit, *not* in direct sunlight or on a radiator) can occasionally help. I've seen old guitar pedals act up in cold garages, then work fine once they'd warmed up. This is a very mild approach. If you're going to try anything more, you're really venturing into repair shop territory. ## 6. Time for the Pros Look, sometimes you've done all you can. If none of these solutions have worked, it's time to face facts: there's likely a hardware fault. It could be the battery, the charging port itself, or even something on the main logic board. At this point, you're better off taking it to an Apple Store or a reputable, independent repair shop. They've got the right tools and know-how to properly diagnose and fix the issue. ## Pros and Cons of DIY Fixes **Pros:** * Potentially saves you money on repair costs. * You learn a bit about your device. * Quick if it's a simple problem. **Cons:** * Risk of further damage if you're not careful. * Could void your warranty (especially with DFU restores or any physical fiddling). * May not solve the underlying problem. * Can be time-consuming and frustrating. ## FAQs ### Q: Why does the lightning bolt show if it's not charging? A: Good question. The lightning bolt merely suggests that the phone *detects* a charger is connected. It doesn't necessarily mean power is actually flowing to the battery or that the battery is accepting that charge. Think of it like a light on a dashboard – it tells you something's connected, but not if it's working optimally. ### Q: Is it safe to try DFU mode? A: It's generally safe in terms of not permanently bricking your phone, but remember it wipes all your data. Always back up first. If you're not confident, it's best to avoid it. ### Q: How do I know if it's a battery problem or a port problem? A: If the phone occasionally charges briefly, or only at certain angles of the cable, it often points to a dodgy port or cable. If it powers on fine when plugged in but simply refuses to gain any charge *at all*, even with different cables/chargers, it's leans more towards a battery that's failed or a deeper internal power management issue. A professional can usually pinpoint it pretty quickly. ### Q: How long should I wait after letting the battery drain completely before trying to charge it again? A: I'd give it at least a few hours, ideally overnight. You want to ensure every last bit of power is gone. You're basically trying to force a hard reset on the battery's internal controller. Give it time to properly "clear its head," so to speak. ## My Experience I've seen a fair few iPhones come through my workshop with charging woes over the years, not just my own. My niece's iPhone 11 had this exact problem a while back. Turns out, her charging port was absolutely stuffed with lint from her jeans pocket. A quick clear-out with a wooden toothpick, and bingo, back to normal. A mate of mine, on the other hand, had a genuine battery failure on his old iPhone 8. Showed the lightning bolt, powered on fine when plugged in, but the battery never gained an ounce of charge. That needed a trip to the repair shop. So, it really can be one of several things. Start simple, work your way up to the more involved stuff, and don't be afraid to hand it over to the pros if it's beyond your comfort zone. Better safe than sorry, especially with pricey kit like an iPhone.