Marcus Richards
If there’s one thing we expect our electronic devices to do, it’s to charge at a reasonable pace. After all, if they’re going to work they need to charge, right? The problem is, sometimes your iPad just won’t charge no matter what you do. The issue could be as simple as a broken charging cable; at other times, it could be caused by crashed software. In this article, we talk about what possibly went wrong with your iPad charging port, and what you can do.
1. Repair the hardware
If your iPad has been affected by moisture, a sudden impact, or damage to the charging port, your best option is to take it to an authorized service provider for repairs. It might need to be cleaned, or it might just need a new battery; either way, you’ll need someone who knows what they’re doing to evaluate the device. Once it’s done, though, you should be able to enjoy using your iPad as if nothing had ever happened.
2. DFU restore
This is sort of like a factory reset on a smartphone. DFU stands for “Device Firmware Update”, and it’s what you do when you’ve already tried all the other handy tricks for fixing your iPad. The process reloads the firmware and software on the device, which can sometimes fix whatever glitch is affecting the charge time on an iPad. If you try this, though, make sure you back up everything you want to keep; a DFU restore will wipe all your files, preferences, and settings.
3. Use a system recovery tool
Even if it’s a software problem, you don’t always need to take the most drastic option. Software diagnostics, like FoneLab’s iOS System Recovery, can help you discover why your iPad is having trouble charging. If the Standard Mode doesn’t give you answers, try Advanced Mode for a more detailed approach. Here’s how to do it:
- Download and open the software on your computer.
- Find the option for “More Tools” in the first window, hover over it, and click “iOS System Recovery Mode”.
- Select the “Start” button to continue.
- Use a charging cable to connect your iPad to the computer, and go to “Standard Mode”. If that doesn’t end up working, back up your data and use “Advanced Mode”.
- You’ll see a list of iPadOS and iOS firmware that could be installed on your device; select the one you want and proceed to the next step.
- Once the download has finished, click “Fix”.
- This step will take a few minutes; once it’s done, your iPad will hopefully charge at the usual rate.
4. Restart the device
This fix may seem like it’s too easy to be true, but it actually works in some cases; sometimes all your iPad needs is a fresh start, so to speak. Certain software glitches that cause slow charging really can be fixed by a basic restart. For iPads without a Home button, press either end of the Volume button and the Top button at the same time. For iPads with a Home button, just press the Top button. You should see a “slide to power off” message on the screen; release whichever buttons you’re holding, and swipe to the right. Give it a few seconds to shut off, then hold down the Top button to turn back on. If this is the fix your iPad needed, it should charge more quickly once it’s booted back up.
5. Check the power outlet
Sometimes the problem isn’t with the iPad; it could be that the power outlet you’re using is on the fritz. To confirm that this is the case, plug in another device that you know charges normally. If it displays the same slow charging as the iPad, the issue probably lies with the external power source, not with the device. You can try switching power outlets, or using a computer to charge the iPad instead.
6. Clean the charging port
Many portable electronic devices go through life with us – and they accumulate a lot of debris in the process. The charging port of an iPad is no exception, and in some cases it can build up enough debris to interfere with normal charging. The iPad could charge slowly, charge intermittently, or even stop charging altogether. If you think this might be the case, you can clean out the charging port with a dry toothbrush and a can of compressed air.
7. Check the USB adapter or charging cable
If the charger you’re using is broken, or if it’s made by an unlicensed third party, it might not do the job correctly. If wear and tear is the issue, that’ll be pretty obvious. If you aren’t sure where your charger came from, though, you can check for the Apple logo, or look for a MFi (Made For iPad) logo. A faulty adapter may not look damaged on the outside, but if other Apple chargers work with the iPad, the adapter is probably the issue.
How long does an iPad take to charge?
If you’re starting from a pretty low battery percentage, it’ll usually take about three hours to reach a 100% charge. If the device is charging from 0% battery, you’ll have to wait about four hours before it reaches a full charge. It might be inconvenient to wait this long for the device to charge during the day, but charging it overnight is always an option. Since iPads automatically stop charging when they reach 100%, it won’t hurt anything to keep it plugged in once it’s done charging.
Troubleshooting charging problems on an iPad may seem like a big issue, but there are solutions for every problem. Even if DIY fixes don’t work, there are always qualified technicians who’ll know exactly what to do.
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