iPad not charging? Here's how to fix it

Your iPad stays empty, even though it's plugged in. Annoying, especially if you need the device every day. Usually the fix is simpler than you'd think.

The most common causes

• A faulty cable or adapter. By far the most common culprit. A kinked cable or an adapter with poor contact won't charge reliably.
• A dirty charging port. Dust and lint in the port disrupt the contact between cable and device.
• A software issue. Frozen or outdated software sometimes doesn't recognize that power is coming in.
• A worn battery or broken charging port. For an older device, a worn battery is the most likely explanation.

What you can try yourself

1. Check the cable and adapter. Look for tears or breaks and test with a different cable and adapter. That way you'll know right away if that's the issue.
2. Clean the charging port. Carefully remove dust with a dry toothpick or a soft brush. Never use metal or liquid.
3. Update the software. Check in settings whether an update is available.
4. Restart your iPad. Hold the power button until the slider appears, turn the device off and start it up again. If that doesn't help, try a forced restart; the method differs per model.
5. Calibrate the battery. Does the battery indicator get stuck? Charge your iPad fully, use it until it switches off on its own, then charge it fully again in one go. Sometimes this takes a few charge cycles.

Nothing helping? Then it's the battery or the port

If you've gone through all the steps and nothing changes, the problem is usually the battery itself or the charging port. A restart won't fix that. At FIXNOW we work with a fixed price per model, so you know what to expect upfront — for iPad, iPad Air, iPad mini and iPad Pro.

You can come to our store in Antwerp or Wolvertem, or mail in your iPad if you'd rather not come in person.

Can you still use your iPad with a worn battery?

Often yes, but with limitations. The device switches off sooner and the battery life keeps dropping. Over time, charging also becomes less reliable. So don't wait too long if the battery is declining fast.

Can a dirty charging port really be the cause if you can't see anything?

Definitely. Dust settles deep in the port and isn't always visible to the naked eye. A careful cleaning takes little effort, so always start there.

Your iPad charges only sometimes — what does that mean?

Inconsistent contact usually points to a loose connection: in the cable, the adapter or the port itself. Test with different accessories first. If the problem keeps coming back, it's probably the port or the battery.

Still refusing to charge despite everything? We're happy to take a look at what's going on and find the best solution for your model.