Start with the cable and power adapter
The cable and adapter are the first things to check because they fail more often than the phone itself. Unplug everything, wait 30 seconds, then plug the cable back in. If you see the lightning bolt icon appear on your screen within a few seconds, the problem was a loose connection — you are done.
If nothing happens, try a different cable and adapter if you have one. Borrow from a friend, use one from another device, or buy a replacement USB-C to Lightning cable (if your iPhone is newer than iPhone 14) or a Lightning cable (for older models). Apple's official cables cost around $20 to $30, but third-party cables certified by Apple's MFi program work just as well and often cost less. If the phone charges with a different cable, your original cable is damaged and needs replacing.
If you do not have a spare cable to test with, move to the next step. Do not buy a replacement yet — the problem might be elsewhere.
Key Takeaways
- A loose connection or damaged cable causes most charging problems, so test with a different cable and power adapter before assuming the phone is broken.
- Lint and debris in the charging port block the connection; use a flashlight to look inside, then gently clean with a dry toothpick or plastic pick, never metal.
- Force restart your iPhone by pressing and releasing volume up, then volume down, then holding the side button until you see the power-off slider.
- If your phone still will not charge after these steps, the charging port or battery may need professional repair from Apple or an authorized technician.
Check the charging port for lint and debris
The Lightning or USB-C port on the bottom of your iPhone collects lint, dust, and pocket debris over time. This buildup blocks the metal contacts inside, so the cable cannot make a solid connection even when it is plugged in.
Use a flashlight to look straight into the port. If you see lint, dust, or any visible debris, you need to clean it out. Use a dry toothpick, a plastic dental pick, or a plastic phone cleaning tool — never use metal, which can short the contacts and damage the phone permanently. Gently scrape the sides and bottom of the port, working slowly. Do not poke hard or jam anything in; you are just dislodging loose material. Blow gently into the port afterward to clear away what you loosened.
Plug in your cable again and see if the lightning bolt appears. If it does, your port was clogged and is now clean. If nothing happens, move to the next step.
Force restart your iPhone
Sometimes the phone's charging system gets stuck in a confused state and will not recognize the cable, even though the cable and port are fine. A force restart clears this out without erasing anything on your phone.
The steps depend on which iPhone model you have. For iPhone 8 and newer: press and quickly release the volume up button, press and quickly release the volume down button, then hold down the side button (the power button) until you see the "slide to power off" slider appear on screen. Keep holding — do not slide yet. After a few more seconds, the screen will go black and you will see the Apple logo. Let go. Your phone is restarting.
For iPhone 7 and 7 Plus: hold down the volume down button and the side button together until the power-off slider appears, then keep holding until the screen goes black and the Apple logo shows.
For iPhone 6s and earlier: hold down the top (or side) button and the home button together until the power-off slider appears, then keep holding until the screen goes black and the Apple logo shows.
Once the restart is complete, plug in your cable and wait 10 seconds. If the lightning bolt appears, the restart fixed it.
Try charging in a different location and temperature
iPhones have built-in safety features that stop charging if the battery gets too hot or too cold. If you have been using your phone in direct sunlight, in a hot car, or in freezing weather, move it to room temperature and wait 30 minutes before plugging it in again.
Also try plugging into a different power outlet. Some outlets are wired incorrectly or do not deliver steady power. If your phone charges in one room but not another, the outlet itself may be the problem — have an electrician check it, or just use a different outlet going forward.
If your phone charges fine in a different location, the problem was environmental and you are done. If it still will not charge anywhere, continue to the next step.
Update iOS or restore the phone
A software glitch can prevent charging even when the hardware is working. If you have access to a computer, you can update or restore your iPhone through a Mac or Windows PC.
Connect your iPhone to the computer using a cable that works (you already tested this). Open Finder on Mac or iTunes on Windows. Your phone should appear in the sidebar. Click on it, then look for an option to update or restore. Choose update first — this installs the latest iOS version without erasing your data. If that does not work, come back and choose restore, which erases everything and reinstalls iOS from scratch. You will need your Apple ID password to set up the phone again afterward.
If you do not have a computer, or if updating and restoring do not fix the problem, the issue is almost certainly hardware — the charging port, the battery, or the charging circuit inside the phone is damaged.
When to get professional repair
If you have worked through all the steps above and your iPhone still will not charge, the problem is inside the phone and you need professional help. Visit an Apple Store or an Apple Authorized Service Provider. Bring your phone and any cables you have tested with, so the technician can see what you have already tried.
Apple will run diagnostics to check the battery, the charging port, and the charging circuit. Repair costs vary: a battery replacement is usually $50 to $70, a charging port replacement is $150 to $200, and other hardware repairs can cost more. If your phone is still under warranty or covered by AppleCare+, the repair may be free or cost only a service fee.
If the repair cost is close to the price of a new phone, you may decide to replace it instead. A technician can help you transfer your data to a new device before you hand over the old one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a fast charger or third-party charger on my iPhone?
Yes, as long as it is certified by Apple's MFi program or is an official Apple charger. Third-party chargers that are not certified may charge slowly or damage the battery over time. Check the packaging for the MFi logo or look it up on the seller's website before buying.
Why does my iPhone charge when it is plugged into a computer but not into a wall outlet?
Computer USB ports deliver less power than wall outlets, so charging is slower but still works. If it charges on a computer but not on any wall outlet, the wall outlets may be faulty or the power adapter is broken. Try a different power adapter or have an electrician check the outlets.
Is it safe to use my iPhone while it is charging?
Yes, it is safe. Modern iPhones have built-in protections against overcharging and overheating. Using the phone while charging will slow the charge speed slightly, but it will not damage the battery or the phone.
What if my iPhone gets very hot while charging?
Unplug it when ready and let it cool down for 30 minutes in a room-temperature location. Some warmth is normal, but if it is too hot to hold comfortably, stop charging. This usually means the battery is failing or the charging circuit is damaged. Take it to an Apple Store for diagnostics.