The most common reasons your iPhone stops charging

Your iPhone won't charge because of one of four things: the cable or adapter is damaged, the charging port is blocked or corroded, the battery itself has failed, or a software problem is preventing the phone from recognizing power. Most of the time it is the cable. The second most common culprit is lint or corrosion inside the port.

Start by testing with a different cable and power adapter if you have one available. If your phone charges with a different cable, you have found the problem — the original cable is damaged and needs replacing. If it still will not charge, move to the next section.

Key Takeaways

  • A damaged cable is the most common reason an iPhone will not charge, and testing with a different cable takes two minutes and solves the problem half the time.
  • Lint, dust, or corrosion inside the charging port blocks the connection, and you can often clear it safely with a wooden toothpick or a dry cotton swab.
  • If your phone is very hot or very cold, it will refuse to charge as a safety measure — let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before trying again.
  • A battery that has completed its cycle limit (usually around 500 full charges) will no longer hold a charge and requires professional replacement.
  • If none of these steps work, a software issue or internal hardware failure may require a visit to an Apple Store or authorized repair shop.

How to clean the charging port safely

The Lightning port (on iPhones older than the iPhone 15) or USB-C port (on iPhone 15 and newer) collects lint, dust, and sometimes corrosion over months of use. This buildup prevents the cable from making a solid connection. Before you try this, power off your phone completely.

Use a wooden toothpick or a dry cotton swab to gently scrape or wipe inside the port. Do not use metal tools, water, or compressed air. Metal can short the port. Water can cause corrosion. Compressed air can force debris deeper into the port instead of out. Work slowly and look inside with a flashlight to see what you are removing. If you see green or white crusty buildup (corrosion), a cotton swab barely dampened with white vinegar can help, but let the phone dry completely for at least two hours before charging.

After cleaning, try charging again. If the phone still will not charge, the port may be damaged internally, which requires professional repair.

Temperature and battery safety shutoffs

iPhones have a built-in safety feature that stops charging if the battery gets too hot or too cold. If your phone feels hot to the touch, or if you have been using it in a cold environment, this is likely why it will not charge.

Move your phone to a room-temperature location away from direct sunlight or heat sources. Do not put it in a refrigerator or freezer — that makes the problem worse. Wait 30 minutes, then try charging again. If the phone charges normally after warming up or cooling down, the safety shutoff was the issue and your phone is working as designed.

When the battery itself has worn out

Every iPhone battery has a limited lifespan measured in charge cycles. One full charge cycle means draining the battery from 100 percent to zero and charging it back to 100 percent. Most iPhone batteries are designed to retain 80 percent of their capacity after around 500 full cycles. After that point, the battery degrades and may no longer accept a charge at all.

You can check your battery health on your iPhone by going to Settings, then Battery, then Battery Health & Charging. Look at the "Maximum Capacity" number. If it shows 80 percent or lower, your battery has worn out and needs replacement. Apple charges between $69 and $99 for a battery replacement depending on your iPhone model, and the process takes about an hour at an Apple Store or authorized repair shop.

If your phone is still under warranty or covered by AppleCare+, the replacement may be free or reduced cost. Check your coverage at apple.com by entering your serial number.

Software problems that block charging

Occasionally a software glitch prevents your iPhone from recognizing that it is plugged in, even though the cable and port are fine. The fastest fix is a force restart, which clears temporary software errors without erasing your data.

The steps for a force restart depend on your iPhone model. On iPhone 8 and newer, quickly press and release the Volume Up button, then quickly press and release the Volume Down button, then press and hold the Side button until the power-off slider appears. Drag the slider to turn off the phone, wait 10 seconds, then press the Side button again to turn it back on. On older models, hold the Top (or Side) button and Home button together until the power-off slider appears, then follow the same steps.

After the restart, try charging again. If the phone still will not charge and the cable, port, and battery all appear fine, there may be a deeper software issue that requires a visit to an Apple Store, where technicians can run diagnostics.

When to seek professional repair

If you have tested with a different cable, cleaned the port, checked the battery health, and the phone still will not charge, the problem is likely internal hardware damage that you cannot fix yourself. This could be a failed charging circuit, a damaged battery that cannot be replaced at home, or corrosion on the logic board.

Visit an Apple Store or an authorized Apple repair shop. Bring your phone and any cables you have tried. Technicians can run diagnostics to identify the exact problem and tell you the repair cost before they start work. Repair costs vary widely depending on what is broken — a battery replacement is inexpensive, but logic board repair can cost several hundred dollars.

If your phone is old enough that repair costs more than a replacement, it may be time to consider a new device instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use any USB-C cable to charge my iPhone 15?

Yes, any USB-C to USB-C cable works with iPhone 15 and newer. You do not need an Apple-branded cable. However, the power adapter matters — use at least a 20-watt adapter for normal charging speed. Cheaper adapters may charge very slowly or not at all.

Why does my iPhone charge when it is plugged in but not when I use wireless charging?

Wireless charging uses a different system than wired charging. If wired charging works but wireless does not, the wireless charging coil inside your phone may be damaged or misaligned. Try cleaning the back of your phone and the wireless charger pad with a dry cloth. If that does not work, the coil likely needs professional replacement.

Is it bad to leave my iPhone plugged in overnight?

Modern iPhones are designed to handle overnight charging safely. Once the battery reaches 100 percent, the phone stops charging and switches to a trickle charge to maintain the level. This does not damage the battery. However, keeping your phone plugged in constantly does cause the battery to age slightly faster over months and years.

What does "optimized battery charging" do?

This feature, found in Settings under Battery Health & Charging, learns your charging habits and slows charging to 80 percent until you actually need the phone at full capacity. This reduces daily wear on the battery and extends its lifespan. You can turn it off if you need a full charge when ready.