Start with the cable and power adapter

Most iPads that won't charge have a problem with the cable, the power adapter, or the connection between them — not the iPad itself. Before you assume the device is broken, test whether power is actually reaching it.

Plug the cable into a different power adapter if you have one. If you use a third-party adapter, try an Apple adapter or borrow one from someone else. Many non-Apple chargers work fine, but some deliver too little power or cut out when the iPad draws current. If a different adapter charges your iPad, the original adapter is the problem and you need to replace it.

Next, inspect the cable itself. Look for visible damage: cracks in the rubber coating, exposed wires, kinks, or bent connectors. If the cable looks damaged, it will not charge reliably and can be unsafe — replace it. Even if the cable looks fine, try a different one. Cables fail inside the insulation where you cannot see them, and a borrowed cable is the fastest way to rule this out.

Key Takeaways

  • Most charging failures come from a faulty cable or power adapter, not the iPad — test with a different cable and adapter before assuming the device is broken.
  • Clean the charging port on the bottom of your iPad with a dry cotton swab or soft brush, because lint and dust block the connection.
  • Force restart your iPad by holding the top button and volume button together for ten seconds, then slide to power off — this fixes charging problems caused by software glitches.
  • If your iPad is very hot or very cold, let it reach room temperature before charging, because extreme temperatures prevent the battery from accepting power.
  • If none of these steps work, the battery or charging circuit inside the iPad may have failed and you will need service from Apple or an authorized repair shop.

Clean the charging port

Lint, dust, and debris inside the charging port prevent the connector from making full contact. This is especially common if you carry your iPad in a bag or pocket. The port sits at the bottom of the iPad and collects material over time.

Turn off your iPad completely. Use a dry cotton swab or a soft-bristled brush — a clean toothbrush works — and gently brush inside the port. Do not use water, compressed air, or metal objects. Metal can short the port and damage the charging circuit. Compressed air can force debris deeper into the port instead of removing it.

After cleaning, wait a few minutes and plug in the cable. If the iPad begins charging, the port was blocked. If it still does not charge, move to the next step.

Force restart your iPad

A software glitch can prevent your iPad from recognizing that power is connected, even though the charger is working. A force restart clears temporary software problems without erasing your data.

The steps depend on which iPad model you have. If your iPad has a Home button (older models), press and hold the top button until the power-off slider appears, then drag it to turn off the device. If your iPad does not have a Home button (iPad Pro, newer iPad Air and iPad mini), press the top button and either volume button together and hold for ten seconds until the power-off slider appears, then drag it.

Wait thirty seconds, then press the top button again to turn the iPad back on. Once it restarts, plug in the charger and wait a few minutes to see if charging begins. Many iPads that seemed broken start charging after a force restart.

Check the temperature and let it cool or warm

iPads have built-in safety limits that stop charging if the battery gets too hot or too cold. If you have been using the iPad heavily, charging it in direct sunlight, or using it in a cold environment, the battery temperature may be outside the safe range.

Disconnect the charger and let the iPad sit at room temperature for at least thirty minutes. Do not put it in a freezer or near a heat source — just let it reach normal room temperature naturally. Once it has warmed up or cooled down, try charging again.

If the iPad charges after warming up, the problem was temperature. Going forward, avoid charging in direct sunlight or in very cold environments. If the iPad still will not charge after reaching room temperature, the problem is something else.

Try a different power outlet and USB port

The wall outlet itself might be the problem. Plug a lamp or phone charger into the same outlet to confirm it has power. If the outlet is dead, try a different one in another room.

If you are using a computer to charge your iPad through a USB port, try a different port on the same computer or a different computer. Some USB ports deliver less power than others, and some computers limit power to USB ports when the computer is asleep. Plug directly into a wall outlet with an Apple power adapter instead — this delivers the full power the iPad needs.

Update iPadOS if your iPad will turn on

If your iPad powers on but will not charge, an outdated operating system can sometimes cause the problem. Go to Settings, then General, then Software Update. If an update is available, connect to Wi-Fi and install it. The iPad may charge during the update process even if it would not charge before.

This step only works if your iPad has enough battery to turn on and reach the Settings app. If the battery is completely dead and will not power on at all, you cannot update it without charging first, so skip this step.

When to contact Apple or a repair shop

If you have tested a different cable and power adapter, cleaned the charging port, force restarted the iPad, checked the temperature, and tried different outlets, and the iPad still will not charge, the problem is likely inside the device. The battery may have failed, or the charging circuit that manages power flow may be damaged.

Contact Apple Support through apple.com or visit an Apple Store to describe what you have already tried. They can run diagnostics to confirm whether the battery or charging circuit has failed. If your iPad is still under warranty or covered by AppleCare+, repair may be covered. If not, Apple will quote you a repair cost. Third-party repair shops may offer lower prices, but using an authorized repair shop protects your warranty and ensures the repair is done correctly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my iPad charge slowly?

Slow charging usually means the power adapter is not delivering full power. Third-party adapters often charge slower than Apple adapters. Using a lower-wattage adapter, charging through a computer USB port, or charging while the iPad is in use all slow charging. Try an Apple adapter plugged into a wall outlet with the iPad turned off or in sleep mode.

My iPad charges when plugged in but stops when I use it — is that normal?

If the iPad is drawing more power than the charger can supply, it will charge slowly or not at all while you use it. This is normal with lower-wattage adapters or when the iPad is running demanding apps. Use a higher-wattage Apple adapter, or close apps and let the iPad sit idle while charging.

Does it hurt to leave my iPad plugged in overnight?

Modern iPads stop charging once the battery reaches 100 percent, so leaving it plugged in does not overcharge the battery. However, keeping the battery at 100 percent constantly for long periods can slightly reduce battery lifespan over years. If you regularly leave your iPad plugged in overnight, consider unplugging it once it reaches full charge.

Can I use any USB-C cable with my iPad?

Most USB-C cables work with iPad models that have USB-C ports, but not all deliver the same power. Apple adapters and cables are designed to work together and deliver the full charging speed your iPad supports. Third-party cables usually work, but some are slower or less reliable. If charging is slow or inconsistent, try an Apple cable.