You plug in your iPhone before bed and wake up at 4%. Or the cable only works if you hold it at a certain angle. An iPhone not charging is one of the most common problems we see, and the cause is often simpler than you would think. Work through these steps in order before booking a repair.
Step 1: Rule out the cable, adapter and outlet
Cables fail far more often than phones do. Before anything else:
- Try a different cable, ideally one you know works with another device.
- Try a different power adapter and a different wall outlet.
- If you charge from a computer, make sure it is awake and not in sleep mode.
- Check the cable ends for fraying, bent pins or discolouration.
- Remove any thick case or magnetic accessory that might stop the plug from seating fully.
Very cheap cables and chargers can cause slow, unreliable charging and even erratic touchscreen behaviour. Use quality certified accessories where possible.
Step 2: Clean the Lightning or USB-C port safely
iPhones up to the iPhone 14 series use a Lightning port; the iPhone 15 series and later use USB-C. Either way, pocket lint packs into the bottom of the port over time, and eventually the plug cannot make proper contact. A plug that feels loose or does not "click" in fully is a classic sign.
To clean it:
- Turn the iPhone off.
- Use a bright light to look inside the port.
- Gently scrape out lint with a wooden or plastic toothpick, working from the back wall outward.
- Be gentle with USB-C: it has a thin centre tongue with contacts that can be damaged.
- Never use metal objects like pins or paper clips, and do not use liquids.
You may be surprised how much lint comes out. If the plug now seats firmly and charging works, you are done.
Step 3: Check iOS settings and messages
Not every charging issue is hardware:
- Charging on hold: Optimized Battery Charging can pause charging at around 80% to reduce battery wear. This is normal behaviour.
- Too warm: If the phone is hot, iOS can pause charging until it cools down.
- Liquid detected: If you see a liquid detection alert, unplug the cable and let the port dry. Do not force charging.
- Accessory not supported: This message often points to a damaged or uncertified cable, or debris in the port.
- Restart: A simple restart can clear a software glitch that stops charging from being recognised.
Step 4: Signs it is the charging port (or deeper)
If you have tried several good cables and cleaned the port, these signs point to a hardware fault:
- Charging only works at a certain angle, or cuts in and out.
- Visible corrosion, green or white residue, or bent pins inside the port.
- Wireless charging works but cable charging does not. That strongly suggests the port or its connection.
- Neither wired nor wireless charging works. This can point to the battery or to the charging circuit on the logic board.
When a new port does not solve it, the cause can be a damaged charging chip on the board. We explain this in charging IC problems: when a new port doesn't fix charging. And if your phone recently got wet, read what to do if your iPhone got wet before plugging it in again.
When the battery is the real problem
An old battery can also make charging look broken: the percentage jumps around, the phone shuts off at 30%, or it only runs while plugged in. Check Settings > Battery > Battery Health. If capacity is low, a battery replacement may be the fix rather than the port.
iPhone not charging? Repair in Ottawa — we come to you
If the basics did not work, let a technician take a look. Fix Revolution picks up your iPhone at home or at work anywhere in Ottawa and Gatineau, diagnoses whether it is the port, battery or board, repairs it and drops it back off. Most repairs are done the same day, subject to parts availability, with a 90-day warranty on parts and labour. Please back up your phone before the repair if it still turns on.
Explore our iPhone repair services in Ottawa, then get a free quote or book a pickup. Prefer to talk? Call 613-265-4349.
Quick answers
Can I clean my iPhone charging port myself?
Yes, carefully. Turn the phone off and use a wooden or plastic toothpick to remove lint. Never use metal objects or liquids.
Why does my iPhone stop charging at 80%?
That is usually Optimized Battery Charging, a normal iOS feature that pauses charging to reduce battery wear. It is not a fault.
My iPhone charges wirelessly but not with a cable. What is wrong?
That usually points to the charging port or the cable rather than the battery. If cleaning and a new cable do not help, the port likely needs repair.