Few things are worse than plugging in your USB-C or Lightning cable and not hearing that familiar iPhone charging chime/sound. Or, maybe you hear the chime over and over again as the cable repeatedly disconnects. This post will help you understand why your iPhone charging port isn’t working and how you can fix the issue.

Reasons Why Your iPhone Charging Port Is Not Working

A faulty or incompatible accessory is the common culprit behind charging failures.  Your charging cable or power adaptor is usually the problem, not your iPhone’s port. However, a loose, dusty, or damaged charging port can also fail to transfer power from the charging cable to your iPhone.

Dropping your phone on the floor or in liquid can damage the USB or Lightning connector and cause charging failure. Physical damage to the port can also prevent other wired accessories (headphones, card readers, game controllers, etc.) from working. The next section contains troubleshooting checks to try when you find your iPhone charging port not working correctly.

How to Fix iPhone Charging Port Not Working?

Sometimes, simple actions like restarting your iPhone or removing (and reinserting) the charger from the wall power outlet can resolve the issue. A faulty power source or outlet can also cause charging issues. So, try charging your iPhone from a different outlet or using a different charging adapter.

1. It’s Not the Port; It’s The Cable

A loose port usually has nothing to do with the charging port itself being loose. Your iPhone won’t charge if your charging cable is loosely plugged into the port. Remove and reinsert the charging cable to rule out a loose connection. You could also use a different cable if you have a spare.

If other cables don’t charge your iPhone, turn your troubleshooting attention to the charging port. If the charging issue is specific to a cable, then the mystery is solved—you have an incompatible or faulty cable.

Using knockoff or unbranded charging cables or adapters could be the reason why your iPhone charges slowly or won’t charge. Ensure you only charge your iPhone with Apple-certified accessories.

2. Restart Your iPhone

Charging failure is sometimes due to a temporary system glitch, one that performing a reboot will fix. Disconnect your charging cable and shut down your iPhone from the Settings app.

Head to Settings > General > Shut Down and drag the Power icon to the right.

Wait at least 30 seconds for your iPhone to shut down, then press and hold the Side button for 3-5 seconds. Release the button when the Apple logo appears on the screen, then try charging the device.

3. Did You Drop Your Cell Phone?

At some point, you’ve probably dropped your iPhone, and in most cases, it will be just fine. However, dropping your phone, even from the smallest height, can damage its charging port. If the connection between your phone’s charging port and mainboard is loose or cracked, or if you notice bent pins, it may malfunction or only charge intermittently.

If you noticed the charging port issue shortly after dropping your iPhone, the impact may have caused some damage. Contact Apple Support or schedule a Genius Bar appointment to examine your iPhone for hardware/physical damage.

4. It Could Be Water Damage

While modern iPhones, including the port, are rated highly water resistant, that rating is done while testing with distilled water. Tap water, rainwater, and seawater contain contaminants that can corrode your iPhone’s charging port. Exposing your charging port to corrosive substances can cause it to malfunction.

iOS sometimes discontinues charging and displays a warning when it detects liquid in your iPhone’s charging port or cable. If you see any of these warnings, disconnect and dry the charging cable before reattempting to charge your iPhone. That’ll prevent permanent or severe damage to your charging port or iPhone. See our tutorial on getting water out of an iPhone for tips on drying a wet device.

If liquid exposure has damaged your port, there’s a fair chance it’s penetrated other parts of the phone. A technician can check to see if corrosion is apparent in different parts of the phone’s mainboard and will advise you from there. Usually, corrosive damage isn’t economical to repair. You may need to contact Apple Support to seek professional assistance.

5. Remove Lint and Dust Buildup with Compressed Air

Tiny particles like dust, lint, and debris build up in your iPhone’s port over time. This sometimes causes interference that prevents your cable from fitting securely in the port. As this debris builds up in the port, the cable connection becomes increasingly shallow. Eventually, the cable will feel loose since it doesn’t have the entire port length to support it, and the electrical connection may not make contact or become unreliable.

Thankfully, this is something you can usually fix at home. Many guides recommend using a can of compressed air, but we’ve found that this isn’t all that effective, and you run the risk of causing water condensation within the port.

Instead, use a skinny wooden toothpick or plastic toothpick to gently scoop out the debris from the port. Gently work around the port and clean out as much as you reasonably can to fix port issues. Reinsert your charger and check if you get a firm and secure connection.

When clearing USB ports, be mindful of the flexible central connector tab in the middle of the port. It will tolerate a little flex as you enter the pick, but if the toothpick is too thick, it may damage this component. We recommend plastic blade-like toothpicks for this task rather than round wooden ones.

6. Use Wireless Charging Instead

The iPhone 8 and newer models support wireless charging with Qi-certified chargers. It’s not a permanent solution, but if your iPhone won’t charge with a cable, use a wireless charger to keep it topped up until you can get a new phone or find the time and money for a repair. Unfortunately, this won’t be an option if you’re still rocking an iPhone 7 or an older model.

The only thing you’ll be sacrificing by charging your iPhone wirelessly is a bit of charging speed. Plus, you’ll have to buy a Qi-certified charging pad if you don’t have one, but they are incredibly cheap these days. Contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store if your iPhone won’t charge wirelessly.

7. Get It Professionally Repaired

If your port is broken, loose, faulty, or otherwise beyond salvation, the next step is to visit a professional repair shop. They’ll check your charging port for any damage and repair or replace it accordingly. Taking an iPhone apart requires special tools, and removing and replacing a port requires a qualified person. If you’re unsure about the repair process, contacting Apple Support for guidance is always a good idea.

Apple has started offering a DIY Self Service Repair where you can rent or buy the tools to perform common repairs such as battery replacements or screen repairs. Sadly, only the iPhone 12 and new models are supported for DIY repair. If you use an iPhone 11 or an older model, send your device to a Genius Bar or third-party professional technicians for repair.

8. Your Phone May Not Be Charging for Other Reasons

There’s a risk of drawing a false conclusion between the symptom of a port that doesn’t work and the perception that the port is “loose.” By design, charging ports have some literal wiggle room, so be careful not to assume a bit of mild looseness is behind your problems.

There are many other plausible reasons why your Lightning port doesn’t work. You might have a faulty or uncertified charging cable or adapter or a damaged USB adapter. As mentioned earlier, trying alternatives is a fast way to rule this possibility out.

Additionally, your iPhone’s battery may be faulty or worn out. This usually manifests as poor battery life and slow charging, but your device may refuse to charge. If your phone doesn’t turn on when plugging in a cable, it may be a weak or busted battery, not the charging port.

An iPhone battery isn’t expensive to replace, and a technician’s assessment is a quick and inexpensive way to diagnose iPhone charging port issues. That’ll help you decide if port repair or replacement makes financial sense compared to the cost of a new phone. If your phone is still on, you can use the iOS Battery Health tool to check if your battery reports any issues.

Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging to access the tool. If the “Battery Health & Charging” row says Service or the “Maximum Capacity” is below 80%, your iPhone’s battery is degraded and needs replacement. Visit an Apple Store or an Apple Authorized Service Provider for assistance.

Key Points to Consider Before Fixing Your iPhone Yourself

If you have an iPhone that’s still under the standard warranty or you’ve extended the warranty by purchasing Apple Care+, then you should under no circumstances try to fix the issue itself. Otherwise, you’ll void your phone’s standard warranty.

Even if your phone isn’t under warranty anymore, if your port was damaged due to an accident such as liquid exposure or a fall, you may be covered under your phone’s insurance policy if you have one. If your phone is under warranty, you should also try force restarting it by pressing the necessary button combinations until the Apple logo appears.

Loose Lighting and USB-C ports don’t seem all that uncommon based on the complaints we’ve seen in forums and on social media, and sadly, getting them appropriately fixed may cost a moderate fee or require an entirely new phone. So, it’s understandable that many iPhone owners may want to attempt a DIY repair.

Unfortunately, there are many bad advice and invalid fixes to be found online. We’ve seen advice to use a metal pin to gently clean out the port, putting the phone in rice to undo liquid damage, or lining the port with electrical tape to make plugs stick better. None of these “solutions” are effective and can worsen your problem. Ultimately, getting your phone assessed by a technician if you can’t resolve the issue with the basic advice above is your best option. If you’re experiencing issues, try plugging the charger into a different USB port or wall outlet to see if that resolves the problem.

Most repair shops will charge you a small, non-refundable fee to safely open the phone and check it for damage. If it turns out that a repair is too expensive, impossible, or simply not worth it, they’ll close the phone back up again without charging you any more money.

FAQs

Why Do iPhone Charging Ports Fail?

iPhone ports fail to charge due to faulty or damaged accessories, a broken power outlet, physical damage to the charging port, a loose cable connection, etc. Additionally, liquids or particles like dust or lint in your iPhone’s port can cause charging failure. Software glitches can sometimes cause charging problems, so update your iPhone regularly.

How Can I Charge My iPhone Without Using a Charger?

If you use an iPhone 8 or newer model, you can charge it wirelessly using a Qi-certified charging pad or station.

What’s the Best Way to Dry My iPhone Charging Port?

Air-drying your iPhone is the most effective way to remove water from the charging port. First, gently tap the charging port (facing down) against your hand to remove any excess liquid. Afterward, wipe the port with a clean, soft, and lint-free cloth. Then, leave your device to dry somewhere with good airflow and low humidity. Apple recommends drying your iPhone for at least 5 hours before charging it.

What to Do If Your iPhone Doesn’t Charge With a New Cable?

First, remove and reinsert the cable and ensure it maintains a snug and proper connection with the charging port. Try a different charging cable if the new one still doesn’t work. You should also try using the cable with a different charger or power adapter. If the problem persists, the cable is likely damaged or incompatible with your iPhone. Examine the cable for visible signs of damage, such as frayed wires, breakage, cuts, etc.

Is Wireless Charging a Safe Option for iPhones?

Wireless charging is safe (for compatible iPhone models) if you use Qi-certified charging accessories. Apple’s official wireless charging guide has tips for properly and safely charging iPhones wirelessly. 

Can I Repair a Broken iPhone Charging Port at Home?

If you have an iPhone 12 or newer model, you can repair the charging port DIY style. Buy or rent a replacement part or repair tool from Apple’s Self Service Repair Store, follow the instructions in the repair manual for your iPhone manual, and that’s it.  through 

Why Does My iPhone Charge So Slowly?

iPhones charge slowly due to faulty or incompatible accessories, software glitches, or degrading battery health. Your iPhone will also charge slowly from computers or low-output power sources like a charging dock or adapter. Running heavy applications when your iPhone is plugged in may also result in low charging speed.

Why Does My iPhone Heat Up When Charging?

Using your iPhone while charging can cause it to heat up. Wireless charging accessories can also cause your iPhone to get a little warmer compared to cable/wired charging. Overcharging your phone (overnight) or running heavy background apps can also increase its temperature. Finally, your iPhone will heat up during charge if its battery has declined and needs service/replacement.