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iPhone Won’t Charge? Diagnose the Cable, Adapter, Port, and Battery

Work through the outlet, cable, adapter, and charging port before assuming an iPhone battery has failed. Learn what to do about an 80% stop, a liquid alert, and a phone that will not power on.
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If your iPhone won’t charge, check the power source, connections, cable, adapter, and port before assuming the battery has failed. Try one change at a time so you can identify what helps. If the phone still will not turn on or charge after Apple’s troubleshooting sequence, service may be needed.

Check the outlet, power source, and connections

  1. Connect the iPhone to a wall outlet, computer, or power accessory. If you use a computer, make sure it is powered on.
  2. For wall charging, check that the adapter is firmly connected to the cable and the outlet. Try another socket if needed.
  3. Unplug and firmly reconnect the cable and adapter at each connection point.

Apple’s charging troubleshooting guidance starts with checking the power source and connections. If changing the outlet fixes the issue, the phone itself may not be the cause.

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Inspect the cable and USB adapter

Look for a broken cable or bent adapter prongs. Do not use a visibly damaged accessory. If you can, test with a different compatible cable or USB wall adapter, changing only one item at a time. If the replacement works, the original accessory is a likely cause; that result alone does not establish a problem with the battery.

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Check the charging port and accessory warning

Debris in the charging port can prevent a firm connection. Apple advises removing debris and plugging the cable in firmly, but its instructions do not prescribe a particular tool or scraping method. Do not insert objects into the connector, especially if the phone displays a liquid-detection alert.

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If you see an “Accessory Not Supported” or similar alert, connect the accessory directly to the iPhone rather than through intermediary equipment. Remove debris, restart the phone, try another USB cable or charger, and check that iOS is current. Apple says the alert can indicate a dirty or damaged port, a defective accessory, or a charger not designed to charge devices. See Apple’s accessory alert troubleshooting steps.

Give the iPhone time, then restart it

If the iPhone will not power on or shows a battery icon, connect it to power and let it charge for 30 minutes. If it still does not turn on, force restart it using the sequence for its model:

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  • iPhone 8 or later, and iPhone SE (2nd generation or later): Quickly press and release Volume Up, quickly press and release Volume Down, then hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.
  • iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus: Hold the side (or top) button and Volume Down together until the Apple logo appears.
  • iPhone 6s or earlier, and iPhone SE (1st generation): Hold the side (or top) button and Home together until the Apple logo appears.

After the force restart, leave the phone charging for another 30 minutes. These steps follow Apple’s recommended charging sequence.

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If charging stops at 80 percent, check the charge limit

An iPhone stopping at 80 percent does not by itself mean that the cable, adapter, or battery is defective. Apple notes that users who want charging to continue past 80 percent should change their charge limit. Check the iPhone’s charge-limit setting before replacing an accessory or pursuing battery service.

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Respond safely to a liquid-detection alert

If a liquid alert appears, disconnect the cable from both the iPhone and the power accessory. Leave the phone in a dry place with airflow and try again after at least 30 minutes. If the alert returns, drying may take up to 24 hours.

Do not use external heat or compressed air, and do not put the iPhone in rice or insert cotton swabs, paper towels, or other objects into the connector. Charging through a wet connector can corrode its pins and cause permanent damage. You can use a Qi-certified wireless charger as an alternative if the back of the iPhone is dry. Apple explains the steps in its liquid-detection alert guidance.

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When to seek service

If the iPhone remains unable to power on or charge after the checks and charging time above, contact Apple or an authorized service provider. Apple also says service may be needed if a liquid-detection alert appears every time you connect an Apple cable or accessory. A charging symptom alone does not confirm that the battery has failed; the cause could be elsewhere in the power path.

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