iPhone Won't Charge? 7 Step-by-Step Fixes
You plug in your iPhone and nothing happens. Or it charges for a minute then stops. Or you get the dreaded "This accessory is not supported." Here's how to fix it.
Quick fix to try first
Shine a flashlight into the iPhone's charging port. If you see ANY lint or debris (you probably will), this is your problem. Power off the iPhone and gently scrape the lint out with a wooden toothpick. Fixes maybe a third of "won't charge" cases.
1. Try a different cable and charger
Cables fail from the inside even when they look fine. Borrow another iPhone cable and an Apple-certified wall charger. If charging works with those, your cable or charger died.
2. Clean the charging port
Power off the iPhone. Use a wooden toothpick (never metal) to gently scrape any lint or pocket fluff out of the port. Most people are shocked at how much comes out. Don't blow with compressed air directly at the port. Can damage internals.
3. Try a different outlet
Plug straight into a wall outlet (not a power strip, not a computer USB). Some wall outlets weaken with age. USB-A ports on computers may not deliver enough power for modern iPhones.
4. Force restart the iPhone
Volume Up, Volume Down, hold Side button until Apple logo. Sometimes the iPhone is on but the charging circuit is hung up. Force restart resets it.
5. Try wireless charging if available
If you have a wireless charger (MagSafe or Qi), test it. If wireless works but wired doesn't, your port is the problem (or just dirty). If neither works, the issue is the battery or charging IC.
6. Check for moisture warning
iPhones detect moisture in the Lightning port and block charging to prevent damage. The warning shows "Charging Not Available - Liquid detected." Let the phone air dry on a flat surface for several hours. Don't put it in rice (that's a myth and can make things worse).
7. Update iOS
Charging bugs occasionally show up in specific iOS versions. Settings > General > Software Update. Install pending updates.
When it's the battery or port
If you've tried all of the above and charging still doesn't work, you're likely looking at: a worn Lightning/USB-C port (especially on older iPhones with heavy use), or a failing battery. Apple battery replacement: $69-99. Port repair: $79-129.
Video walkthrough
Video by iDeviceHelp on YouTube
Still not charging?
If basic fixes failed, we can diagnose and tell you if it's worth repairing.