Why Is My iPhone Not Charging? 7 Fixes to Try First (2026)

Your iPhone is plugged in and nothing’s happening, or the percentage barely moves. Don’t panic. Most charging faults come from a worn cable, a clogged port or a software hang, and all three are cheap to check.

This guide follows Apple’s own support pages, easiest and most likely fix first. Menus can move between iOS releases, so if yours looks different, use the search box at the top of Settings.

The quick fix

Try a different cable and a different adapter in a different outlet. Then clear any lint from the charging port, charge for about half an hour and, if the phone is still dead, force restart it. That sequence solves most cases.

Step by step

Try a different cable, adapter and outlet

Apple’s first advice is to inspect the cable and USB adapter for damage, such as breaks or bent prongs, and not to use damaged accessories. Make sure the cable, adapter and outlet connect firmly. If you can, test another outlet. A cable is far more likely to wear out than the phone, so borrow a known-good one before anything else. If you see an “accessory not supported” alert, Apple says to connect straight to the charger with no adapters in between, clean the port, restart, try another cable or charger, and update iOS.

Clean the charging port

Apple says to remove debris from the charging port on the bottom of the phone, then plug the cable in firmly. Its page doesn’t describe a cleaning tool. A soft, dry brush is the safe choice. Don’t poke at the port with anything sharp, and don’t push cotton swabs or paper towels into the connector, which Apple warns against in its liquid-detection guidance.

Charge for half an hour, then restart

Apple’s order: plug in, restart the iPhone, then charge for about half an hour. A deeply drained battery can take a while to show any sign of life. If the phone still won’t power on, or shows only a battery icon, force restart it and charge for another half hour.

Force restart your iPhone

Apple’s button sequences, by model:

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

Understand why it stops at 80%

This one isn’t a fault. Apple says Optimized Battery Charging (iOS 13 and later) can hold charging at 80% to slow battery aging, then finish when you need the phone. A phone that’s getting warm may also stop early, so move it and the charger somewhere cooler. iPhone 15 models and later can also have a charge limit. Press coverage of iOS 18 puts the setting under Settings > Battery > Charging, with limits in 5% steps up to 100%, but Apple’s charging page doesn’t give the path, so look in that area of Settings on your version. For more battery habits, see our iPhone battery settings guide.

Deal with a “Liquid Detected” alert

On iPhone XS and later, Apple says this alert means liquid is in the Lightning or USB-C connector, or on the cable or accessory, and charging is blocked to prevent corrosion. Apple’s steps:

1. Unplug the cable from the phone and from the adapter or accessory.
2. Gently tap the iPhone against your hand with the connector facing down.
3. Leave it in a dry spot with some airflow.
4. After at least 30 minutes, try charging again. If the alert returns, keep waiting. Drying can take up to 24 hours.

Don’t use heat or compressed air, and don’t put the phone in rice. If you have a Qi-certified wireless charger, Apple says you can use it once the back is dry. In an emergency you can choose to override the alert and charge, but Apple warns that charging a wet connector can corrode the pins. If the alert appears with only one cable, that cable is the likely culprit. If it appears with every Apple cable you own, the phone may need service.

Check battery health

If charging works but the phone dies fast, open Settings > Battery > Battery Health (it’s labelled Battery Health & Charging on some versions). Apple says a message that the iPhone can’t be verified as having a genuine Apple battery means the data may be inaccurate and the battery should be checked through service. If the battery is worn, our battery replacement cost guide covers what Apple charges.

When to stop and contact Apple

Apple says that if the iPhone still won’t power on or charge after these steps, it may need service. The same goes for burnt marks or a burning smell, which several repair guides advise treating as a reason to power off and stop using it. Apple’s “Get service” page is the place to start. Prices vary by model and warranty status, so check your model there.

The bottom line

Start with the boring stuff: another cable, another adapter, a clean port and thirty patient minutes. If the phone stops at 80%, read that as a feature. A liquid alert needs time, not rice. And if nothing works, it’s a job for Apple, not a pin.