An iPad's large battery needs a decent amount of power. A charger that is fine for a phone may barely keep an iPad topped up, especially while it is in use.
Check the power first
- Use the adapter that came with the iPad, or one with at least the same wattage
- Plug straight into a wall socket rather than a computer or keyboard
- Try a different cable, looking for fraying near the connectors
- Leave it charging for at least an hour if the battery was completely flat
Check the port
Shine a torch into the charging port. Lint packs down over time and stops the cable seating fully. If the cable feels loose or wobbles, that is a strong sign. Do not use metal objects to clean it.
Force restart
A frozen iPad can look like one that is not charging. Force restart it, then connect the charger again.
When it needs repair
- Charging only works with the cable held at an angle
- The iPad shows the charging symbol but the percentage does not rise
- The battery drains very quickly or the iPad shuts down unexpectedly
- The port shows corrosion or visible damage
A charging port repair or battery replacement is the usual fix. We diagnose which part is at fault first, so you do not pay for the wrong repair.
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