iPhone will not charge
When an iPhone stops charging properly, most people replace the cable first, then the plug, and only then bring it in. Often the real answer is simpler and cheaper than any of that: the port is packed with pocket lint, or the connector inside has worn loose.
We find out which it is before charging you for anything. Newer iPhones charge over USB-C and older models use Lightning, and the two connectors fail in slightly different ways, so telling us which one you have helps us test faster.
What this usually turns out to be
- Debris packed into the charging port
- A worn or loose port connector
- A damaged charging cable or plug
- A failing battery rather than a charging fault
- A board level fault, which is less common but does happen
Which one sounds like yours?
Only Charges At An Angle
You have to hold or prop the cable to keep it going. Usually the port
Cable Falls Out
The connector no longer clicks in and stays put
Charges Very Slowly
Hours on the charger for very little gain
Will Not Charge At All
Nothing happens when you plug it in, on any cable
How we work it out
Step one
We rule out the cheap causes first
A blocked port and a bad cable are both common and neither needs a repair. We check those before anything else, because it would be dishonest not to.
Step two
We test the port and the battery
These two produce similar complaints and need different fixes. Testing tells us which one you actually have.
Step three
We quote and repair
If a port replacement is needed you get the price first. The work is done here.
Try this before you come in
- Try a different cable and a different plug, ideally ones you know work
- Try a different wall socket
- Look into the charging port with a light and see whether it is packed with lint
- Do not dig in the port with a pin or a paperclip, because bent pins turn a cleaning job into a repair
- A cable or plug that is not MFi-certified can cause exactly these symptoms without the port itself being at fault
Before you bring it in
- Bring the cable and plug you normally use, so we can test them too
- Back up the phone if it still has enough charge to do so
- Know your Apple ID password
- Tell us if the phone has been dropped or been near water
- If iOS is showing a liquid-detected or 'accessory may not be supported' warning, let the port dry out and do not force a charge
Related repairs
iPhone Battery Replacement
When the battery is the real cause
iPhone Screen Repair
Cracked and damaged displays
Not Sure
Let us diagnose it
Questions about this repair
Test with a cable and plug you know are good. If it still will not charge, the problem is the phone. If a different cable fixes it, you just saved yourself a repair.
Frequently, yes, and that is the first thing we check. A charging port packed with pocket lint is one of the most common causes we see and it is not a parts job.
It can be the port, the cable, the plug, or a battery near the end of its life. Slow charging on its own does not tell us which, so we test rather than guess.
Please do not use a pin, a paperclip or anything metal. Bent pins inside the port turn a free cleaning into a paid repair. If you can see lint, bring it in.
Get your iPhone charging sorted
Call if it is urgent, or start a repair online and we will come back to you. Either way you are talking to the people who do the work.
90-day labor warranty · Lifetime warranty against defects on most iPhone parts. Details
3747 Main St, Unit 3
College Park, GA 30337
Monday to Saturday, 11 AM to 5 PM
Serving College Park, East Point, Hapeville, Forest Park, Union City, Riverdale and the south side of Atlanta.
© 2026 Tapeworm Phone & Computer Repair. Independent repair shop. Not affiliated with Apple, Samsung, Google, Motorola or Microsoft. All trademarks belong to their respective owners.