Connect the iPhone to a known-good wall outlet with a compatible cable, inspect the connector, and leave it charging for at least 30 minutes. Stop if you see a liquid alert, damage, swelling, or severe heat.
Charging failures should be tested one link at a time. A battery icon with a cable, a liquid-detection alert, intermittent charging, and a phone that remains black after 30 minutes require different next steps.
Build a known-good charging path
Use a working wall outlet, compatible power adapter, and cable. Inspect both ends for bent pins, fraying, discoloration, or heat. Try one known-good component at a time so the result identifies the failing part. A computer USB port or overloaded hub may provide less power than expected.
Look into the iPhone connector under good light. Do not insert needles, paper clips, or liquids. If Apple’s instructions allow cleaning, keep the connector dry and avoid damaging the contacts. A liquid alert means disconnecting and allowing the device to dry; emergency override can damage the connector and should not be treated as a routine bypass.
Allow time, then force restart if appropriate
Connect the known-good charger and leave the iPhone undisturbed for at least 30 minutes. If it remains unresponsive, use the force-restart sequence for the model, then charge again. Check whether the percentage rises over a measured interval instead of judging from the first animation.
Charging can pause when the iPhone is too hot or cold. Move it to a normal indoor temperature without using rapid cooling. Optimized charging may hold near a high percentage by design; that is different from failure at a low level.
Stop for damage or repeat failure
Success is a stable charging symbol and a rising percentage with normal temperature. Stop using the device if the battery appears swollen, the display lifts, the connector is burned, or the phone becomes dangerously hot. Give Apple the model, alert text, tested adapters and cables, starting and ending percentages, and any liquid event. Do not keep flexing a damaged cable to make temporary contact.
Primary sources
Interfaces and policies change. We recheck the steps above against these sources and show the verification date at the top of the guide.