Fortunately, this is an issue that can be fixed! In this article, we’re covering all of the ways you can fix a slow-charging iPad, as well as how you can charge your iPad faster than normal.
6 Fixes For An iPad Charging Slow
1. Check Your Adapter, Cable, And Wall Outlet
The first way to fix your iPad is to pinpoint the problem. Your initial thought might be that something is wrong with your iPad, but it’s more likely that something is wrong with your charging equipment.
To test this, try changing each external element of your charging setup. If you aren’t able to improve your iPad’s charging speed by replacing any of the hardware you’re using to charge it, then the issue is likely with your iPad and not your charging equipment.
2. Clean Your iPad’s Charging Port When Your iPad Is Charging Slow
Now that we’ve pinpointed that the problem is your iPad and not your charging equipment, it’s time to start fixing your iPad.
One of the easiest things you can do to fix slow charging is to clean the charging port. You can do this by blowing into the port forcefully for two seconds, or briefly blowing canned air into the port. Do not spit in the port, put any objects in the port (such as a tissue, paperclip, or needle), use chemicals to clean the port, etc. After you’ve blown the dust out of the port, try charging it once again and see if this has solved the issue.
3. Restart Your iPad And Make Sure It’s Updated
The next step is to check that your iPad is running properly and doesn’t need an update. Over time, your iPad can experience hangups, caching issues, and other under-the-hood challenges that can cause it not to charge as expected.
A great way to flush these challenges away is to restart your iPad. You can do this by holding down the Power Button and Home Button, or on models without a Home Button, hold down the Power Button and Volume Up buttons. After a few seconds, you should see a switch appear at the top of your screen asking if you want to power down your iPad. Do this, then hold the Power Button down again to wake your iPad back up. Try charging your iPad again. Additionally, you should check that your iPad doesn’t need an update. You could be experiencing a bug that Apple has patched in a software update for your iPad. Open the Settings app, tap General, then tap Software Update. If new software is available, follow the on-screen steps to update your iPad. Once you’ve done both of these things, try charging your iPad again.
4. See If Your iPad Needs A New Battery
If you’re still experiencing issues with an iPad charging slow, then it’s time to see if your iPad needs a new battery. If your iPad is more than two years old and you’ve never replaced the battery, there’s a good chance that this is the issue. Unfortunately, Apple doesn’t offer any built-in settings to check the health of your iPad’s battery. You’ll find this information in your iPhone battery settings, but not for your iPad. Instead, you’ll have to bring it into the Apple Store.
Luckily, Apple staff should be able to quickly identify if a new battery will resolve your iPad’s issue. A battery replacement is $99 from Apple and should get your iPad back to running like new. For a lower price, you can look to third-party repair centers in your area. Just make sure you know how to find a repair shop for Apple products.
5. Fix The “Accessory Not Supported” Message
An alternative issue that could be causing slow charging is the error “Accessory Not Supported”. This message pops up whenever you’ve connected an accessory to your device that your device rejects. There could be a variety of reasons for this. First is that, as the notification says, the accessory simply isn’t supported. Maybe you’ve plugged in a cable that fits your iPad’s port but doesn’t actually work with your iPad. This can happen if the cable is a non-Apple proprietary cable (i.e., it’s a cable for a specific device, like a gaming console, that isn’t made by Apple) or if it’s a knock-off accessory. You could also be seeing this message if your iPad isn’t updated to the latest version of iPadOS. You can check this by opening the Settings app, tapping General, then tapping Software Update. If new software is available, follow the on-screen steps to update your iPad.
Lastly, you may be seeing this error message because your iPad’s charging port is dirty. Try removing the cable, cleaning the port using the method described in Step 2 of this post, and then reinserting the cable. Flipping the cable’s orientation might help it work better as well.
6. Bring Your iPad To The Apple Store
Finally, if nothing else works, then it’s time to bring your iPad into the Apple Store. All of the above solutions are options that should be easily doable at home. Beyond this, however, you’re going to need to know how to run tests and take apart your device to an extent that should be left to professionals. You can contact Apple Support here.
How To Make Your iPad Charge Faster
Buy A Fast Charger
Most iPad models can be charged faster with a fast charger, just like the newer versions of the iPhone. If you’re still using the standard, small 5W adapter to charge your iPad, then consider upgrading to one of Apple’s faster adapters.
Don’t Use Your iPad While It Charges
Another simple way to help your iPad charge faster is to stop using it. If you’re in a rush, leave your iPad alone while it charges. Gaming and video streaming can be particularly taxing on your iPad’s battery, slowing down its charging speed.
Charge Your iPad At Home (Not In The Car)
Lastly, charge your iPad at home! There are next to no fast-charging adapters available for vehicles, as most vehicles do not offer outlets that provide more than 5W of power. Charge your iPad at home first and in the car second. Also, avoid public charging stations. They can cause some unexpected issues with your device.
Fix Your Slow Charging iPad
If your iPad is slow to charge, the steps above should help you to fix it. To avoid running into this issue again in the future, you can learn more about using the right chargers for your devices and create a more reliable charging station at home. Comment Name * Email *
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