iPhone 12 Not Charging When Plugged in Fixed
By Robert Jones · 2021-12-02
Got an iPhone 12 that's not charging properly? Drives you mad, doesn't it? As an audio engineer, I've seen plenty of kit play up. Don't fret; it's usually a simple fix you can sort yourself.
Right then, you've got an iPhone 12 playing up with the charging? Drives you mad, doesn't it? Especially when you've just forked out for a new bit of kit. Honestly, it's a pain. We all rely on these gadgets, and when they don't do the basics, it's infuriating. I've seen this sort of thing plenty of times over the years, not just with phones, but with all sorts of electronics. You expect things to just work, and when they don't, it feels like a bit of a betrayal, doesn't it? **Quick Verdict: Don't panic, it's usually something simple you can fix at home.** It's easy to think the worst when your expensive bit of kit decides to stop working properly. I've been there myself, staring at a blank screen or a charger that just won't engage. But more often than not, it's not a trip to the Apple Store that's needed, it's a bit of common sense and a systematic approach. Let's get stuck in and see if we can get your iPhone 12 juicing up again. ### First Things First: The Obvious Bits Before we go down the rabbit hole, let's cover the absolute basics. You'd be surprised how often it's something simple. Seriously, I've lost count of the times I've had a perfectly good speaker come back to life with a wiggle of a cable or a quick restart. This is no different. #### 1. Try a Different Charger and Cable Honestly, this is the very first thing I'd do. Cables can go dodgy without warning, and the charging bricks themselves can fail. I've got a box full of old USB cables in my workshop – probably a good fifty of them, going back to the first iPods – and I reckon half of them are past it. They look fine on the outside, but the internal wiring can get kinked, fractured, or just worn out. It's a common failure point. Grab a known good cable and a different charging brick. If you've got an iPad charger lying around, those often work a treat and deliver a bit more juice. Just make sure it's an Apple-certified one if you can, or at least a reputable third-party brand. Cheap, no-name cables and plugs are a false economy; they can deliver inconsistent power, charge slowly, or even damage your device in the long run. I've seen plenty of budget USB chargers fall apart or just stop working after a few weeks. Spend a tenner or so on a decent one, it'll save you hassle. If this sorts it, you know you need a new cable or plug. Simple as that. #### 2. Check the Charging Port Get a torch – the one on your mate's phone will do if you haven't got a proper one handy – and have a good look inside the Lightning charging port on your iPhone. I've seen all sorts of muck in there: lint from pockets, bits of dust, even a rogue crumb from a biscuit once. Pockets, bags, you name it, they're magnets for fluff. Over time, that fluff gets compressed at the bottom of the port, stopping the cable from making full contact with the pins. It's like having a dirty connection on your amp – it just won't work right. Use a wooden toothpick or a very fine, non-metallic tool to gently clear any debris. Be careful though, you absolutely don't want to damage the delicate pins inside. No metal paperclips, please – I've heard too many horror stories of people shorting out their phone or bending the pins. Go slow, be gentle, and see what comes out. You might be surprised. If a big wad of lint comes out, chances are you've found your problem. Try plugging it in again after a good clean. #### 3. Give It a Restart The classic IT support line, isn't it? "Have you tried turning it off and on again?" But honestly, it works. Sometimes a software glitch can stop the phone from recognising the charger, or perhaps a background process has hung up and is interfering. It's a bit like restarting a dodgy amp or a streaming box – sometimes it just needs a kick up the backside to clear its head. A hard reset can often sort out these minor software hiccups. For an iPhone 12, quickly press and release the Volume Up button, then quickly press and release the Volume Down button, then press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo. Give it a minute or two to fully boot up, then try charging again. Doesn't cost anything to try, does it? ### Delving a Bit Deeper: Software and Settings If the simple stuff hasn't worked, we need to think about the software side of things. Modern phones are tiny computers, stuffed full of complex code, and sometimes that code needs a bit of a nudge or an update. It's not just about the physical connection anymore; the brains of the phone play a big part. #### 1. Software Update Make sure your iPhone 12 is running the latest version of iOS. Apple often pushes out updates that fix bugs, improve performance, and yes, sometimes even address charging issues. It's like updating the firmware on your AV receiver – it's there to make everything run smoother. Go to `Settings > General > Software Update` and see if there's anything waiting for you. It's good practice to keep things current anyway, for security and general stability. An outdated operating system can lead to all sorts of strange behaviour, and charging problems can definitely be one of them. Download and install any available updates. Make sure your phone has at least 50% charge or is connected to power *if it will allow it* before you start the update, just to be safe. Patience is key here; it might take a while. #### 2. Optimised Battery Charging This is a feature Apple brought in a few years back to help prolong the overall lifespan of your battery. What it does is learn your charging habits and charges your phone to 80%, then holds it there, waiting to charge the rest closer to when you usually need it. It's clever, but it can sometimes make it *seem* like it's not charging, especially if you're only plugging it in for a short while, or if your routine changes. You might check it after an hour and think, "Hang on, it's only at 82%, it should be full!" when in reality, it's just doing its job, preserving battery health. You can find this under `Settings > Battery > Battery Health > Optimised Battery Charging`. Try turning it off temporarily to see if that makes a difference. I've had a few mates get caught out by this, thinking their phone was broken when it was just doing its job intelligently. It's a good feature for long-term battery health, but if you're troubleshooting a charging problem, it's worth ruling it out as the culprit. If turning it off solves your perceived issue, then you know it was just Apple's clever battery management at play. You can always turn it back on later if you wish. ### When Things Get a Bit More Serious: Hardware If you've tried all the bits above – different cables, port cleaning, restarts, software updates, and checking optimised charging – and your iPhone 12 still isn't charging, then we're starting to look at potential hardware problems. This is where it gets a bit more serious, and you might need professional help. #### 1. Test with a Wireless Charger The iPhone 12 supports wireless (MagSafe and Qi) charging. If you have access to a wireless charger, try placing your iPhone on it. If it charges wirelessly, but not via the Lightning port, that points pretty strongly to an issue with the Lightning port itself, or the charging circuitry associated with it. This is a really useful diagnostic step. A decent Qi charger isn't too expensive these days, you can pick one up for £20-£30 from Argos or Amazon. If wireless charging works, it gives you a temporary solution and confirms the main charging port is likely the problem. #### 2. Battery Health Check While not directly a charging issue, a severely degraded battery can sometimes cause strange charging behaviour, or appear to charge slowly. Go to `Settings > Battery > Battery Health`. You'll see a "Maximum Capacity" percentage. If this is very low (e.g., below 80%), your battery is on its way out and might need replacing. While the phone should still *attempt* to charge, a failing battery can lead to inconsistent charging rates or the phone shutting down unexpectedly. If your battery health is poor, even if it charges, it won't hold that charge for long. Think of it like an old capacitor in an amp – it might still work, but it's not performing optimally. #### 3. Visit the Apple Store or a Reputable Repair Shop If none of the above has worked, and especially if wireless charging also fails, then it's time to face facts: you likely have a hardware fault. This could be anything from a faulty Lightning port, a problem with the internal charging controller chip, or a completely dead battery that won't accept a charge. At this point, unless you're a very experienced electronics repair person (and I mean *experienced*, not just someone who's watched a few YouTube videos), attempting a DIY repair on an iPhone 12 is probably a bad idea. These phones are tiny, complex, and easy to damage further. You could void your warranty or cause more expensive issues. Your best bet is to book an appointment at an Apple Store (if you're still under warranty or AppleCare+) or take it to a reputable independent repair shop. They've got the diagnostic tools and the expertise to pinpoint the exact problem. Be prepared for a potential repair cost if it's out of warranty. An independent shop might be cheaper than Apple, but make sure they use genuine Apple parts or high-quality equivalents, especially for the battery. A dodgy replacement battery can be a fire hazard, and that's not something you want in your pocket. ### Comparison: Common Charging Issues Let's quickly summarise the common charging problems and their likely causes. This isn't just for an iPhone 12, mind, it applies to most modern phones, tablets, and even some smaller audio gear. | Issue | Likely Cause | Common Fixes | When to Seek Professional Help | |:----------------------------------------|:----------------------------------|:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------|:---------------------------------------------| | **Not Charging at All** | Damaged cable/adapter, dirty port, software glitch, hardware fault (port/chip) | Try different cable/adapter, clean port, restart, update iOS | If simple fixes fail, especially after wireless test. | | **Charging Slowly** | Weak charger, damaged cable, optimised charging, degraded battery, software bug | Use higher wattage charger, different cable, disable optimised charging, update iOS | If battery health is very low or slow charging persists after all other steps. | | **Charges Intermittently** | Loose connection, damaged cable/port, software conflict | Wiggle cable, clean port, restart, update iOS | If port is clearly damaged or connection is always unreliable. | | **Phone Gets Hot While Charging** | Poor quality charger/cable, background apps, degraded battery, hardware fault | Use genuine charger, close background apps, check battery health | If persistent or extreme heat, could indicate battery or internal fault. | | **"Accessory Not Supported" Error** | Non-certified cable/adapter, dirty port, software issue | Use MFi certified accessories, clean port, restart, update iOS | If using genuine accessories and error persists. | ### Who It's For * Anyone with an iPhone 12 (or similar model) experiencing charging problems. * Users who prefer to troubleshoot basic issues themselves before resorting to repairs. * Folks who want to understand the common reasons behind charging failures. ### Who Should Skip It * Those whose phone is clearly water damaged or physically broken – get that to a professional straight away. * Anyone unwilling to try simple troubleshooting steps. * Users who have already exhausted all these options and know it's a hardware fault.  *iPhone 12 Not Charging When Plugged in Fixed — tested in the SpeakersMag workshop.* ## FAQ Section #### Q: Can using a non-Apple charger damage my iPhone 12? A: Well, it depends, doesn't it? Using a cheap, unbranded, or poorly made charger or cable *can* potentially damage your phone. They might not regulate power properly, leading to overheating or inconsistent charging, which can stress the battery and charging circuitry over time. Stick to Apple-certified (MFi) accessories or reputable brands like Anker, Belkin, or UGREEN. You're paying good money for the phone, don't scrimp on the accessories. #### Q: My iPhone 12 charges fine, but the battery drains really fast. Is that related? A: Not directly. If it's charging up to 100% fine, but then dying quickly, that's usually a separate issue related to battery health or software. Head to `Settings > Battery > Battery Health`. If your "Maximum Capacity" is low (say, under 80%), your battery is likely degraded and doesn't hold as much charge as it used to. It might be time for a battery replacement. Also, check which apps are using the most battery under `Settings > Battery` – sometimes a rogue app can be guzzling power in the background. #### Q: How often should I clean my iPhone's charging port? A: There's no hard and fast rule, really. It depends on how you use your phone. If it lives in a dusty workshop, a dirty pocket, or you're constantly plugging and unplugging it, then checking it every few months wouldn't hurt. If it's always in a clean environment, you might only need to check it if you start having charging problems. Just make it part of your routine if you're having issues; it's one of the easiest and cheapest fixes. #### Q: My iPhone 12 doesn't get hot when charging anymore, is that a problem? A: A little warmth when charging is perfectly normal, especially with fast charging. However, if it used to get noticeably warm and now it doesn't at all, that *could* be a sign of a problem, particularly if it's also charging slowly or not at all. It might indicate that the charging current isn't flowing correctly. Conversely, if it's getting *excessively* hot, that's also a concern and could indicate a faulty battery or charger. Normal is warm, not cold, and not scorching hot. #### Q: Should I leave my iPhone 12 plugged in overnight? A: With modern iPhones and features like "Optimised Battery Charging", leaving it plugged in overnight is generally fine. The phone is smart enough to manage the charging to minimise strain on the battery. It will charge to 80%, then pause, and only complete the charge closer to your usual wake-up time. This helps to reduce the time the battery spends at 100%, which can prolong its overall lifespan. So, yes, you can leave it plugged in, Apple has designed it with that in mind. ## Final Word So there you have it. Most charging problems with an iPhone 12, or any phone for that matter, aren't the end of the world. More often than not, it's a bit of fluff in the port, a knackered cable, or a simple software glitch. Go through these steps methodically, and you'll probably find the culprit without too much fuss or expense. It's all about isolating the problem, just like tracking down a dodgy connection in a hi-fi system. Don't rush to the repair shop straight away; give these fixes a proper go. You might just save yourself a few quid and the hassle of being without your phone. And remember, always use decent quality charging gear – it makes a real difference in the long run. Keep your kit clean, keep the software up to date, and most importantly, don't panic! It's usually just a minor inconvenience, not a major catastrophe. Happy charging, everyone.