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iPhone Charger Not Clicking In (Causes and What to Do)

As an iPhone owner, I know the frustration of trying to plug your charger into your phone only to have it not ‘click’ into place. After a few failed attempts, I decided to do some research and testing to see what could be causing the issue and what I could do to fix it. In this blog post, I’ll be sharing the solutions I discovered and what worked for me. So if you’re having trouble with your iPhone charger not clicking in, then read on and see how you can get your phone back to charging again!

ProblemPossible CauseSolution
Charger not clicking into iPhone portDamaged Lightning ConnectorReplace the charger and seek advice from an authorized Apple service provider or contact Apple Support
Uncertified Charging CablePurchase a certified Apple charging cable from an authorized Apple store
iPhone Charging Port IssuesClean the charging port using an anti-static brush, toothbrush, toothpick, or compressed air
Damaged iPhone Charging PortVisit an authorized Apple store for repair
Wireless Charging as an AlternativeUse a Qi-certified wireless charger for iPhone 8 and later models with the latest iOS version as a backup option

iPhone Charger Not Clicking in (Causes and What to Do)

There are many possibilities as to why your iPhone charger isn’t sticking in the port and keeps falling out. 

Here are some of the most common causes of this problem and the appropriate solutions for each of them:

  1. Damaged Lightning Connector

If the charger won’t fit the iPhone’s charging port, the problem could be a damaged lightning connector. Check if the lightning connector is bent, loose, or has black marks on it.

If there are visible damages on the lightning connector or any part of the charger, it’s best to stop using the charger for your safety. 

Get expert advice by visiting an authorized Apple service provider or contacting Apple Support if you’re unsure of your charger’s condition.

Another safety precaution is to not try to fix a broken charger by yourself unless you have in-depth knowledge about electronics.

  1. Uncertified Charging Cable

All Apple charging cables are guaranteed reliable and safe to use, and every iPhone purchase comes with an Apple cable. So, you should have a USB-A to lightning or a USB-C to lightning cable, whichever is compatible with your iPhone.

Have you recently bought a replacement for your iPhone’s cable? Is the new cable damaged, or maybe it’s hard to fit in the charging port? 

If so, maybe this purchase isn’t Apple-certified!

To prevent getting deceived by cheap knockoffs, only trust authorized Apple stores for all your iPhone needs.

  1. iPhone Charging Port Issues

If, after close inspection, you’re adamant that your charger works just fine, maybe the issue is within your iPhone’s charging port.

Most of the time, an old iPhone port gets blocked by debris and lint that prevents the lightning connector from fitting. No worries, because cleaning your charging port is easy!

How to Clean Your iPhone Charging Port

You can use an anti-static brush, a new toothbrush, a toothpick, or a can of compressed air to clean your iPhone charging port. Refrain from using metal objects, especially sharp ones such as needles and pins, as these may damage the mechanical components inside the port.

Before you start, you should first back up the data from your iPhone to your computer or iCloud for security purposes. Afterward, you can turn off your device and proceed to clean your iPhone charging port.

Using any of the above-mentioned tools, gently remove all the lint and debris stuck inside the charging port. If you’re using a toothpick, be extra careful not to break it apart inside the port.

Once your charging port is free of any obstructing dirt, you can try if the charger finally fits in.

When the Charging Port Is Damaged

Just like with broken cables, when the charging port is damaged, the best way to have it fixed is to take your iPhone to an authorized Apple store. 

You can also connect to an authorized representative first about this problem.

Wireless Charging

If either your charger or charging port is impaired, there’s no other way around it but to have the damage fixed. 

However, there’s also no certainty that the same charging difficulties won’t ever resurface. This is why you should consider getting a handy wireless charger.

iPhone 8 and later iterations, with the latest iOS version, support wireless charging with the use of Qi-certified chargers

Qi is a universal wireless charging standard, which means it’s compatible with any Qi-enabled phone.

Even though wireless charging is much more convenient than traditional charging, it’s relatively slower. So, it’s better to just have it as a backup in case you have trouble with wired charging.

Summary

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When your iPhone charger isn’t clicking into the charging port of your iPhone, you should check both your charger and iPhone for any visible damage.

If the problem is the charger, focus on the lightning connector. If it’s damaged, stop using it completely. And when you buy a new charging accessory, make sure that the product is Apple-certified.

On the other hand, if the problem is the charging port, check if it needs cleaning. Use a firm object that won’t break apart but stay away from metallic and sharp objects when you clean the charging port of your phone.

Lastly, if the charging port isn’t just dirty but is actually damaged, get the repair you need from an authorized Apple service provider.

Read more: iPhone says restore in progress