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iPhone Won’t Charge past 1 (Causes and How to Fix)

As an iPhone owner, I can empathize with the frustration of when my device won’t charge beyond 1%. After experiencing this issue, I did some research and testing to find a solution. I’m here to share what I discovered, and how I was able to fix the issue. In this blog post, I will be exploring the potential causes of the issue, and provide potential solutions to fix the problem.

IssuePotential CausesSolutions
iPhone Won’t Charge Past 1%1. Charging Port Issues– Inspect and replace the charging cable if necessary. Check for bent prongs or damage to the USB adapter. Clean the charging port.
2. Software Problems/Glitches– Update your iPhone’s software to the latest version.
3. A Faulty Battery– Check your iPhone’s battery health and consider replacing the battery if it’s significantly degraded.
4. Calibration Issues– Update your iPhone’s software to fix any known bugs that may cause calibration issues.
Fixing the Issue
1. Restore Factory Settings: Perform a full reset after backing up your data.
2. Update Firmware and Software: Install any available software updates.
3. Change the Charging Cable or Port: Replace the charging cable with a new, original one, and clean the charging port.
4. Replace the Battery: Replace the battery if it shows signs of degradation in the Battery Health settings.
Preserving Battery in the Future
1. Use Original Cables: Original cables are less likely to damage your phone.
2. Keep Your Ports Clean: Regularly clean the charging port and area where you charge your phone.
3. Don’t Overcharge the Battery: Avoid keeping your iPhone on the charger indefinitely.
4. Avoid Extreme Temperatures: Charge your iPhone in a temperature-controlled environment to prevent gradual battery damage.

Why Won’t My iPhone Charge Past 1%? (5 Causes)

Lucky for you, there aren’t many reasons why your iPhone is stuck on one percent even though it’s been plugged in for hours.

In this section, we cover the four primary causes that may be affecting your iPhone’s charging routine.

1. Charging Port Issues

To start off, check your charging port for any damage or issues. Most of the time, the likely culprit is a broken cable. It might also be bent or old as well.

Additionally, make sure to inspect the prongs and USB adapter for any damage too. You may notice that the prongs are bent or perhaps even dirty.

2. Software Problems or Glitches

Another common culprit might be a software glitch. Most iPhone users postpone important software updates and that often leads to multiple issues down the road.

You’ll find that the phone may be charging but the number isn’t changing, for instance. That’s just one way a software problem might manifest itself as.

3. A Faulty Battery

Keep in mind that phone batteries aren’t meant to last forever. In fact, anything that’s battery-operated is constantly liable to malfunction and damage.

In other words, your battery is likely to have simply given up. As a result, the battery is no longer corresponding properly to being plugged in.

4. Calibration Issues

Calibration issues are typically a manufacturer’s problem. The iOS 14, for example, was released with a bug that causes the battery to not be charged correctly.

With the right fixes, users managed to solve the matter. Apple did put out a software update later that took care of the bug, though. 

How Can I Fix My iPhone Not Charging above 1%? (4 Solutions)

Now that we’ve gone over the main causes, let’s get down to fixing the problem right away. This way you’re not stuck with an iPhone you can’t use for too long.

Below are our four tried and tested solutions. One of them should work for you.

1. Restore Factory Settings

Nothing beats starting over from scratch. Sometimes iPhones get overworked too and a reset should get them working in no time.

Remember to back up your data before performing a full reset to avoid data loss. Restoring factory settings may differ from one iPhone model to another as well.

2. Update Firmware and Software

Go to your settings and check if there are any software updates that you may have overlooked. Install them and then try again.

3. Change the Charging Cable or Port

Mobile users often leave their charging ports plugged in until they need to charge their phones. As such, the cable and port sit and collect debris, dust, and dirt.

In other words, it’s best to replace the cable with a new and original one frequently if that’s the case. Maybe try cleaning it before plugging it in again.

4. Replace the Battery

Some iPhone models now come with a feature known as Battery Health. This section in your iOS settings helps tell you if and when your battery may need to be replaced.

If you don’t have an iPhone version with this feature, then better to stay on the safe side and get a new, original battery to save you the trouble.

Read more: iPhone won’t turn on after getting wet

How to Preserve Your iPhone’s Battery in the Future

Hopefully, you’ve fixed the problem by now. As a precautionary measure, we recommend that you keep the following tips in mind to avoid this problem from reoccurring in the future.

1. Use Original Cables

Original cables don’t harm your phone. Old or inexpensive chargers slowly damage your battery over time.

2. Keep Your Ports Clean

Keep the area where you charge your phone as clean as possible. Maintain it regularly and clear the port before charging each time.

3. Don’t Overcharge the Battery

It may be quite convenient to keep your iPhone in the charger indefinitely, however, it does more harm than good. It reduces the battery’s quality over time too.

4. Avoid Extreme Temperatures

To the best of your ability, keep your iPhone in a temperature-controlled environment while charging. Extreme hot and cold temperatures gradually damage the battery.

Takeaway

Read more: iPhone vibrating after water damage

Will your iPhone won’t charge past 1? Don’t worry just yet! This could be due to a faulty battery, a calibration issue, or simply, an unclean charging port.

So, make sure that your charging station is up to par and that your firmware is up-to-date as well. If you’ve had your iPhone for a while, maybe it’s time to replace the battery or cable with a new one.