Sometimes, iPhones get stuck on the charging screen. This can be frustrating. If your iPhone is stuck on the charging screen, the first thing to try is a force restart, which can often resolve the issue. This simple trick can breathe new life into your device.
If restarting doesn’t work, it might be time to check your charging accessories. Faulty cables or adapters can cause issues. Try using a different cable or charger. If the problem persists, a more serious issue like a battery or logic board problem might be the culprit.
Don’t worry—it’s often easy to fix these problems. Apple Support has many solutions. From entering recovery mode to seeking professional help, there are steps you can take. Stay calm and follow these simple tips.
What Does “iPhone Stuck on Charging Screen” Mean?
When your iPhone shows the charging screen (a red battery icon or lightning bolt symbol) and won’t turn on, it usually means:
- The battery is completely drained and hasn’t charged enough to start.
- There’s a software glitch preventing iOS from booting.
- The charging accessories (cable, adapter, or port) are faulty.
- In rare cases, it may indicate a hardware or logic board issue.
(source: iGeeksBlog, Tenorshare)
🔋 Step 1: Check Your Charging Accessories
Faulty cables and adapters are the most common cause of this issue.
✅ Try the following:
- Use an official Apple Lightning or USB-C cable and power adapter.
- Plug into a different wall outlet or USB port.
- Avoid charging via a computer USB port — use a wall socket instead.
- If possible, test your charging setup with another iPhone to confirm it works.
If your iPhone still shows the charging screen after 15–30 minutes, move to the next step.
⚙️ Step 2: Clean the Charging Port
Dust, lint, or debris can block the connection between the cable and your iPhone’s charging port.
✅ How to clean it safely:
- Power off your iPhone (if possible).
- Use a soft brush, toothpick, or compressed air to gently remove debris.
- Reconnect your charger and wait 15–20 minutes.
⚠️ Avoid using metal objects — they can damage the port.
🔁 Step 3: Force Restart Your iPhone
If your iPhone has enough charge but won’t move past the charging screen, a force restart can help clear any temporary system errors.
✅ Force Restart by Model:
- iPhone 8, SE (2nd/3rd gen), X, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15:
- Press and quickly release Volume Up.
- Press and quickly release Volume Down.
- Press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo.
- iPhone 7 / 7 Plus:
- Press and hold Volume Down + Power until the Apple logo appears.
- iPhone 6s, SE (1st gen), or earlier:
- Press and hold Home + Power until the Apple logo appears.
If the Apple logo shows up, your iPhone should boot normally.
(source: iMyFone)
🧰 Step 4: Try a Different Power Source or Wireless Charger
If you’re using a wired charger and it’s not working:
- Try charging via a wireless charger (if supported).
- Or plug your iPhone into a computer using a certified cable for 30 minutes.
This can sometimes “wake up” a deeply drained battery.
💻 Step 5: Put Your iPhone in Recovery Mode (Software Repair)
If your iPhone still won’t go past the charging screen, you may need to repair iOS using a computer.
✅ Steps:
- Connect your iPhone to a Mac or PC using a USB cable.
- Open Finder (macOS Catalina or later) or iTunes (Windows/macOS Mojave or earlier).
- Force restart your iPhone (see Step 3), but keep holding the buttons until you see the Recovery Mode screen.
- You’ll see options to Update or Restore.
- Choose Update first — this reinstalls iOS without erasing data.
- If that fails, choose Restore (this erases all data).
(source: Dr.Fone)
🧩 Step 6: Use Third-Party iOS Repair Tools (Optional)
If iTunes or Finder can’t detect your iPhone, you can try specialized repair tools that fix iOS issues without data loss.
Recommended tools:
- Tenorshare ReiBoot
- iMyFone Fixppo
- Dr.Fone – System Repair
These apps can automatically detect a stuck charging screen and reinstall iOS safely.
⚠️ Always download such tools from their official websites to avoid malware.
(source: Tenorshare)
🔋 Step 7: Check for Hardware Issues
If none of the above steps work, your iPhone may have a hardware fault, such as:
- A damaged charging port
- A dead battery
- A malfunctioning power management IC (logic board issue)
In this case:
- Book an appointment at an Apple Store or Authorized Service Provider.
- Request a diagnostic test to confirm the issue.
(source: The Geek Page)
🧠 Bonus Tips to Prevent Future Charging Issues
- Use only Apple-certified (MFi) charging accessories.
- Avoid exposing your iPhone to extreme heat or moisture.
- Keep your Lightning or USB-C port clean.
- Update iOS regularly to fix potential software bugs.
✅ Summary of Fixes
| Step | Solution | Works For |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Check charging cable and adapter | Faulty accessories |
| 2 | Clean charging port | Dust/debris issues |
| 3 | Force restart | Software glitches |
| 4 | Try another power source | Deep battery drain |
| 5 | Recovery mode update | iOS corruption |
| 6 | Use repair software | Unresponsive devices |
| 7 | Visit Apple Support | Hardware damage |
🏁 Final Thoughts
An iPhone stuck on the charging screen is usually caused by battery drainage or minor software issues, but it can also signal deeper hardware problems. Start with simple steps — check your charger, clean the port, and force restart — before moving on to recovery or repair tools.
If the issue persists, contact Apple Support or visit an authorized service center for professional help.
Sources:
- iGeeksBlog – iPhone Stuck on Charging Screen: How to Fix It
- Tenorshare – iPhone 14 Stuck on Charging Screen
- iMyFone – iPhone Stuck on Charging Screen Fixed
- Dr.Fone – Fix iPhone Stuck on Charging Screen
- The Geek Page – iPhone Stuck on Charging Screen Fix
Key Takeaways
- Force restarting can often fix an iPhone stuck on the charging screen.
- Check charging accessories for faults.
- Seek professional help if the issue persists.
Identifying and Addressing iPhone Charging Issues
When an iPhone is stuck on the charging screen, it is often difficult to understand whether the problem is related to hardware or software. It is important to also consider potential problems with power sources, cables, and battery life.
Diagnosing Hardware Versus Software Problems
Testing hardware components such as the charging port, USB cable, and the charger itself can reveal if the issue is hardware-based. Look for visible signs of damage or dust in the charging port. Use an original Apple Lightning cable and charger to ensure compatibility.
For software issues, consider if the iPhone has been updated to the latest iOS version. Unusual behavior after a recent update might signify software conflicts that need resolution.
Troubleshooting Power and Battery Concerns
A low-charge battery or a battery that is not holding a charge can cause the iPhone to get stuck on the charging screen. To check for battery problems, try a different power source and charging cable. If the phone shows a red battery screen, let it charge longer.
Heating the iPhone battery slightly or draining the battery completely can sometimes reset the charging cycle. If these steps do not work, replacing the battery at an Apple Store may be necessary.
Force Restart and Recovery Mode Solutions
Performing a force restart can clear minor software issues. For iPhone 8 or later, press and quickly release the volume up button, then the volume down button, then hold the side button until the Apple logo appears. For iPhone 7, hold the volume down and power buttons together until the Apple logo shows.
Entering Recovery Mode can fix deeper software issues. Connect the iPhone to a computer and open Finder or iTunes. Follow the device-specific steps to put the iPhone into Recovery Mode, and from there, choose to update or restore the iOS system.
