How to fix an Apple iPhone 7 Plus that won’t charge [Troubleshooting Guide]

You won’t be able to continue using your new #Apple iPhone 7 Plus (#iPhone7Plus) once it drains its battery if it won’t charge when plugged in and this problem happens more often than you think. In fact, as early as now, we’ve already received a few complaints from our readers of the same nature. It is evident that the not charging problem may happen even to new models that have just been released.

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Many believed that charging issues are always caused by hardware problems or damage in the accessories. The firmware, however, also plays an important role in allowing electric current from the power adapter reach the battery. In fact, it’s the firmware that regulates and makes sure correct amount of current flows through the circuit. It’s also the one responsible in stopping the charge once the battery reaches 100%.

With all that being said, it is logical to go after the firmware first before going after the hardware when troubleshooting a device that won’t charge when plugged in. So, in this post, I will walk you through in ruling out the possibility that iOS is the culprit why your iPhone 7 Plus isn’t charging. Then, we’ll try to go after the power adapter and then the phone itself until we’ll find out what the real issue is.

But before anything else, if you have other concerns with your Apple iPhone 7 Plus, make sure you drop by our troubleshooting page for we have already addressed some of the most commonly reported issues with this new iPhone. If you need further assistance or if you can’t find what you’re looking for in that page, fill up our iPhone issues questionnaire and hit submit. Don’t worry, it’s a free consultation service so you don’t have to worry about anything. Just give us more information about the problem and we’ll do our best to help you fix it.

Troubleshooting Apple iPhone 7 Plus that’s not charging

It is important you try to troubleshoot this problem first because there are issues that can easily be fixed by you without any help from a technician. Besides, the procedures I posted here are safe and easy to do.

Step 1: Verify that it’s not just a simple system crash issue

I’ve already established how important the firmware is in the charging process. So, this step will rule that possibility out so that if the problem persists after this, then we can go after the charger and the phone. What you should do is to try to force restart your iPhone by following these very simple and safety steps:

  1. Press and hold the Volume Down button first and then press and hold the Power key.
  2. Keep them held together for 5 to 10 seconds.
  3. The phone should reboot (95% of the time provided there’s enough battery) and bring you back to the home screen.

The iOS also crashes and it’s more often than you think depending on how many apps are running in the background and how many days has the phone been on. When it happens, the screen maybe frozen while it’s on a specific page or if it’s idle. So, in case of a black screen, the procedure above may be able to bring your phone back to life.

Step 2: Inspect the power adapter or charger for debris inside the port

In order for the charging process to commence, proper contact should be established between the cable’s receptors and the charger’s connectors. So, the next thing you should do if the phone still won’t charge after the forced reboot procedure is to physically check the charger’s port for debris, lint or any kind of corrosion that may prevent proper contact.

You may use an old toothbrush to clean the port if there is corrosion or you can simply pull the debris out if you can find one. A blast of compressed air may also do the job.

Furthermore, if you can find a crooked or bent pin, that could be the reason why the iPhone doesn’t charge. You may try to carefully straighten it out without actually damaging it.

In the case wherein the charger got wet or was dipped in water, then the reason why the phone doesn’t charge is due to liquid damage to the power adapter. You have no choice but to buy a new charger because it’s not repairable.

To further probe if it’s really a charger issue, if you have other mobile phones (not necessarily Apple), try to charge them using your iPhone charger. If they charge, then it’s not an issue with the charger so you have to proceed to the next step, otherwise, you have to buy a new charger.

Step 3: Make sure it’s not a problem with the cable

Assuming the charger is fine, it’s time you checked on the cable, which is easier to do than the previous step. First of all, try to thoroughly inspect the cable for breaks or scraping of the insulation and then run your fingers through it to feel any abnormal lumps or bumps that are symptoms of breakage inside.

Next, try to check the connectors and pins on both ends. The same as the previous step, check for debris or lint and get rid of them if you can find some. Also be mindful of bent pins as that might be the reason why the charger can’t conduct current to the phone.

If you cannot find any abnormalities on the cable, then try to connect it to a computer and then plug your iPhone to see if the former can detect and recognize the latter. If it doesn’t, then there’s really a problem with your cable. Buying a new charger will get rid of this problem as well.

Step 4: Check your iPhone’s charging or utility port

If you haven’t found abnormalities in both the charger and the cable, then it’s time you checked your iPhone’s charging port for debris, lint, corrosion, bent pins or anything that could prevent conduction of electric current.

For debris, lint and corrosion, a blast of compressed air may get rid of them. You may also use pointed objects such as a needle to remove them.

As to the bent pins, a pair of tweezers can help you straighten them out but you have to be very careful not to damage them instead.

After you’re finished with all the steps, try to charge your iPhone 7 Plus again to see if it works and if not, then this is as far as you go. You cannot do anything beyond this point.

Step 5: Seek assistance from Apple’s technicians

It’s time for the professionals to take care of your iPhone 7 Plus problems for you so you may either call Apple’s tech support or go to the Apple Store where you can speak with a technician face to face.

It’s imperative you tell the technician all relevant information about the problem so it would be easier to diagnose and fix if possible. But usually, with this kind of problem, the first thing the technician would do is use a different charger. If the phone charges, then you need to buy a new charger. If not, then the tech may connect it to a computer and probably restore your iPhone, so if you have files or data, it’s better you back them up before going to the Apple Store.

I hope that this troubleshooting guide can help you troubleshoot a problem with your iPhone 7 Plus. We recommend you try to fix the problem on your own first before sending the phone in for repair as we all know it takes weeks before the device will be returned to you and/or how much technicians charge for their services nowadays.

Engage with us

If you have other issues with your Apple iPhone 7, we are always willing to help. Contact us through our iPhone issues questionnaire and provide us with all necessary information about your problem so we can find a solution to your issue.

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