iPad Charging Slow

Experiencing slow charging on your iPad can be frustrating, especially when you rely on it for work or entertainment. Understanding the possible causes and solutions for slow charging can help you resolve the issue efficiently, ensuring your iPad charges as quickly and effectively as it should. Let’s explore common reasons for slow charging and effective troubleshooting steps to improve charging speed.

Why is the iPad Charging Slowly?

An iPad may charge slowly due to various factors, including using a low-power charger, a faulty charging cable, a dirty or damaged charging port, background apps consuming power, or outdated software. Identifying and addressing these issues can help restore normal charging speed.

There’s always a reason. So let’s go through all the possible reasons why your iPad might be charging slower and how you can overcome these issues. 📱🔌

7 Ways To Fix Slow Charging iPad

We will show step-by-step instructions on how to deal with slow charging iPad and several DIY hacks that solves the problem

1. Check Your Charger, Cable and Outlet

You should be able to charge your iPad in 2-3 hours. If it takes longer than that, there is a problem. The most common problem in these situations is that you are using the wrong charger.

Charger: Ensure you’re using an Apple-certified charger with the appropriate wattage for your iPad model. Using a charger with lower power output than recommended can significantly slow down the charging process. For instance, iPads generally require chargers with at least 10W, but newer models may benefit from 12W or 18W chargers. iPads can’t go higher than 30W chargers.

iPads draw only the precise amount of power they can handle. For example, the iPad Pro will exclusively utilize the maximum power required to meet its charging rate. The charging period will be the same if you use a 61W charger or 30W charger because iPad Pro can only handle 30W.

Cable: Inspect your charging cable for any visible damage, such as fraying or bent connectors. Even minor damage can affect the charging efficiency. Also, make sure you’re using an Apple-certified cable. Third-party cables might not provide the optimal charging speed and could even damage your iPad over time.

Outlet: Verify that the power outlet you’re using is functioning correctly. Try plugging your charger into a different outlet or use a different power strip to rule out any issues with the current one. Sometimes, the problem could be as simple as a faulty socket.

If you have a MacBook at home, use it’s charger and see if that fixes the problem.

2. Clean iPad Charging Port

Over time, dust, lint, and debris can accumulate in your iPad’s charging port, obstructing the connection between the charging cable and the device. This can lead to slow or inconsistent charging. Here’s how to clean the charging port safely:

1. Turn Off Your iPad: Before cleaning, power off your iPad to avoid any accidental damage.
2. Inspect the Port: Use a flashlight to look into the charging port and identify any visible debris.
3. Use Compressed Air: Gently blow short bursts of compressed air into the charging port to dislodge loose particles. Ensure you hold the can upright to prevent any liquid propellant from entering the port.
4. Use a Soft Brush or Toothpick: If debris remains, use a soft brush (like a small, clean paintbrush) or a wooden or plastic toothpick to carefully remove it. Be very gentle to avoid damaging the port’s pins and connectors.
5. Reinspect the Port: Check the port again with a flashlight to ensure it’s clean.

A clean charging port ensures a solid and efficient connection between your charging cable and the iPad. Any obstruction can prevent the proper flow of electricity, resulting in slower charging speeds or intermittent charging

3. Remove or Close Apps That Are Draining Battery

Running resource-intensive apps in the background can consume significant power, which might slow down your iPad’s charging process. Here’s how to close these apps and why it can help:

1. Identify Battery-Draining Apps:
   • Open Settings on your iPad.
   • Tap on Battery.
   • Scroll down to see the battery usage by each app. Identify apps that consume a high percentage of your battery.
2. Close Background Apps:
   • For iPads with a Home button: Double-click the Home button to open the App Switcher. Swipe up on each app’s preview to close it.
   • For iPads without a Home button: Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause in the middle to open the App Switcher. Swipe up on each app’s preview to close it.
3. Remove Unnecessary Apps:
   • If you find certain apps that you rarely use but consume a lot of battery, consider uninstalling them.
   • Go to Settings > General > iPad Storage.
   • Select the app you want to remove and tap Delete App.

4. Cool Down Your iPad

Overheating can cause your iPad to charge more slowly as the device’s internal mechanisms may throttle the charging process to prevent further temperature increases. Here’s a DIY guide on how to cool down your iPad and why it’s important:

1. Remove the Case: If your iPad is in a protective case, remove it to allow better airflow and heat dissipation.
2. Power Off the iPad: Turn off your iPad completely by pressing and holding the Power button until the “slide to power off” slider appears. Slide it to turn off the device.
3. Move to a Cooler Environment: Place your iPad in a cooler, shaded area. Avoid direct sunlight or warm environments, such as near a heater or in a car on a hot day.
4. Use a Fan or Air Conditioner: Position a fan near the iPad or place it in an air-conditioned room to help dissipate heat more quickly.

I lived 6 months in Spain and I couldn’t leave my iPad in eye sight of the sun. I got the temperature warning so often, and it damaged my overall battery health. Same with my iPhone, I got the warning even when the phone was in my pocket.

5. Update iPads Software

Keeping your iPad’s software up to date can resolve issues that might cause slow charging. Software updates often include performance improvements and bug fixes that can enhance the efficiency of your device. Here’s how to update your iPad and why outdated software might affect charging speed:

1. Connect to Wi-Fi: Ensure your iPad is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network.
2. Open Settings: Tap on the Settings app on your iPad.
3. Go to General: Scroll down and tap on General.
4. Software Update: Tap on Software Update.
5. Download and Install: If an update is available, tap Download and Install. Enter your passcode if prompted.
6. Follow Instructions: Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update. Your iPad may restart during the process.

6. Don’t Use It While It’s Charging

Using your iPad while it’s charging can significantly slow down the charging process. To ensure your iPad charges efficiently, it’s best to avoid using it and minimize background activity. Here’s why and how to do it:

1. Close All Apps:
   • Double-click the Home button (or swipe up from the bottom of the screen on iPads without a Home button) to open the App Switcher.
   • Swipe up on each app’s preview to close them.
2. Stop All Downloads and Updates:
   • Open the App Store and tap on your profile picture.
   • Check for any ongoing downloads or updates and pause or stop them.
3. Turn Off Background App Refresh:
   • Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh.
   • Select Off to prevent apps from refreshing their content in the background.
4. Disable Notifications:
   • Open Settings > Notifications.
   • Toggle off notifications for apps that frequently send alerts.
5. Activate Airplane Mode:
   • Swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center.
   • Tap the Airplane Mode icon to disable all wireless connections.
6. Power Off or Sleep:
   • Ideally, turn off your iPad while charging to eliminate all power usage.
   • If you can’t power off, at least put the device to sleep by pressing the Power button.

7. Perform A Soft Reset

Performing a soft reset on your iPad can resolve various software-related issues that may be affecting the charging process. Here’s how to do it on the newest iPad models and why it can help:

• Press and Hold Buttons: Simultaneously press and hold the Power button and the Volume Up Button. On Older iPad models, press and hold the Power button and Home button. Until the power off button appears on the screen.
• Toggle The Button: Slide the button to the right side.
• Press & Hold Power Button: hold it until the apple logo appears.

How Long Should iPads Charge From 0 to 100% on Average?

On average, iPads typically take around 2 to 6 hours to charge from 0% to 100%. However, the actual charging time can vary depending on several factors:

1. Charger Wattage: Higher wattage chargers can charge the iPad faster. For example, an 18W or 20W charger will charge faster than a 5W charger.
2. iPad Model: Newer iPad models with larger batteries may take longer to charge compared to older models with smaller batteries.
3. Battery Health: The condition of the battery itself can affect charging speed. Older batteries or those with reduced capacity may charge slower.
4. Usage During Charging: Using the iPad while it’s charging can slow down the charging process.

You can learn more about iPad charging time for each specific model and charger – here.

FAQ