iPhone Stuck on Charging Screen? Here’s How to Fix It

The iPhone stuck on the charging screen is a dreaded issue that has baffled countless iPhone users, especially when they’re in a hurry. While it isn’t uncommon to panic when your expensive iPhone refuses to boot up and only shows the charging icon, you shouldn’t. This issue can usually be fixed with a few simple steps unless physical damage is involved.

This post details all possible troubleshooting tips to resolve the iPhone stuck on the charging screen issue and get your iPhone back to working condition.

What Does It Mean When Your iPhone Is Stuck on the Charging Screen?

When you connect your powered-off iPhone to a charger, the charging screen (a battery icon with a cable or a red battery symbol) appears. Once the charging screen appears, your iPhone is supposed to charge normally, then power on automatically after a few seconds. But if it doesn’t, this means your iPhone is receiving power but isn’t booting into iOS.

Why Is My iPhone Stuck on the Charging Screen?

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Before attempting to fix the issue, it is essential to understand why it occurred in the first place. While your iPhone should power on automatically after a few seconds of plugging it into a charger, if it doesn’t, the issue may be due to:

• A completely drained battery.
• A faulty charging cable or adapter.
• iOS system glitches.
• Hardware issues (e.g., charging port or logic board failure).

Quick Checks Before You Start Troubleshooting

Before exploring more complex solutions that require extra effort, try running these simple checks to eliminate common causes.

1. Try Another Apple-Certified Cable and Adapter

Sometimes, the issue might lie with the cable and adapter you’re using to charge the iPhone, rather than the iPhone itself. If you’re using a non-MFi-certified cable or power adapter—or one with wear and tear—consider replacing it with a new MFi-certified one.

Related: Best USB-C Power Adapters for iPhone

2. Check If Your iPhone Appears in Finder or iTunes

Plug your iPhone into a Mac or PC. If it shows up in Finder (macOS Catalina or later) or iTunes (older macOS or Windows), the system is responsive, and you can restore the iPhone if needed.

3. Inspect the Charging Port

Over time, dirt, dust, or lint can accumulate inside the charging port, preventing the cable from connecting properly and leading to charging issues.

Use a flashlight to inspect the port for any dust or lint and clean it gently with the appropriate tools.

4. Give It at Least 15–30 Minutes to Charge

While the iPhone automatically boots up after a few seconds of plugging into a charger, it can take a significant amount of time before showing any sign of life if the battery is fully drained.

How to Fix an iPhone Stuck on the Charging Screen

If the quick checks are unable to resolve the iPhone Stuck on the Charging Screen issue, try these tech-savvy solutions instead.

1. Force Restart Your iPhone

More often than not, a force restart can jolt your iPhone out of the frozen charging screen by eliminating the software bugs or glitches causing it. Here’s how you can force restart your iPhone:

1. Press and release the Volume Up button.
2. Press and release the Volume Down button.
3. Press and hold the Side (Power) button until the Apple logo appears on the screen.

2. Update or Restore Your iPhone via Recovery Mode

Instead of plugging your iPhone into a charger, connect it to your Mac via an MFi-certified cable. If your Mac detects the iPhone but it still fails to turn on, a software glitch may be the issue. In such cases, using Recovery Mode to reinstall iOS can help.

Once your iPhone is in Recovery Mode, you’ll have two options:

• Click the Update button to reinstall iOS without data loss.
• Click the Restore button if the update doesn’t work (this erases your data).

3. Use DFU as a Last Resort

If updating your iPhone via Recovery Mode doesn’t resolve the issue, try recovering your iPhone using DFU Mode. Device Firmware Update (DFU) mode bypasses most software layers and allows deep-level restores. However, make sure to use it only if Recovery Mode fails.

4. Try Third-Party iOS System Repair Tools

If you’re hesitant about data loss due to a DFU mode restore, you can use third-party tools such as ReiBoot by Tenorshare, Dr.Fone – Repair, and iMyFone Fixppo. These tools can help you resolve iOS system issues, including the charging screen issue, without wiping your data. However, make sure to download them from official websites and follow the on-screen instructions.

When to Contact Apple Support or Visit a Repair Center

Tried everything, but the issue persists? This may indicate a hardware issue with your iPhone. In such cases, we recommend contacting Apple Support through the Support app or website or visiting your nearest Apple Authorized Service Provider.

If your iPhone is under warranty or covered by AppleCare+, you may also be eligible for a free repair.

Preventive Tips to Avoid Getting Stuck on the Charging Screen Again

Even though you now know how to troubleshoot the iPhone stuck on the charging screen issue, it’s always better to take preventive measures to avoid it from happening again.

• Always use Apple-certified accessories.
• Avoid draining the battery to 0% frequently.
• Keep your iPhone updated to the latest iOS version.
• Clean your charging port periodically.
• Avoid prolonged charging or using your iPhone during charging.

Get Your iPhone Back to Life…

While an iPhone getting stuck on the charging screen is undoubtedly frustrating, it doesn’t always mean disaster. With the right knowledge and a bit of technical competence, you can often revive it without needing a repair.

Don’t miss these related reads:

• How to Fix iPhone Stuck on Apple Logo Issue
• How to fix an iPhone stuck on “Home Would Like to Send You Critical Alerts”
• Update Apple ID Settings stuck on iPhone? 10 Ways to fix it!