Why Is My iPad Charging Slowly?

You may have heard the phrase “a watched pot never boils,” an age-old idiom meaning time moves slower when you’re waiting in anticipation. And if you’ve ever been patiently waiting for your iPad to reach 100% battery, this idiom probably couldn’t ring truer. However, sometimes iPads can charge exceptionally slowly; it’s not just your imagination. There are a number of problems that can lead to an iPad charging slowly, but some of the most common issues include using the wrong power adaptor, running too many programs in the background, and battery failure. Learn more about these common iPad charging problems and how to fix them below.

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Is Your iPad Charging Slowly? Check for These Problems

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A slow charging tablet can undoubtedly be frustrating, but it doesn’t mean it’s the end of the road for your device! Use these troubleshooting tips to extend the life of your iPad by identifying and fixing the root cause of your iPad charging issues.

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Problem #1: You’re using an iPhone charger instead of an iPad charger.

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Many Apple enthusiasts don’t realize that there is a difference between the power adapters that come with iPhones vs. iPads. The iPhone 5 and later generations of iPhones come with a 5W USB power adapter, whereas iPad power adapters start at 10W and go all the way up to 20W with USB-C connection. If you use an iPhone power adapter, less current will be available to charge your iPad, causing it to charge significantly longer. Switch to the iPad power adapter and USB charging cable that came with your tablet to speed up charging times.

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Problem #2: You’re running too many apps in the background.

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Another common reason your iPad could be charging slowly is you have too many apps running in the background while charging. If your iPad has a home button, double click the button and swipe up on each app that appears in the App Switcher. If you own an iPad model without a home button like the iPad Pro, swipe up from the center of your display. When the App Switcher appears, swipe up to close each app that is running in the background.

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Problem #3: You need an iPad battery replacement.

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Another common problem that may be causing your iPad to charge slowly is your battery. If you treat your tablet well and maximize battery health, you’ll likely get somewhere around 1,000 full charges out of your original lithium-ion battery. After 1,000 charging cycles, charging capacity may drop to about 80% of the battery’s original capacity. Over time, the battery’s capacity continues deteriorating, which is why older tablets need to be charged more frequently. If you continue to notice your iPad charging slowly, you may need an iPad battery replacement.

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If your tablet is under warranty, it’s possible that the Apple Store or Apple Support can cover your battery replacement; however, it may require you to ship your tablet to a repair facility. If your tablet isn’t under warranty or you need a local repair service, contact CPR Cell Phone Repair.

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At CPR Cell Phone Repair, we specialize in all things iPad repair, including battery replacement, screen repair, charging port replacement, screen protection, and more. For iPad troubleshooting assistance and battery replacement, visit a CPR store near you.

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Other Tricks to Try When Your iPad is Charging Slowly or Not Charging at All

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If none of the above problems seem to be impacting your iPad charge, try the following.

• Take a look at your lightning cable and USB power adapter. If there are any signs of frayed wires, bent prongs, or damage to the USB port, try switching to a different charger.
• Check your iPad charging port for lint, dirt, and debris. If anything seems to be blocking your charging port, try gently blowing into the charging port or using compressed air to clear the port.
• Turn on Airplane Mode while charging. Airplane mode will block your tablet from searching for Wi-Fi and wasting battery while charging.
• If you’re using a wall charger, try a different outlet. Alternatively, turn on your computer and charge from the USB port.
• Force restart your iPad.  For models with a home button, hold down the home button and side or top button simultaneously until you see the Apple logo. For iPad models with Face ID, force restart by quickly pressing the volume down button, then the volume up button. Then, hold down the top button until the device reboots.

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How to Maximize the Life of Your iPad Battery

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Apple equips all iPad models with lithium-ion batteries because of their superior performance. Not only do lithium-ion batteries charge more quickly than traditional batteries, but they also have longer battery life and higher battery density. To keep your iPad’s battery healthy, use the following tips:

• Avoid exposing your iPad to extreme cold or extreme heat.
• Update your iPad to the latest version of iPadOS.
• Remove bulky cases when charging to avoid extreme heat.
• If you don’t use your iPad for long periods, store the device half charged.
• Utilize battery optimization features found under Settings.

To learn more about extending your battery life, stop into a CPR store near you for battery testing services! In addition to iPad batteries, we can also test and replace batteries in your Mac, iPhone, and iPod.