My iPad Pro is not charging when it’s plugged in! How do I fix it? (2023)

The iPad Pro is a fantastic device, but without power it becomes little more than an expensive placemat. Many users have experienced problems with their iPad Pro not charging, even while it’s plugged in. We put together this post to show you how to fix it.

Apple says the battery in an iPad Pro should give about 10 hours of use, but that often isn’t the case. Since many users replaced their work computers with an iPad Pro, they need to charge it up again and they need to do it quickly.

It’s no good if your iPad Pro doesn’t charge to 100%, doesn’t charge while plugged in, or charges slowly. Take a look at our suggestions below to find out what you can do to fix it.

Quick Tips

Use these quick tips to fix common problems with an iPad Pro not charging, or read the full details in our post below:

1. Close every app and restart your iPad Pro.
2. Leave your iPad Pro in sleep mode while it charges.
3. Inspect the lightning or USB-C port for debris.
4. Inspect the charging cable and power adapter for signs of damage.
5. Update your iPad Pro to the latest version of iOS or iPadOS.
6. Reset the settings on your iPad Pro or restore it using DFU mode.

Related:

• Why you shouldn’t calibrate the battery in your iPhone, iPad, or iPod
• How to fix an iPhone or iPad that won’t charge when plugged in
• What to do if your iPad mini is not charging or charges slowly
• Why your iPhone or iPad battery percentage jumps around

How do I tell if my iPad Pro is charging or not?

When your iPad Pro is completely dead it can be difficult to tell if it’s charging at all. Normally, a lightning bolt icon appears in the menu bar or on the lock screen to show your device is charging, but this only happens if your iPad Pro turns on.

Attempt to charge your iPad Pro for at least half an hour, then try briefly powering it on by holding the Top button. You might see a Low Power screen, which shows a red battery icon.

If your iPad Pro isn’t charging, you also see a white cable on the Low Power screen. If your iPad Pro is charging, you only see the red battery.

If nothing shows on the screen at all, try connecting your iPad Pro to a computer. There’s a chance it’s powered on but the screen isn’t working. If your computer recognizes the device, follow our instructions to restore it using DFU mode.

Why is my iPad Pro charging so slowly?

Several users have commented on how slowly their iPad Pro appears to charge. Typically, an iPad should charge from 0% to 100% in under six hours. But there are several factors that might make it take longer:

• the wattage of your power adapter
• whether the iPad Pro is in use while it charges
• the quality of your charging cables or power adapters
• whether you charge from a USB port instead of a power outlet
• the ambient temperature around your iPad Pro or the ventilation of its case.

How can I make my iPad Pro charge faster?

Follow the tips below to help your iPad Pro charge faster:

1. Leave your iPad Pro asleep while it’s charging.
2. Use a power adapter that delivers 12W of power or more.
3. Connect your iPad Pro to a wall outlet, using certified Apple accessories.
4. Keep your iPad Pro cool by removing the case or reducing the ambient temperature.

   

Why doesn’t my iPad Pro charge to 100%?

There are two common reasons your iPad Pro might stop before it reaches 100% charge: high ambient temperatures or software errors.

Extremely hot or cold temperatures can be damaging to the lithium-ion battery inside your iPad Pro. This is particularly true when it’s charged to high levels. For this reason, your iPad Pro limits charging past 80% if it senses the temperature is too high.

Other times, software errors cause problems with the battery reading on your iPad Pro. The software may think your battery is only 95% charged when it’s actually at 100%. This was a common problem with iOS 11, but Apple resolved it in later releases.

Some users suggest calibrating your battery, but there’s a lot of reason to believe that does more harm than good. Instead, check for recent software updates on your device or consider restoring it completely. We’ve detailed both of these solutions below.

How do I fix an iPad Pro that doesn’t charge?

Use the troubleshooting steps laid out below to fix problems with your iPad Pro not charging or not charging to 100%. Not all the steps are necessary, and they increase in severity, so make sure you test your iPad Pro again after each step.

If you find the solution that works for your iPad Pro, let us know what it was in the comments at the bottom of the page. That way we can keep working to improve this guide.

Without further ado, let’s get started!

Step 1. Close every app and restart your device

Battery problems are frequently the result of a software error. If your iPad Pro doesn’t charge when it’s plugged in or charges very slowly, this might be because an app or process is causing issues in the background.

If your iPad Pro powers on, follow the instructions below to close every app and restart it. If your iPad Pro doesn’t power on, try charging it for at least half an hour then click here to get instructions on how to Force Restart it.

How to close every app and restart your iPad Pro:

1. On devices with Face ID: Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open the App Switcher.
2. On devices without Face ID: Double-click the Home button to open the App Switcher.
3. Slide every app off the top of the screen to close it.
4. Press and hold the Top button, then slide to power off your iPad Pro.
5. Wait at least 30 seconds before pressing the Top button to restart your device.

   

How to Force Restart your iPad Pro:

1. On devices with Face ID: Quickly press and release the Volume Up button then the Volume Down button, then hold the Top button until your iPad Pro restarts.
2. On devices without Face ID: Press and hold the Top button and the Home button until your iPad Pro restarts.

Step 2. Update iOS or iPadOS on your device

As we already mentioned, many charging problems for iPad Pro users are actually the result of software bugs. This was particularly true for iOS 11 users, who experienced a wide range of battery-related problems.

Apple releases small updates all the time to fix bugs like this. Update your iPad Pro to the latest version of your operating software to ensure youaren’t suffering from old bugs.

How to update the operating software on an iPad Pro:

1. Use Wi-Fi to connect your iPad Pro to the Internet.
2. On your device, go to Settings > General > Software Update.
3. Wait for your iPad Pro to check for new updates, then download and install them.

   

Step 3. Use an appropriate power adapter and outlet

Apple makes a range of power adapters for its devices. The primary difference between each adapter is the wattage delivered: 5W, 12W, 30W, for example. Using the wrong adapter might be why your iPad Pro doesn’t charge or charges slowly.

If possible, use the power adapter that came with your iPad Pro. Otherwise, ensure the adapter you use is Apple certified and delivers at least as much wattage as your original adapter. You can see the wattage of your adapter on the bottom of it.

Connect your power adapter to a wall socket, instead of charging your iPad Pro from a computer’s USB port. If your iPad Pro still doesn’t charge, test a different accessory from the same socket.

Step 4. Inspect the cable and port for damage

Apple’s lightning cables are notorious for breaking, and the new USB-C cables might not be much better. Any damage might explain why your iPad Pro is not charging. Inspect your cable for things like:

• split or frayed sections
• kinks and wrinkles
• scorch marks
• naked wiring
• bent or cracked connectors.

Make sure the charging cable you use is Apple certified. If possible, try charging a different device from the same cable. Or try charging your iPad Pro from a different cable.

Finally, use a flashlight to inspect the lightning or USB-C port on your iPad Pro. Use an antistatic brush or compressed air to remove any debris such as dust, lint, or dirt. Be very careful not to damage the metal pins when you do this.

Step 5. Reset or restore your iPad Pro

Having tested your charging accessories, it’s time to reset the software on your iPad Pro. But before you do that, you should make a backup of your device using iCloud, iTunes, or Finder.

We suggest you try resetting the network settings first. This is the least destructive option and has proven effective for some users.

If that fails, reset all your settings. This affects things like your Notifications, Alarms, Apple Pay, Home Screen Layout, and more. But it doesn’t delete your actual content, such as photos, videos, apps, or notes.

If your iPad Pro still charges slowly or doesn’t charge at all, you should restore it using DFU (Device Firmware Update) mode. This is the deepest level of restore possible; it reinstalls every piece of software and firmware on your device.

How to reset the network settings on your iPad Pro:

1. On your device, go to Settings > General > Reset.
2. Select ‘Reset Network Settings.’
3. Confirm you want to ‘Reset’ your network settings.

   

How to reset all the settings on your iPad Pro:

1. On your device, go to Settings > General > Reset.
2. Select ‘Reset All Settings.’
3. If prompted, enter your device passcode or Screen Time Passcode.
4. Confirm you want to ‘Reset’ all settings.

   

How to restore your iPad using DFU mode:

When you restore your device using DFU mode, it erases all the content and settings on your device. Anything you don’t have another copy of is lost forever. Make a backup before you begin.

The steps to restore your device using DFU mode get a bit complicated and deserve their own post. Click here to find out how to restore your iPad Pro using DFU mode. If your device doesn’t have a Home button, follow the iPhone X instructions instead.

Speak to Apple about a battery replacement

The troubleshooting suggestions we detailed above are a great start, but some problems can’t be fixed at home. If your iPad Pro is still not charging properly, it must be due to a hardware fault. You need to speak to Apple to repair this.

Every battery has a lifespan. For an iPad, your battery should still retain 80% of its maximum capacity after 1000 charge cycles. But when a battery fails, it might deteriorate long before that.

Use Apple’s Get Support website to speak to Apple Support directly. They can run tests over the Internet to determine the health of your battery, scheduling a battery replacement if you need one.

Back up your iPad before your battery replacement!

Apple doesn’t actually replace the battery in iPads. Instead, they replace the entire device. This is because it’s not possible to open the iPad enclosure without permanently compromising it.

For this reason, you must back up your iPad before you give it to Apple for a battery replacement. Any content that isn’t backed up — photos, videos, notes, messages, etc. — will be lost forever if you don’t have another copy of it.

Unfortunately, it’s not possible to make a new backup of your iPad Pro if it doesn’t turn on.

How much does a battery replacement cost from Apple?

If your iPad Pro is less than one year old, Apple should replace its battery for free under the limited warranty. This may not be the case if your iPad Pro is damaged.

Outside of the warranty, Apple charges a flat rate of $99 for a battery replacement, but only if the battery health is measurably deteriorated. You can check the health of your battery using a third-party software, such as Coconut.

Let us know your experiences with Apple Support, did they replace your iPad Pro battery and how much did it cost?

Hopefully, by the time you get this far, your iPad Pro charges to 100% when it’s plugged in — and not super slowly. Take a look at some of our other iPad Pro posts to make sure you get the most out of your tablet.