Your iPad charges slowly and you don’t know why. This issue could be caused by your iPad’s charging port, charging cable, charger, or software — the four components of the charging process. In this article, I’ll explain why your iPad is charging slowly and show you how to fix the problem for good!
Why Is My iPad Charging Slowly?
Most of the time, an iPad charges slowly for one of two reasons:
- Your iPad is charging slowly because you’re using a low wattage charging source. Wattage is a measure of how much power your charger can deliver — the higher the wattage, the faster your iPad will charge. Current iPads ship with a 20W USB-C power adapter, and you can use a higher-wattage USB-C adapter (like the one that came with a Mac laptop) for even faster charging. iPads support USB Power Delivery (USB PD), which means they can charge at multiple voltage and current combinations — not just 5 volts.
- Your iPad is charging slowly because there is some sort of gunk or debris stuck inside the USB-C port (charging port) of your iPad. The USB-C cable (charging cable) you use to charge your iPad has 24 pins, and if any of those pins gets obstructed by debris, it may cause your iPad to charge slowly or not charge at all.
A Note About USB-C Charging And Wattage
Your iPad ships with a 20W USB-C power adapter. Apple says you can use a higher-wattage USB-C power adapter — such as the one that came with your Mac laptop — for faster charging. iPads support USB Power Delivery (USB PD), so there’s no risk of damage from using a higher-wattage adapter. The iPad will only draw the power it needs.
How Do I Charge My iPad Faster?
The fastest way to charge your iPad is with a USB-C power adapter rated at 20W or higher. Apple’s own 30W and 35W USB-C adapters work great. For car charging, look for a USB-C car charger that supports USB PD. For portable power, a USB-C power bank with USB PD support will charge your iPad at full speed.
What Wattage Is My Charger?
Although there is no "standard" wattage for a wall or car charger, here are the most typical examples:
- Laptop or car USB-A port: 2.5W–5W (very slow for iPad)
- Older 12W USB-A iPad adapter: 12W (2.4A at 5V)
- Included iPad USB-C adapter: 20W
- Mac USB-C adapters and USB PD power banks: 30W–140W (iPad draws only what it needs)
Why Does My iPad Charge Slowly In The Car?
As a quick aside, let’s address why your iPad charges slowly in the car (maybe that’s the reason why you searched for this article in the first place!). The USB port built into your car’s dashboard is often low wattage — sometimes as low as 2.5W. That’s nowhere near enough to charge an iPad at a reasonable speed.
If you want to charge your iPad faster in your car, get a USB-C car charger that supports USB PD at 20W or higher. Your iPad will charge much faster than it does when it’s connected to the dock connector in your car.
Clean Out Your iPad’s USB-C Port
First, try cleaning out your iPad’s USB-C port to remove any gunk or debris. We recommend using an anti-static brush, the same tool techs and Geniuses use at the Apple Store. If you don’t have an anti-static brush handy, a brand new toothbrush makes a good replacement.
Stick your brush inside the USB-C port and gently scoop out any lint, gunk, or debris inside. You may be surprised by how dirty it is!
After cleaning out the USB-C port, try charging your iPad again. Is it charging at a normal rate? If not, you may want to give cleaning out the USB-C port another try. It’s possible that the debris has become deeply compacted in the USB-C port. Afterwards, if your iPad is still charging slowly, keep reading!
Inspect Your iPad’s USB-C Cable
The next important part of the charging process is your USB-C cable. If the cable is damaged or frayed in any way, it could be the reason why your iPad is charging slowly.
Take a close look at your USB-C cable and inspect it for any damage.
If you think your USB-C cable is damaged, try charging your iPad with a few different cables. If you need to replace your USB-C cable, we recommend a USB-C cable that supports USB Power Delivery.
Try A Few Different Chargers
Not all power sources are created equal! Charging your iPad with a power source that has a low wattage could result in your iPad charging slowly.
If you don’t know how many watts your power source has, try charging your iPad while plugged into multiple different sources. If you usually charge your iPad using the USB port on your laptop, try plugging your iPad into a wall charger (and vice versa).
Troubleshooting Software Problems
The often-overlooked component of the charging process is the software of your iPad. Every time you plug a charging cable into your iPad, it’s the software that decides if the battery will be charged. So, if there’s an issue with your iPad’s software, your iPad may charge slowly even if there’s nothing wrong with your USB-C port, USB-C cable, or power source.
Update Your iPad
Apple regularly releases software updates to patch bugs and introduce new features. It’s a good idea to update your iPad when new updates become available so your iPad runs as efficiently as possible.
Open Settings and tap General > Software Update. Tap Download and Install or Install Now if a new iPadOS update is available.
DFU Restore Your iPad
The DFU (Device Firmware Update) restore is the most in-depth restore you can perform on an iPad. Every line of code on your iPad is erased and reloaded.
Before you do, make sure you back up your iPad. Without a backup, you’ll lose all the data on your iPad, including your photos, videos, and contacts.
See also: How to Put iPad in DFU Mode (All Models)
Repair Options
If your iPad is still charging slowly, or if your iPad won’t charge at all, you may need to get it repaired. If your iPad is still covered under warranty, take it into your local Apple Store and see what they can do for you. We recommend scheduling an appointment before you go, just to make sure an Apple tech or Genius has time to help you out.
Charging Faster!
Your iPad is charging normally again and now you don’t have to wait all day to have full battery life. Now that you know why your iPad charges slowly, we hope you’ll share this article on social media with your friends and family! If you have any other questions, feel free to ask them in the comments section below.
