An iPad Pro (M4) or iPad Air (M2) that will not charge has three suspects in Apple's own order: the cable and adapter, the power source, and the temperature. Apple says to connect a USB charging cable, preferably the one that came with the iPad, to a USB power adapter in a working outlet, or to a USB 2 or later port on a computer that is on and awake,
or to a powered hub, a docking station or a compatible Magic Keyboard connected to power. If the lightning bolt still does not appear, try a different adapter and cable, make sure the iPad is not too hot or too cold, then force restart it: press and release the volume button nearest the top button, then the one farthest from it, and hold the top button until the Apple logo appears.
Differential
Likely causes of “Apple iPad Pro and iPad Air will not charge or charges slowly”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A worn or non-Apple cable
What separates it Charging is intermittent and moves when the cable is wiggled
How to confirm Apple's article says to try a different cable, preferably the one that came with the iPad
- 2
A low-power adapter or port
What separates it The tablet gains little charge, or loses charge while in use
How to confirm Use the adapter that came with the iPad, or a wall adapter rather than a computer USB port
- 3
Too hot or too cold
What separates it A Charging On Hold notice on the lock screen
How to confirm Apple says charging slows or stops outside range, so move the tablet to a cooler or warmer room and retry
- 4
Lint or debris in the USB-C port
What separates it The plug sits loose or does not click in fully
How to confirm Look in the port with a flashlight; ask Apple or a repairer to clean it instead of digging with metal
- 5
A frozen state
What separates it No charging icon and no response, even with a known-good cable
How to confirm Force restart as Apple describes, then charge for up to an hour before deciding it is dead
- 6
A failed port or battery
What separates it Nothing changes with a different cable, adapter and outlet
How to confirm Book service, because the port and battery are inside the sealed case
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Model and size, and which cable and adapter you used
- Whether a lightning bolt or a large battery icon appears on charge
- Whether the tablet is warm and whether a Charging On Hold notice shows
- What is connected to the port, such as a hub, keyboard or dock
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedUse the supplied cable and adapter
ReversibleConnect to a wall adapter in a working outlet, as Apple's article recommends, and look for the lightning bolt or large battery icon.
Try a different cable and adapter
ReversibleTry a different cable and adapter, and swap both, one at a time, so that you know which failed.
Check temperature
ReversibleApple's range for use is 0 to 35 degrees C. If a Charging On Hold notice shows, let the tablet reach room temperature first.
Remove accessories and hubs
ReversibleRemove accessories and hubs, and charge with only the cable connected, then reintroduce the keyboard or hub.
Check the port
ReversibleCheck the port, by shining a light into the USB-C port for lint or bent contacts, without probing.
Force restart
ReversiblePress and release the volume button nearest the top button, then the one farthest from it, then hold the top button until the Apple logo appears. Charge up to an hour.
Book service
ReversibleBook service, and if none of it works, arrange service with Apple for the iPad.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Port and charging
- USB-C on every model. The M4 iPad Pro supports Thunderbolt and USB4 at up to 40 Gbit/s and the M2 iPad Air 10 Gbit/s, per Wikipedia.
- Battery
- 13-inch Pro 38.99 Wh, 11-inch Pro 31.29 Wh, 13-inch Air 36.6 Wh and 11-inch Air 28.9 Wh, per Wikipedia.
- Part numbers
- No part number is needed. The iPad's model is in Settings, General, About and on the back as a model number.
- Tools and supplies
- A known-good USB-C cable and wall adapter, a flashlight and a soft cloth. Do not probe the port with metal.
- Repair cost
- Battery service: $119 for an iPad Air and $149 or $179 for the iPad Pro of the M2 generation as reported by MacRumors and SlashGear; free under AppleCare+ below 80 percent capacity.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the iPad Air 11-inch (M2).
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If a different cable, adapter and outlet and a force restart do not charge it, contact Apple Support or an Apple Authorized Service Provider
- !If the port is loose or the pins look bent, stop using the port and get it inspected
- !If the tablet is hot or swollen while charging, unplug it and stop
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Cable, power sources, Magic Keyboard, temperature and the force-restart steps for iPads with and without a Home button, published December 2025.
Charging on hold notification and what heat or cold does to charging.
M4 chip, Tandem OLED, battery watt-hours, USB-C with Thunderbolt/USB4, Wi-Fi 6E, RAM and storage tiers and weights.
M2 chip, 11 and 13 inch battery watt-hours, 10 Gbit/s USB-C, Wi-Fi 6E and storage tiers.
Apple's out-of-warranty iPad battery fees by family, and free replacement under AppleCare+ below 80 percent capacity.
Exact questions
Common questions
Can I charge from a computer's USB port?+
Apple's article lists a USB port that supports USB 2 or later on a computer that is on and not in sleep mode as a valid power source, but a wall adapter charges faster.
Can a Magic Keyboard charge the tablet?+
Apple lists a compatible Magic Keyboard connected to a working power source among the ways to charge an iPad. It will not help if the keyboard itself has no power.
Why does it charge slowly with a 5-watt adapter?+
Apple's fast-charging note says an iPad that supports fast charging charges more slowly on an adapter that cannot supply optimal power, especially chargers of 7.5 watts or less.
How long should I charge before deciding it is dead?+
Apple's unresponsive-iPad article says you might need to charge for up to an hour before an iPad that was flat turns on.
What does Charging On Hold mean?+
Apple says the tablet is too hot or too cold to charge, and it resumes when it returns to normal temperature.
Are there differences between the Pro and Air ports?+
Both use USB-C. Wikipedia lists Thunderbolt/USB4 at up to 40 Gbit/s on the M4 Pro and 10 Gbit/s on the M2 Air, but Apple's charging steps are the same for both.
Should I use a third-party fast charger?+
Apple's article recommends the adapter that came with the iPad. If you use another, choose one from a known maker and swap back to Apple's when testing.
Is there a check that shows if the cable carries power?+
Try the cable and adapter on another USB-C device you own. If that device also charges slowly, the cable or adapter is the weak link.
Will Airplane Mode charge it faster?+
Apple's charging article does not mention it. Turning the screen off and closing heavy apps means less power is used while charging.
Does a dead battery mean a paid repair?+
Battery service is $119 for an iPad Air and $149 or $179 for the iPad Pro of the M2 generation, per MacRumors and SlashGear, or free under AppleCare+ below 80 percent capacity.
Can I clean the port myself?+
Look first with a light.
Will a reset fix charging?+
A force restart is Apple's step and costs nothing. An erase is not part of Apple's charging article.
Do I need the Home button steps?+
No. The M4 Pro and M2 Air have no Home button, so use the volume-and-top-button sequence Apple lists for an iPad without one.