Several users have reported charging problems with their iPad mini; either they were unable to charge their device or the charging process is very slow.
Is your iPad mini not charging? How to charge:
The iPad mini comes with a 5-watt charger, the same as an iPhone or iPod touch. Using the 5-watt charger, it should take around 3-3.5 hours to charge from 0 to a full 100%. Use the ‘lightning to USB’ cable to connect your iPad mini to a USB power adapter to charge your device.
If you are having problems charging your iPad:
- Is your device attached to a computer via a standard USB port and your device is showing a “not charging” message? This is probably because USB ports may not provide enough power to charge an iPad. Try charging it using an electrical outlet using the charger it came with.
- Ensure that lightning connector has been properly inserted. Remove and insert (unplug then re-plug) it a few times to clean the contacts if there is any debris present. If you can still see some debris in there, use a hair dryer to safely remove the debris.
- Try basic troubleshooting techniques; this includes restarting your device and hard resetting your device. (related: iPad troubleshooting)
- It may be that your battery is completely drained. Plug your device and wait several minutes.
Note: Apple recommends that once a month you let the iPad fully drain to the point of self-shut down and then recharging to 100% without any interruptions.
Related:
November 9, 2012 at 7:49 AM
Got the mini yesterday.
Used it till it died and plugged into the wall with supplied gear. I awoke 10 hours later to a 68% charge reading. Terrible! Also this thing freezes up, is hard read with the low resolution screen and it stutters a lot when in use. Iits a lemon rather than an apple. I am taking this piece of crap back!
March 2, 2013 at 5:50 PM
Wow I have never had any of those problems……I traded my full size three for my mini and could not be happier…..sounds like you got someone’s return thet they ruined first, then the store resold it to you cuz my runs perfect
November 25, 2012 at 6:04 PM
I have tried everything you have recommended and my ipad mini is just a few hours old. It refuses to charge. I tried connected it to itunes and it does not get detected.
December 3, 2012 at 2:17 PM
Returned the mini and got a “real” iPad 4th gen. This is a keeper, so much faster and i like the bigger size now, my eyes don’t hurt from looking at jagged text anymore!
I’ll get another mini when the retina version is out. Perfect iPad 5 would be full sized ipad but with the weight and thickness of the current mini, definitely possible in a years time frame given tech advances.
February 27, 2013 at 1:45 AM
I have a top of the range PC with the latest USB technology and my iPad mini won’t charge off it – I think Apple know there’s major design fault and are fobbing everyone off by blaming on the computer. I’d be interested to know if anyone at all has successfully charged their iPad from a PC – any PC and if so what the spec of that PC was.
March 3, 2013 at 2:47 PM
yeahh I charged mine on laptop and it charged but no fully I had the charger for the laptop on too its a HP it charged up too 86% now my ipad mini wont charge at all because I put it on charge and then came back it wouldn’t on I think it must of been dirt that went through the side edges where the screen is and made something in the mini stop working cause the back felt hot and now I have no idea whats wrong with it I need serious help.
March 19, 2013 at 6:48 AM
Just bought iPad mini and found mine also not charged using original.i also bought cheaper after market USB cable and plug for workplace (fancy flat cable)about MYR13.found out that iPad mini could be charged 100% just fine.when comparing with original cable,the original is quite loose hence maybe not in contact
April 11, 2013 at 6:59 AM
My ipad mini was on charge over other and this morning it was very hot. I tried to switch it on but nothing? Also tired the reset but still not working? Any thoughts?
May 5, 2013 at 12:33 PM
my ipad mini charging is only limited to 91%.. pls help
May 16, 2013 at 2:06 AM
Get a new one hahhahaha
May 17, 2013 at 9:13 AM
Well, it’s May 17, 2013 now and the iPad mini is still being sold with the same problem!
I can’t charge my new mini from my computer , or my charger in my van, or my iPhone 4 cord which is plugged into the wall (I bought an adapter to change the 30pin to the lightning plug Sold specifically so u can use your old cords, but won’t work!,,
How long does it take Apple to fix something like this? I like the mini a lot, but this charging issue is unacceptable!!!