iPad: “Not Charging”; Put Device to Sleep to Charge

We previously reported on an issue in which the iPad will not charge, or at least will display a “not charging” message when connected to a Mac or PC via USB 2.0. In these cases, the iPad can be charged via the included wall adapter, but will display the “not charging” message when connected via USB. The issue is occurring even with newer Macs that should deliver enough power via USB to charge the iPad.

It turns out that, even when your iPad displays a “not charging” message, it may still charge when the screen is off (when it is asleep), which can be accomplished by pressing the sleep/wake button. The unit will still charge more slowly than it would if it were connected via the wall power adapter, but will charge nonetheless.

So before writing off connection to your computer as a charging method, check to see if the iPad actually gains charge, albeit slowly.

Here’s the word, straight from Apple.

“iPad will also charge, although more slowly, when attached to a computer with a high-power USB port (many recent Mac computers) or with an iPhone Power Adapter. When attached to a computer via a standard USB port (most PCs or older Mac computers) iPad will charge, but only when it’s in sleep mode. Make sure your computer is on while charging iPad via USB. If iPad is connected to a computer that’s turned off or is in sleep or standby mode, the iPad battery will continue to drain.”

See our previous article for more potential fixes.

SK( Managing Editor )

Obsessed with tech since the early arrival of A/UX on Apple, Sudz (SK) is responsible for the editorial direction of AppleToolBox. He is based out of Los Angeles, CA.

Sudz specializes in covering all things macOS, having reviewed dozens of OS X and macOS developments over the years.

In a former life, Sudz worked helping Fortune 100 companies with their technology and business transformation aspirations.