There’s no denying that iPads are some of the best tablets that you can currently find on the market. For many people nowadays, they’re a must have if you want a responsive device to use in the evenings, and they seem to have filled the gap between phones and laptops very comfortably.
And although iPads are good, there are some issues that you can have with them sometimes. The main one that people seem to encounter is that the iPad charges slowly. Sometimes, this can just be a bit slower than normal. But in many cases, it can take an age for you to charge your iPad back to full battery.
But why does it take so long for your iPad to charge? Well, there can be many reasons why it can take an age for your iPad to refill its battery. Let’s check out the main reasons for this.
Why does my iPad take so long to charge?
If you’re trying to figure out why it’s taking your iPad so long to change, then these are some of the things you’ll want to look at.
- The amperage of your charger.
- What it’s plugged into.
- The cable you’re using.
- Resetting your iPad.
- Airplane mode.
- Turning off and on again.
- It’s old.
All of these points make up the potential reasons why your iPad might be charging slowly. Both iPads and Samsung Galaxy tablets are some of the most highly regarded options out there, so it can be confusing if yours won’t charge.
Let’s investigate them in more detail so we can get down to the root of the problem and why your iPad is taking ages to recharge.
The Charger
The most common reason that your iPad might be taking ages to charge is actually down to the charger that you’re using. If you can, then you should use the original charger that came with your iPad to do this. If not, then you should try to find a genuine replacement online.
The thing is that if you’re using an iPhone charger to charge your iPad, then it going to charge at a much slower rate. This is down to the amperage of the charger – typically, an iPhone will be 1 amp, whereas an iPad charger will be 2 amps. So if you end up using an iPhone charger, this will mean that your iPad’s battery will go up slower.
For many people, this is the most likely cause that your tablet might be charging slower than normal. But fortunately, the easy fix is to use the more powerful charger with the iPad.
Wall Plug vs Charger
For those that want their iPad to charge as fast as possible, then you’re always going to want to plug it into the wall and not directly into your laptop.
However, the battery will definitely go up faster if you have the right charger to do this with. Most wall chargers will output 5 volts, but again, we’re more concerned with the amperage in this case, as this will dictate how fast your tablet charges.
So if your iPad is charging slowly or not charging at all, the main thing to look at is the method you’re using to charge your device. This includes the power adapter, but also the cables too.
The Cables
Something that’s a pretty common issue to have with iPads and iPhones are issues with the cables that you’re using to connect them to your laptop or to your wall charger. This isn’t something that’s exclusive to Apple, but it is still possible.
Over the time that you’re using the charger, it’s bound to end up with some wear and tear. And unfortunately, if your cable does get extended use, then eventually it can lead to issues with your tablet charging.
So, a new cable can be the perfect solution to this. They tend to be pretty cheap online, and you don’t necessarily need a whole new charger – just a new cable should be fine.
Reset the iPad
Sometimes, a hard reset can be exactly what your iPad needs to get it back to what it once was. Fortunately, this is very easy to do, and it can help to fix a multitude of problems, including a slow charging iPad.
You can do this by simply going to the Settings on your iPad and going forward and resetting the device. Then, go ahead and try selecting the Erase All Content option. This is a hard reset, and should probably be one of the last things that you try.
First though, you should probably try a soft reset. You can do this by holding down the power button and then simply swiping it to reset. You should see the Apple logo when you turn your device back on. This might go some way to solving your problem.
Clean the Ports
Another thing that may be causing your issue is if there’s something obstructing your tablet’s ability to charge. This could be anything, from a build up of dust to a small bit of cotton that’s got caught up in the charger. This is especially true if you’re the kind of person that keeps a lot of things in their pockets.
Again, the solution to this one is quite straightforward too – make sure that you give your iPad a good clean if you’re going to use it and want it running to its best ability.
Restart the Device
In some cases, the software that you’re running on your iPad might be the reason why you’re iPad is charging so slowly. The software, especially if it’s large, might be weighing down your iPad and causing it to charge slowly.
To solution to this is pretty simple. All you need to do is go ahead and turn your iPad off and back on again. This can restart your device and the software that you’re running, which should be another step towards fixing the problem.
Turn on Airplane Mode
One thing that you can do if you’re trying to charge your tablet at a faster rate is to put it in Airplane mode when you’re charging it. Why does airplane mode allow your phone to charge faster. Well, theoretically if you’re turning off all of the radio frequencies in your tablet, then this should allow it to charge at a faster pace.
So as well as putting your iPad into Airplane mode when you’re charging it, it’s also a good idea to stop using it whilst it’s charging as well. This can help your iPad to charge much quicker than if you’re using it at the same time.
It’s old and needs a new battery
If you’ve run through the other potential reasons why it might be taking your iPad ages for it to charge, then this is the final most likely reason. Your iPad itself might be pretty old, and if this is the case, then it might be time for a new battery.
As with all different tech gadgets we use like this, they run on a battery life which has its own lifespan. How long should your iPad last before you need to get a new one or replace its battery?
Well, the good news here is that generally, iPads last longer than most other tablets out there on the market. The majority of iPads that have been released should last a minimum of 5 years, but many of them will last longer than this. So, you shouldn’t need to be concerned about this problem, especially if you’ve got yourself a fairly new iPad.
Conclusion
Overall, it’s generally accepted that over time, iPads, iPhones and Macbooks will have their battery life reduced over the time that you own them. It’s pretty normal for your device to charge slower than it once did when it’s old, but this doesn’t mean you have to accept it. There are things that you can do to get your iPad charging faster, and here’s a good list of them.
Thanks so much I just got my iPad back it was cracked
You’re welcome, Stan. Glad we could help with your iPad!