iPhone 3GS won't charge from usb power adapter

Sounds like a bad power adapter. You've done all that I would have done. Take it back to an Apple Store and they'll likely give you a new one.

Oops, double post...

Message was edited by: dmiannay

Had the same problem. Luckily I had the wall adapter from my original Iphone and it works fine. The little white 'cheap' looking one that came with the new 3Gs will not work on my iphone.

I have the same problem. New iPhone 3GS wont charge from USB/AC adapter. However the adapter works fine with my iPod (with video gen 5.5).
The iPhone charges from the iMac just fine... however it also does not charge when plugged into my car USB -> lighter/accessory power port adapter (That works well with all other USB powered devices)
So it's not the Apple USB/AC adapter that's at fault.
Any other solutions?

Same problem here. I believe power adapter is defective. Taking mine to Apple store in AM. Expect replacement. Will report back here with results.

I had the same problem

for some reason though, if i put the usb cable in first, then plug the adapter in the wall, and then finally put the iPhone in, it actually works.

Maybe this will work for others too.

I have the same problem. I tried my 2g charger, no problem. It's definitely the wall charger. I called Apple they are sending a replacement and I have to ship mine back prepaid by Apple.

I jiggled and wiggled the cable connection between the sync cable and the AC Adapter and it NOW seems to work!!
I can only guess that the iPhone 3g(s) required a very clean connection to get power. I'll see about swapping the ac adapter.

BTW, i tried different cables...i have 6 or so...no difference 🙂

My wife and I both had dud 3GS usb adapter cubes - but the usb cord works fine charging from a computer or even a first generation shuffle wall charger (output rated exactly the same as the cube.)

I took the non-working cubes to the local apple store and a genius replicated the problem. We tried four brand new out-of-the box replacement adapter cubes straight off the wall of the store - (all of them green dot 2nd gen. cubes, post Sept '08 cube debacle.) Two of the adaptors failed to show the lighting bolt indicating charging. Finally walked out with two working chargers.

There's got to be a quality control problem with these cubes, but I googled on the topic and this is the only forum I've seen it discussed in.

I doubt the order in which you connect the cable, the usb wall adapter, and the iphone matter.

From http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1476
"Connect iPhone or iPod touch to a power outlet using the included cable and a USB power adapter to charge the battery."

If people do get an adapter to work after switching the order, it might be just a fluke that it worked. I believe there is a quality control problem with the charging cubes.

FTR, same problem here. The USB power adapter that came with my 3G-S was a dud; it probably worked 2 times in 20+ attempts (cable worked fine straight into computer). Too lazy to screw around with it too much, so went out and picked up a new power adapter. No problems since.

I'm guessing that there's something screwy with the USB power adapters they put in the box with the phone. This is an abnormally large number of identical complaints.

--Mav

if i unplug the charger from wall & re-plug it in, it works every time. if i leave the charger plugged in & unplug & replug cable into the phone--nothing. i was trying to figure out if this was a "feature" (charger shuts down after iphone disconnects to save power), or just a POS design. i suspect the latter

With my new 3GS when i plug in to my PC thru a usb point it gives the message 'Charging is not supported with this accessory'.
I've tried my new lead and my old one no luck, to charge it i have to use the lead and wallplug combination, it carn't be a fault with the leads as itunes sees my iphone