iPad Pro won’t charge with USB-C to USB-C cable

I took my iPad Pro 11 (1st generation, purchased less than 2 years ago from Apple as "certified refurbished") to the Apple store last week because I couldn't get it to charge. The tech at the store could get it to charge on a Magic Keyboard so decided that my charging port was bad. After I let it die completely, it miraculously started charging but only with a 3rd party 45W charger and with a USB-C to USB-C cable. It won't charge even with an Apple 30W charger. So, maybe try letting your iPad battery drain to zero then try using a charger with more wattage. I don't understand it at all and when I took it to a local repair shop, the tech there basically told me there wasn't anything wrong with it LOL OK. At least I can get it to take a charge now, although the battery definitely doesn't last as long as it did before this issue appeared out of nowhere about a week ago.

Well, I updated my iPad software to 17.2 and was able to charge twice and now it won't charge again. I am very frustrated with this issue. Apple, we need solution here!

I had the issue before 17.2 so if it’s a software issue, it predates 17.2. My iPad just updated yesterday to 17.2 and it is still not charging unless its through a Magic Keyboard.

I just got a response telling me the cables in my photo aren't Apple cables because Apple cables don't have sleeves as shown. WRONG! These are Apple cables, and my point is that I added the sleeves, purchased at Home Depot, to stop the splitting of Apple's cable at the plug. Duh! The shrink sleeves gave me an extra year, but they eventually detach because Apple uses a non-adhesive cable shield.

[Edited by Moderator]

I’ve been dealing with the same issue for almost a year now. Im so glad you’ve presented a recent post addressing the issue. I have to use a USB-A to USB-C adapter and it only works if I flip it on a certain side. Occasionally, I’ll try a USB-C to USB-C cord and it’ll work, but if I get too excited and go to try it again, it seems to fail. Idk if this is apple’s way of getting buyers to get new products but it’s quite exhausting. it takes almost a full day to get a full charge (might be due to the size of my charging block tho). Thank you for addressing this! I hope a solution is found

Dom Hemeryck wrote:

My questioin, finally, can i use the ipad smart connector to recharge my ipad? I would need to buy an Apple Magic Keyboard for my ipad? Will this work to recharge my ipad? Is there anything else out there using the Smart Connector which could recharge my lovely ipad? For older ipads, Logitech had an ipad stand which also used the smart connectors to recharge. Thanks in advance for you comments and suggestions. Dominick

The Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro 11" has a USB-C connector in the keyboard spine - to which you can connect your USB-C Power Adapter:

• Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro 11-inch (4th generation) and iPad Air (5th generation) - British English - Black

https://store.apple.com/xc/product/MXQT2B/A

When connected, your iPad Pro will charge via its Smart Connector. You should note that while this arrangement may resolve your charging difficulties, the Magic Keyboard's USB-C port can only be used for charging the iPad; other USB-C accessories are not supported by this port.

I'm having a similar problem. Just got my new iPad pro 11 and I'm having to reset my iPad every two days to fix the problem. For some reason it wont detect the charge after plugin it in, my mac wont detect the ipad either. If i reset the ipad, then it will start to work only for a day or 2 and then the problem repeats. Only by resetting the ipad does it detect the charge. I try resetting all settings and even doing a clean software update. But nothing. If problem persists, I might have to send it to apple. This is a brand new iPad. This issue came right out of the box. Might this be a problem with ipados 17?? anyone having this same issues? I haven't checked to see if charging from usb-a to c fixes the problem.

I’ve been having this issue for a week or so with my 2nd Gen 11 inch Pro. Prior to that, for some time (a year, maybe) I found that I had to flip the USB C cable, I thought it was just the cable getting old and abused. Nope, based on my research this is an iPad issue. So, I reached out to support and they ran remote diagnostics, everything came up roses, no hardware issues and they even said my battery was good at 88% capacity (which is a surprise to me as I’ve dug through the analytics on device and those indicate I’m at around 80 - 83% capacity). Anyway, I’ve tried all the tips and tricks, still no dice. Even after the lates 17.3.1 update the best I go was a quick *bing* and green battery flash. Then, nothing. I’ve cleaned out the USB C port, carefully, of course, and still nothing. I’m wondering if some of the comments that this is a connector issue are right. As I have the Magic Keyboard I can charge through there, but it’s not a 100% solution as there are times I want to charge sans case, or heaven forbid, listen to my nice wired headphones. As the iPad is only 3 years old and according to Apple support the battery is still pretty good I’m not happy and super reluctant to buy a new iPad. Honestly, I’m just happy I have AppleCare on a yearly renewal for my MacBook Pro, hate to be SOL with the ports on that.

11 inch iPad Pro here and started experiencing this problem this past weekend. iPad will occasionally charge but most of the time, no. Have tried all different sorts of cables (USB A to C, USB C to C, etc.) but no luck. Very frustrating and hope this issue is resolved soon.

MY $150 SOLUTION

Was quoted $250 to replace USB C charging port by a non-Apple repair shop. Replacement ports are available online for $30 and there are YouTube videos explaining the process, however, it's very technical and risky.

I bought a renewed Magic Keyboard for $150 on Amazon ($350 new), that charges the ipad via 3 metal contacts on the back of the ipad near the usb c port. The magic keyboard has a usb c port at its hinge. In addition to immediately resolving the charging issue, the keyboard and mouse pad worked seamlessly and turns into a very nice case. The magnetic attachment make detaching a snap when you need the ipad for creative use and the keyboard is in the way.

Still very unhappy this very fundamental part is an issue and Apple has neither acknowledged or resolved it.

Just gave this a try with my iPad Pro 11” 2nd Gen running iPadOS 17.4.1 and no dice. Glad it worked for you, though. My suspicion is that there’s more than one thing happening for people here. For you it seems to be a pure software issue that resolved with a shutdown and restart. For me and others where the software oriented solutions don’t work it would then come down to a hardware issue. If it’s not a hardware issue then there’s a deeper software problem/bug that can’t be resolved by a simple reboot.

Just wanted to add that I, too am having this same problem with my 2021 iPad Pro 12.9"

For the last several months it would have intermittent problems charging and/or syncing using a variety of USB-C to USB-C and USB-A to USB-C cables.

Sometimes resetting the iPad would help. Sometimes rebooting my computer would help (with syncing). Sometimes changing to a different cable would help, only to find that it would later go back to working with the previous cables later.

Sometimes switching the orientation of the cable would help.

Lately I've noticed it absolutely not working with either my travel USB-C to USB-C cable or my home USB-C to USB-C cable and not getting fixed by any of the usual solutions, including changing the charger, changing the outlet used, etc. I tried buying two fresh new USB-C to USB-C cables from Amazon, one is mFi certified, and it did not work with either one! And yet, the new cables charge the other iPads in our house.

This is very frustrating. I managed to find two USB-A to USB-C cables that work, both are brand SMALLElectric from Amazon in case it matters. Another USB-A to USB-C sync cable is also working, provided that I have the orientation in a specific way, and that one also is Amazon brand. But I don't know what else to do if these fail.

Some troubleshooting guide suspect factory resetting the iPad. I really really don't want to do this, but I'll consider doing it if anyone else can verify that that they tried this and worked.

Anyone?

dteel wrote:

The Apple charger/charging cable issue has been a monstrous and wholly unnecessary problem for at least a decade. It not uncommon for the cables to separate within weeks, and unbranded cables aren't reliable.

Your "triaged" cables do not look good.

Fractured or damaged cables should always be replaced. Short-circuiting cables can cause severe or irreparable damage to both the device to which they are connected, and the Power Source that is charging the device. In extremis, damaged cables can be fire hazard.

Speaking of personal experience, in 14-years of Apple portable device ownership, I've never had an Apple charging/data cable fail. That said, I do take care to ensure that:

a) connectors are never disconnected from a device by pulling on the cable - instead always by the holding the plug itself.

b) cables are never allowed to hang from the connector under their own weight - as illustrated in your photo.

c) cables are always gently coiled when not in use, avoiding kinks, being mindful of minimum bend radii.

Properly used and cared for, good quality OEM cables can be expected to last for many years.

Your comment about playing with the orientation suggests a physical connection problem. As you move things it changes the forces on components and breaks or makes a contact.

With a multi pack of cables you probably have what you need to localise the fault. If you see exactly the same good and bad positions using different cables the fault is more likely to be in the socket (iPad) side. If the various cables show different failure movements it is more likely the problem is low quality cables.