iPad Pro only charging through laptop

My iPad Pro 11 inch (2nd Gen) all of a sudden wouldn’t charge. I went to the Apple Store, the technician plugged it into a computer, and it started to charge! I brought it back home, and again it wouldn’t charge through a charger & outlet, but it would charge if I plugged it into my computer. Does anybody have any idea why this might be happening? Apple seem to insist its hardware related, yet if it charges subject to what the iPad ‘sees’ at the other end of the cable, surely it must be software related. I tried a power bank. Didn’t work. Tried a usb-c to usb2.0 on my old macs wouldn’t work. Only works if usb-c to usb-c!

iPad Pro

Posted on Aug 12, 2024 10:09 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Aug 13, 2024 3:22 AM

As described, your issue has one of two potential causes.


First, you need to understand that all Apple devices that feature a USB-C port for charging the device support USB PD (Power Delivery). Other proprietary charging standards, such as QC (Quick Charge) are not supported.


The two potential causes for charging issues are:


1) If the Power Adapter that you are using at home does not explicitly support USB PD, it may not be suitable for charging Apple devices. NB: All Apple USB-C Power Adapters support USB PD.


2) If using a PD compliant Power Adapter or PowerBank to charge the iPad via USB-C, failure to charge when using either would suggest that (a) the iPad's charge controller has a fault, or (b) the USB-C cable used for charging is itself defective.


USB PD is an active protocol, in which the compliant power source, cable and load (the iPad in this instance) mutually negotiate the power profile that will be used for charging. If the negotiation fails, either no charging will occur, or charging will default to the standard USB 5V charging standard. Troubleshooting generally requires substitution of the Power Adapter and cable for another known-good item.



Troubleshooting


In detail, most models of iPad require a Power Adapter rated at 12W (i.e., 2.4A @5V) or greater to reliably charge. 5W Power Adapters (1.0A @5V) intended for older models of iPhone are inadequate to charge an iPad; if the iPad charges at all, charging will be very slow. Recent models of iPad are generally supplied with a 20W USB-C Power Adapter.


Some third-party USB-C power adapters (and portable PowerBanks) may not support USB PD. Power Delivery mutually negotiates the charging voltage; the source, load and cable are all elements involved in the negotiation protocol. Unless the Power Adapter explicitly supports USB PD, it will almost certainly fail to charge the iPad; proprietary charging standards, such as QC (Quick Charge), are not supported.


Many computer USB ports also cannot source sufficient power to charge an iPad. Unless explicitly designed for charging connected devices, computer USB ports are typically limited to 0.5-1A @5V (i.e., 2.5-5.0W).


If you continue to experience difficulties when using an appropriate Power Adapter of 12W or greater, you might be best advised to seek assistance directly from from Apple Support. You can contact the Support Team using the Support link at top-right or bottom-left of this page. Alternatively, you can initiate and manage your support cases from Apple devices using the excellent Apple Support App. If not already installed, the App can be downloaded from the App Store:

https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-support/id1130498044


You might also visit the Genius Bar at your local Apple Store or Apple Authorised Service Provider (AASP) - where the technicians will be able to fully test and assess your iPad, Power Adapter and cable(s):

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple


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11 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Aug 13, 2024 3:22 AM in response to Bluepyjamas

As described, your issue has one of two potential causes.


First, you need to understand that all Apple devices that feature a USB-C port for charging the device support USB PD (Power Delivery). Other proprietary charging standards, such as QC (Quick Charge) are not supported.


The two potential causes for charging issues are:


1) If the Power Adapter that you are using at home does not explicitly support USB PD, it may not be suitable for charging Apple devices. NB: All Apple USB-C Power Adapters support USB PD.


2) If using a PD compliant Power Adapter or PowerBank to charge the iPad via USB-C, failure to charge when using either would suggest that (a) the iPad's charge controller has a fault, or (b) the USB-C cable used for charging is itself defective.


USB PD is an active protocol, in which the compliant power source, cable and load (the iPad in this instance) mutually negotiate the power profile that will be used for charging. If the negotiation fails, either no charging will occur, or charging will default to the standard USB 5V charging standard. Troubleshooting generally requires substitution of the Power Adapter and cable for another known-good item.



Troubleshooting


In detail, most models of iPad require a Power Adapter rated at 12W (i.e., 2.4A @5V) or greater to reliably charge. 5W Power Adapters (1.0A @5V) intended for older models of iPhone are inadequate to charge an iPad; if the iPad charges at all, charging will be very slow. Recent models of iPad are generally supplied with a 20W USB-C Power Adapter.


Some third-party USB-C power adapters (and portable PowerBanks) may not support USB PD. Power Delivery mutually negotiates the charging voltage; the source, load and cable are all elements involved in the negotiation protocol. Unless the Power Adapter explicitly supports USB PD, it will almost certainly fail to charge the iPad; proprietary charging standards, such as QC (Quick Charge), are not supported.


Many computer USB ports also cannot source sufficient power to charge an iPad. Unless explicitly designed for charging connected devices, computer USB ports are typically limited to 0.5-1A @5V (i.e., 2.5-5.0W).


If you continue to experience difficulties when using an appropriate Power Adapter of 12W or greater, you might be best advised to seek assistance directly from from Apple Support. You can contact the Support Team using the Support link at top-right or bottom-left of this page. Alternatively, you can initiate and manage your support cases from Apple devices using the excellent Apple Support App. If not already installed, the App can be downloaded from the App Store:

https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-support/id1130498044


You might also visit the Genius Bar at your local Apple Store or Apple Authorised Service Provider (AASP) - where the technicians will be able to fully test and assess your iPad, Power Adapter and cable(s):

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple


Aug 13, 2024 12:42 PM in response to Bluepyjamas

The dock connector may be worn out and not recognizing voltage needs by itself. Thunderbolt can provide higher charging speeds than usb c 2.0 especially in the case of a laptop thunderbolt port, however this power still needs to be communicated with the device.


Seeing as your device is considered vintage and discontinued from production, a definite answer may not be possible through diagnostic means. The technician may recommend a newer, more efficient device. A whole unit replacement (WUR) would potentially cost at least $599.


You may seek a second opinion at a Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP) nearest you by visiting Find Locations- Apple


All Best Buy locations typically have a Geek Squad support with an Apple Authorized technician that may provider greater insight.

Aug 13, 2024 11:42 AM in response to LotusPilot

Thank you. This is the most constructive conversation so far.

I tried a variety of solutions. Couldn’t get any to work. Spoke to Apple Support who offered no more than a Genius Bar Appt, which they kindly booked.


Took iPad to Genius Bar. They couldn’t get it working with any device, of course using Apple compliant accessories, except via a usb-c to another usb-c plugged into a Mac pc/laptop. I was able to replicate, not with a Mac, as mine are old and usb2:0, but to a windows laptop with usb-c. Noting that it has to be plugged in, in the right order, laptop first, pad second. Simply unplug the end from pc and replug it in, or two any other device/charger/ power bank, it doesn’t work.


So, based on your analysis, the iPad's charge controller has a fault. But it is only a fault that is dependent on what it ‘sees’ at the other end of the cable. So to my analysis, this infers a software issue as probable. The hardware itself is not ‘smart’. Apple insisted otherwise, when I again contacted Apple Support, me noting I have found other customers reporting similar issues, them offering a fix more expensive than a replacement, or another visit to another Genius Bar.

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iPad Pro only charging through laptop

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