My iPad charger won't insert into the port

If the charging cable won’t properly seat or easily fit into the charging port of the iPad, this might indicate that either dirt or lint is obstructing the plug, or the plug or charging socket have been damaged. A damaged charging cable must be replaced - whereas a damaged charging port must be repaired.

If the problem is due to a visible obstruction, you may be able to remove it yourself*. With good light, using a sharpened wooden matchstick or plastic toothpick (never metallic), very gently try to dislodge a visible the obstruction from the socket. Be careful to avoid damaging the delicate electrical contacts within the socket. Note that a USB-C socket has an obvious "tongue" within the socket.

(*) Removal of an obstruction is often best entrusted to the technicians at the Genius Bar of your local Apple Store or Apple Authorised Service Provider (AASP) - where the appropriate tools and expertise are available:

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

Apple has relatively recently changed port styles on their newer mobile devices from Lightning to USB-C.

But there are a LOT of Lightning cables “in circulation” which “almost fit” into the new devices.

And there are a lot of new USB-C cables which “almost fit” into the older devices.

So be sure that you’ve got the right “match-up.”