iPad won't charge. Used different cords and it still doesn't charge. What should I do?

Like was suggested, you should always use the wall charger.

Now if you've used multiple cords, multiple outlets, multiple charger bricks and it still won't charge, time to take it into the nearest apple store and have them look at it.

3 common issues if an iPad won't charge

Bad outlet

Bad USB cord or charging brick

Bad port on the iPad

Replicating the issue with multiple outlets and cords/chargers can prove/eliminate those leaving a bad/dying 30 pin port.

Just bought (8/31/12) the "New" iPad (3). No matter where I try to charge, using the USB cord and charger that came with it, I get the same message: "Not charging. Tried two outlets in my house that I've successfully used for years with my iPod. Tried an extension cord. Tried with my new Macbook Air running Mountain Lion. Same results with all three. Even tried my iPod USB cord with the new charger. Nothing. Virtually no way to charge this brand new iPad?????

First of all you should charge it with the wall charger, not on the USB socket on the computer (this gives often too little power to charge the iPad effectively (this goes especially for the new iPad3).

The quickest way (and really the only way) to charge your iPad is with the included 10W USB Power Adapter. iPad will also charge, although more slowly, when attached to a computer with a high-power USB port (many recent Mac computers) or with an iPhone Power Adapter (5W). When attached to a computer via a standard USB port (most PCs or older Mac computers) iPad will charge very slowly (but iPad indicates not charging). Make sure your computer is on while charging iPad via USB. If iPad is connected to a computer that’s turned off or is in sleep or standby mode, the iPad battery will continue to drain.

Apple recommends that once a month you let the iPad fully discharge & then recharge to 100%.

How to Calibrate Your Mac, iPhone, or iPad Battery

http://www.macblend.com/how-to-calibrate-your-mac-iphone-or-ipad-battery/

At this link http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/galaxy-tab-android-tablet,3014-11.html , tests show that the iPad 2 battery (25 watt-hours) will charge to 90% in 3 hours 1 minute. It will charge to 100% in 4 hours 2 minutes. The new iPad has a larger capacity battery (42 watt-hours), so using the 10W charger will obviously take longer. If you are using your iPad while charging, it will take even longer. It's best to turn your new iPad OFF and charge over night. Also look at The iPad's charging challenge explained http://www.macworld.com/article/1150356/ipadcharging.html

Also, if you have a 3rd generation iPad, look at

Apple: iPad Battery Nothing to Get Charged Up About

http://allthingsd.com/20120327/apple-ipad-battery-nothing-to-get-charged-up-abou t/

Apple Explains New iPad's Continued Charging Beyond 100% Battery Level

http://www.macrumors.com/2012/03/27/apple-explains-new-ipads-continued-charging- beyond-100-battery-level/

New iPad Takes Much Longer to Charge Than iPad 2

http://www.iphonehacks.com/2012/03/new-ipad-takes-much-longer-to-charge-than-ipa d-2.html

Prolong battery lifespan for iPad / iPad 2 / iPad 3: charging tips

http://thehowto.wikidot.com/prolong-battery-lifespan-for-ipad

 Cheers, Tom 😉

Very detailed summary, thx Tom.

I would like to add only one comment: calibrating a modern lithium battery like explained in your first entry is "out". In a modern lithium battery this shortens the battery life, best is to "keep the electrons flowing" by using it underway on the battery (say to 50% and connecting it at home or at the office). read numerous professors here on the apple forum or visit "the battery university" on the net.

Lex

Skydiver119 wrote:

Like was suggested, you should always use the wall charger.

Now if you've used multiple cords, multiple outlets, multiple charger bricks and it still won't charge, time to take it into the nearest apple store and have them look at it.

3 common issues if an iPad won't charge

Bad outlet

Bad USB cord or charging brick

Bad port on the iPad

Replicating the issue with multiple outlets and cords/chargers can prove/eliminate those leaving a bad/dying 30 pin port.

I recently had the 10W charging brick for my iPad go bad on me. Like you, I freaked out and started throwing things and using bad language, thinking my iPad battery or the connector port was damaged. However, using trial and error with several cords and charging bricks like SkyDiver suggested, I quickly determined that one of the bricks was bad and not my iPad. Whew! 😀