My iPad won't charge when I plug it into my computer.

Hi Fran McA. If you left your iPad on and it said "not charging" then it was actually not charging. The current from the computer USB port was less than the ipad needed to run. So it was still draining the battery, only more slowly. It will probably charge if you sleep the iPad. But the iPad will charge much faster using the wall module it came with.

This discussion started 5 years ago. There were no computers that could charge the iPad back then. I'm not sure if the latest generation USB ports can deliver enough power to charge the iPad. Your iPad is actually charging very slowly but if you use it at the same time, you'll lose charge because the power being used is greater than the power supplied from the laptop USB port.

Fran McA wrote:

someone else said that laptops older than 5 don't have enough power to charge iPads and mine is definitely 5+ years so seems me is just too old. Thanks for your help too 🙂

That may still be true today. No computers/laptops USB ports have enough power to charge the iPad.

ShagCA wrote:

That may still be true today. No computers/laptops USB ports have enough power to charge the iPad.

Blanket statement? My MacBook Pro Mid 2012 13-inch non-Retina has zero issues charging my old iPad 2 or an iPad Air from the USB port when the computer is on it power adapter. Charging time is not significantly more than that when they are on iPad adapters. My son has the same MBP model and I've successfully charged the iPad Air from it with no significant delays. Both will charge iPads with the display closed as well.

So it's not a universal condition. Some work just fine.

Part of the issue could be "which USB port?" Extra ports on most keyboards do not put out enough power to charge much of anything. Ports on the main body of the computer usually have the most power. Also the total load on the USB circuit can affect whether enough is left to charge. If one has a printer, Wacom tablet, and several bus-powered external drives on the computer's USB ports, yes, an iPad may not find enough remaining energy to charge.

Fran, are you using an original Apple-branded cable or an after-market replacement?

I'm using a brand new Apple-branded cable that I just took out of the packet Allan :/ But unlike you my laptop is a 6 year old or so Dell laptop so. For comparison, my dad actually has a younger Dell laptop and my power cable on my laptop isn't powerful enough to charge his laptop, so my laptop seems to use less energy as it's older, the power pack is considerably smaller and everything. So I can understand that if my laptop doesn't run on as much power that it might be too 'weak' to charge my ipad even with a brand new cable.

OK. I wanted to check the cable issue because the popularity of Apple "iDevices" has spawned an industry making and selling replacement cables. I suspect all are not of equal quality.

I'm sure that there will always be differences in USB port power. among makes and models. Believe me, I was as surprised as anyone--and quite happy--to find my MBP would do such legion service as an iPad charger. My workspace (three Macs, two printers, two wireless access points, three wall-powered backup drives, ad nauseam) is pretty much running out of A/C sockets and, with badly abused knees, I find crawling on the floor looking for additional outlets less than joyful!

Have you tested the USB ports on your Dell with any other devices to make sure it they work?

On my Dell Vostro 460 desktop at work, only the leftmost front port has the capacity to charge; the other 3 can't and I will NOT crawl behind the desk and the wall to test the rear ports. Both ports on the Late 2011 MBP can charge the iPad, albeit a bit slowly, when the Mac is plugged to the charger. Both ports (USB3) on the Mid 2015 rMBP can charge the iPad at a fast clip when the Mac is plugged to the charger.

That's perfectly normal. Most USB ports simply don't put out enough power. Your iPad is trickle charging, just not enough so it says 'not charging'.

iPad Charging

"The fastest 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.

When attached to a computer via a standard USB port (most PCs or older Mac computers) iPad will charge, but only when it's in sleep mode.

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."

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

Apple Batteries - iPad http://www.apple.com/batteries/ipad.html

Extend iPad Battery Life (Look at pjl123 comment)

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3921324?tstart=30

New iPad Slow to Recharge, Barely Charges During Use

http://www.pcworld.com/article/252326/new_ipad_slow_to_recharge_barely_charges_d uring_use.html

Tips About Charging for New iPad 3

http://goodscool-electronics.blogspot.com/2012/04/tips-about-charging-for-new-ip ad-3.html

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

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

iPhone, iPod, Using the iPad Charger

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4327

Install and use Battery Doctor HD

http://itunes.apple.com/tw/app/battery-doctor-hd/id459702901?mt=8

In rare instances when using the Camera Connection Kit, you may notice that iPad does not charge after using the Camera Connection Kit. Disconnecting and reconnecting the iPad from the charger will resolve this issue.

 Cheers, Tom 😉

My windows laptop won't charge it at all. It even went to far as to die/run out of charge, so it was legitimately not charging. Is this because I have a windows laptop?

Ah my laptop is at least 5 years old sonthat explains why I can't charge with my laptop then. Thank you

someone else said that laptops older than 5 don't have enough power to charge iPads and mine is definitely 5+ years so seems me is just too old. Thanks for your help too 🙂

As I said before, I wasn't sure. I also said that the device was charging but at a much slower rate. I have not tested how long it takes to charge my iPad (thru my desktop USB port).