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My iPad is stuck on the low battery/ plug to charge screen. It won't take a charge from any source. It also isn't recognized by iTunes on my PC. I need help please I've tried everything that I know. Thanks everyone for reading this.

iPad 4

OS is 10.1 I think.

It was stuck at the apple screen. I got that resolved but now it shows the low battery and plug to lightning cable screen. When I plug in the cable the cable it goes off the screen leaving just the low battery icon. I can leave it plug in for hours or an entire day but the low battery only shows the red bar. Sometimes I think it flashes but it never builds a charge. When I plug it into iTunes the system doesn't recognize it. I mean on the PC in iTunes when you select "devices" it usually shows the device that's plugged in and show "sync". Well the sync is there but it is greyed out and the device is not listed next to the word sync. I'm stuck and can't figure out what to do next. Please help I can't afford a new iPad and certainly not this close to Christmas I have family to get gifts for plus we usually look at previous years Christmas on the iPad as a family and I don't want to let everyone down. I'm hoping there is a solution here. Any advice or suggestions is much appreciated. Thank you and Merry Christmas

Posted on Dec 10, 2016 12:25 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Feb 27, 2018 3:51 AM

Here's how to fix it:

Lithium batteries have protection against over-discharging, they do this by breaking the circuit if the voltage drops too low to prevent further drain. Unfortunately, once this has triggered, you can no longer put charge back into the battery because the battery is disconnected internally, so no matter how long you leave the phone on charge, it remains disconnected and flat.

You only need to get the voltage in the battery to raise a percent or two to reconnect the protection circuit so that it will charge again and you can do that by warming up the battery. You may get away with leaving the phone overnight in a very warm (hot) place, such as on top of a hot water tank, however a more efficient way is to heat the battery, but heat it up until it's quite hot with a hairdryer on its hottest setting. I have also used a portable heater and held it close for a few mins. Heat it for a good 1-2 mins so that the hear soaks right through the battery and it feels hot to the touch, this will raise the internal voltage enough to reconnect the protection circuit. IMMEDIATELY reconnect the phone and put it on charge (it must be hot). After about few mins up to 20 mins, enough charge should get back into the battery to fire up the phone and it'll come back to life.

I've done this a few times now on various different models and it always works. Hope it helps you.

25 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 27, 2018 3:51 AM in response to kjdesign1

Here's how to fix it:

Lithium batteries have protection against over-discharging, they do this by breaking the circuit if the voltage drops too low to prevent further drain. Unfortunately, once this has triggered, you can no longer put charge back into the battery because the battery is disconnected internally, so no matter how long you leave the phone on charge, it remains disconnected and flat.

You only need to get the voltage in the battery to raise a percent or two to reconnect the protection circuit so that it will charge again and you can do that by warming up the battery. You may get away with leaving the phone overnight in a very warm (hot) place, such as on top of a hot water tank, however a more efficient way is to heat the battery, but heat it up until it's quite hot with a hairdryer on its hottest setting. I have also used a portable heater and held it close for a few mins. Heat it for a good 1-2 mins so that the hear soaks right through the battery and it feels hot to the touch, this will raise the internal voltage enough to reconnect the protection circuit. IMMEDIATELY reconnect the phone and put it on charge (it must be hot). After about few mins up to 20 mins, enough charge should get back into the battery to fire up the phone and it'll come back to life.

I've done this a few times now on various different models and it always works. Hope it helps you.

Mar 12, 2017 11:01 AM in response to kjdesign1

This was caused by the apple software update, iOS 10.1, and 10.2 on the iPad Air, and iPhone 6. My devices were both in mint condition, and the update destroyed both of them. The first thing that happened was super battery drain, then my device would just shut down for simply no reason. The second I'd plug it in, my battery would show I still had 90% charge. What you are experiencing is happening to me, over and over. I leave it plugged in, and it will shut down and show the battery icon on a black screen. I went into iTunes, it didn't recognize my device either. I clicked help, in the drop down clicked diagnose and it brought the apple logo up on my iPad. Ran the diagnostic test, and everything passed. The very next day, my iPad shut down and went back to the black screen with the battery icon and charge symbols. I've found if I click the power button, then the home button back and forth over and over and over, eventually the apple logo appears and my iPad comes back on. This is Apple's fault. Their iOS 10 updates caused these problems. Apple needs to take responsibility and own up to a faulty software update. Both of my devices were 1 1/2 years old and in beautiful condition when this began. Simultaneously after the update, they both fail me now. Everyday consumers don't have $1400.00 laying around to replace two devices. I can't see me buying Apple products in the future, when they won't admit their fault and fix what they broke.

Dec 30, 2017 2:54 PM in response to xapury82

Sometimes it takes two hours to get it started. I notice in the colder months it’s harder, so I put it under my blanket to get warm in the mornings lol It helps! It’s APPLE updates. I’m glad they’re being sued now. A $29 battery doesn’t help what they broke. If you get a new battery in an iPad, 9/10 times the screen cracks and you have to pay for a new one. Every single tech told me it’s safer and cheaper to buy another one. Apple should have to pay. Insurance or not!

Dec 18, 2016 2:24 AM in response to jdo_apple

Here are some pics I took with my iPhone to show you the screens I've seen so so far. I'll add an alpha character after the number to shows the order they appear here in this message. I tried adding them in order but goofed that all up.

1. C - apple logo

2. D- Low battery / plug in - charge

3. E- Low battery only after plugging in

4. A- Plug into iTunes appeared two or three times but after plugging in just stayed or changed to low battery.

5 B- I did get an update screen showing the correct serial number and iPad I did the update but no change so it's seeing the iPad at least in that case but it didn't show the iPad logo then either at the top of the iTunes screen


A - User uploaded file

B

User uploaded file

C User uploaded file

D User uploaded file

E. User uploaded file

Aug 7, 2017 7:19 PM in response to Pooh1963

yo man. i brought my ipad air 2 to a tech today thinking my battery or some other part was dead and he told me that i should google the IOS 10 update and how it causes the same problem as yours. So i look it up and sure enough i find your post and a few others about the exact same issue with the exact same timeline. I just assumed that the battery was going. Not impressed at all with apple on this one despite loving my ipad other than this issue. I dont mind if the battery goes after thousands of hours of use, but he told me that i may be screwed on this one unless ipad decided to take ownership for its mistake because there was no concrete fix. Any apple devs able to shine light on this issue???

Sep 16, 2017 5:30 AM in response to Pooh1963

Same symptoms with my ipad. Putting it away at a high % charge and later i get the battery indicator and connector are shown. Connecting is to PC does not work, the ipad is not detected. Playing with on / off switch and home button brings up apple logo. But i have an ipad 2 with ios 9.3.5. First blamed new software but problem remained. Same happened to my iphone 4S which was working fine until..... Replaced it and now the ipad starts. Don't like this. Start to dislike Apple products.

Jan 31, 2018 11:44 PM in response to KauaiFinn

I don't think that there will come a solution other then to buy something else. If Your iPad is more then 3 years old it is over its lifetime. A shame but that are the hard facts of today's technologie. take a look at apple's competion. A year with software updates and it's over. And then there lifetime? A new product cost you money but safes you frustration and give you joy of a new product.


This is my experience after having the same problems with an 5 year old ipad2.


That does not mean that there is no room for improvements!

Dec 11, 2016 8:59 AM in response to kjdesign1

Hi there, kjdesign1.
Thanks for using Apple Support Communities. After reviewing your post, your iPad isn't charging like it used to. You're seeing the screen informing you that it needs to be charged, but when you do, the low battery screen stays put. I'll be happy to help.
If iTunes doesn‘t recognize your iPhone, iPad, or iPod -- Let's first make sure your device can be recognized. Use this article to ensure iTunes and your iPhone can see each other.
If your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch won‘t charge

If your device won’t charge or charges slowly

If you have very low battery and plug into power, a black screen or a black screen with a red battery might appear for a few minutes. Follow these steps and try again after each:

  1. Check your charging cable and USB adapter for signs of damage,* like breakage or bent prongs. Don't use damaged accessories.
    User uploaded file
  2. Use a wall power outlet and check for firm connections between your charging cable, USB wall adapter, and wall outlet, or try a different outlet.
  3. Remove any debris from the charging port on the bottom of your device, then firmly plug your charging cable into your device. If the charging port is damaged, your device probably needs service.
    User uploaded file
  4. Let your device charge for a half hour (If your device is unresponsive afterward, learn what to do).
  5. Force restart your device: Press and hold the Sleep/Wake and Home buttons at the same time for at least 10 seconds, until you see the Apple logo. Then let your device charge for another half hour.
  6. If your device still won’t power on or charge, take your device, charging cable, and charging adapter to an Apple Retail Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider for evaluation. You can also contact Apple Support.

*If you're unsure about whether an accessory is damaged, take it to an Apple Retail Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider for evaluation, or contact Apple Support.


Enjoy your day.

Dec 19, 2016 5:17 AM in response to kjdesign1

Hey, kjdesign1.
Thanks for reporting back. We appreciate your efforts. Since you have followed all of the other steps in the document that was provided, then you need to follow step 6. They can evaluate your iPad to see if what needs to be done.​
If your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch won‘t charge

If your device still won’t power on or charge, take your device, charging cable, and charging adapter to an Apple Retail Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider for evaluation. You can also contact Apple Support.


Take care!

Dec 18, 2016 2:06 AM in response to jdo_apple

Thank you for your help. I've tried all the things you suggested j think. I even bought a new apple cord I had an apple 2.1A plug. I updated iTunes on my PC.

I even hit the iPad 4 to show the connect to iTunes screen otherwise it's still locked up. iTunes does show the iPad us connected to it. I tried with my iPhone 6 Plus and it shows the phone logo on iTunes and it connects fine.

The PC did ask for an update which I had done before but I might have list my internet connection before it finished then. Anyway I did it this to completion I even stay right there and didn't do anything else on the PC. Still it doesn't gave the iPad logo, the devices / sync section is still greyed out. I tried every port to no avail.

It us not under warranty so I gave no idea what to expect at Best Buy or the Apple Store. I gave a Best Buy close then another Best Buy and Apple a little further away.

I just want to be sure I can't do anything else first.

Such as pressing the power and hone at the same time to rest which I did but it either shows the apple logo on screen if the iPad or low battery. Funny thing with the low battery / plug in screen in the iPad, when I plug it in to any of my cords (in a walk charge ir USB on the PC the "plug in cord" symbol at the bottom if the iPad screen goes away and the low battery remains so it seems like it's connected but the battery icon never change to green it never gets more line inside the battery.

I even tried all this on a laptop that did even have iTunes installed yet and ho the same results after buying a new apple certified cord for $20 at Walmart.

Please can think of anything else I can do? Is there a button sequence to reboot it? On my devices list it shows an update on like 10/30/2016 I would even reset to that date if I could figure out to do that. I'd appreciate any advice you can offer. Thanks again for your reply you were the only person who offer assurance and I'm very grateful.

I look forward to some great idea that I missed that I'm hoping you can share or some magic up your sleeve, lol. Thanks again.

I'm not taking time to proof this done I'm hoping it's ok. Thanks.

My iPad is stuck on the low battery/ plug to charge screen. It won't take a charge from any source. It also isn't recognized by iTunes on my PC. I need help please I've tried everything that I know. Thanks everyone for reading this.

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