Is Your Apple Pencil Not Charging? (Try These 10 Solutions)
Those who use Apple Pencils with their iPads know the frustration of discovering it won’t charge. That dreaded “low battery warning” can disrupt your workflow or creative progress. However, don’t fall into despair yet! Luckily, there are some quick and easy fixes you can try to get your Apple Pencil up and running again. We’ll tell you all about it in this blog post, so stay tuned!
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Why Is My Apple Pencil Not Charging?
Before you try any solutions, it’s important to understand why Apple Pencil charging isn’t always dependable. Apple Pencils can be picky about charging, depending on the Apple Pencil model and your iPad.
Here are some of the common Apple Pencil issues that could be causing your Apple Pencil not to charge:
Apple Pencil isn’t paired with the iPad.
Apple Pencil is connected to a device other than the iPad.
Apple Pencil has a damaged Lightning port or connector.
Apple Pencil is drained of battery.
Apple Pencil is incompatible with your iPad.
How to Fix the Issue of Apple Pencil Not Charging?
Now that you know the possible reasons for Apple Pencil not charging, it’s time to troubleshoot! Read on for our top picks for Apple Pencil charging solutions. Who knows, maybe one of these might just do the trick for your Apple Pencil.
Solution 1: Check Apple Pencil Compatibility
Before trying other solutions, ensure your Apple Pencil is compatible with your iPad model.
There are two types of Apple Pencils that Apple currently offers: Apple Pencil (1st generation) and Apple Pencil (2nd generation). Each Apple Pencil model is only compatible with certain Apple iPad models. So, for example, Apple Pencil 2nd Generation works with the 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models. Apple Pencil 1st Generation works with the 12.9-inch iPad Pro and 9.7-inch iPad Pro models, and so on.
If you’re using Apple Pencil with an incompatible iPad model, Apple Pencil won’t charge, even if it’s plugged in.
So, if you’re not sure about Apple Pencil compatibility, you can visit Apple Support Page to see Apple Pencil and iPad compatibility. There, you’ll find a list of Apple Pencils and Apple iPads that are compatible with each other.
Solution 2: Check Apple Pencil Pairing Status
Since Apple Pencil uses Bluetooth technology to connect to Apple iPad, it might be unpaired or not connected in the first place.
To check if Apple Pencil is paired, open Apple iPad Settings, then select Bluetooth. When Apple Pencil is paired with Apple iPad, you’ll see it in the device list. Apple Pencil should be marked as “Connected” on Apple iPad Bluetooth settings. If Apple Pencil isn’t paired, your iPad will prompt you to pair Apple Pencil with your iPad. Just follow the on-screen instructions, and Apple Pencil should be paired in no time.
If Apple Pencil is already paired with Apple iPad and still not charging, then you may want to try unpairing Apple Pencil and pairing it again. That might do the trick!
Solution 3: Check for iOS Updates
Apple Pencils often require the latest version of the iPad’s operating system in order to function properly. Therefore, ensure that your iPad is running on the most updated version of Apple’s operating system, iOS.
To check for Apple software updates, go to Apple iPad Settings, then select General > Software Update. Your iPad will then check for Apple software updates. If an update is available, install it and restart your Apple iPad.
After installing the Apple software update, Apple Pencil should start charging on your Apple iPad.
Solution 4: Reboot Your iPad
Sometimes the Apple Pencil not charging issue is due to software glitches on Apple iPad. Rebooting Apple iPad can help clear out any bugs in the system and get Apple Pencil charging again.
To reboot your iPad, press and hold the Sleep/Wake button (located at the top) and Home button (at the front of the iPad) at the same time for about 10 seconds until the Apple logo appears. Your iPad will then reboot, and your Apple Pencil should start charging.
Solution 5: Wait for Apple Pencil to Charge
Sometimes, Apple Pencil may take a while to charge, depending on Apple iPad’s battery level.
If you’re an eager Apple Pencil user, you may be tempted to use your Pencil till the last bit of power. However, that might be the exact reason your Apple Pencil is not charging. It’s basically drained and just doesn’t have enough power to turn on and connect with your iPad.
So, give Apple Pencil some time to charge and try using Apple Pencil again. Apple Pencil should start charging eventually, and you’ll be able to use it normally. If that doesn’t work, try using other solutions from our list.
Solution 6: Charge your iPad
Since Apple Pencil draws its power from Apple iPad’s battery, Apple Pencil won’t be able to charge if Apple iPad’s battery is too low. This is because Apple Pencil needs at least 40% of the Apple iPad’s battery charge in order to start charging itself.
So, make sure Apple iPad’s battery level is at least 40% before you plug Apple Pencil in. Once your iPad is charged, Apple Pencil should start charging as well.
Solution 7: Check Apple Pencil’s Lightning Port
If everything seems to be just fine, but your Apple Pencil is still not charging, then Apple Pencil’s lightning port might be the culprit.
Apple Pencil’s lightning port can get clogged up with dust and debris over time, which prevents Apple Pencil from charging. So, try using a toothpick to clean Apple Pencil’s lightning port and remove any dust buildup.
Once Apple Pencil’s lightning port is clean, plug Apple Pencil into Apple iPad, and Apple Pencil should start charging normally.
Solution 8: Check Your Charger
Lastly, make sure Apple Pencil is plugged in correctly with Apple iPad’s original charger. Apple Pencil won’t be able to charge if not plugged in correctly.
Solution 9: Inspect Apple Pencil
If Apple Pencil isn’t charging even after trying all the solutions mentioned above, then there’s one last thing that might be the reason for your struggles.
Apple Pencil may not be charging because of a hardware issue like a damaged cable or faulty Apple Pencil. That means that Apple Pencil may have been damaged due to an accidental drop or liquid spill.
If you think that might be the case, take some time to inspect your Apple Pencil carefully. Look for any signs of damage on the Apple Pencil and the charging cable.
That being said, if you spot any physical damage, there’s a great chance Apple Pencil is not charging because of a hardware issue. If that’s the case, Apple Pencil needs to be replaced with a new one.
Solution 10: Contact Apple Support
If all the solutions above don’t work for you, then you may need to take Apple Pencil for service or contact Apple Support for further assistance. They may be able to diagnose Apple Pencil’s issue and provide a solution.
Alternatively, you can reach out to Apple Community forums. There’s a high chance someone has already experienced Apple Pencil not charging issue, and you can find help quickly. Who knows, Apple Support might even jump in and help you out.
Final Thoughts
So, these were the top fixes for Apple Pencil not charging issue. Hopefully, you’ll be able to get Apple Pencil up and running in no time. Thank you for reading!
