iPad Air Charging issues

[linkmaster6]

Ok so this one has me a bit confused...

Had a fella bring me an iPad Air that was giving the "Not Charging" error when it was plugged in with the original charger and cable. He had recently gotten a new iPad Air 2 and tried the charger from that and got the same issue.

Brought it to me, checked it over. It does charge but extremely slowly. Looked online, saw that there were alot of suggestion towards reloading the iOS. Put it into recovery mode (Home button and cable plugged in), got it reloaded and updated the iOS to 10.1.1. No longer getting the "Not Charging" error using the Apple lightning cable we keep here in the shop.

Let the guy take it home, called me shortly after that the original cable will not charge the iPad.

Brought it back in (without his cable and charger), tried the cable I was working with before. Charged it up to full from 7 or 10% overnight. Decided the following day to run the battery down and see how long it was taking to charge it up while being used. Kept an eye on it the best I could 46% at 1:42, 49% at 2:04, 58% at 2:52, 69% at 3:50. Went out on a call and didn't get to note anymore before we closed so obviously it was fully charged the next morning.
Decided to do a charge calibration, full drain till dead and then a full recharge without being used.
Charging seemed to be a little faster after that.

He brought his charger with him this time, tried it out...... doesn't even reflect that it is connected to a charger. Connected his charger to my cable, shows that it is plugged in. Try with his cable to a computer, no luck. Tried his cable with an iPhone, works fine.

Really not sure what to make of this.

 

[mrplow]

It's a completely in the dark suggestion but have you checked the lighting port to making sure it's clean and unobstructed? I've never experienced what you're seeing on an iPad before but pocket lint etc in the lightning port on an iphone can stop cables making complete connections etc.

 

[linkmaster6]

I have checked that. Blew it and brushed it out

 

[KevinJS]

Is your customer using the charger that originally came with the iPad? Sounds like he might be using an iPhone charger, which will usually work but at a slower rate.

If your charger works, it certainly points to his cable or charger as the component with the problem.

 

[linkmaster6]

The charger he finally brought in is the 12W Apple charger. So using his Apple cable and his 12W Apple charger, it will not charge. But using HIS cable and my charger it will charge.
But according to him this was that same cable and charger he had just used to charge up his new iPad air.

 

[pigoo3]

The charger he finally brought in is the 12W Apple charger. So using his Apple cable and his 12W Apple charger, it will not charge. But using HIS cable and my charger it will charge.
But according to him this was that same cable and charger he had just used to charge up his new iPad air.

I've experienced so many "flakey" charging cables & chargers...it's very frustrating. Seems to me these cables & chargers are not built so robustly. And many users are not exactly gentle with the cables when they are removed (just yang them out)...or inserted...and occasionally drop the charger on the floor (not good). We end up with either non-working chargers, non-working cables, or intermittent operation in all cases.

I know that you mentioned that this person has tried their both their iPad Air and iPad Air 2 equipment.

All I can say is...you can only work with the data that you have in front of you. If you have both of this person's chargers & cables in front of you (iPad Air & iPad Air 2) then you have all that is needed to test things. I also know you said that one of the combinations (charger & cable) worked on an iPhone.

Like mrplow suggested...make sure all the ports are clean. Pretty much the only other factor to consider is...are the charging ports on these devices messed up in some way? If someone is removing & inserting the charging connectors in an "unhealthy" way...maybe the charging port is messed up (not as tight as it once was when new)...and not getting a tight connection between charging cable & charging port.

If you've got operational chargers & operational cables (works on an iPhone...not on the iPad)...the iPad charging port may be something to consider (but of course not very repairable).

Just some thoughts,

- Nick

 

[KevinJS]

Yes, if it's 12w it is an iPad charger. Seems to me that's where his problem is, though.

Why the charger would work on one iPad and not another is beyond me, but I'd sell him a new charger and be done with it. If he takes it to Apple, they might exchange it. I've taken cables to them before that show obvious signs of abuse (children pulling the wire instead of the plug) and had them replaced with no question.

 

[linkmaster6]

Sorry made an error in my last post.
My cable and his charger work fine.
I've already pointed him in the direction of getting a new one from apple, just wanted to check and see if there wasn't sort of issue with the newer iOSs and particular cables.