If your Apple Pencil won’t charge, verify model-specific charging, clean the connector, re-pair via Bluetooth, and try a known-good cable or adapter.
Your stylus should wake as soon as it docks or plugs in. When the battery stays flat, the cause is usually simple: wrong charging method, dirty contact, a weak cable or brick, or a pairing glitch. Use the quick checks below, then move to deeper steps only if needed.
Know Your Model And The Right Way To Charge
The first model has a removable cap and a Lightning plug. The second model charges on the iPad’s right edge. The USB-C version has a port on the barrel and also pairs on the magnetic rail. If the method doesn’t match the model, the battery won’t rise.
| Model | How It Charges | Quick ID |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Pencil (1st gen) | Lightning plug into iPad or Lightning adapter + cable | Glossy round body, removable cap |
| Apple Pencil (USB-C) | USB-C cable to Pencil’s port; pairs magnetically | Flat side, visible USB-C port |
| Apple Pencil (2nd gen) | Magnetically attaches to iPad’s right edge | Flat side, no ports |
Apple Pencil Not Charging? Fixes That Work
Work in order and check the Batteries widget after each move.
Step 1: Confirm The Charging Method
Snap the second model to the right edge until the banner appears. Plug the first model straight into the iPad or the female adapter, then a solid cable and wall brick. For the USB-C version, seat a USB-C cable firmly in the Pencil’s port and use a known charger.
Step 2: Check Battery Widget And Pairing
If the stylus is missing or stuck at 0%, open Settings › Bluetooth. If it shows under My Devices, tap Forget This Device. Re-pair by docking or plugging in. A fresh handshake often restores charging.
Step 3: Clean And Reseat The Connector
Lint and oils block power. Power down, then brush the iPad port or rail and the stylus contacts. Do not spray liquid. Reseat the connector straight and hold for a few seconds.
Step 4: Try A Known-Good Cable, Charger, Or Case-Off Test
Swap the cable and power brick with ones that charge your phone or iPad. Remove thick cases that overhang the rail. Rotate the stylus on the rail until the magnet locks and the banner pops.
Step 5: Reboot iPadOS And Refresh Bluetooth
Restart the iPad, toggle Bluetooth off and on, then pair again.
Step 6: Warm It Up Or Cool It Down
Let the stylus reach room temperature before charging.
Common Symptoms Mapped To Fast Fixes
Pick the row that matches your case.
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Fast Fix |
|---|---|---|
| No banner when attached | Wrong edge, case lip, dirty rail | Remove case, clean rail, use right edge |
| Charges to 1% then stalls | Dirty contact or weak cable | Clean ports, swap cable and brick |
| Shows in widget, stays at 0% | Pairing glitch or temp | Forget device, re-pair, let it warm |
| Won’t pair at all | Bluetooth cache or dead cell | Restart iPad, attach ten minutes, then pair |
| Disconnects while writing | Loose rail hold or case | Seat firmly, remove case lip |
Model-Specific Moves That Solve Tough Cases
If You Use The First Model (Lightning)
- Seat the Lightning plug dead straight.
- Test direct into the iPad and via adapter + cable.
- Clean the iPad’s Lightning port with a dry brush.
- Use a short, MFi-certified cable and a 5–20W brick.
- Leave it connected for ten minutes to wake a deep drain.
If You Use The Second Model (Magnetic)
- Attach on the right edge only.
- Slide along the rail until the banner pops.
- Remove metal plates or thick case lips.
- Lock the iPad and leave it docked for fifteen minutes.
If You Use The USB-C Model
- Use a cable that passes data and power.
- Plug into the iPad or a wall brick, not a weak hub.
- Inspect the USB-C port for lint.
Rule Out Power, Port, And Battery Health
Try a different outlet, cable, and brick. Inspect the iPad port or rail with a light. Bent pins, wobble, or a chipped rail point to hardware that needs service. If it once charged but now drains in minutes, the cell may be worn.
Use Official Steps When You Need The Exact Playbook
Apple documents the process. See the pages on charging and pairing and on compatibility to confirm your iPad and method match.
Deep Fixes When Simple Steps Don’t Work
Refresh All Connections
Turn Bluetooth off, restart, turn it on, then dock or plug in and accept the prompt. This rebuilds the link that triggers charging.
Update iPadOS
Open Settings › General › Software Update. Install updates, then restart.
Calibrate With A Long, Quiet Charge
Leave it docked or plugged for forty to sixty minutes. Many units jump from 0% to healthy levels after this window.
Test Without Third-Party Add-ons
Remove grips, skins, and rail covers. Charge with the bare stylus and tablet.
Try Another Power Source
Use a different cable and brick pair, or a trusted computer USB-C port.
When The Apple Pencil Battery May Be Past Its Best
A cell kept at zero for weeks can enter protection and refuse to wake. Leave it on charge for an hour. If the widget stays flat, the cell may need replacement. Contact Apple for a quote, especially if covered by warranty or AppleCare.
Compatibility Checks That Prevent Wild Goose Chases
The first model won’t charge on a tablet without a Lightning port. The second model needs the magnetic rail. The USB-C stylus pairs cleanly on USB-C iPads. Verify against Apple’s chart before you swap more parts.
Charging Habits That Keep The Battery Healthy
- Park it on the rail when not writing.
- Avoid deep drains; top up near 20%.
- Keep it dry and at room temperature while charging.
- Store the first model with the cap on.
Decision Guide: What To Try Based On What You See
Follow the path that matches your case.
| Case | Do This Next | If No Change |
|---|---|---|
| Missing from widget | Forget device, pair again | Restart iPad, clean contacts, pair again |
| Banner appears, no charging | Swap cable/brick or remove case | Long, quiet charge for one hour |
| Works, then drops out | Check rail grip and case lips | Update iPadOS, test bare iPad and stylus |
| Charges on cable, not on rail | Clean rail, align on right edge | Inspect rail; contact service |
| Still 0% after long charge | Try a different power source | Battery likely aged; request service |
When To Contact Apple Support
Reach out if pins look bent, the rail is chipped, the connector wiggles, the body shows cracks, or the battery stays at zero after all steps here. Bring the stylus, iPad, cables, and case so a technician can test the whole chain.
Before you book a visit, take two photos: a close shot of the connector or rail, and a wider shot of the setup with the cable, brick, and case. Bring those along. Also jot down the exact steps you already tried and the chargers you used. Clear notes help a technician reproduce the fault quickly and rule out an accessory issue. If you bought the stylus with the iPad, bring the receipt or sign in so staff can pull purchase history. Ask for a quote on battery service versus a swap, then weigh cost against age and daily use. Keep failed parts bagged.
Bottom Line: Get Back To Writing
Most failures come down to method mismatch, dirty contacts, a bad cable, or stale pairing. Match the model, clean, re-pair, and test with solid power. Those moves revive the stylus in minutes in the vast majority of cases.