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Battery drains when charging!

soundsystem00

soundsystem00

macrumors member
Original poster
Dec 15, 2016
69
6
Dude. I just got the new iPad 6th gen with pencil. Love this thing. I always thought iPads were gimmicky and I am a big laptop user [ 2016 mbp] and also have an iphone. Sooo anyway

The battery is an issue. Seems like I am always low and I have to charge the pencil too. Btw, any links explaining why the pencil needs battery?

When I’m using the iPad the battery drains while the charger is plugged in and charge icon is displayed This worries me. The other day it wouldn’t charge at all and I had to hard reset it several times. Is this normal or is the unit defective?

Thanks.
 
Have you spoken to Apple already for troubleshooting? Might be a good starting point for an inexperienced user.
 
soundsystem00 said:
When I’m using the iPad the battery drains while the charger is plugged in and charge icon is displayed This worries me. The other day it wouldn’t charge at all and I had to hard reset it several times. Is this normal or is the unit defective?
Click to expand...
Are you charging your iPad using the supplied Power Adapter and USB lightning cable?

If yes:
Take to nearest Apple Store for replacement, or do the online warranty repair ( Apple sends a box overnight, your iPad will be gone about 2-3 days and a refurbished one will be returned ).​
If no:
You are doing it wrong. ( inside joke here ). Typically, I see these complaints when the user is plugging the lightning cable into the usb power from their computer or using their iPhone charger. Neither of these provide enough power to recharge an iPad.
​
Fun fact:
Out of 1000 not charging issues, I've only seen four actual issues.
  1. Charging circuit damaged, possibly by using 3rd party power adapter and cable or lightning strike.
  2. Graphite pencil lead broke off inside of charging port, just barely keeping the power from connecting, but still allowing the lightning cable to seat properly.
  3. Lightning cable plastic head became stuck in port. Obvious damage to original cable, but the iPad borrower was nervous and gave a replacement cable and iPad back to the owner without mentioning the broken off piece, easily fished out, once we knew about it. That thing is difficult to see within the lightning port.
  4. The unicorn. iPad just refused to charge. Possibly, battery issue, but I have seen even less battery issues. Apple warranty replaced the iPad in a couple of days. Never did find out what happened to this one.
PS. Welcome to the forums!
 
960design said:
Are you charging your iPad using the supplied Power Adapter and USB lightning cable?

If yes:
Take to nearest Apple Store for replacement, or do the online warranty repair ( Apple sends a box overnight, your iPad will be gone about 2-3 days and a refurbished one will be returned ).​
If no:
You are doing it wrong. ( inside joke here ). Typically, I see these complaints when the user is plugging the lightning cable into the usb power from their computer or using their iPhone charger. Neither of these provide enough power to recharge an iPad.
​
Fun fact:
Out of 1000 not charging issues, I've only seen four actual issues.
  1. Charging circuit damaged, possibly by using 3rd party power adapter and cable or lightning strike.
  2. Graphite pencil lead broke off inside of charging port, just barely keeping the power from connecting, but still allowing the lightning cable to seat properly.
  3. Lightning cable plastic head became stuck in port. Obvious damage to original cable, but the iPad borrower was nervous and gave a replacement cable and iPad back to the owner without mentioning the broken off piece, easily fished out, once we knew about it. That thing is difficult to see within the lightning port.
  4. The unicorn. iPad just refused to charge. Possibly, battery issue, but I have seen even less battery issues. Apple warranty replaced the iPad in a couple of days. Never did find out what happened to this one.
PS. Welcome to the forums!
Click to expand...

Yes, I am using the supplied accessories. I will take this thing to Apple as soon as possible then.

Last night I had to stop using it because the battery was draining while I charged it.
 
soundsystem00 said:
Yes, I am using the supplied accessories. I will take this thing to Apple as soon as possible then.

Last night I had to stop using it because the battery was draining while I charged it.
Click to expand...

Have you charged overnight while sleeping? Should be 100% the next morning.

It is not unusual for the tablet to discharge while on the charger if your brightness is high and you are doing something CPU intensive. Many laptops do the same.
 
soundsystem00 said:
The battery is an issue. Seems like I am always low and I have to charge the pencil too. Btw, any links explaining why the pencil needs battery?
Thanks.
Click to expand...

The Pencil does need to be charged quite often, mainly because Apple didn't provide an off button, so even when it's not actively used, the battery steadily drains. As for why it needs a battery, it's because it's an active stylus using Bluetooth, and not a passive one like some Wacom styluses. That it's an active stylus is what allows some of the "smart" features.
 
What charger was supplied and are being used with your ipad?

This
MD836


Or this one?
MD810


And if you look at the chargers, are you sure they are original chargers and no cheapo knockoff?

What happens if you plug in into a USB port on your computer?
Does it charge if you put the ipad in airplane mode and has no apps running?
 
I think I figured it out. I found the first charger you listed under my bed still in original wrapping. I was using the phone sized one. I didn't know that it required a bigger charger, but that makes since. Since it is a bigger unit and all. I will keep you updated but I am almost certain that is the problem.

Ps I love the app ProCreate. Being an artist who has used a pen for 30 years, it is like a dream come true to use that apple pencil. wow.

Check out this drawing that I did. I have dozens just like it.

girl.png
 
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soundsystem00 said:
I think I figured it out. I found the first charger you listed under my bed still in original wrapping. I was using the phone sized one. I didn't know that it required a bigger charger, but that makes since. Since it is a bigger unit and all. I will keep you updated but I am almost certain that is the problem.

Ps I love the app ProCreate. Being an artist who has used a pen for 30 years, it is like a dream come true to use that apple pencil. wow.

Check out this drawing that I did. I have dozens just like it.

girl.png
Click to expand...

Cool drawing- don’t forget to check out the ongoing conversations people have on this board sharing their creations, it’s a dedicated thread.
 
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