Sunday, September 11, 2011 6:15pm EST
Why does my iPad say “Not charging” after I’ve plugged it into my computer?
The iPad needs a relatively large amount of power to charge its battery. Once you connect your iPad to your computer via USB, the iPad checks to see if there is enough power on that line. If the iPad determines there is not enough power, it will not charge its battery but its data connection will still work.
If your computer cannot charge the iPad, you’ll need to purchase a powered usb hub (a hub that provides its own power through a wall-wart power supply). Plug your computer into the USB hub, then plug the iPad into the powered USB hub. If the USB hub is supplying enough power, you’ll see the power icon on your iPad notifying you that the device is charging. Sometimes powered hubs provide different power levels depending on the connector you’re using; if you still get a “Not Charging” message even after plugging into a powered hub, try another connector on the hub.