It can be frustrating when your iPhone doesn’t turn on. You might be concerned that it’s broken or damaged. However, before panicking, there are a few things you can try to resolve this. In this guide, we will take you through the steps to fix an iPhone that refuses to turn on.
Check for Physical Damage
The first step is to see if your iPhone has physical damage. Sometimes, if you drop your phone or it’s exposed to water, there may be internal issues. Check for cracks, dents, or any noticeable wear on the screen or body.
In case there is water damage in your iPhone, it’s better to leave it to dry thoroughly before you try to troubleshoot. Place in a dry area and allow a minimum of 24 hours to fully dry.
Charge Your iPhone
In some cases, the problem may be nothing more than a dead battery. The battery may have gone completely dead if your iPhone isn’t turning on. Connect your iPhone to a power source and give it 15-30 minutes.
If your phone still isn’t powering on after you’ve plugged it in for a time, ensure your charger and cable are in good working condition. If need be, you can also try with a different charger and cable.
Check the charging port.
A filthy or faulty charging port may keep your iPhone from charging. Checking the Charging Port for Dirt, Lint, or Debris You may use a soft brush or compressed air for cleaning the port.
A damaged charging port could prevent the phone from charging. You may have to take it to an Apple store or repair centre for a fix.
Force Restart Your iPhone
However, a force restart can solve a lot of problems, like when an iPhone won’t power on. How to Do a Force Restart on Your iPhone (Model Dependent) This is how you can force restart your iPhone:
For iPhone 8 and later:
- Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
- Press and hold the Volume Down button.
- Keep the side button pressed until seeing the Apple logo.
For iPhone 7 and 7 Plus:
- Hold the Volume Down and Sleep/Wake buttons at the same time.
- Release both buttons when you see the Apple logo.
For iPhone 6s and earlier:
- Press and hold the Home and Sleep/Wake buttons simultaneously.
- When you see the Apple logo, release both buttons.
Force restart can resolve software bugs causing the iPhone not to boot.
Check for Software Issues
If your iPhone displays the Apple logo but won’t load beyond that, your device might have a software problem. This may occur in the wake of a software update or an unsuccessful installation of an app.
So, simply act in the Recovery or DFU Mode (Device Firmware Update) to recover your iPhone.
Using Recovery Mode:
- Sync your iPhone to a computer and launch iTunes (or Finder if using macOS Catalina and later).
- Perform a forced restart of your iPhone (the instructions are above).
- Once your iPhone is in Recovery Mode, you’ll get the choice to Restore or Update. Choose Update to reinstall the iOS without deleting your information.
Using DFU Mode:
- Open iTunes (or Finder) on your computer and connect your iPhone.
- Force restart your iPhone, but don’t release the buttons when you see the Apple logo. Rather, keep holding until the screen remains black.
- iTunes should list your iPhone in DFU mode and prompt you to restore it.
DFU mode can solve deeper software problems, but it will also wipe everything on your iPhone.
Inspect the Battery
If your iPhone doesn’t turn on after charging, the battery may be responsible. In the case of a defective battery, the battery cannot keep a charge, and the phone remains off. If you have an older iPhone, the battery might have aged over the years.
If your iPhone’s battery is defective or aged, it is best to replace it. You can take it to an Apple store or an authorised service provider for a new battery.
Update iTunes or Finder.
If you restore your iPhone from iTunes or Finder, make sure you are using the latest version. Restoring your phone using an old version of iTunes or Finder will cause problems.
To update iTunes:
- Open iTunes.
- Go to Help and click on Check for Updates.
- Follow the instructions that appear on your screen and download the latest version.
For macOS users, check for updates in System Preferences > Software Update.
Try a Different Computer
The problem could be with your computer, too, not your iPhone. If iTunes or Finder does not recognise your iPhone, you can try another computer. This can help determine whether the problem lies with your phone or your computer’s software.
Visit an Apple Store or Authorised Repair Centre.
If none of the preceding steps solves the problem, then it’s time to take it to an Apple store or authorised repair centre. There may be a hardware issue that requires a professional fix. Apple technicians have the tools and expertise to diagnose the device and to fix the issue.
If possible, backup your iPhone before heading to a repair centre. If your iPhone won’t turn on, you can’t back it up directly, but a technician may be able to assist you.
Check for External Factors
At times, outside things can disrupt your iPhone from working. For example, extreme temperatures can interfere with your phone’s ability to boot. If your iPhone has been in an environment with extreme heat or extreme cold, wait for it to return to an ideal temperature, then try to turn it on again.
Make sure your SIM card is not causing the issue. A faulty SIM could prevent the device from turning on. Remove and reinsert the SIM card and see if that helps.
Perform Hard Reset (Last Solution)
If your iPhone is still not responding, one option is to do a hard reset. This will wipe everything from your device, so only resort to these steps as a last resort.
To perform a hard reset:
- However, enter DFU mode (as mentioned above).
- Restore the device from iTunes or Finder to factory settings.
A hard reset, though, is a big move, but it will solve software issues causing the device to not turn on.
Conclusion
There are any number of reasons an iPhone won’t turn on, from a dead battery to software crashes. This guide helps you troubleshoot and solve the problem so that you don’t have to replace the device. Begin with simple steps, such as charging your phone, looking for physical damage, or forcing a restart. If all else fails, and these steps don’t already help, try Recovery Mode, DFU Mode, or head to an Apple Store for assistance. You can typically fix your iPhone and get it back to working order with these solutions. Nevertheless, if the issue still exists, contacting an expert repair service is the best choice.