iPhone Won't Turn On. How to Fix?

When your iPhone won't turn on, it can be really stressful; not only are you faced with unexpected costs to fix it but you may have also potentially lost your data including your contacts and your treasured photos. In this article, our iSmash technicians look at the possible causes of iPhone not turning on and potential solutions to these problems. They also offer some money-saving advice for those planning to get a new iPhone.

Why Won't my iPhone turn on?

How to fix an iPhone that won't turn on?

Tried Everything. My iPhone still won't turn on?

Your iPhone won't turn on and you don't know why? There can be many reasons for this, but the four most common are:

1. Battery failure

Confused by your iPhone’s black screen? It’s possible you’re dealing with a drained battery. If you’ve noticed that your phone turned off while you still had a lot of battery or if your device has been getting hot quickly, you might be experiencing some power issues. All Apple batteries become less effective as they age and they gradually lose their ability to hold a charge. As a result, their performance deteriorates, especially in a low state of charge, causing unexpected shutdowns.

2. Water damage

Although many devices today boast waterproof designs, it’s often a case that even a small amount of liquid can damage some internal components, leaving you with a dead iPhone. If you think your iOS device is unresponsive due to liquid damage, have a look at our water damage guide.

3. Physical damage

If you dropped your iPhone recently, it might stop working, even if it’s not showing any physical damage. To check for this you should shine a light on the screen to check for damage and also try calling the phone to see if it rings or vibrates. If you’ve had your screen cracked for a while, it’s possible that continuous usage has caused further damage to the phone causing it to look like it is off.

4. Software Issues

Occasionally, your iPhone won’t turn on due to software issues. Certain apps and iOS updates might cause problems and sometimes, if your phone crashes while your operating system is updating, your iPhone might also become unresponsive.

Our experts recommend these six tips to bring an iPhone that won’t turn on, back to life. Try them in order until you find the solution that works for you!

1. Charge your battery

Fully discharged batteries are the number one cause of iPhones not turning on. Plug your charger in (make sure the plug is switched on!) and wait 30-60 minutes so that your device can get enough power to start again. Once you’ve waited for this length of time, try turning it on. Check out our battery life tips if you want your battery to last longer. It’s worth testing two different chargers to rule out cable issues too. If you find that a faulty battery is a culprit, we can replace it for you.

Pro tip: Some iPhones may no longer charge via a wall charger, but will when connected to a computer, so make sure you try both!

2. Simple restart / Force restart

If your iPhone still won’t power on after charging, move on to the classic “Have you tried turning it off and on again?" step. Restart your iPhone by holding down the on/off button for a few seconds (usually, you’ll find it at the right edge, but if you own an iPhone 4/5/SE you’ll find it at the top edge). If you own an iPhone X, you have to press the volume-up button and the side button. You may also want to try force restarting an iPhone? Check out our iPhone restarting guide.

3. Restore to Factory Settings via iTunes (data loss).

If none of the previous steps get your iPhone to turn on, you can try restoring to factory settings via iTunes.

4. Contact Apple Support

Even if you haven’t tried the previous steps, you should check to see if your iPhone is still under warranty with Apple. If so, and your issue isn’t caused by hardware or water damage, visit the Apple Support website - they might be able to fix the issue for free.

Get iSmash Technicians to Run a Diagnosis.

If you’re still staring at a black screen and you’re after a quick and reliable fix, visit one of our iSmash Service Centres or send your device to our repair centre via our post in service.

Our technicians will be able to quickly determine why your iPhone won’t turn on and will talk you through the potential solutions. Book your iPhone repair today.