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iPhone Won't Turn On? Here's How to Fix It

Don't panic! An iPhone that won't turn on is usually fixable. Follow these steps in order - most issues are resolved within the first three fixes.

⏱️ 5-30 min 💪 Easy 🔧 No tools needed
💡 Quick Check: Is your screen black but you can hear sounds, feel vibrations, or see the screen light up slightly? That's a display issue, not a power issue. See our screen repair guide.

Try These Fixes (In Order)

1 Force Restart Your iPhone

A force restart clears temporary glitches without erasing data. This fixes most "won't turn on" issues.

iPhone 8 and later (including iPhone 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, X, SE 2nd/3rd gen):

  1. Press and quickly release Volume Up
  2. Press and quickly release Volume Down
  3. Press and hold the Side Button for 10-15 seconds
  4. Keep holding until you see the Apple logo

iPhone 7 / 7 Plus:

  1. Hold Volume Down + Side Button together
  2. Keep holding for 10-15 seconds until Apple logo appears

iPhone 6s and earlier:

  1. Hold Home Button + Side/Top Button together
  2. Keep holding for 10-15 seconds until Apple logo appears
✅ If it worked: Your iPhone should boot up normally. If this happens frequently, update to the latest iOS.

2 Charge for 30 Minutes

A completely dead battery won't show any signs of life - not even a charging indicator - for several minutes.

  1. Connect your iPhone to the original charger (or a known-good one)
  2. Use a wall adapter, not a computer USB port
  3. Wait at least 15-30 minutes
  4. Look for the charging screen (battery icon)
  5. If no response, try a different cable and adapter
⚠️ Check your cable: Frayed or damaged Lightning/USB-C cables are a top cause of charging issues. Try a different cable before assuming the phone is broken.

3 Check for Physical Damage

Inspect your iPhone for signs of damage that could prevent it from turning on:

  • Water damage: Check the SIM tray for a red/pink indicator
  • Swollen battery: Is the screen bulging or separating from the frame?
  • Charging port debris: Look for lint or dirt in the port
  • Drop damage: Any new dents or cracks?
⚠️ Swollen Battery: If your screen is bulging, STOP using the phone immediately. A swollen battery is a fire hazard. Get professional help.

4 Try DFU Mode Restore

DFU (Device Firmware Update) mode can fix software corruption that prevents booting. This will erase your data - only try if you have a backup or nothing else works.

Requirements:

  • Computer with iTunes (Windows) or Finder (Mac)
  • USB cable

iPhone 8 and later:

  1. Connect iPhone to computer
  2. Quick-press Volume Up, then Volume Down
  3. Hold Side Button until screen goes black (~10 sec)
  4. While holding Side Button, also hold Volume Down for 5 seconds
  5. Release Side Button but keep holding Volume Down for 10 seconds
  6. If screen stays black, you're in DFU mode
  7. iTunes/Finder will prompt you to Restore
💡 Tip: If you see the Apple logo, you went too far. Start over.

5 Hardware Issues

If none of the above worked, you likely have a hardware problem:

  • Dead battery - Battery won't hold charge at all → Replace battery
  • Faulty charging port - Not making connection → Replace charging port
  • Logic board damage - Usually from water or drops → Professional repair needed
  • Power IC failure - Internal chip damage → Professional repair needed

Common Causes

Symptom Likely Cause Solution
No response at all Dead battery or software crash Charge + Force restart
Shows charging but won't boot Software corruption DFU restore
Gets hot but no display Display failure or logic board Screen replacement or pro repair
Died after water exposure Water damage Water damage guide
Apple logo loop Software or storage issue DFU restore

Still Not Working?

If your iPhone still won't turn on after trying all these steps, it's likely a hardware issue that needs professional diagnosis.

Get Pro Help →