How to Fix a Phone That Won’t Turn On

Edited 2 weeks ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

Phone TroubleshootingPower IssuesSmartphoneAndroidiPhoneDevice ManagementBatteryPerformanceMobile OSHardware

There is nothing more frustrating than a phone that won't turn on. Here, we will discuss several steps and methods to troubleshoot and fix the phone won't turn on issue. Whether it's an Android phone or an iPhone, these techniques can be useful for most devices.

Step 1: Charge your phone

The first and most obvious step is to make sure that your phone has enough battery power. Sometimes, it is possible that the battery is completely drained. Here is what you should do:

• Connect your phone to a charger and leave it plugged in for at least 15-30 minutes. Make sure you are using a working charger and cable.
• After waiting, try turning on the phone. If the phone doesn't turn on, try a different charger or cable.
• If nothing still happens, try charging your phone from a computer's USB port as there may be a problem with the power outlet.

Step 2: Force restart your phone

If charging doesn't help, the next step is to force restart your phone. This method may vary depending on your phone model:

For iPhone:

• For iPhone 8 or later: Quickly press and release the volume up button, then quickly press and release the volume down button. Finally, press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.
• For iPhone 7 or 7 Plus: Press and hold the Volume Down button and the Sleep/Wake button at the same time until the Apple logo appears.
• For iPhone 6s or earlier: Press and hold the Home button and the Sleep/Wake button at the same time until the Apple logo appears.

For Android phones:

• Press and hold the Power button and Volume Down button together for about 10-20 seconds.
• If your phone has a Home button, press and hold the Home button and the Power button at the same time.
• In some models it may be necessary to hold down the Power button and the Volume Up button.

Step 3: Inspect the hardware

Performing a physical inspection of the hardware may help identify why your phone won't turn on.

• Check for any visible damage such as cracks, bends, or dents. If the phone has been dropped recently, it may have caused internal damage.
• Check for any dirt or lint on the charging port that might be preventing the phone from charging properly. You can use a small brush or compressed air to clean the port.
• If your phone has a removable battery, take it out and inspect it for swelling or deformation that could indicate battery damage.

Step 4: Try a different battery (for phones with removable batteries)

If you have a phone with a removable battery, try another, compatible battery. Sometimes, the battery may be damaged and replacing it may restart your phone. Make sure you use the original battery and not a third-party replacement battery.

Step 5: Connect to computer

Connecting your phone to a computer can sometimes make the phone unresponsive especially if there is a software issue.

• For iPhone: Use a USB cable to connect your iPhone to a computer with iTunes installed. iTunes may recognize the device and prompt you to restore or update it.

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• For Android phones: Connect your phone to the computer and check if it is recognized via File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac). If recognized, you can transfer data before doing a factory reset.

Step 6: Boot into safe mode (for Android)

Safe Mode is a diagnostic mode that allows you to run your Android phone with default factory settings and software.

• To enter Safe Mode, press and hold the Power button until the Power off option appears.
• Press and hold the Power off option until it asks if you want to restart in safe mode. Tap OK.
• If your phone turns on in Safe Mode, it means that the problem is caused by a third-party app. Then you can find out the cause of the problem by uninstalling the recently installed app.

Step 7: Perform a factory reset

As a last resort, performing a factory reset may help fix the problem. Note that this will erase all data on your device.

For iPhone:

• Connect your iPhone to the computer via iTunes.
• Put your iPhone in Recovery Mode. For iPhone 8 or later models, quickly press and release the Volume Up button, then press and release the Volume Down button and then hold down the Side button until the Recovery Mode screen appears.
• In iTunes, select your device and choose the "Restore" option.

For Android phones:

• Turn off your device.
• Press and hold the Power button and the Volume Down button simultaneously until the bootloader screen appears.
• Use the Volume buttons to navigate to the Recovery Mode option and press the Power button to select it.
• Once in Recovery mode, use the Volume buttons to navigate to the “Wipe data/factory reset” option and press the Power button to select it.

Step 8: See a professional

If none of the above remedies work, it's time to consult a professional. Here are the options to consider:

• Take your phone to an authorized service center. They have special equipment and expertise to diagnose and fix hardware problems.
• If your phone is still under warranty, contact the manufacturer or retailer for assistance and possible replacement.

Conclusion

Fixing a phone that won't turn on can involve several diagnostic steps, including checking the battery, performing a force restart, inspecting the hardware, and even performing a factory reset. It's important to be thorough and methodical because some problems can be resolved with simple fixes, while others may require professional assistance. By following these steps, users can increase their chances of getting their unresponsive phone back on.

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