How to troubleshoot a phone that’s not responding

Edited 1 day ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

Phone TroubleshootingSmartphoneAndroidiPhonePerformanceDevice ManagementMobile OSSoftwareUser GuideHardware

In today's world, smartphones have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. From making phone calls and sending texts to browsing the internet and managing tasks, we rely heavily on our phones for communication and organization. However, sometimes our phones stop responding, leaving us frustrated and disconnected. Whether it's Android or iPhone, phone not answering can happen to anyone and there can be many reasons behind it. In this guide, you'll learn how to fix a phone not answering. We'll go through a step-by-step process to identify common problems and solve them.

Step 1: Check for simple problems

Before getting into more technical troubleshooting, it's always wise to first check for simpler problems that might have caused your phone to become unresponsive.

Check the battery

The most common reason why a phone stops working is a drained battery. Follow these steps:

• Connect your phone to the charger and let it charge for at least 15-30 minutes.
• If possible, try the charging cable and adapter with another device to make sure they are working.
• Look for any signs of life, such as LED lights or vibrations, that indicate the phone is charging.

Restart your phone

Restarting your phone can resolve various minor software glitches:

• Press and hold the Power button until the Power menu appears (this may take 10-15 seconds).
• Select "Restart" or "Power Off" and wait until the phone turns off.
• After the phone turns off, press the Power button again to turn it on again.

Check for physical damage

Inspect your phone for any physical damage:

• Look for cracks or dents, as these can cause internal components to malfunction.
• If the phone has been dropped or exposed to water, it may have been damaged causing it to become unresponsive.
• In case of water damage, place your phone in a bag of raw rice or use a silica gel packet for at least 24 hours to absorb moisture.

Step 2: Software troubleshooting

Once you've ruled out simple problems, move on to more in-depth software troubleshooting steps.

Force restart

If a simple restart doesn't work, a force restart may help:

• For iPhone 8 and later models: Quickly press and release the Volume Up button, then quickly press and release the Volume Down button, and finally, press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
• For iPhone 7 and 7 Plus: Press and hold both the Volume Down button and the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
• For iPhone 6s and earlier: Press and hold the Home button and the Side (or Top) button until the Apple logo appears.
• For Android devices: Press and hold the Power button and Volume Down button simultaneously for about 10-20 seconds until the phone restarts.

Update the software

Running outdated software can cause your phone to become unresponsive. Updating it can fix bugs and improve performance:

• For iOS: Go to Settings > General > Software Update. If an update is available, follow the onscreen instructions to install it.
• For Android: Go to Settings > System > Advanced > System update. Follow the prompts to install available updates.

Boot into Safe Mode (Android)

Safe mode allows you to run your phone with only the default system apps, which can help identify if a third-party app is causing the problem:

To enter Safe Mode:

• Press and hold the Power button until the power menu appears.
• Press and hold the "Power Off" option until the "Reboot to Safe Mode" prompt appears.
• Tap "OK" to reboot into Safe Mode. You'll see "Safe Mode" at the bottom of the screen.
• Check if your phone responds better in safe mode. If so, uninstall recently installed apps.
• To exit Safe Mode, restart your phone normally.

Free up storage space

Overloaded storage can slow down your phone and make it unresponsive. Freeing up space can improve performance:

• Remove unused apps by going to Settings > Apps (or Applications) > [select an app] > Uninstall.
• Clear the app cache by going to Settings > Storage > Cached data > Clear cache.
• Transfer photos, videos, and files to a computer or cloud storage to save space.

Factory reset

If none of the above steps work, performing a factory reset may be necessary. This will erase all data on your phone, so be sure to back up important files:

• For iOS: Go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. Enter your passcode and confirm the reset.
• For Android: Go to Settings > System > Advanced > Reset options > Erase all data (factory reset). Follow the prompts to complete the reset.

Step 3: Hardware troubleshooting

If software troubleshooting didn't help, the problem might be hardware related.

Check for faulty hardware

Internal components such as the battery, screen, or motherboard may be damaged:

• If the battery is removable, try replacing it with a new battery.
• Check for any signs of faulty connectors or cables inside the phone.
• Consider seeking professional repair services to diagnose and replace faulty hardware components.

Test using another device

To make sure the problem is with your phone and not an external accessory like a charger or headphones:

• Try using a different charger and cable to charge your phone.
• To make sure your current charger and cable are working, test them with another device.
• If your phone uses an external SD card, try removing it and see if the phone responds better.

Visit the service center

If you've tried all of the steps above and your phone still isn't responding, it may require professional evaluation:

• Contact your phone's manufacturer or visit an authorized service center.
• Provide detailed information about the problem to help the technician diagnose the problem more efficiently.
• Be prepared to provide proof of purchase and warranty information, if applicable.

Preventative measures

To avoid problems with your phone in the future, consider taking the following preventive measures:

Update the software regularly

Keep your phone's software and applications updated to the latest version to ensure optimal performance and security.

Manage storage efficiently

Regularly delete unused apps and files, and transfer large files to external storage solutions to keep your phone running smoothly.

Use a protective case and screen guard

A protective case and screen guard can help protect your phone from physical damage caused by drops and impact.

Avoid overcharges

To prevent damage to the battery and overheating, disconnect the phone from the charger once it is fully charged.

Conclusion

Phones can become unresponsive for a variety of reasons, ranging from software glitches to hardware defects. By following this comprehensive troubleshooting guide, you can identify and resolve the problem affecting your phone. Performing regular maintenance and preventive measures can help ensure that your phone remains in good working condition for a long time. If all else fails, don't hesitate to seek professional help to get your phone up and running again.

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