May 27, 2014 at 6:33 p.m. PST
If your iPhone won’t turn on, it probably isn’t broken. This article will assist you in troubleshooting an iPhone that will not turn on. The steps in this article will also work on an iPad or iPod touch.
It can be a frightening experience when you try to turn on your iPhone and nothing happens. We depend on our mobile devices for virtually everything these days. They are also very expensive, especially if you need to replace a subsidized device. Fortunately, in most cases, an unresponsive iPhone can be fixed. If you can’t fix it yourself, there are services that can repair your device for less than a replacement. Of course, if you have an extended warranty, there’s not much to worry about. Just send it in and you will get a replacement, no questions asked.
Is Your iPhone On?
If you’re an iPhone newbie, you might not realize that the home button doesn’t turn your device on. Pressing home will wake your device if the screen is locked, but it doesn’t turn your device on. Hold down the sleep/wake button at the top of your iPhone for a few seconds. You should see the Apple logo and your device will boot up.
Is Your iPhone Charged?
If your iPhone won’t turn on, the next step is to eliminate the obvious — make sure your device is charged. Plug your device into the charger and wait at least 5 minutes. You should see a screen indicating that your iPhone is charging. After a while, your device should start up automatically. If nothing happens, leave it plugged in for another 30 minutes. It is possible that the battery has been excessively drained and needs more time to reach an operational charge.
Sometimes electrical outlets can break or may be turned off with a wall switch. Try plugging another appliance into the outlet, such as a lamp, to ensure that the outlet works.
USB ports on computers can be problematic when it comes to charging a device. Depending on the age or brand of computer, it may not have enough current to charge an iPhone. Try another USB port or use the charger that came with your iPhone. In general, you should always use the charger that came with your iPhone. There are a few exceptions, such as an iPhone-compatible alarm clock or sound dock.
It is also possible that your charging cable is damaged. There are reports of some of the new lightning cables having defects, but this is rare. These cables are more fragile than their predecessors, so it is possible that your iPhone is not charging due to a damaged cable. If possible, try charging your device with another cable. You may need to borrow one from a friend or take your device in to an Apple store. Make sure to use an official Apple charger.
Ensure that the charging port on your iPhone is clean. Dirt, lint and other detritus could break conductivity between the charger and your device. This is always a possibility, as many people put their iPhone in their pocket. Be careful when cleaning the dock connector to avoid permanent damage.
If these steps don’t work, it possible that the battery is no longer working. If you have had your iPhone for a long time and the battery life has diminished, it is likely that your battery is shot. It’s also possible for the battery to be permanently damaged if it has been left in a hot environment, such as inside a car or on a radiator.
If you suspect that your battery is dead, you can take it to an Apple store or one of the many authorized repair services. You can even purchase an online kit to replace the battery yourself. Contrary to blogosphere myths, it is completely possible to replace an iPhone battery. A complete battery replacement kit for the iPhone 5S costs about $20 and comes with video instructions and tools, as well as a replacement battery.
Try A Soft Reset
If you are sure that the battery is not the issue, try doing a soft reset. Simply hold down the home and power button at the same time. You should see an Apple logo within 10 seconds. Release the buttons and your device will boot up.
Restore Your iPhone with iTunes
Before sending your iPhone off for service, try using iTunes to restore the device. First, plug the device into your computer’s USB port using the cable provided. Next, start iTunes and wait for your device to be discovered. If iTunes finds your device, it will appear in the upper right hand corner of the iTunes window.
Click on the device and you will see the summary screen. From here, you can click the Restore button and follow the on-screen instructions.
This works best if you have backed up your iPhone with iTunes. It may be possible to do the backup immediately before the restore. If iTunes can discover and access your device, it’s worth trying to backup your device before you restore it. Restoring your device will reset it to factory settings.
Broken Screen?
If iTunes can find your device, it is possible that the screen is broken. Perhaps the connection between the device’s graphics processing unit and screen has been damaged. You can verify this by trying to turn on your iPhone. Hold the sleep/wake button for a few seconds, which should power up your device. If your screen is damaged, you will not see an Apple logo. Next, call your iPhone. If it rings or vibrates, your phone is working but something is wrong with the screen. You can take your device to an Apple store or find a qualified repair service to fix it. If you have nothing to lose, you can try fixing it yourself. There are many DIY iPhone repair sites that sell kits with parts, tools, and video instructions.
Defective Sleep/Wake Button
Apple has acknowledged a defect with the sleep/wake button on certain models of iPhones. This has been known to affect certain iPhone 5 models manufactured through March of 2013. A defective sleep/wake button could prevent your iPhone from powering on. If you suspect this is the case, visit Apple’s replacement program web page for this issue. You can enter the serial number of your iPhone to check if it qualifies for a replacement. If it does, chances are that the sleep/wake button is preventing your iPhone from turning on.
Defective Proximity Sensor
The proximity sensor turns off your iPhone screen when you hold it to your face. This component could possibly malfunction, causing the device to appear to be turned off. You can verify that your device is on by calling it with another phone. If it rings or vibrates, your iPhone is on. Next, do a soft reset on your iPhone by holding down the Home and Sleep/Wake button for 10 seconds. The Apple logo should appear. When your device is running again, you should be able to see the screen.
You will need to reset your device to ensure that the proximity sensor doesn’t malfunction again. Tap on Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings. This will reset user preferences and other settings, but it will not delete your apps and related data. It’s not a full factory reset, but it is an inconvenience. If this problem persists after the reset, it may be a hardware problem. Consider taking your device in to an Apple store or a qualified service technician.
If All Else Fails, Seek Professional Help
So you’ve tried all these steps and your iPhone still won’t work? Don’t worry, it can probably be fixed. At this point, it is a good idea to take it to a professional. Try making a Genius appointment at the local Apple store. If you don’t have a nearby Apple store, try to find an authorized service technician in your area. You can also send your device to a service center for repair. Unfortunately, repairs cost money and if you don’t know the problem, you don’t know how much it will cost to fix. It is a bit of a gamble. You might consider getting a new device, especially if your telecom provider will subsidize it. Usually, after two years, most customers are eligible for a new device. If your iPhone is less than two years old, you can typically get a replacement at a reduced price. You won’t have to pay the full $500-600, unless you require an “unlocked” device that can work with any provider.