What to Do When Your Iphone Wont Turn On
If you are wondering what to do when your iPhone wont turn on, start with the simplest fixes first: check the charger, try a different cable or power adapter, and force restart the phone. In many cases, the problem is a dead battery, a frozen system, or a black screen rather than a complete hardware failure. If those steps do not help, recovery mode or repair may be the next step.
Quick answer
When an iPhone will not turn on, the fastest path is to rule out charging problems, then perform a force restart, and then try recovery mode if the screen still stays black. If the phone was dropped, got wet, or still shows no signs of life after charging for a while, the issue may be hardware-related and may need service.
Check the charger and power source first
Before assuming the phone is broken, make sure it is actually receiving power. A bad cable, weak adapter, dirty port, or dead outlet can make an iPhone look completely off.
- Try a different wall outlet.
- Use a different Lightning or USB-C cable if you have one.
- Use a different power adapter or charging brick.
- If you normally charge wirelessly, try a cable instead.
- Check the charging port for lint, dust, or debris.
If the port looks dirty, power the phone off if possible and gently inspect it with a light. Do not use anything sharp or metal to clean it. A soft, dry brush or a careful blast of air is safer than poking inside the port.
What if the phone shows a charging symbol?
If you see the battery icon, Apple logo, or a low-battery symbol, the phone is probably not dead. It may just need time to charge before it can fully start.
Leave it charging for at least 15 to 30 minutes
If the battery is fully drained, the iPhone may not respond right away. Leave it connected to a known-good charger for at least 15 to 30 minutes before trying anything else. If the battery was deeply depleted, it can take longer before the screen shows signs of life.
While it is charging, watch for these signs:
- The battery icon appears.
- The Apple logo appears briefly.
- The screen becomes slightly warm.
- The phone vibrates or makes a sound when connected.
If none of that happens, move on to a force restart.
Force restart your iPhone
A force restart can fix a frozen iPhone that appears dead, especially if the screen is black but the phone is actually powered on. The button sequence depends on your model.
iPhone 8 and later, including iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation)
- Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
- Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
- Press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo.
iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus
- Press and hold the Side button and Volume Down button at the same time.
- Keep holding until the Apple logo appears.
iPhone 6s, iPhone SE (1st generation), and earlier
- Press and hold the Home button and the Side or Top button at the same time.
- Keep holding until the Apple logo appears.
If the Apple logo appears, let the phone finish starting up. If it still does nothing, continue troubleshooting.
If the screen stays black, check whether it is a display problem
Sometimes an iPhone is on, but the display is not working. That can make it seem like the phone will not turn on when the real issue is the screen, backlight, or display connector.
Possible signs of a screen problem include:
- The phone makes sounds but shows no image.
- It vibrates when switched to silent or when plugged in.
- You hear notifications but the screen stays black.
- The phone gets warm even though the display remains off.
If you suspect the phone is on but the screen is not responding, try calling it from another phone, charging it, or connecting it to a computer. If the computer detects it, the issue may be the display rather than the main power system.
Try recovery mode if the iPhone still will not start
If force restart does not work, recovery mode can help if the operating system is damaged. This step usually requires a Mac or PC with Finder or iTunes.
Important: restoring a device can erase data if you do not already have a backup. If your iPhone is important and you have not backed it up recently, think carefully before restoring.
How to enter recovery mode
- Connect the iPhone to a computer with a cable.
- Open Finder on a Mac with macOS Catalina or later, or open iTunes on a Windows PC or older macOS version.
- Put the iPhone into recovery mode using the same button sequence used for a force restart, but keep holding until the recovery mode screen appears.
- When the computer offers Update or Restore, try Update first if available, because it attempts to reinstall iOS without erasing data.
If Update fails or the phone still does not start, Restore may be the next option, but it can remove data from the device.
Look for signs of hardware damage
If the phone has been dropped, exposed to water, or subjected to heat, the issue may be physical damage rather than software. That is especially likely if basic charging and recovery steps do nothing.
Hardware red flags include:
- Visible cracks, bent frame, or damaged buttons.
- Water inside the screen or port.
- The phone becomes very hot while charging.
- No response at all, even with a known-good charger and cable.
- The battery appears swollen or the screen is lifting.
If you suspect water damage, do not keep trying random chargers or leave it plugged in for long periods. Power and moisture can make the damage worse. A repair shop or Apple Support can help assess the device safely.
Battery failure can also be the cause
An aging battery may stop holding enough charge for the phone to start. In some cases, the iPhone may only work when plugged in, restart unexpectedly, or show rapid battery drain before it fails to turn on at all.
If the phone has had battery problems recently, that is a useful clue. A battery replacement may solve the issue if the rest of the device is still healthy.
Simple decision guide
| What you see | Likely cause | Best next step |
|---|---|---|
| No response at all | Dead battery, bad charger, or hardware issue | Check charger, charge 15 to 30 minutes, then force restart |
| Battery icon appears | Deeply drained battery | Keep charging and try again later |
| Apple logo appears then disappears | Software boot problem | Force restart, then try recovery mode |
| Phone sounds alive but screen stays black | Display issue | Test with sound, vibration, or a computer connection |
| Recent drop or water exposure | Physical damage | Stop troubleshooting and seek repair |
When to contact Apple Support
Contact Apple Support or visit an authorized repair provider if:
- The iPhone still will not turn on after trying a known-good charger and force restart.
- You suspect water damage or a battery problem.
- The phone was dropped and now stays black.
- Recovery mode does not work, or the computer does not detect the device.
- The battery seems swollen, the device is hot, or the screen is separating from the body.
If you need data on the phone, mention that before any restore or repair work. That can help you avoid unnecessary data loss.
How to reduce the chance of this happening again
Once the phone is working again, a few habits can help prevent repeat problems:
- Use reliable charging cables and adapters.
- Keep the charging port clean.
- Install iOS updates when available.
- Avoid letting the battery drain completely all the time.
- Back up the iPhone regularly to iCloud or a computer.
Frequently Asked Questions About what to do when your iphone wont turn on
Why is my iPhone not turning on even when it is charged?
The battery may not actually be holding a charge, the screen may be dead, or the phone may have a software or hardware fault. A force restart and recovery mode are the next things to try.
How do I force restart my iPhone?
The button sequence depends on your model. Newer iPhones use Volume Up, Volume Down, then hold the Side button. Older models use different button combinations, especially the Home button on earlier devices.
How long should I charge an iPhone that wont turn on?
Give it at least 15 to 30 minutes on a known-good charger before testing it again. If the battery is deeply drained, it may need longer.
What do I do if my iPhone is stuck on a black screen?
Try a force restart first. If that fails, charge the phone, then check whether it is actually on by listening for sounds or testing it with a computer. Recovery mode may help if the software is stuck.
When should I contact Apple for an iPhone that wont turn on?
Contact Apple Support when charging and force restart do not help, or if there are signs of water damage, a swollen battery, a bad drop, or other physical damage.
Will I lose data if I use recovery mode?
Not always. The Update option may repair the system without erasing data, but Restore can remove everything on the device. If possible, try Update first and only restore when necessary.
Final takeaway
If you are trying to figure out what to do when your iPhone wont turn on, start with the basics: check the charger, charge it for a while, and force restart it. If the screen stays black, use recovery mode and look for signs of hardware damage. When those steps do not work, repair support is the safest next move, especially if the phone was dropped, got wet, or contains important data.