iPhone won't turn on? Check these first

💡 Quick answer: Check the charging port for damage or debris, charge from a wall outlet for 30 minutes to an hour, then force restart it. If the screen is still black after that, the cause is inside the phone.

🧰 Difficulty: ★☆☆☆☆ • ⏱ DIY time: 1-2 hours

⚠️ Risk level: Low, as long as you stick to charging and button presses. Don’t use a damaged cable or adapter.

⚙️ Still dark after all that? Pop in a nearby uBreakiFix® by Asurion for expert help.

A dead-looking iPhone® has a way of making your stomach drop and your brain jump to pricing out a replacement. Don't panic just yet. We see this in our stores often, and there are several solutions that may help to bring your phone back to life. Here’s what we’d try, in order, and what it means if your iPhone screen stays black.

Why won't my iPhone turn on?

When an iPhone won't power on, it's most often because of battery, charger or software issues. Here’s how each one shows up:

• The battery is drained. A fully drained iPhone can need some charging time before the screen shows anything.
• The charger isn’t delivering power. A damaged cable or adapter, a loose connection, a dead outlet, or debris in the charging port can keep power from reaching the phone.
• The software is frozen. A frozen iPhone can look exactly like a dead one.

If the black screen started after you dropped your device, that's another story—it's likely something is going on inside the phone and you'll want it looked at by an iPhone repair expert.

How to fix an iPhone that won't turn on

Work through these in order. Each step rules something out, so you’re narrowing down the cause instead of mashing buttons and hoping.

1. Check the port and your charging gear. Shine a flashlight into the Lightning or USB-C port on the bottom of the iPhone. Pocket lint packs in there more than you’d expect and can keep the cable from seating fully. A flashlight is fine for looking; keep the paper clip out of it. Then look over the cable and adapter for fraying or bent prongs, and don’t use anything damaged.
2. Plug into a wall outlet. Use a certified cable and adapter, connected straight to a wall outlet rather than a laptop USB port or an unpowered hub. Give it 30 minutes to an hour before you decide anything.
3. Force restart it. A frozen iPhone can look just like a dead one, and a regular button hold won’t get its attention. The sequence depends on your model:
   • iPhone 8 or later, and iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation): Press and quickly release Volume Up, press and quickly release Volume Down, then press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears. That can take longer than 10 seconds, so keep holding.
   • iPhone 7 and 7 Plus: Press and hold the Side button and Volume Down together until the Apple logo appears.
   • iPhone 6s or earlier, and iPhone SE (1st generation): Press and hold the Home button and the Side (or Top) button together until the Apple logo appears.

Here’s what the results tell you:

• If the Apple logo appears at any point, the iPhone has power and is starting up. Let it finish booting.
• If you see a battery icon, the phone is taking in power but isn’t ready to start. Keep it charging, force restart, then charge it for another half hour.
• If a different cable, adapter, or outlet changes the result, the iPhone was fine and the charging setup was the problem.
• If the screen stays black after the force restart and a second round of charging, finding the cause means testing what’s inside the phone, and that’s where we’d suggest you let an iPhone expert take over to avoid any further damage.

Is it the charger or the iPhone?

Swapping one piece at a time is the fastest way to find out. Try a different cable, then a different adapter, then a different outlet, changing only one thing between attempts. Whichever swap brings the phone back is your culprit. If an alert says your accessory isn't supported or certified, connect the iPhone directly to the charger with no adapters or extra equipment in between, try a different USB cable or charger, and make sure you're on the latest version of iOS.

The charging port deserves a closer look too, since debris in there can keep the cable from seating properly. Check out how to safely clean your phone charging port—and avoid disasters.

When to take your iPhone to a pro

If you've tried all of these steps and your iPhone still won't turn on, finding the cause means testing what's inside the phone, and that takes the right tools. Bring your iPhone to your nearest uBreakiFix by Asurion store, and we'll take it from there. We'll diagnose what's actually going on and walk you through the repair and cost before any work begins, so you can decide what makes sense.

FAQ

Will a force restart fix an iPhone that won't turn on?

Only if the phone is frozen or unresponsive, which can look just like a dead phone. If the problem is a drained battery or a bad charging connection, charging it properly is what fixes it. If it still won't power on afterward, it may need service.

Why does my iPhone show a battery icon but won't turn on?

It's taking in power but isn't ready to start yet. Keep it charging, force restart it, then let it charge for another half hour before trying again.

Can I charge my iPhone from a computer?

Yes, Apple lists a computer as one of several power sources. For troubleshooting, though, use a wall outlet with firm connections at every point, since that takes the computer out of the equation.

Is my iPhone dead for good if it won't turn on?

Not necessarily. A drained battery, a bad cable or adapter, and a software freeze can all look like a dead iPhone and can be fixed at home. If you've run through the charging and force restart steps and it still won't turn on, it needs a closer look.

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