How to Fix an iPhone That Won’t Turn On (Complete Guide)

There’s nothing quite as frustrating as an unresponsive iPhone. You press the power button, and… nothing. No Apple logo, no vibration, no screen flicker. It feels like your lifeline to the world has suddenly vanished. Before you rush to a repair shop or declare your phone dead, take a deep breath. Chances are, you can fix this yourself.

Whether it’s a simple software hiccup, a battery issue, or something more complicated, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to get your iPhone back on its feet. We’ll cover the common reasons your iPhone might not turn on, what you can do to fix it, and when it’s time to call in the pros.

Table of Contents

Start With the Basics: Is Your iPhone Really Off?

This might sound obvious, but the first thing to check is whether your iPhone is truly off or just appears that way. Sometimes the screen is the problem, not the phone itself.

Here are a few signs that your iPhone might still be on:

You hear notification sounds or feel vibrations.
Siri responds when you hold the side or home button.
Your phone rings when you call it from another number.
Your computer detects the device when connected with a Lightning cable.

If any of these happen, your iPhone is actually on — but the display might be malfunctioning. If you’re unsure, keep reading. We’ll help you narrow it down.

Try Charging It (the Right Way)

One of the most common reasons an iPhone won’t turn on is a dead battery. You might assume your phone is charging, but faulty cables, adapters, or charging ports can interfere.

Here’s how to properly charge your iPhone:

Plug your phone into a wall outlet using an Apple-certified charging cable and power adapter.
Wait for at least 30 minutes. Yes, really. If the battery is completely drained, it can take several minutes before anything appears on screen.
If nothing happens, try a different charger, cable, and wall outlet.
Still no response? Try a wireless charger if your iPhone model supports it (iPhone 8 or newer).

Also, check for signs of life. Look for a low battery icon or the Apple logo appearing on the screen. If nothing shows up after 30 minutes of charging, it could be a deeper issue.

Force Restart: A Quick and Often Effective Fix

When your iPhone is completely unresponsive, a simple force restart might bring it back to life. This won’t erase your data. It’s like pulling the battery out and putting it back in — only digitally.

How to Force Restart Based on Your iPhone Model:

iPhone 8 and later (including iPhone SE 2nd/3rd gen):
1. Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
2. Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
3. Hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears (can take up to 30 seconds).
iPhone 7 and 7 Plus:
- Press and hold both the Volume Down button and the Power (Sleep/Wake) button until you see the Apple logo.
iPhone 6s, 6s Plus, or iPhone SE (1st Gen):
- Press and hold both the Home button and the Power button until the Apple logo shows up.

If your iPhone restarts and works normally, great! It was probably a system glitch.

Inspect for Physical or Liquid Damage

If charging and a force restart don’t help, take a closer look at your phone. Physical or water damage can cause serious issues.

Signs of physical damage include:

Cracked screen or dented frame
Buttons that don’t respond
SIM tray corrosion
Discoloration around ports

If your iPhone recently got wet, even if it’s water-resistant, moisture might have seeped in. Here’s what you can do:

Turn off the phone (if it turns on).
Dry the outside with a lint-free cloth.
Place it in a container with silica gel packs (not rice).
Let it sit for 24-48 hours.

Avoid plugging in or turning on a wet phone. Water and electricity are a bad mix.

Try Recovery Mode: Repair Without Data Loss

If your iPhone turns on but gets stuck on the Apple logo or goes into a boot loop, recovery mode may help. It allows you to reinstall iOS while preserving your data.

Steps to Enter Recovery Mode:

Connect your iPhone to a computer using a Lightning cable.
Open iTunes (on Windows or macOS Mojave and earlier) or Finder (on macOS Catalina and later).
Put your phone into recovery mode:
- Follow the force restart steps, but keep holding the final button until the recovery mode screen appears (a computer icon or iTunes logo).
A prompt will appear: Update or Restore.
Choose Update. This reinstalls iOS without erasing your data.

If Update fails, try Restore (note that this will erase your iPhone).

DFU Mode: The Last Resort

If recovery mode doesn’t work, DFU (Device Firmware Update) mode is your next step. This is a deep-level restore that can fix firmware-level issues. But beware: it erases everything unless you have a backup.

How to Enter DFU Mode (iPhone 8 and later):

Connect your iPhone to a computer.
Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
Hold the Side button for 10 seconds.
While continuing to hold the Side button, press and hold the Volume Down button for another 5 seconds.
Release the Side button but keep holding the Volume Down button for another 5 seconds.
The screen should stay black. Your computer will recognize a device in recovery mode.

Use Finder or iTunes to restore the device. If you see the Apple logo, you didn’t do it correctly.

Could It Be a Screen Issue?

Sometimes, the phone is technically on, but the screen is dead.

Here are some clues:

You can hear sounds, alerts, or vibrations.
Your computer recognizes the iPhone.
You can receive calls, but can’t see anything.

Try calling the iPhone or using Siri. If you get a response, your display may be the issue. In this case, you’ll likely need professional repair.

Check for Hardware Issues

If you’ve tried everything and your iPhone is still unresponsive, you might be dealing with a hardware failure. Common problems include:

Dead battery: especially in older iPhones.
Faulty logic board: sometimes caused by drops or moisture.
Damaged charging port: if the phone doesn’t charge at all.
Broken power button: making it impossible to turn on manually.

Unfortunately, these issues typically require professional service. Don’t try to open your iPhone unless you’re trained — doing so can void your warranty and cause more damage.

When to Contact Apple Support

If your iPhone still won’t turn on after all the above steps, it’s time to let Apple take a look.

Here are your options:

Apple Support Website: https://support.apple.com
Apple Store Genius Bar: Make a reservation through the Apple Support app or website.
Mail-in Repair: Apple offers mail-in service if you can’t visit a store.

Check your warranty status here: https://checkcoverage.apple.com. If you’re covered by AppleCare+, repairs may be free or discounted.

Tips to Prevent This From Happening Again

Once your iPhone is back up and running, it’s smart to take steps to prevent future issues. Here’s what you can do:

Update regularly: Keep iOS up to date to fix bugs and improve stability.
Use certified chargers: Cheap cables can damage your battery or charging port.
Avoid full battery drains: Try to keep your battery between 20% and 80%.
Keep it dry: Even water-resistant iPhones aren’t waterproof. Avoid pools, steam rooms, and rain exposure.
Back up your data: Use iCloud or iTunes/Finder so you’re never at risk of total data loss.

Final Thoughts

Having an iPhone that won’t turn on can be stressful, especially when you rely on your phone for work, communication, and daily life. But don’t panic — many of these problems are fixable with a few simple steps.

Start with the basics: charge it properly, try a force restart, and check for signs of life. If that doesn’t work, recovery mode or DFU mode can often fix stubborn issues. And if you’re still stuck, there’s no shame in contacting Apple Support or visiting a repair technician.

The most important thing is to stay calm and work through the possibilities. With the right approach, your iPhone might just spring back to life — no repair bill necessary.

And if your iPhone is truly beyond repair? Apple’s trade-in program might help you put its value toward a new device.

Thanks for reading, and good luck getting your iPhone back up and running!