When your iPhone refuses to turn on or charge, it’s more than just an inconvenience—it can feel like your entire life is on hold. The good news is that most of these problems have straightforward solutions. Below, you’ll find everything you need to get your iPhone back in action, from quick checks to in-depth recovery methods.
Whether your phone shows no sign of charging, remains stuck on a black screen, or acts totally lifeless, follow these steps in order. You’ll address common pitfalls and learn exactly how to handle each stage of troubleshooting.
Check Your Charger and Cable
- Test with Different Accessories:
- Use a known-good Lightning cable and adapter. If you have a friend’s or coworker’s Apple-certified cable, try it.
- Plug that cable-adapter combination into various outlets. Sometimes an outlet itself can fail.
- Inspect for Damage:
- Look for fraying or bent prongs on your cable or adapter.
- Worn or damaged cables often cause intermittent charging problems or no charging at all.
- Switch Charging Methods:
- Try connecting your phone to a laptop or a car charger.
- If your iPhone suddenly responds when plugged into a computer, your standard wall adapter might be the culprit.
Clean the Charging Port (If Needed)
- Turn Off Device (if it has any power left):
This is to ensure safety before you start poking around the port. - Use a Soft, Dry Tool:
A dry cotton swab or a dedicated electronics cleaning brush works well. Gently remove any debris. - Avoid Liquids or Sharp Objects:
Don’t use liquids or metal picks. Liquids can corrode internal parts, and sharp objects might damage the pins.
Even if the port looks clean, it’s worth a gentle sweep. Lint or dust can be microscopic but still block the charging connection.
Attempt a Hard Reset (Force Restart)
If your phone appears dead, a force restart often revives it. This method became somewhat universal for newer models, but the most common procedure is:
- Press and Release the Volume Up button quickly.
- Press and Release the Volume Down button quickly.
- Press and Hold the Side (Power) button until the Apple logo appears.
- You might have to hold the side button for up to 20–40 seconds.
- If it fails on the first try, repeat the sequence multiple times. Rapidly pressing the volume buttons is key—some people press too slowly.
This sequence addresses many software-related freeze-ups that prevent normal powering on or charging indication.
Remove or Reinsert Your SIM Card (If Applicable)
For some users, especially those whose phones remain unresponsive despite multiple force restarts, removing the SIM card and then attempting the force restart (while the phone is connected to a charger) helped trigger a proper boot-up. This trick isn’t universal, but many have reported it solved their stuck black screen issue:
- Eject the SIM tray using a SIM eject tool or paperclip.
- Remove the SIM, let your iPhone stay on the charger, then do the force restart steps above.
- Once it powers on, reinsert the SIM if everything appears stable.
If you use an eSIM (no physical SIM card), skip this step and continue with the next approaches.
Charge via a Computer or a Different Power Source
- Plug into a Mac or PC:
This often provides a steadier, lower current that sometimes helps an unresponsive phone “wake up.” - Wait Several Minutes:
An extremely depleted battery might need a little time before showing the charging icon. - Check iTunes or Finder (on macOS):
If iTunes/Finder recognizes the phone, it’s a sign the battery and basic hardware are still functional.
Assess Battery Health (If Your Phone Powers On Briefly)
If you manage to boot up your phone:
- Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging.
- Check the Maximum Capacity percentage.
- If your battery health is significantly degraded (under 80%), you might experience random shutdowns or charging issues.
A failing battery can cause the phone not to turn on or mimic a “no charge” state. If your battery health is low, schedule a replacement.
Try Recovery Mode or DFU Mode (Advanced Steps)
When the phone still refuses to power on properly or can’t get past the Apple logo:
- Recovery Mode
- Connect your phone to a computer.
- Perform the force restart, but keep holding the side button until you see the Recovery Mode screen.
- In iTunes (or Finder on Mac), choose Update or Restore.
- This process will reinstall iOS and might erase your data unless you have a backup.
- DFU (Device Firmware Update) Mode
- This is the deepest type of restore.
- The specific button sequence to enter DFU mode varies by model, but generally you hold the power and volume buttons in different combinations to bypass the bootloader.
- Use DFU mode only if all else fails, and be aware this method wipes your phone entirely.
Because a DFU or recovery restore reinstalls system software, it can resolve severe firmware issues. However, it erases data, so proceed only if you have no other options.
Hardware Troubles or Motherboard Failures
If none of the methods above revives your device, especially if you see no Apple logo or charging icon at all, the hardware itself could be the issue.
- Signs of Possible Hardware Failure:
- Phone shows zero response even after multiple attempts.
- Strange lines or flickers on the screen (if it does show signs of life).
- Battery overheats quickly or remains cold even after prolonged charging.
- Next Steps:
- Visit Apple Support: Official technicians can run diagnostic tests on battery, motherboard, and other internal components.
- If your phone is under warranty, a hardware defect may qualify for a repair or a replacement.
- For older devices, weigh the cost of a repair against purchasing a newer model.
Wrapping It Up
A dead iPhone can stir panic, but in most cases, a fix is close at hand. Start simple: try different cables, inspect your charging port, and do a force restart—rapidly pressing volume up/down and then holding the side button longer than you think you need to. If these steps don’t work, removing the SIM card or charging through a computer might jump-start the phone. In tougher scenarios, battery issues or complex hardware failures could be the root cause, so checking battery health or seeking professional diagnostics may be your best bet.
With consistent troubleshooting and patience, most people find success—and relief—when their device finally lights up again.