The iPhone has become indispensable to our lives, keeping us connected, informed, and entertained.
However, encountering an issue where your iPhone won’t turn on or repeatedly powers off can be frustrating and worrisome.
Whether faced with a black screen or stuck in a constant power cycle, it’s essential to understand that potential solutions exist to revive your device and restore its functionality.
In this comprehensive troubleshooting guide, we will explore various methods and steps to help you address the issue of an iPhone won’t turn on or keeps turning off unexpectedly.
From simple remedies to more advanced techniques, we will cover the most effective strategies to bring your iPhone back to life, saving you from the distress of a seemingly lifeless device.
While severe issues like jailbreaking iPhone 12 or iPhone 13, you can produce the desired result with a few knocks with our post.
So, let’s dive in and uncover why your iPhone won’t turn on or keeps powering off and how to fix it.
Table of Contents
Why Won’t My iPhone Turn On?
The reasons for this are numerous, but the following four are the most prevalent:
1. Battery Failure
If you are perplexed by a black screen on your iPhone, the culprit could be a depleted battery.
It’s common to encounter power-related problems if your device suddenly shuts down despite having an extended battery or if it tends to heat up rapidly.
As Apple batteries age, their effectiveness diminishes, decreasing their capacity to retain a charge.
Consequently, their performance suffers, mainly when operating at low battery levels, often resulting in unforeseen shutdowns.
2. Water Damage
Even with the prevalence of waterproof designs in modern devices, it’s important to note that even a small quantity of liquid can still cause damage to specific internal components, rendering your iPhone inoperable.
If you suspect that your iOS device has been affected by liquid damage and is unresponsive, we recommend referring to our comprehensive water damage guide for assistance.
3. Physical Damage
If you have dropped your iPhone lately, it could cease functioning despite showing no visible signs of damage.
To ascertain whether this is the case, try shining a light on the screen to check for any damage and attempt calling your phone to see if it rings or vibrates.
Furthermore, if your screen has been cracked for some time, constant use has caused additional harm to the device, making it appear as if it is turned off.
4. Software Issues
At times, software-related problems can prevent your iPhone from turning on.
Issues arising from specific apps or iOS updates can contribute to this situation.
Additionally, if your iPhone encounters a crash during an operating system update, it may result in unresponsiveness.
What to Do to Fix iPhone Won’t Turn on the Issue?
1. Charge Your iPhone
The first step is to charge your phone, giving it an hour or two to replenish its battery. If you see the Insert Lightning Cable icon, do not fret and allow it some time to charge.
To rule out excessive heat as the culprit, plug your phone directly into an AC adapter instead of a computer’s USB port. If the Lightning or USB port is defective, it can hinder charging and turning on.
If charging with an AC adapter does not work, it’s advisable to contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store for further assistance.
However, upon plugging in your charger, you may receive an error message such as ‘Liquid detected in Lightning Connector’ or ‘Charging Not Available.’ You can resolve this with simple taps.
2. Check Your Cable and Charger
It is also recommended to clean the port using a soft tool and try using a different cable or charger, if available, to avoid counterfeit chargers.
If you continue to see the “Insert Lightning Cable” icon, your iPhone won’t turn on. In this case, try using various cables and wall chargers.
Also, it is essential to dispose of any damaged cables responsibly, such as by recycling them locally.
3. Force Restart the iPhone
Remember that your iPhone is typically on unless intentionally shut down, even when the screen is dark.
If the device successfully restarts, the issue was likely caused by corrupted data or a bug within an app being used.
The steps for force restarting your iPhone may differ depending on the model.
The following are the most prevalent techniques for modern iPhone models:
For iPhone 14, 13, 12, 11, or SE:
- Quickly Press and Release the Up Volume button.
- Quickly Press and Release the Down Volume button.
- Continue Pressing and Holding the Side button until the Apple logo appears on the screen.
For iPhone 8 or Earlier Models:
- Simultaneously, firmly Press and Hold the Sleep/Wake button (typically on the right side or top) and the Home button (located on the device’s front).
- Continue Pressing & Holding both buttons until the Apple logo appears on the screen.
4. Check for Potential Hardware Issues
External or internal damage can occur due to drops or exposure to liquids.
To assess potential water damage, take out the SIM card tray and examine the Liquid Contact Indicator (LCI).
If the LCI appears red, water could be the culprit. In rare cases, it might be a manufacturing defect, usually noticeable within the warranty period. You have several options to verify your iPhone’s warranty status.
5. Restore your iPhone using iTunes or Finder
However, if your computer fails to recognize the iPhone, follow these steps:
- Once you connect your iPhone to your PC, verify if the system recognizes it. If detected, take advantage of the available option to create a backup.
- Attempt to update the software on your iPhone. If you already possess the latest version, move on to the next step.
- If the computer does not recognize your iPhone, enter Recovery mode.
- Once your iPhone is in Recovery mode, use Finder or iTunes to initiate the restoration process, which will reinstall the iOS software. Be aware that this procedure will result in losing any data that has yet to be backed up.
6. Turn on AssistiveTouch
It proves especially valuable when resetting your phone is required, even for models lacking a Home button.
When confronted with such a predicament, employing a software alternative becomes necessary.
By utilizing AssistiveTouch, you can display a virtual Home button on your screen, empowering you to perform all the functions a physical button would typically allow.
Our Thoughts
If you’ve tried all the solutions listed above, you can often resolve the problem without taking your device to a repair shop.
However, if your iPhone still shuts down randomly or iPhone won’t turn on, you may have a more serious problem requiring professional help.
