Troubleshooting why my phone won't turn on or off
iPhone 13
Troubleshooting why my phone won't turn on or off
Learn how to troubleshoot a smartphone that won't turn on, turn off, or is completely unresponsive. This step-by-step manual guide covers force restarts, battery checks, and hardware fixes to restore normal operation.
1.
Check charging cable and adapter:
- Not all cables are created equal. A frayed, poor-quality, or worn Lightning or USB-C cable might look like it's charging while failing to actually deliver power.
- The same goes for the adapter. To rule this out, try using a different Apple-certified or high-quality cable and adapter.
2.
Ensure device is properly charged:
- If the battery is completely drained, the iPhone needs a minimum charge before it can power on - sometimes up to 15-20 minutes.
- You may see a low battery screen or nothing at all during this time, which is normal.
3.
Try a different power source:
- A laptop USB port or low-wattage adapter may not deliver enough power to a deeply drained battery.
- Try plugging directly into a wall outlet with a Apple-certified adapter instead.
4.
Force restart:
- A force restart can revive a device that appears completely dead or unresponsive, and is also the go-to fix if the device won't turn off normally.
- On iPhone 8 and later:
- Quickly press and release Volume Up, quickly press and release Volume Down, then press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
5.
Check for physical damage:
- Water damage or a cracked screen can prevent the display from showing anything, making the device appear off even when it isn't.
- Look for signs of damage around the screen, ports, and buttons.
- If the Side button is physically stuck or damaged, that along can prevent the normal power on/off behavior.
6.
Check for iOS updates:
- If the device powers on but constantly freezes or becomes unresponsive during shutdown, a software bug may be the cause.
Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install any available updates.
7.
Let the battery drain (can't turn off only):
- If the device is frozen and won't respond to a force restart, leaving it until the battery fully drains will force it to shut off. Not ideal, but effective as a last resort before seeking repair.
8.
You've completed the steps!
