iPhone Won’t Turn On? Troubleshooting Tips to Fix the Issue

There are many reasons why an iPhone won’t switch on, such as a dead battery, software problems or physical damage to your device. Find out what you can do to fix the problem and stop it from happening again; it’s important to know the cause of the problem.

Draining the battery

A common and relatively harmless reason for an iPhone not switching on is that it’s not charged. Like any other battery-powered device, the iPhone won’t be able to function if a certain amount of battery is missing.

The older the iPhone gets, the more likely it’s to experience poor battery performance as batteries naturally wear out over time. That’s why a brand new iPhone will hold its charge for longer periods of time, but after a while, the battery life will be drastically shortened. Eventually, the iPhone might need a replacement battery to ensure its performance.

Physical damage

Another common cause of malfunctioning iPhones can be physical damage. Damage can occur in a number of ways, but dropping an iPhone on the ground is the most likely cause of damage to your phone’s vital internal components.

iPhone water damage is another common problem. Although models from the iPhone 12 onwards are IP68 waterproof – theoretically they can survive up to six metres of water in up to 30 minutes — the protection isn’t completely secure. Over time, the seals can become damaged and even slight contact with water can result in the iPhone no longer being able to be switched on.

Software errors

In rare cases, glitches in the iPhone software can cause the iPhone to fail to switch on or get stuck in the charging process and display the Apple logo but not go to the login screen. This type of problem is most likely to occur after a new iOS download or an app update.

Overheating

If an iPhone overheats, it may switch itself off to prevent permanent damage to the internal components. In this case, the phone cannot be switched off until it has cooled down to a safe operating temperature.

iPhones can overheat for various reasons, e.g. due to excessive sunlight or too many background processes running at the same time. When the phone switches off, you may have noticed that your iPhone becomes sluggish or has various performance problems.

Jailbreaking problems

Jailbreaking your iPhone removes software restrictions and allows access to the root directory of the device. Whilst this has certain advantages, it also exposes your phone to greater security risks. As there are no official iOS updates, jailbroken iPhones are more vulnerable to threats such as malware or various malicious programmes and cannot benefit from improved system performance.

What can you do if your iPhone won’t switch on?

If your iPhone won’t switch on, there are a number of simple solutions you can try, such as charging the phone by letting it cool down or performing a full reset. In the latter case, you may need to perform a factory reset or purchase a repair.

To find out why your iPhone screen isn’t working, follow these six steps:

1. Charge your iPhone

The simplest solutions are easy to ignore. Connect your iPhone into a charging port and let it charge for 30 minutes. If it switches on automatically while charging, you don’t have to worry about the battery running out.

If the iPhone stops charging, your cable may be damaged. Try using a different charger and wait until it has been used for 30 minutes. Still having problems? Then you should test your charger on a different socket.

2. Let your phone cool down

To ensure that your iPhone is at an appropriate operating temperature, you should let it cool down on a flat and cool surface, e.g. on a table or away from direct sunlight. It’s important that you remove the case if you have one. You should be able to switch the device off again within 30 minutes.

However, never place your iPhone in the refrigerator or in a freezer compartment, as this could cause irreparable damage to the internal components.

3. Perform a hard reset

If your iPhone stops working due to a software problem, a forced restart can help resolve the issue. A hard reset can stop the background and apps and then restart an operating system.

1. To perform an iPhone hard reset, you need to follow the steps below quickly:
2. Quickly release and press the button to release the volume button.
3. Press and hold the On/Off button until the Apple logo appears on the screen.
4. If the hard reset worked, your iPhone should now start normally.

4. Replace the battery in your phone.

If your iPhone’s battery is so low that it won’t switch on, it’s time for a replacement. Don’t attempt this on your own, but seek advice from Apple or one of the authorised partners.

Take your iPhone to an authorised store where a trained technician will check whether the battery is a problem and repair it if necessary. If you’re an AppleCare+ subscriber, the battery can be replaced free of charge. If not, you’ll have to pay between 70 and 120 US dollars, depending on the model.

5. Have your phone repaired

If you find that your iPhone is physically damaged and no longer switches on, you should have it examined by specialists at an Apple Store. They’ll decide if the problem can be repaired, but the repair may come at a cost.

The cost may vary depending on your warranty status and whether or not you’re covered by AppleCare+, the iPhone model and the extent of the damage. In certain cases, your iPhone may no longer be repairable due to extreme damage.

6. Recovery mode is a good option.

If you find that your iPhone is stuck in a constant startup delay, try connecting it to an operating system and using the device in recovery mode. To do this, you must have the latest version of iTunes or the Apple Devices programme installed on your PC.

1. Connect your iPhone to a Mac and start the Finder or connect it to a computer and start both Apple Devices and iTunes.
2. Release and press the volume down button, then press the button to decrease the volume, and then press the power button until you see the “Connect to Computer” screen.
3. If you see a warning message on your computer screen, select the option to update.

If this doesn’t solve the problem, follow the same steps but tap Restore in step 3. Note that restoring the iPhone will erase all of the user’s data and restore the factory settings, so this should only be used as a last resort.

Make sure your iPhone is protected from malware by using Avast

Malware isn’t only a security threat, but also a major cause of performance issues. Yes, even iPhones need protection from the advanced threats of Trojans, hackers and spyware.

Avast One is built on award-winning antivirus technology and is equipped with the tools you need to detect and remove malware, block malicious websites, back up your photos and protect your internet connection. So you can improve your iPhone’s performance while keeping your data safe and secure.