Fix iPhone Won’t Turn On
You press the power button, and… nothing. No logo, no light, just a cold, black piece of glass. It’s the ultimate panic moment.
The Problem
Your iPhone appears "dead." This usually happens after the battery has been drained to 0% for a long time, or if the system crashed so hard it can't wake up.
Don't worry—95% of the time, this is just a deep crash, not a broken phone.
The Short Answer
The logic board is frozen. You need to perform a Force Restart while connected to a charger to "jumpstart" the system.
Quick Fixes
Related Fixes: Black Screen (Still On), Not Charging
Method 1: Force Restart (The Jumpstart)
This works even if the screen is black.
- Plug your iPhone into a wall charger.
- Press and release Volume Up.
- Press and release Volume Down.
- Hold the Side Button (Power) for at least 20 seconds.
- Don't let go until you see the Apple Logo.
Method 2: The 1-Hour Charge
If the battery is completely flat (deep discharge), it might not show the "Low Battery" icon for 20 minutes.
- Use an official Apple cable and a powerful brick (20W+).
- Plug it in and leave it alone.
- Do not try to turn it on for one full hour.
- After an hour, try Method 1 again.
Method 3: Recovery Mode Restore
If it connects to a computer but won't turn on, the software is deleted/corrupted.
- Connect to iTunes (PC) or Finder (Mac).
- Perform the Force Restart sequence while connected.
- Keep holding the power button until you see the Recovery Mode screen on the phone.
- Select Update on your computer.
If Nothing Worked
If it remains dead after an hour of charging and a force restart, you likely have a dead battery or a fried logic board (short circuit). You absolutely need a repair shop.
Common Issues: Keeps Restarting, Overheating
Common Questions
- Is my data lost?
- Not yet. If Method 1 or 2 works, your data is fine. Only Method 3 (Restore) risks data loss.
- Did water cause this?
- If you dropped it in water recently, DO NOT charge it. You will fry the board. Go to a pro.