iPhone Won’t Turn On or Charge? Here’s How to Fix It
If your iPhone suddenly went black and won’t respond even when you plug it in, don’t panic. This problem happens more often than you think, and in most cases, it can be fixed.
Maybe your phone’s battery has completely drained, your charger is broken, or there’s a small software problem. Other times, it could be a hardware issue like water damage or a bad battery. Whatever the cause, here’s a step-by-step guide to bring your iPhone back to life.
Why an iPhone May Not Turn On or Charge
Battery is completely empty – sometimes it just needs a longer charge.
Broken charger or cable – even small damage can stop charging.
Software glitch – iOS can sometimes “freeze” and make the phone look dead.
Physical or water damage – drops or liquid can hurt internal parts.
Overheating – the phone may shut down until it cools.
Step 1: Do a Force Restart (Hard Reset)
A force restart is like giving your iPhone a fresh start without erasing anything. How you do it depends on the model:
iPhone 8 and newer (including SE 2nd gen):
Quickly press and release Volume Up.
Quickly press and release Volume Down.
Hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo.
iPhone 7 / 7 Plus:
Hold the Side button and Volume Down button at the same time until the Apple logo appears.
iPhone 6s and older:
Hold the Home button and the Power button together until you see the Apple logo.
If the logo shows up, your phone should turn back on.
Step 2: Check the Charging Gear
If the iPhone is still dead after a force restart:
Try a different lightning cable and charger (borrow one from a friend or family member if you can).
Plug the charger into another wall outlet.
Carefully look inside the charging port — if you see dust or lint, clean it gently with a soft brush or toothpick (be careful not to damage it).
If your iPhone starts charging with a different setup, you just need to replace your old cable or charger.
Open iTunes (on Windows or older Macs) or Finder (on newer Macs).
If the phone is recognized, you can Update or Restore it.
Update will keep your data and fix iOS.
Restore erases everything but can fix deeper problems.
If the computer doesn’t see the iPhone, try putting it in Recovery Mode or DFU Mode for advanced repair.
Step 4: Look for Damage
Check the screen, back, and edges for cracks or dents.
Look in the SIM tray area for signs of water damage (a colored indicator).
If you suspect liquid damage, don’t try to charge it — get help right away.
Step 5: Get Professional Help
If none of the above steps work:
Visit an Apple Store or an Authorized Service Provider.
They can replace the battery, fix broken parts, or suggest other repairs.
Tips to Prevent Future Problems
Use original or Apple-certified chargers.
Avoid exposing your phone to water or extreme heat.
Keep the charging port clean.
Update iOS regularly to reduce software bugs.
In many cases, an iPhone that won’t turn on or charge can be revived by a force restart or swapping the charger. Start with the easy steps and move to bigger fixes only if needed. If nothing works, let the professionals handle it
