When your phone won’t turn on, panic is a natural reaction. But before rushing to a repair shop or assuming your device is dead, there are a few key steps you can try at home. In many cases, the solution is much simpler than it seems. In this article, we’ll guide you through what to do if your phone won’t turn on, with safe and effective solutions for both Android and iPhone. These tips may save you time and money.
1. Force Restart Your Device
A common reason a phone won't turn on is that it’s frozen. That means the system is running, but the screen is black or unresponsive.
How to force restart an iPhone:
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iPhone 8 and newer: Press and release the Volume Up button, then the Volume Down button. Then, hold the Power button until the Apple logo appears.
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iPhone 7 / 7 Plus: Hold the Power and Volume Down buttons for at least 10 seconds until the Apple logo appears.
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iPhone 6s, SE (1st gen), or older: Hold the Home and Power buttons together for at least 10 seconds.
How to force restart an Android:
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Hold the Power + Volume Down buttons for 10–20 seconds.
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Some phones only require holding the Power button for 30 seconds.
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If this doesn’t work, search “force restart [your phone model]” on Google for specific instructions.
2. Charge the Phone Properly
If your phone won’t turn on, the battery may be completely drained:
- Plug it into a wall charger using the original cable.
- Let it charge for at least one hour.
- Try different power outlets, charging cables, or adapters if there’s no response.
- Make sure the phone is completely dry before charging, especially if it was exposed to water.
3. Check the Charging Port
A dirty or blocked charging port can prevent your phone from charging:
- Use a flashlight to inspect the port.
- Gently remove dust or lint with a plastic or wooden toothpick.
- Avoid using metal objects to clean the port.
4. Connect Your Phone to a Computer
If the phone seems to be on (vibrating, making sounds, etc.) but the screen doesn’t light up, connecting it to a PC can help.
iPhone:
- Connect it to a Mac or PC with iTunes (or Finder on macOS Catalina+).
- If iTunes or Finder recognizes the device, the phone is likely working and the issue is with the screen.
Android:
- Plug your phone into a computer.
- If the phone is detected in File Explorer, the system is working.
- You can also try the phone manufacturer’s software (Samsung Smart Switch, Xiaomi PC Suite, etc.).
- Check if the phone appears via Bluetooth on other devices as an indicator that it's active.
5. Perform a Factory Reset
If the phone still won’t turn on, a factory reset might help — but this will delete all your data.
iPhone:
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Connect the phone to a computer.
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Use the restart buttons from step 1, but keep holding until you enter Recovery Mode.
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In Finder or iTunes:
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First, try the Update option.
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If that doesn’t work, choose Restore.
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You may need to enter your Apple ID after the reset.
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Android:
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Turn off the device.
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Try these button combos:
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Power + Volume Up
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Power + Volume Down
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Power + Volume Up and Down (on some models)
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From the recovery menu, choose “Factory reset” or “Wipe data.”
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Select “Reboot system now.”
⚠️ Warning: This process erases everything, including apps, contacts, and files.
6. Remove the Battery (If Possible)
Some older or low-end Android phones still have removable batteries. This can help if:
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The phone is completely unresponsive.
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It may have water damage.
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It hasn’t been used for a long time.
Steps:
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Remove the back cover.
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Take out the battery and inspect it:
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Look for swelling, corrosion, or water indicators.
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Wait 30 seconds, reinsert the battery, and try to power on the device.
Additional Tips
- Don’t connect a wet phone to power.
- Avoid pressing buttons repeatedly without allowing time between attempts.
- Use only certified repair services if you suspect hardware failure.
Conclusion
When a phone won’t turn on, it doesn’t always mean it’s dead. Try these 6 proven steps — from forcing a restart to resetting the phone or checking the charging port. These solutions are safe and work for both Android and iPhone. Often, it just takes a little troubleshooting to bring your phone back to life — no technician required.
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