Phones · Repair guide

How to fix an iPhone that won't turn on

8 fixes, easiest first4 min readUpdated November 2026

Quick fix

Charge the iPhone for an hour, then force restart it: press and quickly release Volume Up, press and quickly release Volume Down, then press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.

What it means

An iPhone that won't turn on is usually either completely out of charge or frozen with the screen off, and a charge plus a force restart fixes most cases. If it gets stuck on the Apple logo, iOS itself may have a problem, which recovery mode can usually repair without deleting anything.

Common causes

  • A completely flat battery
  • iOS frozen with the screen off
  • A broken cable, adapter or dirty charging port, so it isn't actually charging
  • A failed or interrupted software update, leaving it stuck on the Apple logo
  • A damaged screen that stays black while the phone is running
  • Liquid damage or a drop that damaged the battery or other parts

How to fix it

Work down the list. Each fix is safe to try before moving on to the next.

01If it got wet, dry it the safe wayEasy

  1. Do not charge it while it's wet. If it shows a liquid alert, unplug the cable.
  2. Tap it gently against your hand with the charging port facing down, then leave it somewhere dry with airflow.
  3. Do not use a hair dryer, heater or compressed air, do not push anything into the port, and do not put it in rice.
  4. Give it time to dry; drying can take up to a day. Then try charging and a force restart.
  5. If it still won't turn on, or it gets hot or smells of burning, stop and get it repaired.

Why it helps: Charging or heating a wet iPhone can cause more damage than the water itself.

02After a drop or if it gets hot, stop and get it checkedEasy

  1. If the iPhone stopped working right after a drop, try charging and a force restart once.
  2. If the screen is cracked, the back bulges, the phone gets hot, or you smell burning, unplug it and stop using it.
  3. Do not open the iPhone or press on a swollen battery.
  4. Contact Apple Support or an Apple Authorized Service Provider for a repair.

Why it helps: A damaged battery can be dangerous, and drop damage to the screen or battery can't be fixed with settings.

03Charge it for an hourEasy

  1. Plug the iPhone into a wall outlet using a cable and adapter you know work.
  2. Leave it for one hour before deciding it's dead. A fully drained battery can take a while before anything shows.
  3. If a low-battery icon appears, keep it plugged in for 30 minutes or until it starts.
  4. If nothing happens, try a different cable, adapter and outlet, and check the charging port for lint.

Why it helps: A completely drained battery is the most common reason an iPhone looks dead.

04Force restart the iPhoneEasy

  1. iPhone 8 or later, including all iPhones with Face ID and iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation): press and quickly release Volume Up, press and quickly release Volume Down, then press and hold the Side button.
  2. Keep holding the Side button until the Apple logo appears, then let go. This can take more than 10 seconds, so don't release it when you see the power-off slider.
  3. iPhone 7 or 7 Plus: press and hold the Side button and Volume Down together until the Apple logo appears.
  4. iPhone 6s or earlier and iPhone SE (1st generation): press and hold the Home button and the Side (or Top) button together until the Apple logo appears.
  5. Try this both while the iPhone is plugged in and while it is unplugged.

Why it helps: A force restart cuts through a frozen iPhone and does not delete anything.

05Check whether it's on but the screen is darkEasy

  1. Plug it in and listen or feel for a charging sound or vibration.
  2. Call the iPhone from another phone and listen for a ring or vibration.
  3. If it rings or vibrates but the screen stays black, force restart it as above.
  4. If the screen still stays black, the display is likely damaged and needs repair. Your data is usually still safe on the phone.

Why it helps: A phone that is running with a broken or dark screen needs a different fix from one with no power at all.

06If it's stuck on the Apple logo, wait for the progress barEasy

  1. If there is a progress bar under the Apple logo, an update or transfer may still be running.
  2. Leave it plugged in. The bar can stay on the same spot for over an hour.
  3. Only move on to recovery mode once the progress bar hasn't moved for at least an hour.
  4. If there is no progress bar and a force restart doesn't get past the logo, go to the next fix.

Why it helps: Interrupting an update that is still running can make the problem worse.

07Use recovery mode and choose Update (keeps your data)Medium

  1. You need a computer. On a Mac with macOS Catalina or later, you'll use Finder. On an older Mac, use iTunes. On Windows, use the Apple Devices app (or iTunes) from the Microsoft Store.
  2. Connect the iPhone to the computer with a cable.
  3. iPhone 8 or later: press and quickly release Volume Up, press and quickly release Volume Down, then press and hold the Side button. Keep holding past the Apple logo until a computer and cable appear on the iPhone screen.
  4. iPhone 7 or 7 Plus: press and hold Volume Down and the Side button until the recovery screen appears. iPhone 6s or earlier: press and hold Home and the Side (or Top) button.
  5. On the computer, open Finder (select the iPhone in the sidebar) or the Apple Devices app. When asked, choose Update.
  6. Update reinstalls iOS without erasing your data. If the download takes more than 15 minutes and the iPhone leaves the recovery screen, let the download finish, then repeat the button steps.

Why it helps: Recovery mode reinstalls a damaged copy of iOS, which fixes most iPhones stuck on the Apple logo, and Update keeps your content.

08Restore the iPhone as a last resort (erases everything)AdvancedBack up first

  1. Warning: Restore erases all photos, messages, apps and settings on the iPhone. Only do this if Update failed.
  2. Back up first if you can. If the phone won't start, you can't make a new backup now, so check whether you have an earlier iCloud or computer backup. Anything not in a backup or already synced to iCloud will be lost.
  3. Put the iPhone in recovery mode as in the previous fix and choose Restore on the computer.
  4. When the iPhone shows the Hello screen, set it up and choose to restore from your iCloud or computer backup.
  5. Before you go further, make sure you know your Apple Account password, since you'll need it after the restore.
  6. If you have no backup and important photos are on the phone, talk to Apple or an authorized repair shop before restoring.

Why it helps: Restore installs a clean copy of iOS and fixes software problems that Update can't, at the cost of your data.

Check it's fixed

  • The Apple logo appears and the iPhone reaches the Lock Screen.
  • The battery icon shows charging and the percentage rises when plugged in.
  • The iPhone restarts normally from Settings > General > Shut Down and turns back on with the Side button.

When to get help

If the iPhone won't respond to charging or a force restart, can't reach the recovery screen, or recovery mode fails, contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider. Get help right away for liquid damage, a swollen battery, burning smells or a phone that gets very hot.

Questions

Does a force restart delete anything?

No. A force restart only restarts the iPhone, like pulling the plug on a frozen computer. Your photos, messages and apps stay where they are.

What's the difference between Update and Restore in recovery mode?

Update reinstalls iOS and keeps your data. Restore erases the iPhone and installs a clean copy of iOS, so you need a backup to get your content back.

My iPhone won't turn on after an update. What should I do?

If there is a progress bar, give it at least an hour. If it is stuck without progress, force restart it, then use recovery mode and choose Update.

Why did my iPhone die and won't turn back on?

Usually the battery drained completely and needs time on a charger before it responds. Charge it for an hour with a cable you know works, then force restart it.

Related fixes

How to fix an iPhone that won't chargePlug a different cable and power adapter straight into a wall outlet, check the charging port for lint, and let the iPhone charge for 30 minHow to fix an Android phone that won't turn onPlug the phone into a working wall charger for at least 10-30 minutes, then force restart it: on Samsung, hold the Side (Power) and Volume DHow to fix a phone that's overheatingStop using the phone, unplug it, turn it off if it shows a temperature warning, and leave it somewhere cool and shaded until it feels normalHow to fix a phone battery that drains fastOpen the battery usage screen (Settings > Battery on iPhone, Samsung and Pixel) to find the app using the most power, update or limit tha

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