How to Fix a Phone That Won’t Turn On

We've all been there: you press the power button on your phone, and nothing happens. 

It’s an infuriating scenario, especially when you need your phone to stay connected. 

But before you jump to conclusions or rush to buy a new device, it’s important to understand why your phone might not be turning on and what you can do about it. 

In this article, we’ll explore common reasons for this issue and provide a step-by-step guide to help you troubleshoot and potentially fix the problem.

Why Won't Your Phone Turn On? 

When your phone suddenly refuses to turn on, it can be a major inconvenience. Before you assume the worst, it’s crucial to understand the potential reasons behind this issue and the steps you can take to try and fix it.

Possible Reasons Why Your Phone Won't Turn On

The first possibility is that the battery might be dead. If your phone hasn’t been charged for a while or has been turned off for an extended period, the battery could be completely drained. 

In this case, plug your phone into its charger and leave it connected for at least 15 to 30 minutes. 

If the phone still doesn’t turn on, try using a different cable, power bank, or wall outlet, as a faulty charger could be the issue.

Another reason could be physical damage. If your phone has been dropped, exposed to water, or otherwise damaged, it may not be functioning properly. 

Look for any visible signs of damage and try to clean any dirt or debris from the charging port and other connectors. If the phone appears to be functioning but the screen is blank, the issue might be with the display. 

In such cases, if you feel a vibration when the phone turns on, it’s likely that the phone itself is working, and the problem is with the screen, which might need repair or replacement.

Software issues are another common cause for a phone not turning on. Sometimes a software glitch or bug can cause your phone to malfunction. 

If you suspect this might be the case, try performing a software update. Connect your phone to a computer and use the appropriate software for your device to check if an update is available.

Steps to Take If Your Phone Won’t Turn On

Charge The Phone

• If you think the battery may be dead, try plugging in the phone and charging it for a few minutes. 
• If the phone was completely out of battery, it may take a few minutes to start up. 
• Make sure you also try a different cable, power bank, or wall outlet as a damaged charger could be the issue.

Check For Physical Damage

• If your phone has been dropped, exposed to water, or otherwise damaged, it may not be functioning properly. Check the phone for any visible signs of damage and try to clean any dirt or debris from the charging port and other connectors. 
• Your phone may be functioning properly, but the screen could be damaged and unable to display a picture. To check if the phone itself is working, try turning it off and back on again. If you feel a vibration when the phone turns on, it is likely that the phone itself is functioning properly and the issue is with the screen. 
• In this case, you may need to have the screen repaired or replaced.

Perform A Software Update

• If you think there might be a software issue causing your phone not to turn on, try updating the phone's operating system. You can usually do this by connecting the phone to your computer and using the appropriate software.

Enable Safe Mode

• Safe mode is a diagnostic mode that starts your Android phone with only the necessary programs and services running. If you're able to boot into safe mode but not normal mode, there may be a problem with one of your apps. 
• You can usually enable safe mode by pressing and holding the power button and then tapping "Safe Mode.”

Reset The Phone

• If you're still having trouble, you may want to try a hard reset. To perform a hard reset on an iPhone, you will need to press certain buttons in a specific sequence depending on your model:
• iPhone 8 or later: Press and release the Volume Up button, press and release the Volume Down button, then press and hold the Power button until the screen turns back on.

• iPhone 7: Press and hold the Power and Volume Down buttons at the same time until the screen turns back on.

• Older iPhones and iPads with home buttons: Press and hold the Home and Power buttons until the screen turns back on.

• To perform a hard reset on an Android phone, the process may be similar to the instructions above. However, it is always a good idea to refer to your device's manual or search for reset instructions specific to your model, as the process can vary between different Android phone brands and models.

Restore The Phone To Factory Settings

• If your phone won't turn on, you may need to use alternative methods to perform a factory reset. However, it is important to note that a factory reset should be a last resort if nothing else works, as it will erase all of your personal data, including apps, photos, and documents. This emphasizes the importance of always backing up your phone.

Here's how to perform a factory reset on an iPhone and an Android phone when the phone won't turn on:

• On an iPhone:
• Connect your iPhone to a computer using a lightning cable (the cable that came with your iPhone).
• Open iTunes on the computer.
• If iTunes doesn't automatically open, try forcing your iPhone to restart by pressing and holding the power and home buttons at the same time. Keep holding the buttons until the "Connect to iTunes" screen appears.
• When the "Connect to iTunes" screen appears, release the buttons. iTunes should then open on your computer.
• Click on the iPhone icon in iTunes.
• Click on "Restore iPhone."
• Click on "Restore" to confirm the factory reset.

 

• For Android Phones:
•  Turn off your Android phone.
•  Press and hold the power and volume down buttons at the same time.
•  Keep holding the buttons until the recovery menu appears. This may take a few minutes.
•  Use the volume buttons to navigate to the "Wipe data/factory reset" option and press the power button to select it.
•  Use the volume buttons to navigate to the "Yes" option and press the power button to select it.
•  Wait for the factory reset process to complete. This may take a few minutes.
•   Use the volume buttons to navigate to the "Reboot system now" option and press the power button to select it.

Keep in mind that the exact process for performing a factory reset can vary depending on the make and model of your Android phone. 

If the steps above do not work for your phone, you may need to refer to the device's manual or search online for instructions specific to your model.

Final Thoughts

A phone that won't turn on can be a frustrating and stressful experience. However, by following the steps outlined in this article, you can try to diagnose and fix the issue. 

Remember to first try charging the phone, checking for physical damage, performing a software update, enabling safe mode, and resetting the phone. 

If these steps don’t work, restoring the phone to factory settings should be considered as a last resort. 

If all else fails, seek professional assistance or consider purchasing a new phone. And always remember to back up your phone’s data regularly to avoid losing important information.