There are a number of factors that may cause an iPhone to become unresponsive and fail to power on. Fortunately, many of these issues can be resolved without the need to visit an Apple store. The following steps will outline how you can troubleshoot and potentially fix the problem.
1. Let Your iPhone Cool Down
If you have ever inadvertently exposed your iPhone to excessive heat from the sun, you may have encountered this situation. When your iPhone becomes excessively hot, it is programmed to automatically shut down and suspend all functions except for emergency calling.
In certain instances, your iPhone may not power on at all and remain unresponsive, displaying nothing on the screen. However, there are times when you may receive a temperature warning message stating, "iPhone needs to cool down before you can use it."
To enable your iPhone to power on again, it is advisable to cool it down by placing it in a dry and cool location, away from direct sunlight. It is important to refrain from attempting to rapidly cool down your iPhone by placing it in the freezer or near an air conditioner. These actions can lead to the formation of condensation, which may cause damage to the device.
2. Charge Your iPhone
To ensure the safety of your iPhone, it is advisable to rule out excessive heat as the cause before attempting to charge it when it won't turn on. However, the most common reason for this issue is simply that the battery has completely drained.
When you attempt to turn on your iPhone, you will likely see the Insert Lightning Cable/USB-C icon. Once you connect a charger, this icon will disappear, and a red battery graphic will appear indicating that your iPhone is charging.
In certain cases, if you haven't used your iPhone for an extended period, the icon may not even appear because the battery power has been completely depleted during storage. Fortunately, this does not necessarily indicate any damage or render your iPhone unusable.
To initiate the charging process, all you need to do is connect your iPhone to a charger and patiently wait for a duration of 15 to 30 minutes. If your device is still operational, you will eventually observe a charging indicator appearing on the screen. Once your iPhone has accumulated enough power through charging, it will automatically power on.
3. Check Your Lightning or USB-C Cable
If your cable is experiencing problems, your iPhone will be unable to charge. Therefore, if the Insert Lightning Cable/USB-C icon continues to appear even after you have connected and attempted to charge it, your iPhone will not power on, regardless of how much time you wait.
In case you are facing charging issues, you can attempt using different cables of the same type. Additionally, do not disregard wall chargers as they can also be prone to malfunction.
Ensure that you utilize a reliable and high-quality charging cable that is free from frays or damage. Moreover, verify if you have the correct cable and power adapter type for your iPhone.
4. Force Restart Your iPhone
If your iPhone is experiencing issues such as being stuck in a boot loop, displaying the Apple logo, or undergoing an iOS upgrade, one possible solution is to perform a restart. The process for restarting your iPhone may differ based on the model you have, so it is advisable to refer to our instructions on how to force restart your specific iPhone model. In the event that you are unable to power off your iPhone normally, a force restart can be a useful alternative.
There was a particular instance where my iPhone failed to power off as intended, resulting in a frozen screen without the option to shut down using the on-screen button. In such cases, the only way to turn off my device was through a force restart.
If your iPhone screen is not frozen, you may explore alternative methods to restart your device without relying on the physical buttons.
5. Restore Your iPhone Using Your Computer
If the aforementioned solutions prove to be ineffective, consider utilizing the Apple Devices app (on Windows) or Finder (on macOS). Connect your iPhone to your PC or Mac. If the USB connection is detected, it is advisable to proceed with backing up your iPhone at this point.
After the backup process is finished, check for any available updates for your iPhone by selecting the option to Check for Update. In case you are already running the most recent version of iOS, opt for the Restore iPhone feature to reinstall it. Following the completion of the procedure, you can restore the backup that was created earlier.
If your computer doesn't recognize the connection, it's time to put your iPhone into recovery mode. Once you've done that, Finder or Apple Devices should recognize your iPhone and let you hit Restore iPhone to reinstall iOS, but you will lose anything you haven't backed up.
6. Replace Your iPhone's Battery
At times, it may take several hours for an iPhone to power on again. The duration depends on how long the battery of your iPhone has been completely drained. However, if your iPhone is an older device that has been left unused for an extended period, the issue may be that the battery is completely depleted.
If the aforementioned solutions do not resolve the problem of your iPhone not turning on, it is likely that the battery needs to be replaced. Fortunately, replacing the iPhone's battery is a relatively simple solution compared to other iPhone-related issues.
You have the option to have Apple replace the battery for a fee, or if you have an AppleCare+ warranty, you may be eligible for a free replacement. Alternatively, you can choose to have it replaced at a service center of your preference for a lower cost
