iPhone Not Turning On? Here’s Why (And What To Check)
Your iPhone won’t turn on. Maybe it’s completely dead — no screen, no sound, no response. Maybe it shows the charging icon but won’t boot. Maybe it’s stuck on the Apple logo. Maybe it’s in a boot loop. Or maybe the screen is black but the phone is actually on.
The good news is that an iPhone that won’t turn on is usually a battery, charging, or software fault — not a dead logic board. And in most cases, the fix is affordable.
The key is working out which part of the power-on chain has failed. The symptom tells you where to look.
This page covers the ten most common fault patterns, the symptoms to look for, and the checks you can perform yourself. If you need the complete diagnostic sequence for determining whether the fault is the battery, the charging port, the display, or the logic board, the full guide is linked at the bottom.
Quick Diagnosis
Completely dead, no response: a deeply discharged battery, a failed battery, or a charging fault.
Shows charging but won’t boot: a battery fault or a software fault.
Stuck on Apple logo: usually a software fault. DFU restore fixes most cases.
Stuck on restore mode: usually fixable with a restore.
Boot loop: usually a software fault.
Screen black but phone is on: a display fault or a display flex fault.
Turns off and won’t turn back on: a battery or logic board fault.
Won’t turn on after update: a software fault. Restore fixes most cases.
Won’t turn on after water damage: often terminal. Professional assessment recommended.
Won’t turn on after screen replacement: usually a connector or flex fault.
Why Your iPhone Won’t Turn On
An iPhone needs several things to turn on. If any part of the chain fails, the phone won’t respond.
The chain works like this:
The battery provides power to the logic board.
The charging circuit manages power from the battery and the charging port.
The power button sends a signal to the logic board.
The logic board boots the operating system.
The display receives the video signal and shows the boot screen.
If any link fails, the phone appears dead. The symptom tells you which link has failed.
Common Causes
Completely discharged battery. The most common cause. The battery has drained to the point where the phone won’t respond until it’s been on charge for at least 30 minutes.
Failed battery. The battery has failed internally and won’t accept charge.
Failed charging port. The port isn’t making contact, so the phone can’t charge.
Failed charging IC. The charging circuit on the logic board has failed.
Failed display. The display panel or the display flex has failed.
Software corruption. iOS has become corrupted.
Failed logic board. The board itself has failed.
Water damage. Water has caused corrosion or a short.
Symptoms To Look For
Completely Dead
The phone does nothing. No screen, no sound, no vibration. Pressing the power button does nothing. Plugging it in does nothing.
Shows Charging But Won’t Boot
The phone shows the charging indicator when plugged in, but won’t turn on. It may show a red battery icon or the charging percentage.
Stuck on Apple Logo
The phone shows the Apple logo but never progresses past it.
Stuck on Restore Mode
The phone shows the “Connect to iTunes” screen and won’t progress.
Boot Loop
The phone restarts repeatedly. It may show the Apple logo, then restart, over and over.
Screen Black But Phone Is On
The phone vibrates, makes sounds, or responds to touches, but the screen is black.
Turns Off and Won’t Turn Back On
The phone was working, then turned off, and now won’t turn back on.
Won’t Turn On After Update
The phone was working, you ran an update, and now it won’t turn on.
Won’t Turn On After Water Damage
The phone got wet, and now it won’t turn on.
Won’t Turn On After Screen Replacement
The phone worked before a screen replacement, but now won’t turn on.
How to Diagnose the Fault
Step 1 — Charge the Phone
Charge the phone for 30 minutes on a known-good charger and cable. A deeply discharged battery needs time to reach the point where the phone will boot.
Step 2 — Try a Forced Restart
On iPhone 8 and later: press volume up, press volume down, then hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.
On iPhone 7: hold volume down and the side button.
On iPhone 6s and earlier: hold home and the side button.
Step 3 — Try a Different Cable and Charger
Cables fail more often than people expect. Swap both the cable and the charger and try again.
Step 4 — Check the Charging Port
Inspect the port for debris. Use a wooden toothpick, never metal. A blocked port stops charging entirely.
Step 5 — Try DFU Mode Restore
If the phone is stuck on the Apple logo or in a boot loop, try DFU mode restore via iTunes or Finder. This wipes the phone but can fix software faults.
Step 6 — Open the Phone and Reseat the Battery
If the phone still won’t turn on, open it and reseat the battery connector. A loose connection can prevent the phone from booting.
Step 7 — Test the Battery
With the phone open, test the battery’s voltage with a multimeter. A healthy battery reads 3.7 to 4.2 volts.
Step 8 — Test the Charging Port
Test the port’s pins for continuity. Bent pins need a port replacement.
Fixing Specific Faults
Completely Dead iPhone
Usually a deeply discharged battery. Charge for 30 minutes, then try a forced restart. If it still won’t respond, the battery or charging port has failed.
iPhone Shows Charging But Won’t Turn On
Charge for an hour, try a forced restart, then try DFU restore. If it still won’t boot, the battery has failed.
iPhone Stuck On Apple Logo
Try a forced restart, then DFU mode restore. DFU restore fixes most cases.
iPhone Stuck On Restore Mode
Connect to a computer and try to update, then restore. If the restore fails, the fault is hardware.
iPhone Boot Loop
Try a forced restart, then DFU restore. If DFU restore fails, the fault is hardware.
iPhone Screen Black But Phone Is On
The phone is working but the display isn’t. This points to a display or display flex fault.
iPhone Turned Off And Won’t Turn Back On
Let the phone cool if it was hot, charge for 30 minutes, then try a forced restart. If it still won’t respond, the battery or logic board has failed.
iPhone Won’t Turn On After Update
Try a forced restart, then restore via iTunes or Finder. If the restore fails, the fault is hardware.
iPhone Won’t Turn On After Water Damage
Do not charge the phone. Let it dry for at least 48 hours. If it still won’t turn on, the fault is hardware.
iPhone Won’t Turn On After Screen Replacement
Open the phone, reseat the battery connector, and check the display flex for damage.
iPhone 11, 12, 13, 14 Won’t Turn On
The diagnostic sequence is the same across models. The internal layouts differ, but the fault patterns and causes are identical.
Repair Cost Guide
Battery: $20 to $60 for the part, $50 to $100 fitted.
Charging port: $15 to $65 for the part, $80 to $200 fitted.
Power button flex: $10 to $30 for the part, $50 to $120 fitted.
Display: $60 to $300 for the part, $100 to $400 fitted.
Charging IC: $100 to $200 fitted.
Logic board: $150 to $400 fitted.
When to Repair vs Bin
Repair if:
The fault is the battery, charging port, display, or a software fault
The phone is under four years old
The repair cost is under half the cost of a comparable new phone
The phone has no other faults
Bin if:
The logic board has failed on a phone over five years old
The fault is water damage that’s reached the board
The phone has multiple failed components
The repair cost exceeds half the cost of a comparable new phone
Safety Warning
Electrical risk. Lithium batteries are a fire risk if punctured, bent, or crushed. Do not attempt to remove a swollen battery.
Display risk. The display flex cables are thin and fragile. Prying the display at the wrong angle tears them.
Tool risk. Never use metal tools inside a charging port or against a battery.
Screw risk. iPhone screws are different lengths. Putting a long screw in a short hole punches through the logic board.
Water risk. Do not charge a phone that’s been in water. This can cause further damage.
FAQ
Why won’t my iPhone turn on?
The most common causes are a deeply discharged battery, a failed battery, or a software fault. Charge the phone for 30 minutes, try a forced restart, and try DFU mode restore.
Why won’t my iPhone turn on after charging?
If the phone shows charging but won’t boot, the battery may have failed, or iOS may be corrupted.
Why is my iPhone stuck on the Apple logo?
This is usually a software fault. Try a forced restart, then DFU mode restore.
Why is my iPhone in a boot loop?
A boot loop is usually caused by corrupted software or a failed update. DFU restore fixes most cases.
Why is my iPhone screen black but the phone is on?
This points to a display fault or a display flex fault.
Why won’t my iPhone turn on after an update?
The update failed or corrupted iOS. Try a forced restart, then restore via iTunes or Finder.
Why won’t my iPhone turn on after water damage?
Water has caused corrosion or a short. Don’t charge the phone. Let it dry for at least 48 hours.
Why won’t my iPhone turn on after a screen replacement?
Something during the replacement has caused a fault. Open the phone, reseat the battery connector, and check the display flex.
Is it worth repairing an iPhone that won’t turn on?
Usually yes, if the fault is the battery, charging port, or display. If the logic board has failed on a phone over five years old, replacement is usually the better call.
Get the Complete Diagnosis
Need to determine exactly which component is causing the fault?
The complete diagnostic guide takes you beyond the basic checks and walks through all ten fault patterns step by step.
The complete guide includes:
Battery and charging circuit testing
Power button and display flex testing
Charging port testing
Logic board fault identification
Software fault diagnosis and DFU restore
Model-specific notes for iPhone 6 through iPhone 15
Repair and replacement considerations
Repair-or-bin guidance
iPhone Not Turning On Repair Guide
Complete diagnostic guide for iPhones that won’t turn on.
What’s included:
Diagnosis for all ten fault patterns
Step-by-step testing procedures with expected readings
Battery, charging port, and display testing
Logic board fault identification
Required checks and tools
Repair information
Replacement considerations
Repair-or-bin guidance
Download instantly
$7.95
Have More Than One iPhone Problem?
If you’re dealing with several problems rather than just a power fault, the iPhone Fault Diagnosis Guide covers the most common iPhone faults in one reference.
$7.95
Looking for Brand-Specific Guides?
Our brand guides cover washers, dryers, and dishwashers from Fisher & Paykel, Samsung, LG, Bosch, Whirlpool, Maytag, GE, and Miele.
$12.95
Repair or Bin?
Before spending money on a repair, find out what is actually wrong with your appliance.
Repair or Bin gives you the information to diagnose the problem and make an informed repair-or-bin decision.
Related Articles
iPhone Battery Replacement
Confirm whether your battery is actually the fault, understand the BMS transfer rules, and know which models you can safely repair yourself.
iPhone Screen Replacement
The decision-first approach for iPhone displays — the four screen quality tiers, True Tone serialisation, and the models where a DIY repair makes sense.
iPhone Charging Port Repair
Confirm whether the port is actually the fault, understand the Lightning and USB-C designs, and know which models are worth repairing.
iPhone Fault Diagnosis Guide
The complete iPhone fault reference, covering every common fault in one guide.
