Blog & guides

My iPhone won’t turn on

iPhone 3 November 2026 6 min read

An iPhone with a black screen that won't turn on, held by a frustrated person

Short answer: The most common reason an iPhone won’t turn on is a completely flat battery, or the phone has frozen because of a software fault. Leave it on charge for a good while – up to an hour – and then do a force restart. If nothing happens, the fault may be the charger, the cable, the battery, the screen or the charging port, and the phone needs repairing.

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Is the screen black – or is the iPhone actually off?

The first thing to work out is whether the phone is really dead, or whether it’s running but not showing anything on the screen. It takes a minute to check:

Call the phone from another mobile. If it rings or vibrates, it’s on.
Flip the Ring/Silent switch on the side (or press the Action button on newer models). If you feel a vibration, it’s on.
Plug it into a computer. If the iPhone shows up in Finder, Apple Devices or iTunes, it’s on.

Is the phone on, but the screen black? Then it’s usually the screen or its connection, especially after a drop. Read about iPhone screen repair, and see screen replacement.

No response at all? Then follow the steps below: charging, a force restart and, finally, restoring via a computer.

Why won’t my iPhone turn on?

The battery is completely flat

An iPhone with a fully drained battery can take several minutes to show any sign of life after you plug it in. Be patient before you decide the phone is dead.

A software fault

An app or an update can make the phone freeze with a black screen. The phone may actually be on, even though the screen stays black. If it keeps freezing, our troubleshooting can find the cause.

Charger, cable or charging port

A faulty cable, a non-original charger or lint in the charging port can stop the phone from getting any power.

A hardware fault

A drop, water damage or a faulty part – the screen, the battery or the logic board – can stop the phone from turning on.

How to force restart your iPhone

A force restart often fixes a frozen black screen. How you restart your iPhone depends on the model:

iPhone 8 and newer (including Face ID models such as the iPhone X): press and release volume up, press and release volume down, then hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.
iPhone 7 and 7 Plus: hold the side button and volume down together until the Apple logo appears.
Older models such as the iPhone 6s and earlier: hold the Home button and the power button together until the Apple logo appears.

Have you checked your charger?

Use the original charger or an Apple-certified one. Non-original chargers can cause problems with charging and starting up.
Try a different cable and a different wall socket.
Shine a torch into the charging port. Lint can stop the cable from making contact.
If the charging symbol appears, let the phone charge for a while before you try to turn it on.

Restore your iPhone using a computer

If charging and a force restart don’t help, you can put the phone into recovery mode:

Connect the iPhone to a Mac (Finder) or a Windows PC (iTunes or Apple Devices).
Use the same button combination as for a force restart, and keep holding until the recovery screen appears.
Choose “Update” first. This reinstalls iOS without erasing your data.
If that doesn’t work, choose “Restore”. This erases everything.

What not to do

Don’t charge a phone that is hot or bulging. If the screen is lifting away from the frame, the battery may be swollen. Stop charging and get it checked. A phone with a swollen battery must never be sent by post – it has to be handed in at one of our shops. See battery replacement.
Don’t choose “Restore” straight away. “Restore” erases everything. Choose “Update” first.
Don’t keep trying to switch it on after it’s been wet. If the phone has been in water, switch it off and read about water damage.

When your iPhone needs repairing

If there’s still no sign of life, the cause is most likely the hardware – often the battery, the charging port or the screen. Have it checked by a professional technician. At ITech-Rep in Odense and Nyborg we find the fault and give you the price before we start. Read more about iPhone repair.

Questions about an iPhone that won’t turn on

Need an answer now?

Call or email us.

+45 52 70 70 28 Email us

My iPhone went black after I dropped it – what now?

If it still rings or vibrates, it’s almost always the screen that has been damaged. Back up the phone if you can reach it through a computer, and get the screen checked. Read more about iPhone screen repair.

Can my photos be saved if my iPhone won’t turn on?

It depends on the fault. Tell us your data is important before we start. See data recovery.

Why won’t my iPhone turn on even when it’s charging?

The battery may be so flat that it takes a while to respond. Leave it charging for a good while. If nothing happens, try another cable and charger, and clean the charging port.

My iPhone is on, but the screen is black – what do I do?

If you can hear sounds or feel vibrations, the phone is on, and the problem is most likely the screen. Try a force restart. If that doesn’t help, the screen probably needs replacing.

Will I lose my data if the phone has to be restored?

“Update” normally keeps your data. “Restore” erases everything, and you’ll need to restore it from a backup.

How much does it cost to repair an iPhone that won’t turn on?

It depends on the fault and the model. See prices, or call +45 52 70 70 28. You always get the price before we start.

Need help? Book a time online in Odense or Nyborg, call +45 52 70 70 28, or visit one of our shops in Odense and Nyborg.