Your iPhone won’t turn on, stays on a black screen, or shows no signs of life. This can be caused by software crashes, battery issues, or hardware failure. Try these steps to bring it back.
1. Force Restart the iPhone
- iPhone 8 or newer: Volume Up → Volume Down → hold Side button.
- iPhone 7: Hold Volume Down + Power.
- iPhone 6s or older: Hold Home + Power.
This fixes most cases caused by a system crash.
2. Charge the iPhone
- Plug into a wall charger for at least 15 minutes.
- If the battery was fully drained, the screen may stay black for several minutes.
3. Try a Different Cable and Charger
- Use an Apple‑certified Lightning cable and adapter.
- Faulty chargers can prevent the phone from powering on.
4. Check the Charging Port
- Inspect the Lightning port for dust or debris.
- Clean gently with a wooden toothpick if needed.
5. Connect to a Computer
- Connect the iPhone to a Mac or PC.
- If Finder/iTunes detects it, the screen may be the issue.
6. Update or Restore in Recovery Mode
- Connect the iPhone to a computer.
- Force restart and keep holding until the recovery mode screen appears.
- Select Update to reinstall iOS without erasing data.
7. Try DFU Mode (Deep Restore)
Use this only if recovery mode fails.
- Connect the iPhone to a computer.
- Enter DFU mode using the correct button sequence.
- Choose Restore in Finder/iTunes.
Note: DFU mode erases all data unless you have a backup.
8. When to Seek Repair
- No response after force restart and charging.
- Phone vibrates or rings but the screen stays black.
- Device won’t enter recovery or DFU mode.
- iPhone was dropped or exposed to liquid.
If the iPhone still won’t turn on, the issue may be related to the battery, display, power IC, or logic board. A technician can diagnose the exact cause.