iPhone Won’t Turn On? Step-by-Step Dead iPhone Fix Guide

Few things are more frustrating than pressing the power button on your iPhone and seeing… nothing. No Apple logo, no vibration, no response—just a dead iPhone. Whether your device suddenly shut down, won’t turn on after charging, or went black after an update, this problem is more common than you think.

The good news is that not every “dead” iPhone is truly dead. Many issues can be fixed at home with simple steps, while others may need professional repair. 

In this article, we’ll discuss in detail all the step-by-step solutions to fix the dead iPhone along with possible reasons for issues and simple tips to prevent your phon efrom such issues in the future.

Why won’t my iPhone Turn On? Common Causes

Before fixing the issue, it helps to understand what might have caused it:

• Completely drained battery
• Faulty charging cable or adapter
• Software crash or iOS update failure
• Overheating or extreme cold exposure
• Water or moisture damage
• Damaged power button
• Battery or motherboard failure

Some of these issues are minor, while others require expert attention.

Step 1: Charge Your iPhone Properly

A dead battery is the most common reason an iPhone won’t turn on.

What to Do

• Make sure to always use the original charger instead of cheap local chargers
• Charge your iPhone with its plugin charger instead of charging it from a laptop
• Don’t disturb your phone while it's charging, at least for 30-45 minutes
• Look closely for the battery icon or Apple logo

Important Tip: In case the phone's battery is drained fully, it might take the phone's screen to show the sign of charging or any form of life. If even after 30-45 minutes of charging phone shows no sign of life, then you should move to the next step, that is

Step 2: Check Charging Cable, Adapter, and Port

Sometimes the problem isn’t the iPhone—it’s the charger.

Try This

• Use a different charging cable and adapter
• Plug into a different wall socket
• Inspect the charging port for: Dust, Lint, or Corrosion

Cleaning the Charging Port

• Use a wooden toothpick or soft brush
• Avoid metal pins or sharp tools
• Do not use liquids

If the phone still won’t respond, continue troubleshooting.

Step 3: Force Restart Your iPhone 

A software crash can freeze the screen, making the phone appear dead. So it is very important that you must restart your phone.

Force Restart Steps (Model-Wise)

iPhone 8 to the latest iPhone 17 series

1. Press and release Volume Up
2. Press and release Volume Down
3. Press and hold the power button
4. Release when the Apple logo appears

iPhone 7/7 Plus:

• Press and hold Power + Volume Down together
• Release when the Apple logo appears

iPhone 6s or older:

• Press and hold the power + Home button
• Keep holding until the Apple logo shows

This step fixes many “dead iPhone” cases caused by system freezes.

Step 4: Check If the Screen Is the Problem

Sometimes the iPhone is ON, but the screen is not working.

How to Check

• Call your iPhone from another phone
• Listen for vibration or ringtone
• Connect it to a computer and see if it’s detected

Signs of Screen Failure

• Phone vibrates, screen stays black
• You hear notifications but see nothing

In this case, the issue is likely a display or backlight problem, not a dead phone.

Also read: How to Fix a Water-Damaged iPhone: Expert Repair Tips That Actually Work

Step 5: Connect iPhone to iTunes/Finder (Recovery Mode)

If the iPhone won’t start normally, recovery mode can help fix software corruption.

Steps to Enter Recovery Mode

1. Connect the iPhone to the computer
2. Open iTunes in either Windows or macOS, or open Finder, which is a new form of macOS
3. Force restart, but keep holding the buttons
4. Release only when you see the Recovery Mode screen

Options You’ll See

• Update - Reinstalls iOS without deleting data
• Restore - Erases everything and reinstalls iOS

Always try to update first to avoid data loss.

Step 6: DFU Mode (Advanced Software Fix)

DFU (Device Firmware Update) mode is used when standard recovery fails.

When to Use DFU

• iPhone stuck on black screen
• Failed iOS update
• Phone not detected normally

Warning: DFU is an advanced feature in iPhone, and activating it can lead to permanent loss of data. So it is recommended to try it only if you have data backu or best to try it in the presence of a mobile repair technician. And even if, after attempting DFU, the issue is not resolved, then it may be a hardware-related problem.

Step 7: Check for Overheating or Cold Damage

Extreme temperatures can temporarily disable your iPhone.

If the phone is overheated, immediately remove your phone from charging and place it in a cool, shaded place. Wait at least 30-45 minutes before switching it on or putting it to use.

If the phone is exposed to cold, immediately bring the phone to room temperature, but do not use a hair dryer or heater to cool it immediately. Because iPhones have built-in protection that prevents startup under unsafe temperatures.

Step 8: Water or Moisture Damage Check

Even a small amount of moisture exposure can prevent your iPhone from turning on.

Signs of Water Damage

• Phone died after rain or a liquid spill
• Corrosion in the charging port
• Overheating during charging

What NOT to Do: Do not charge immediately, do not put it in rice, and do not use a hair dryer because Water-damaged iPhones require professional cleaning and repair as soon as possible.

Step 9: Battery Failure - A Very Common Cause

iPhone batteries degrade over time.

Battery-Related Symptoms

• Phone shuts down suddenly
• Doesn’t respond even after charging
• Works only when connected to cha arger

If your iPhone is 2-3 years old, battery replacement may be the solution.

Step 10: When to Visit a Professional Repair Center

If none of the above steps work, the issue may involve:

• Battery connector
• Charging IC
• Power IC
• Motherboard damage
• Display IC failure

These require chip-level diagnosis and repair by trained technicians. Also, always ask the technician about data safety before repair.

Also read: A Complete Guide to iPhone Chip‑Level Repairing Courses in India

How to Prevent iPhone Dead Issues in the Future

To avoid iPhone dead issues in the future, follow these simple precautions:

• Use original or certified chargers
• Avoid charging overnight daily
• Keep battery between 20%-80%
• Update iOS regularly
• Protect from water and extreme temperatures
• Replace the battery when its health drops significantly

Conclusion

To conclude, it is safe to say that not every iPhone that won’t turn on means your phone is truly dead. But it can be a simple technical or a setting issue.  Though an iPhone not turning on can lead to a panic situation, one can simply think they need an expensive repair to restore their phone or its data. 

But in real the issue can be a hardware or a minor setting or a cleaning issue which can be solved at home by following step mentioned in the article, or to be on the safe side, one can visit a local service centre.