What to do when your iPhone won’t turn on or charge
An iPhone that shows a black screen can appear completely dead, but several different problems can produce the same symptom. The battery may be deeply discharged, the charging cable may be damaged, the phone may have frozen, or the display may have failed while the device itself is still running.
Start with the simplest checks and give each one enough time to work. A battery that has reached a very low charge level may need several minutes before the charging symbol appears. Avoid repeatedly pressing buttons at random, since a deliberate sequence makes it easier to identify what is happening.
The steps below apply to recent iPhone models, including devices with Face ID, iPhones with a Home button, and models that use USB-C or Lightning connectors. If the phone becomes hot, smells unusual, swells, or shows signs of liquid damage, stop charging it and arrange professional service.
Check the power source first
Connect the iPhone to a known-good wall adapter and a reliable charging cable. A computer USB port, car outlet, cheap power bank, or loose adapter may provide too little power to revive a fully depleted battery. For the first test, use a wall outlet and avoid charging through a hub or extension accessory.
Inspect both ends of the cable for bent contacts, fraying, discoloration, or looseness. Try a different cable and adapter separately if possible, because replacing both at the same time makes it difficult to tell which part fixed the problem. You can also test the original charger with another compatible device.
Leave the iPhone connected for at least 30 minutes, even if the screen remains black. When the battery is deeply discharged, the phone may display a low-battery icon only after several minutes. If a charging symbol appears and disappears repeatedly, the connection may be unstable or the battery may be unable to hold a charge.
Clean and inspect the charging port
Pocket lint and dust can collect inside the charging port and prevent the connector from reaching the electrical contacts. Shine a light into the port and compare it with a clean cable. If the plug stops short, feels unusually loose, or does not sit straight, debris could be blocking the connection.
Turn off the power source before cleaning. Use a soft, dry brush or carefully remove visible lint with a nonmetallic tool. Do not force anything into the port, use a pin, pour liquid into it, or scrape aggressively. Metal objects can damage the contacts, and compressed air can push debris farther inside.
If the iPhone was recently exposed to water, do not connect a cable until it is dry. iOS may show a liquid-detection warning, but moisture can sometimes remain without an alert. Place the device in a dry, well-ventilated area and allow it time to dry naturally. Rice is not a reliable fix and can leave particles in the port.
Force restart a frozen iPhone
A black display does not always mean the phone has no power. iOS may have frozen, or the screen may have stopped responding while background functions continue. A force restart can clear a temporary software lockup without deleting personal data.
For an iPhone 8 or newer, including iPhone X, iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 13, iPhone 14, iPhone 15, and later models, press and quickly release the Volume Up button. Press and quickly release Volume Down, then press and hold the Side button. Keep holding it until the Apple logo appears, which can take longer than 10 seconds.
For an iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus, press and hold the Side button and Volume Down button together until the Apple logo appears. For an iPhone 6s, iPhone SE first generation, or an earlier model, hold the Home button and the Side or Top button at the same time. Release the buttons when the Apple logo displays.
If the phone is connected to a charger, perform the force restart while it remains connected. The process may take more than one attempt if the battery is critically low. A successful restart followed by immediate shutdown can indicate a battery, charging, or hardware problem rather than a simple frozen screen.
Use the signs the phone is still active
Try calling the iPhone from another phone. Listen for ringing, vibration, or a voicemail connection. You can also use Find My through another Apple device or through iCloud’s website to see whether the iPhone appears online. These checks help separate a display problem from a power problem.
Connect the iPhone to a computer with Finder on a Mac or Apple Devices on a Windows PC. An iPhone that appears in the computer may still be operating even when its display is black. If the computer asks you to unlock the phone or trust the computer, the screen may be working intermittently or the device may need a display repair.
Look closely at the screen in a bright room. A very dim image, backlight failure, or damaged display can be mistaken for a dead battery. Do not press hard on cracked glass or continue using a swollen device. If the phone rings, vibrates, or appears on a computer but never shows an image, focus on display service rather than repeated charging attempts.
| What you notice | Most likely area to check | Best next step |
|---|---|---|
| No icon after 30 minutes on a known-good charger | Cable, adapter, port, or battery | Test another complete charging setup and inspect the port |
| Apple logo appears, then the phone shuts down | Very low battery, failing battery, or iOS issue | Charge longer, force restart, then try recovery mode |
| Phone rings or appears in Finder, but the screen stays black | Display or display connection | Back up data if possible and arrange screen service |
| Charging works only when the cable is held at an angle | Port damage or debris | Stop bending the cable and have the port inspected |
| Liquid warning or recent water exposure | Moisture in the connector | Disconnect power and allow the phone to dry fully |
| Phone becomes unusually hot or looks swollen | Battery or internal hardware failure | Stop using and charging it; seek qualified service |
Try wireless charging when available
Wireless charging provides a useful diagnostic test for iPhone models that support it. Remove thick cases, magnetic accessories, cards, and metal objects, then place the phone in the center of a Qi-certified or MagSafe charger. Use a charger connected to a dependable wall adapter.
If the iPhone begins charging wirelessly but not through the port, the cable, adapter, or charging connector is the likely source of trouble. Wireless charging is also helpful when the port is damp or physically damaged, although it should not be used to bypass a liquid warning.
Wireless charging may be slower, and a completely empty battery may still need time before the screen responds. If there is no sign of life through either wired or wireless charging, the problem may involve the battery, charging circuitry, logic board, or operating system.
Recover an iPhone that stops at the Apple logo
An iPhone that shows the Apple logo but never reaches the Lock Screen may be stuck during startup. First, repeat the force restart and leave the phone connected to power. Remove recently attached accessories, such as a wired adapter or external storage device, in case one is interfering with startup.
If the phone remains stuck, recovery mode can allow iOS to be updated or restored through a computer. Connect the iPhone to a Mac or Windows PC, open Finder or Apple Devices, and use the model-specific button sequence for force restarting. Keep holding the final button until the recovery mode screen appears, showing a computer and cable.
When the computer offers Update or Restore, try Update first. This reinstalls iOS while attempting to preserve personal data. Restore erases the iPhone and returns it to factory settings, so use it only when an update fails or when you have a recent backup. Do not disconnect the phone during the process.
If the computer does not recognize the iPhone, try another USB port, cable, or computer. A failed update, repeated recovery mode loop, or error code may point to storage, battery, or logic board trouble. Apple Support or an authorized repair provider can run additional diagnostics.
Know when charging attempts should stop
Stop troubleshooting at home if the iPhone is hot to the touch, the screen or back is lifting, the battery looks swollen, or there is a sharp chemical smell. A damaged lithium-ion battery can become a safety hazard. Do not puncture, squeeze, freeze, or place the device in a freezer, and do not continue charging it overnight to see whether it recovers.
Liquid exposure also deserves caution. If the phone was dropped in water, spilled on, or exposed to high humidity, disconnect every cable and accessory. Wipe the exterior with a soft, dry cloth and leave the device in a dry location. Professional inspection is safer than repeatedly powering it on to check whether it works.
A phone that turns on only briefly, loses charge unusually fast, or refuses to charge above a certain percentage may have an aging battery. Battery replacement can often solve this pattern, but an iPhone that was dropped or repaired with poor-quality parts may have additional internal damage. Tell the technician exactly what happened before the failure.
Practical checks to follow in order
- Test a different wall adapter and charging cable, then leave the iPhone connected for 30 minutes.
- Inspect and gently clean the charging port without using metal tools or liquid.
- Perform the correct force restart for the iPhone model.
- Try wireless charging and check whether the phone rings, vibrates, or appears on a computer.
- Stop using the device and seek service if it is hot, swollen, wet, physically damaged, or still unresponsive.
Protect your data before seeking repair
If the iPhone starts again, back it up immediately. Use iCloud Backup over Wi-Fi or connect it to a trusted Mac or Windows computer. A backup is especially important if the phone has shown random shutdowns, charging problems, or a damaged screen.
Check the battery condition in Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging on supported models. This can show whether the battery’s maximum capacity is significantly reduced or whether iOS has identified a performance issue. Battery health is useful evidence, though it cannot detect every charging or hardware fault.
Before handing over the device for service, remove personal accessories and make sure you know your Apple Account password. Do not erase the iPhone until you have confirmed that your data is backed up. If the display does not work, a technician may need to explain available data-preservation options before repair begins.
When a cable, adapter, port, battery, or software fault is identified, record the successful test and the failed one. That information can save time during service and helps prevent an unnecessary replacement. For example, wireless charging working normally is a strong clue that the wired charging path needs attention.
Work through the checks in order, starting with the charger and port before moving to a force restart or recovery mode. If the iPhone remains completely unresponsive, shows physical damage, or presents a battery safety warning, disconnect it and arrange qualified service. Acting promptly can protect both the device and the data stored on it.