iPhone or Android Phone Will Not Turn On
Use this guide when a phone or tablet is completely unresponsive, shows a blank screen, or does not react to the power button.
Use this guide when a phone or tablet is completely unresponsive, shows a blank screen, or does not react to the power button.
Symptoms you may notice
- The feature or device does not behave as expected.
- The issue returns after retrying the same action.
- You may see an error message, warning, delay, or missing response related to this problem.
Before you begin
- Connect the device to reliable power if battery level is low.
- Save open documents and close any application that contains unsaved work.
- Write down the exact error message or take a screenshot before changing settings.
Step-by-step troubleshooting
Charge from a known-good source
Connect the device to a reliable wall charger and known-good cable rated for the device. Leave it connected for at least 20 minutes if the battery may be deeply discharged.
What you should see: A battery symbol, vibration, charging light, or startup logo should appear.
Inspect the charging connection
Check the cable ends and charging port for visible debris or damage. Do not insert metal objects into the port. Try another known-good cable and charger if available.
What you should see: The device should maintain a stable charging connection.
Perform the supported force restart
For iPhone, use the Apple force-restart button sequence for the exact model. For Android, hold the manufacturer-specified Power and Volume key combination, commonly Power for 20-30 seconds or Power + Volume Down.
What you should see: The Apple or manufacturer logo should appear.
Remove accessories
Disconnect USB adapters, headphones, cases that press buttons, and other attached accessories before trying again.
What you should see: A stuck accessory or button should no longer interfere.
Check for display-only behavior
Call the phone from another device or listen for notifications. If it rings or vibrates while the screen remains black, the phone may be running with a display problem.
What you should see: You should distinguish total power failure from display failure.
Seek service for swelling, heat, or liquid damage
If the device is swollen, unusually hot, smells abnormal, or has significant liquid damage, disconnect it from charging and arrange qualified service. Do not continue forcing startup.
What you should see: The device should be handled safely without further battery stress.
Confirm the problem is resolved
- Repeat the action that originally failed and confirm it now completes normally.
- Restart the affected application or device once more and verify the fix remains in place.
- Confirm that no new warning or error message appears during normal use.
If the problem continues
If none of the steps resolve the problem, stop making additional changes and contact technical support. Provide the exact error text, screenshots if available, the device model, operating-system version, and a list of the steps already completed.