iPhone/iPad Won't Turn On or Frozen? Try These 8 Fixes

User Concern

“My iPhone 16 won't turn on after charging it last night and is not responding to anything I try. How do I fix this?”

Don’t panic if your iPhone or iPad won’t turn on or shows a black screen. This is a common issue and in most cases, you can fix it yourself - no need to visit the Apple Store.

In this guide, we’ll explain why your iPhone/iPad might not be turning on and share 8 proven solutions to get it working again. These tips work for all iPhone and iPad models. Let’s get started and bring your device back to life.

Why Won't My iPhone or iPad Turn On?

Before trying to fix your iPhone or iPad, it’s helpful to understand why it won’t turn on. Common reasons include a completely drained battery, software glitches, physical damage, etc.

• Drained Battery: The most common reason your iPhone or iPad won’t turn on is a completely empty battery. Plug it in and give it time to charge before trying again.
• Software Glitches: If you recently updated iOS, installed new apps, or changed settings, a software bug could be causing the problem.
• Overheating: If your device gets too hot, it may shut down to protect itself. Let it cool down before turning it back on.
• Screen Problems: Your device might be on, but the screen could be damaged or disconnected. Check for sounds or vibrations to see if it’s still working.
• Physical Damage: Drops or water exposure can cause hardware problems. A broken charging cable or port might also stop it from turning on.

What to Do If Your iPhone/iPad is Frozen and Won't Turn On?

Now that you know the potential causes for your iPhone won't turn on and show a dead black screen, here is a breakdown of everything you can do to fix it. Try them in order until you find the solution that works for you.

1. Charge Your iPhone/iPad Battery

Some users cannot turn on their devices because the battery is running out. When your iPhone/iPad is frozen and won't turn on, you can put it to charge using an MFi-certified charging cable and adapter.

The charging battery icon should appear on the screen after a few minutes. Let the device charge uninterruptedly for about 30 minutes. After that, check if your iPhone or iPad is not turning on problem has been resolved or not.

2. Check Your Cable and Charger

If your iPhone or iPad is not charging, then there could be an issue with its battery or the charger. Please carefully inspect all the charger's components, like the USB cable, jack, and power adapter.

Make sure that everything is firmly plugged in, free of debris and not damaged or cracked. You can try to use a different USB cable or power adapter. Also, try to connect your iPhone/iPad to a computer for charging.

3. Let Your iPhone/iPad to Cool Down

If your iPhone or iPad gets too hot, it may shut down on its own to protect the internal parts. This can happen if it’s left in the sun or near a heat source. To fix this, move your device to a cool, shaded place with good airflow.

Also, remove the case to help it cool faster. Don’t use or charge the device until it cools down completely - doing so can make the problem worse. Once it’s back to a normal temperature, try turning it on again.

4. Try A Simple Restart/Force Restart

Is your iPhone still not turning on even after charging? Try restarting it by holding down the power button located on the top or right side of the device for a few seconds. If that doesn’t work, consider performing a force restart instead.

This process helps remove any temporary firmware issues without erasing your data. Follow one of the guides below to apply this reliable fix when dealing with an iPhone/iPad that won’t turn on.

• For iPhone 8 and later: Press and release the volume up button quickly. Press and release the volume down button quickly. Then, hold the side button until you see the Apple logo.
• For iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus: Press and hold the side button and the volume down button until you see the Apple logo.
• For iPhone 6s and earlier: Press and hold the home button and the top (or side) button until the Apple logo appears.

5. Restore to Factory Settings via iTunes (Data Loss)

If force restart still does not work, and the "connect to iTunes" is displayed on your device's screen, it means that the phone has entered recovery mode. In such a situation, there is no way to do but restore your iPhone or iPad to factory settings. Try the following steps:

• Use a USB cable to connect your iPhone or iPad to your computer, then launch iTunes or Finder.
• If your device isn’t showing up, try putting it into recovery mode by using the same button combination as a force restart.
• Once your iPhone enters recovery mode, iTunes or Finder will recognize it. Click OK, then select Restore iPhone.
• Confirm by clicking Restore again and wait for the process to finish. Your iPhone will restart, allowing you to set it up as new or restore it from a previous backup.

Note

This will erase all the data and settings on your iPhone/iPad, such as photos, videos, contacts and other info. So make sure that you have a recent backup of the data on your device before restoring.

6. Fix iPhone/iPad Won't Turn On or Frozen without Data Loss

If you're searching for a reliable way to fix the issue of your iPhone or iPad not turning on, FoneGeek iOS System Recovery is a great solution. It addresses underlying iOS system glitches that may prevent your device from powering up and helps restore it to normal without hassle.

Best of all, there's no risk of data loss during the repair. This powerful tool resolves system issues without affecting any of the data stored on your iPhone or iPad.

Key Features FoneGeek iOS System Recovery

• No Data Loss: Effortlessly resolve the issue of iPhone/iPad not turning on without risking your personal data.
• 100% Secure: Fix iPhones or iPad that won’t power on in just 3 simple steps - completely safe and secure.
• Wide Compatibility: Fully supports all iPhone models - from iPhone 11 to iPhone 16 - running iOS 18 or earlier versions.
• User-Friendly: Designed for everyone, this tool requires no technical knowledge and is incredibly easy to operate.

Follow the simple steps below to fix your iPhone or iPad that won't turn on. The complete repair process will not take much time.

Step 1. Download and install this repair program on your computer. Upon finishing downloading and installing it, launch the software and choose the Standard Mode option.

Step 2. Connect your iPhone or iPad to the computer with a USB cable. Once the device is recognized by the program, click on Download to download the matching firmware package.

Step 3. Once the firmware package is downloaded successfully, click Fix Now to perform the repair process. After that process, your iPhone will turn on automatically.

7. Put Your iPhone/iPad Into DFU Mode

If none of the previous methods have resolved the issue of your iPhone not turning on, consider restoring the device using DFU (Device Firmware Upgrade) mode. This is the most advanced type of reset, as it reinstalls the firmware from scratch. Keep in mind that this process will erase all personal data, so it should only be used as a last resort.

Step 1: Plug your iPhone or iPad into a computer and make sure iTunes/Finder is running.

Step 2: While the device is connected, follow these steps:

• For iPhone 8 or later, press Volume Up, then Volume Down, then hold the Side button until the screen turns black. Keep holding it and also press Volume Down for 5 seconds. Let go of the Side button, but keep holding Volume Down until your computer finds the iPhone.
• For iPhone 7 or 7 Plus, hold the Side button and Volume Down together for 10 seconds. Let go of the Side button, but keep holding Volume Down until your computer detects the iPhone.
• For iPhone 6s or earlier, hold the Home button and the Top (or Side) button for 10 seconds. Let go of the Top/Side button, but keep holding Home until your computer detects the iPhone.

Step 3: Once your iPhone is in DFU mode, follow the onscreen instructions in iTunes to update or restore the device.

8. Contact Apple Support

If your iPhone or iPad still won’t turn on after trying all the steps above, the screen might be damaged and needs to be replaced. A quick way to check is by turning on the device and listening for any sound. You can also flip the mute switch to see if it vibrates.

If you hear sound or feel vibration but nothing appears on the screen, it’s likely a screen issue. In that case, you should take the device to an Apple Store for a screen replacement. If it’s still under warranty, the repair might be free.

FAQs about Your iPhone or iPad Won't Turn On

What can I do if my iPhone won't turn on after charging?

If your iPhone still doesn’t turn on after charging for 30 minutes, check the charging cable, adapter, and port for any dirt or damage. You can also try using a different charger. If that doesn’t help, try doing a force restart.

What is Recovery Mode and when should I use it?

Recovery Mode is a way to reset your iPhone to factory settings when it won’t start up normally - for example, if it’s stuck on the Apple logo. It’s useful when your iPhone has software problems that regular fixes can’t solve.

What is DFU Mode, and how is it different from Recovery Mode?

DFU Mode (Device Firmware Upgrade) is used for more serious software issues. It lets your iPhone fully reset and reinstall its firmware, which completely erases all data on the device.

In contrast, Recovery Mode is meant for fixing common problems and restoring your iPhone to factory settings, often without deleting all your data.

When is it time to get help from a professional for a frozen iPhone?

If your iPhone still won’t respond after trying all the fixes, it’s best to contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store for expert assistance. Before any repairs, be sure to back up your data to avoid losing anything important.

The Bottom Line

It is really frustrating when your iPhone or iPad is frozen and won't turn on. Thankfully, this issue can be fixed easily at your end. In this post, we've shared 8 practical ways to fix the iPhone/iPad not turning on problem, including the professional tool - FoneGeek iOS System Recovery. It can easily and quickly fix a frozen iPhone/iPad and get the device back to normal. Download it and have a try.