There is no more frustrating experience than when your smartphone won’t turn on. And especially at the time when you needed it the most.
Smartphones have become an essential part of daily life for every person in the world.
Many people panic when their mobile or Smartphone suddenly stops working. Don’t panic, take a deep breath, and start troubleshooting the problem with our suggested steps.
Many problems in smartphones can be easily resolved with some patience and the right tips.
In this guide, we’ve covered all the common issues that cause your phone not to turn on. Read till the end so you don’t get panicked and are able to fix your mobile in an emergency.
Check Basic’s First
Before diving into complex fixes, first rule out simple issues.
Charge Your Phone: Plug your mobile Smartphone into the charger and leave it for at least 15-30 minutes. The battery might be completely drained.
Check Charger & Cable: Check your charger and cable, and if it is damaged anywhere. Use another to make sure that the issue isn’t with your accessories.
Look for Charging Indicators: Check for signs like a battery icon, vibration, or LED light that shows the phone is charging.
Sometimes, a dead phone or faulty charger is the culprit. If the basics don’t help, let’s move to the next step.
Perform a Forced Restart
If your smartphone simply refuses to turn on but won’t have no physical damage, a forced restart can help.
Don’t worry, it will not delete any data from your phone; it’ll just force your device to reboot.
How to Force Restart Android Mobile Phones
Press and hold the Power and Volume down buttons simultaneously for 10-15 seconds.
(Some Android devices will be forced to restart by pressing the volume down button.)
How to Force Restart iPhones
For iPhone 8 or later models: Quickly press and release the volume up and volume down buttons. Then press and hold the power (side) button until you see the Apple logo.
For iPhone 7 & 7 plus: Press and hold Power + Volume down for 10 seconds.
For iPhone 6s or earlier: Hold Power + Home until the Apple logo appears.
This trick can revive a phone stuck in a software freeze or glitch. If it still doesn’t work, keep going; there are more options ahead.
Inspect The Screen for Damage or Glitches
Sometimes your smartphone is on, but the screen isn’t working. It gives the illusion that your mobile is dead.
Look for Signs of Life: Try calling your phone from another device. If it rings or vibrates, the issue is likely with the display, not the power.
Check for Screen Cracks or Water Damage: A cracked screen or exposure to moisture can cause the display to malfunction.
Shine a Light on the Screen: In a dark room, shine a flashlight at an angle. If you see a faint image, your backlight may be damaged.
If you suspect a screen issue, professional repair might be necessary. But if there’s still no sign of activity, the problem could be software-related.
Boot into Safe Mode (Android) & Recovery Mode (iOS)
If your smartphone shows some signs of life but doesn’t fully load the home screen, you might be dealing with a software issue caused by a faulty app or update.
For Android, Boot into Safe Mode
Safe mode disables third-party apps, letting you diagnose the problem.
- Press & hold the Power button until the power option appears.
- Tap and hold Power off until a prompt to reboot in safe mode appears.
- Tap OK. If the phone boots up in safe mode, an app is likely causing the issue. Try uninstalling recent downloads.
Note: If your device won’t reach the power menu, you may need to use button combinations specific to your smartphone brand to enter safe mode.
For iPhone, try Recovery Mode
Recovery mode can help restore or update your phone if it’s stuck during startup.
- Connect your iPhone to a computer using a Lightning cable.
- Launch iTunes (for older systems) or Finder (on macOS Catalina or later).
- Follow the same button combination as a forced restart (based on your iPhone Model), but keep holding even after the Apple logo appears until the recovery mode screen shows.
- Choose an update to reinstall iOS without erasing your data. If that fails, you may have to choose Restore, but note this will erase your data.
If neither Safe Mode nor Recovery Mode works, hardware might be to blame.
Check for Hardware Issues
If all software fixes fail, the problem might lie within the smartphone’s hardware components. Here’s what to look out for:
Physical Damage: Check for any signs of trauma like dents, cracks, or bent frames. Which could indicate internal damage.
Water Exposure: Even a splash can cause corrosion over time. Most modern phones have liquid damage indicators (LDIs) inside the SIM card slot. If it’s red or pink, your phone has likely suffered water damage.
Loose Connections or Battery Issues: In older phones, a loose battery or internal connector can prevent startup. For phones with removable batteries, take the battery out, wait for 30 seconds, and reinsert it.
For sealed devices, professional inspection is needed.
If your phone is still under warranty, avoid opening it yourself; this might void coverage. Instead, contact the manufacturer or head to a certified repair center.
When to Seek Professional Help
If you’ve tried every fix like charging, forced restart, safe mode, or recovery mode and inspected for hardware damage, but your smartphone still won’t turn on, it’s time to get expert assistance.
Here’s when to visit a repair center or contact support:
Your Phone is Still Under Warranty
Reach out to the manufacturer or visit an authorized service provider to avoid voiding the warranty.
There’s Visible Hardware Damage Or Water Exposure
Certified technicians have the tools to repair or replace damaged parts like screens, batteries, or motherboards.
Nothing Happens At All
No light, no sound & no response. This might indicate a deeper internal fault that only professionals can diagnose.
Don’t let a dead phone ruin your day. Call The Mobile Hub for fast, affordable, and expert phone repair.