What to do if your iPhone won't turn on and the screen won't respond

Spontaneous iPhone freezes and glitches, unfortunately, are no longer uncommon. Many people are concerned about this, but Apple, it seems, is not going to do anything.

Our reader Alexander described the problem best:

It happens periodically several times a day, but I have not identified any sequence leading to this. Honestly, I’m tired of it already, I don’t have the strength to endure this disgrace, I want to throw my iPhone against the wall, it’s infuriating, I’m already ready to sell both.

Such a problem really exists, and the case described is far from the most severe.

First actions

The display stops working as a result of mechanical damage or software failure. If the screen on your iPhone 5 goes dark, but the phone continues to work (responds to the volume and lock buttons), try restarting the device. Perhaps the device is simply frozen and a restart will solve the problem.

If rebooting does not help, the problem may be caused by non-original device components. Chinese modules work much less than the original ones and unexpectedly fail.

Chinese fake iPhones are also less reliable than original smartphones from Apple factories. Buying a used phone from dubious sellers may result in the gadget failing, regardless of the model.

What can you do

Unfortunately, there is no advice that helps in 100% of cases. We can offer such methods of “treatment”.

1. First, make sure that you are not using the beta version of iOS, and completely disable receiving test builds.

2. Charge your smartphone correctly. Do not keep your iPhone on charge all night and follow simple rules for using gadgets in winter.

3. Avoid applications that are built into system programs. Now in the App Store there are many add-ons for iMessage, extensions for Safari, informers for the Phone program, third-party keyboards and other add-ons. All of them are built into the system and can affect its operation.

4. Disable the Raise To Wake (Settings - Display and brightness - Raise to wake), which is responsible for turning on the display when the user picks up the iPhone, or Open with a finger (Settings - General - Accessibility - Home - Open with a finger) finger).

It happens that it is the simultaneous operation of these two options that leads to system failures.

5. If all else fails, you can reset your iPhone to factory settings and use your smartphone, gradually adding programs from the App Store and making changes to the settings.

Causes

All problems can be divided into several categories: software and hardware. Most of the possible situations are described below.

System failure

• Errors in the operation of the iOS operating system are a fairly rare cause of problems, but they do occur for some users. iOS is a reliable system, but even it has glitches.
• Driver failure - a similar situation can arise after unsuccessful firmware or JailBreak. Apple smartphones should be flashed with extreme caution, as they do not have a built-in Recovery menu.
• A banal freezing of the gadget also causes a “black screen”. In some cases, it occurs on a locked device. Press the power button and the HOME button for 15-20 seconds to force a reboot.

Mechanical damage

• Mechanical impact on the device body - a fall or a strong blow. In this case, the matrix cable could be disconnected from the connector.
• Heating the gadget to a high temperature could damage the chips and modules on the main board.
• Liquid getting into the device body can also cause damage.
• A broken adapter or power connector won't charge the battery and the screen won't turn on. It happens both in the “oldies” 4, 4S, and in the new models 7, 8, X series.

Reset

Every year, the requirements for the multifunctionality of operating systems for mobile devices are increasing and iOS developers are integrating new modules into most regulatory programs. But they do not always work correctly with the current settings and applications. This often has a negative impact on the functioning of the OS.

A complete reset of the settings and restoration of the firmware can minimize the chance of a black screen appearing.

To do this, open the “Settings” menu, find the “General” item and then “Reset”. After that, from the six options that open, select only two: “Reset all settings”, “Erase content and settings”.

In the first case, all personal data, including music, photos, videos, will be saved, only the smartphone will return to factory settings.

To reset your iPhone, you need the second option. Therefore, click on it and wait for the process to complete.

How to fix it yourself

To troubleshoot problems, you must first find out the real cause of the problem. Many users contact service providers, but in reality it turns out that the “breakdown” lies in the lack of backlighting or a burnt-out graphics module.

If the iPhone is turned on, but there is no backlight, follow the instructions below (bring a powerful flashlight).

1. Go to your phone settings, open the “Display” tab.
2. Set the brightness to the highest possible level. If the monitor does not react in any way to actions with the regulator, the problem is likely in incorrect firmware or failure of the matrix backlight.
3. Restart your smartphone. To do this, press and hold the "Home" button and "ON" (or "Volume Down" for 7, 8 and X models) for 5-10 seconds. The iPhone will restart and the problem may go away on its own. In this case, you should not postpone your visit to the service center in order to carry out a full diagnosis.

Signs of mechanical damage to the screen

To identify the main reasons why the screen is turned off, you need to familiarize yourself with the basic principles of its operation. So, the phone is equipped with two hardware:

• logic board;
• display.

The brain center of a smartphone is the logic board, and every part of the gadget is connected to it, the display is no exception. It is this board that gives signals what to display on it.

As for the display, it is a removable part consisting of four main components:

• LCD screen that shows images on the phone.
• The digitizer is a part of the display that can respond and process touches. It digitizes the finger, therefore, turns touch into a digital language and transforms it into action.
• Front camera;
• Home button.

Each component is separately connected to the logic board, which is why when the screen goes black, it continues to respond to touch.

In this case, only an experienced service center technician can determine the exact cause of the breakdown. If the problem is simply in the connection cable, then solving the problem is quite simple: the wizard will open the mobile device and replace it, and then reconnect the cable.

If the problem is directly in the display itself, it will need to be replaced. You can install the original display by removing it from the donor, or you can give preference to a more affordable Chinese analogue.

Mechanical damage to iPhone

Other possible solutions to the problem:

• The user must ensure that he is not using a beta version of the operating system. You must completely disable receiving test versions and builds.
• You need to learn how to use your smartphone correctly. To do this, you should not leave it on charge all night, and also adhere to simple operating rules.
• Refrain from using applications built into system programs. Due to code conflicts, they can have a negative impact on system performance.

If you tried all the listed methods to fix the problem yourself, but nothing helped, then you should take the gadget to a service center.

The display is on, but does not respond to touches

In some cases, the matrix can properly produce an image, but the sensor stops perceiving the user’s touch. Sometimes a banal restart helps - how to do it is described above.

A similar problem usually occurs when installing non-original components. “Chinese” versions of cables and display controllers have a much shorter service life than original components. The glass remains intact, but the touchscreen ceases to perform its main functions.

Connect iPhone to charger

Often the iPhone does not turn on and does not show any signs of life due to the fact that its battery is dead. Connect your smartphone to the charger and leave it connected for an hour.

A few important tips to keep in mind:

• Use original or high-quality charging accessories . There have been cases in which the iPhone turned off due to a dead battery, but did not charge due to the use of a broken charging adapter or cable. Be sure to check that the charger and cable are in working order.
• Charge your iPhone using electricity . Very often, users charge their iPhone from a computer's USB port. But due to the old battery in the smartphone and the low power of the connector, charging simply does not occur.
• Check if the connector is dirty . Sometimes iPhone charging does not start due to a very dirty Lightning connector. Inspect the charging port. If it is really dirty, clean it carefully, for example, with a toothpick.

⚡ How to understand that the iPhone has started charging?

If there is a battery logo with a Lightning cable on the screen, the iPhone is not charging and asks to be connected to a charger. If this logo appears after you put your iPhone on charge, the cable or adapter is faulty. Use other charging accessories.

If only the battery is displayed on the screen, then charging is successful. You should only worry if this logo remains on the display for more than 30 minutes without changes. In this case, you should also replace the charging adapter and cable.

“Treatment” of stripes on the display

The appearance of visual artifacts does not always mean the final failure of the matrix. In many cases, the problem lies in poor contact between the cable and the board. In addition, the stripes have the following character:

• Single colored stripes across the entire surface of the display or only on part of it - most likely a problem with the matrix or cable.
• Gray stripes in the image – in most situations the cable is to blame.

Rebooting the device

It’s better to start with a simple option - force a restart of the system to fix the black screen of iPhone 10. This move solves three-quarters of the problems with the device: freezes, incorrect display and unstable operation. User files will remain intact, but to reboot you need to complete three steps:

• you need to quickly press and release the volume up key;
• It is important to repeat the same procedure with the volume down key;
• Press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.

After these manipulations, the smartphone will reboot and start in normal mode. The display should display the screensaver and then the smartphone's desktop wallpaper. If the algorithm works, this indicates a problem with the operating system or conflicts with installed programs.

What to do if water gets into your iPhone

If, after liquid gets on the phone’s body, the display immediately goes out, try to turn off the power to the device as quickly as possible.

1. Turn off your smartphone by holding the power button for 5-7 seconds.
2. Carefully open the case using a pick or flathead screwdriver. There are latches along the entire perimeter, and on older iPhone models, removing the cover is not difficult; just a special screwdriver is enough.

Important! Removing the cover will not work on Apple gadgets newer than iPhone 6. If you drown your phone, immediately take it to a service center and do not try to disassemble it yourself.

Firmware update

Updating the device's firmware also helps fix the black screen of the iPhone X, but this will not be possible in automatic mode due to the black screen. Therefore, it is recommended to update using iTunes installed on your computer.

• Install the current version of the program on your PC.
• Connect your smartphone using a cable.
• Select the device model in the program.
• Click on the "Browse" icon and then select "Update".
• Click on the “Download and Update” tab.
• The program may require you to enter a password, enter the information.

It's worth noting that updating iOS will require an Internet connection. The software update is downloaded from official sources, so there is no need to worry about the quality of the firmware.

Broken power adapter

The screen may not turn on if the phone is completely discharged. If, when connected to a power outlet, the Apple logo does not appear and the backlight does not light up, the fault lies in the charger.

Low-quality Chinese “chargers”, as a rule, cost less, but fail at the most inopportune moment.

You should also check the lighning connector; often dust and dirt get clogged there, as a result the contact is lost and the battery does not charge.

When your iPhone won't turn on because the battery is completely drained

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If the problem occurs after the battery is completely discharged or as a result of using the gadget in the cold, then you need to follow a fairly simple algorithm of actions:

1. You need to warm up your mobile device in your hands.
2. After 10-15 minutes, connect the gadget to charging.
3. After another 15 minutes, the operating system should automatically load.

If this does not happen, then you need to make sure that the charger is working.

Battery completely discharged

Using DFU mode

All Apple devices are equipped with a DFU mode from the factory, designed for flashing and restoring the gadget. To roll back to a previous version of iOS, follow these steps:

1. Open iTunes on your PC. Turn off the gadget and connect to the computer using a USB cable.
2. On an iPhone, press and hold the Home and Lock buttons for 10 seconds. After 10 seconds, release the “Power” button, but keep the “Home” button pressed. The machine will boot in DFU mode.
3. iTunes will notify you that a device has been detected that requires restoration. Follow the program's instructions and roll back your iPhone to a working version of iOS.

Black screen on iPhone - what to do

Even the highest quality and most modern mobile devices fail. Any user can encounter the black screen problem on iPhone. The appearance of such a breakdown can occur as a result of various situations, most of which can be eliminated on your own, without involving the services of a specialist.

Doing a hard reset

If the iPhone shows a black screen and does not turn on, you should perform a forced (“hard”) reboot. This step will take your iPhone out of recovery mode.

A hard reset is performed differently depending on the phone model. Reset options may be as follows:

• Simultaneously press and hold the “home” and “power” buttons for at least 15 seconds until the corporate logo appears on the screen;
• press the volume down and “power” buttons and hold for 15 seconds until the “Apple” logo appears;
• press and immediately release the volume up and down button, after which you need to press and hold the side button for 15 seconds until the logo appears on the screen

A forced reboot, in most cases, helps get rid of failures. It is important to remember what actions you need to take to launch it. This troubleshooting option is completely safe for the phone.

Using iTunes

If the loss of data from your phone is a priority or you have previously backed it up, iTunes can help resolve the “black screen” on iPhone.

To do this you will need:

• Launch the application on a personal computer/laptop and connect your mobile device to it via a USB cable;
• after displaying the device, make a backup to save the latest additions;
• after finishing, you should check the correctness of saving, taking into account the date and time of the last saved copy;
• Factory reset is performed through the “restore device” menu;
• To confirm, click “restore” again, after which the program will reinstall the latest version of iOS and the device will automatically restart;
• After that, you can set up your phone as new and return the saved data using the “restore from copy” button.

When the following message appears on the monitor,

The user should select the "update" button. An attempt will be made to reinstall iOS without deleting personal data.

You should not interfere with the operation of the program. The download will take about 15 minutes. If you reset the update, the device will end up in error mode.

Using Tenorshare ReiBoot

If we talk about this application, then it can be called one of the highest quality. Its main advantage is that it is suitable for working with any software on Apple devices.

The application is available in several versions.

The first version is the best free program that allows you to solve the most common problems, which include your device getting stuck on iTunes and getting your iOS device back to working. These operations are performed in one click, while saving personal data. No password required.

Tenorshare ReiBoot Pro will help further resolve the following problems:

• “black screen” on iPhone;
• The company logo freezes on the screen;
• reset, unlock the device, etc.

In other words, the program even solves problems that the iTunes application could not cope with. All you need to do is download and install the selected package of the latest factory firmware.

To troubleshoot your phone using the program in question, you will need:

• run the latest working version of the program on your computer, if it is not installed, download and activate;
• connect the device to the computer via a cable and after recognizing it, click on the “fix operating system” button;
• Click "deep recovery". Important! When using this function, saving data from the phone will not be possible;
• then click “start” (if the phone was not recognized automatically, the program may require it to be rebooted, depending on the type);
• after recognizing the device, you will be asked to select the latest firmware version and a location to temporarily save the package;
• After selecting, click “download”

The download process will take some time. The user must then click "fix now". After reinstalling the phone, click “ready” and exit the application.

Recovering using FoneLab iOS

If all the above methods do not help, you can try using a third-party tool to fix the problem. The most powerful assistant in this situation is a program called FoneLab iOS.

What steps will you need to follow:

• download and install the program on your computer;
• connect your phone to your computer;
• select “iOS system recovery” after the software detects the device;

• after detecting problems with the device, the program will prompt you to click on “Start” to start working and confirm your phone information;

• To fix iOS, the program will download the latest firmware after detecting the current software version.

FoneLab program allows you to transfer your iPhone from DFU mode, recovery mode, Apple logo, headphone mode, etc. to normal working condition, without data loss.