Phone Won't Turn On? 7 Things to Try First

Don't panic yet

A phone that won't turn on isn't always a dead phone. Very often the battery is completely drained, the software has frozen with the screen off, or the screen has failed while the phone itself is still running. Each of those has a different fix, and the first few are things you can try at home.

Go through these seven steps in order. Stop as soon as one works.

1. Charge it properly with known-good gear

A fully drained battery may need a while before the phone shows any sign of life. Plug it into a wall outlet, not a laptop or car port, using a cable and adapter you know work with another device. Leave it for at least 30 minutes without touching it.

Look for a charging symbol, a battery icon or a small light. On some phones, a completely drained battery shows nothing at all for the first while.

2. Rule out the cable, adapter and port

If nothing happens, swap one piece at a time: a different cable, a different adapter, a different outlet. Then shine a flashlight into the charging port. Packed lint can stop the plug from seating fully, so the phone never actually charges. Loosen it gently with a wooden toothpick, never anything metal. If you have a wireless charger, try that too; if the phone charges wirelessly but not by cable, the port is the likely problem.

3. Force restart it

A force restart cuts power to the software and starts it fresh. It doesn't erase anything.

• iPhone 8 and later, including iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation): press and quickly release Volume up, press and quickly release Volume down, then press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears. Keep holding even if the screen flashes.
• Samsung Galaxy: press and hold the Side key and Volume down together for more than seven seconds, until the phone restarts.
• Google Pixel: press and hold the Power button for about 30 seconds, or until the phone restarts.
• Other Android phones: most respond to a long hold of the Power button, sometimes with Volume down. Check your manufacturer's support pages for the exact combination.

Try the force restart while the phone is plugged in, too. Sometimes it needs both.

4. Check whether it's the screen or the whole phone

The phone may actually be on with a dead display. Look for clues:

• Call the phone from another phone. Does it ring or vibrate?
• Do you hear notification sounds or feel vibrations when messages arrive?
• Does it vibrate or make a sound when you plug in the charger?
• Does a computer recognize it when you connect it by cable?
• Does the phone show as online in Find My or Google's Find Hub?

If the answer to any of these is yes, the phone is running and the problem is most likely the display or its connection. That's usually a screen repair, and your data is probably fine.

5. Check for heat or cold

Phones protect themselves at temperature extremes. If yours has been in a hot car or out in the cold, let it come back to room temperature naturally before you try again. Don't put it in a fridge, freezer, oven or on a heater to speed it up. A cold battery can seem dead and recover once warm.

If the phone is hot while sitting still and switched off, unplug it and set it on a hard surface away from anything flammable. That's not normal and it's worth getting checked.

6. Look for water damage or swelling

Think about the last few days. Was the phone dropped in water, snow or a drink, or left somewhere damp? If so, don't keep plugging it in, because charging a wet phone can make corrosion worse. Skip the rice, too; our post on the wet phone rice myth explains why, and our water damage guide covers what to do instead.

Also check the edges of the phone. A screen or back that's lifting can mean a swollen battery. Stop charging it and don't press on it.

7. Note what you see and when it happened

If none of the above worked, write down what you've noticed. Did it die suddenly or after a drop? Does anything happen at all when you plug it in? Did it get hot? Is there a crack anywhere? This helps a technician narrow down whether it's the battery, the charging port, the screen or the board, and gives you a more accurate quote.

Quick reference

When to call a technician

If your phone still won't turn on, a certified woman technician can come to your home, workplace, parked car or condo lobby to diagnose it. She'll explain what she finds and give you a free quote before any work starts, whether it's a battery, charging port or screen. See our cell phone repair page and the areas we cover, or call or WhatsApp (365) 351-4247.

Frequently asked questions

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