How To Fix A Phone That Won't Turn On?

Having a phone that doesn’t turn on can be a frustrating and stressful experience, especially if you rely on your phone for communication and other important tasks. You may be asking yourself "why won't my phone turn on?".  In this post, we aim to explain what to do if your phone won’t turn on and explain a few steps you can take to try to fix the issue and get your phone back up and running.

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Why Won't Your Phone Turn On?

There are a few potential reasons why your phone might not be turning on. Here are a few possibilities:

• The battery is dead: If your phone has been turned off for a while, or if you haven't charged it in a while, the battery may have run out of charge. 
• The phone is damaged: If your phone has been dropped, exposed to water, or otherwise damaged, it may not be functioning properly. 
• The phone is experiencing a software issue: Sometimes, a software glitch or bug can cause your phone to malfunction and not turn on. Examples of this include when an iPhone or Android screen is black.

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What To Do If Your Phone Won't Turn On?

If your phone won't turn on, here are a few steps you can take to try to fix the issue:

1. Charge The Phone

If you think the battery may be dead, try plugging in the phone and charging it for a few minutes. If the phone was completely out of battery, it may take a few minutes to start up. Make sure you also try a different cable, power bank, or wall outlet as a damaged charger could be the issue. 

2. Check For Physical Damage

If your phone has been dropped, exposed to water, or otherwise damaged, it may not be functioning properly. Check the phone for any visible signs of damage and try to clean any dirt or debris from the charging port and other connectors.

Your phone may be functioning properly, but the screen could be damaged and unable to display a picture. To check if the phone itself is working, try turning it off and back on again. If you feel a vibration when the phone turns on, it is likely that the phone itself is functioning properly and the issue is with the screen. In this case, you may need to have the screen repaired or replaced.

3. Perform A Software Update

If you think there might be a software issue causing your phone not to turn on, try updating the phone's operating system. You can usually do this by connecting the phone to your computer and using the appropriate software.

4. Enable Safe Mode

Safe mode is a diagnostic mode that starts your Android phone with only the necessary programs and services running. If you're able to boot into safe mode but not normal mode, there may be a problem with one of your apps. You can usually enable safe mode by pressing and holding the power button and then tapping "Safe Mode”.

5. Reset The Phone

If you're still having trouble, you may want to try a hard reset. To perform a hard reset on an iPhone, you will need to press certain buttons in a specific sequence depending on your model. Here are the instructions for each model:

• iPhone 8 or later: Press and release the Volume Up button, then press and release the Volume Down button, before pressing and holding the Power button until the screen turns back on.
• iPhone 7: Press and hold the Power and Volume Down buttons at the same time until the screen turns back on.
• Older iPhones and iPads with home buttons: Press and hold the Home and Power buttons until the screen turns back on.

To perform a hard reset on an Android phone, the process may be similar to the instructions above. However, it is always a good idea to refer to your device's manual or search for reset instructions specific to your model, as the process can vary between different Android phone brands and models.

6. Restore The Phone To Factory Setting

If your phone won't turn on, you may need to use alternative methods to perform a factory reset. However, it is important to note that a factory reset should be a last resort if nothing else works, as it will erase all of your personal data, including apps, photos, and documents. This emphasizes the importance of always backing up your phone.

Here's how to perform a factory reset on an iPhone and an Android phone when the phone won't turn on:

On an iPhone:

1. Connect your iPhone to a computer using a lightning cable (the cable that came with your iPhone).
2. Open iTunes on the computer.
3. If iTunes doesn't automatically open, try forcing your iPhone to restart by pressing and holding the power and home buttons at the same time. Keep holding the buttons until the "Connect to iTunes" screen appears.
4. When the "Connect to iTunes" screen appears, release the buttons. iTunes should then open on your computer.
5. Click on the iPhone icon in iTunes.
6. Click on "Restore iPhone."
7. Click on "Restore" to confirm the factory reset.

The process for performing a factory reset on an Android phone when the phone won't turn on can vary depending on the make and model of the phone. Here is a general process that may work for most Android phones:

1. Turn off your Android phone.
2. Press and hold the power and volume down buttons at the same time.
3. Keep holding the buttons until the recovery menu appears. This may take a few minutes.
4. Use the volume buttons to navigate to the "Wipe data/factory reset" option and press the power button to select it.
5. Use the volume buttons to navigate to the "Yes" option and press the power button to select it.
6. Wait for the factory reset process to complete. This may take a few minutes.
7. Use the volume buttons to navigate to the "Reboot system now" option and press the power button to select it.

Keep in mind that the exact process for performing a factory reset can vary depending on the make and model of your Android phone. If the steps above do not work for your phone, you may need to refer to the device's manual or search online for instructions specific to your model.

7. Get The Phone Repaired Or Buy A New Phone

If none of these steps work, it's possible that the phone is damaged and needs to be repaired. You can usually take the phone to a phone repair shop or contact the manufacturer for assistance. If the repair is too expensive then it may be best to buy a new phone.

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Final Thoughts

A phone that won't turn on can be a frustrating and stressful experience. However, by following the steps outlined in this article, you can try to diagnose and fix the issue. Remember to first try charging the phone, checking for physical damage, performing a software update, enabling safe mode, resetting the phone, and restoring the phone to factory settings as a last resort.

If all else fails, seek professional assistance or consider purchasing a new phone. And always remember to back up your phone's data regularly to avoid losing important information.

If you're worried about unexpected expenses or want to protect your investment in your phone, consider getting phone insurance with Oyster. Oyster's insurance policies can cover the cost of repairs or replacements if something goes wrong with your phone, giving you peace of mind and protecting your investment. Don't let a phone that won't turn on ruin your day – take action and get phone insurance with Oyster today.