My Phone Won't Turn On - Simple Fixes

If your phone won't turn on, it's usually something simple. Let's work through the most common causes and how to fix them.

The most common reason a phone won't turn on is because the battery is completely flat (dead).

What to do:

1. Plug your phone into the charger
2. Use the charger that came with your phone (or a good quality one)
3. Wait 10-15 minutes
4. Try turning it on again

Still nothing? Try a different charger or charging cable if you have one. Sometimes the charger is the problem, not the phone.

Sometimes your phone gets "stuck" and needs a hard reset. This is like turning your computer off and on again.

For iPhone:

• iPhone 8 or newer: Press and quickly release the volume up button, then the volume down button, then hold the side button until you see the Apple logo
• iPhone 7: Hold the volume down button and the power button together until you see the Apple logo
• iPhone 6 or older: Hold the home button and power button together until you see the Apple logo

For Android phones:

• Hold the power button and volume down button together for 10-20 seconds
• Your phone should restart

Don't worry: This won't delete anything - it just restarts your phone.

Sometimes the charging port (where you plug in the charger) gets blocked with fluff or dirt.

What to do:

• Turn your phone off (if you can)
• Look at the charging port with a torch
• If you see fluff or dirt, gently clean it with a toothpick or soft brush
• Be very careful - don't push too hard or you might damage it

If you're not comfortable doing this, bring it to us and we'll clean it for you.

Sometimes the phone is actually on, but the screen is black or broken.

How to check:

• Try calling your phone from another phone
• If it rings, your phone is on - the screen is the problem
• If it doesn't ring, the phone is off or the battery is dead

If the screen is broken, you'll need to get it repaired. We can help with that!

If your battery is completely flat, it might need to charge for a long time before it will turn on.

What to do:

• Plug it in and leave it charging overnight (8 hours or more)
• Use the original charger if you have it
• Don't try to turn it on while it's charging - just let it charge
• In the morning, try turning it on

If none of these fixes work, your phone might have a more serious problem:

• Broken battery (needs replacing)
• Broken charging port (needs repairing)
• Water damage (if it got wet)
• Other hardware problems

Don't worry - we can help! We repair phones and offer a lifetime warranty on our repairs. Just give us a call on 0808 123 2820 or book a repair online.

To avoid your phone running out of battery:

• Charge it every night
• Don't let it get completely flat
• Turn off apps you're not using
• Turn down the screen brightness
• Turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth when you're not using them

Q: Will I lose my photos if my phone won't turn on?
A: Usually not! Your photos are stored on your phone and should still be there when we fix it. However, it's always a good idea to back up your photos regularly. Learn how to back up your photos.

Q: How much does it cost to fix?
A: It depends on what's wrong. We'll give you a free quote before we do any work. Most simple fixes are affordable, and we offer a lifetime warranty on our repairs.

Q: How long does it take?
A: Many repairs can be done the same day! We'll let you know when you bring it in.

If you're stuck or worried, we're here to help. Call us on 0808 123 2820 and we'll guide you through it or arrange a repair for you.