Has your phone stopped turning on? Here are some troubleshooting tips that can help you get your iPhone or Android device running again.
After paying hundreds of dollars for the tiny computer in your pocket, it can be nerve-wracking to find it won’t turn on—especially if it’s no longer under warranty. After all, it’s hard to be without a working smartphone in this day and age. However, as tempting as it may be to declare your phone dead and panic-buy a new device, we think you should hold off. Here are a few troubleshooting steps you can go through to see if your iPhone or Android device still lives. Inspect the Phone for Physical Damage First, give your phone a good once-over. Did you drop the phone recently? Is the screen cracked or damaged? Is the battery swollen? (If so, do not attempt to turn the phone on—take it straight to a local e-waste facility instead.) Is there any water damage? (You can check by looking inside the SIM card slot on both the iPhone and many Android devices.) If you find any hardware problems, you may need to replace the faulty component or take it into a repair shop. It’s possible your phone may be working, but just has a damaged screen—I’ve seen dropped phones with pristine, un-cracked glass that couldn’t show a picture. Try turning your phone off by holding the power button, then turning it back on. See if you feel a vibration when it turns on. You can also try invoking Siri or the Google Assistant. Or call your phone from another device. If you hear sounds but the screen is blank, the phone just needs a replacement display. Charge the Battery This may sound silly, but it’s possible your phone is just out of battery. Try plugging your phone into a charger—if the battery is truly drained, it won’t necessarily light up right away. Try leaving it plugged in for 15 to 30 minutes or so before turning it on. If that doesn’t work, you could also have a damaged charger. Try a different cable, power bank, and wall outlet.
