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Read More »Quick answer
If your phone will not turn on, charge it for 30 minutes with a known good charger, then force restart it. Check for lint in the charging port and signs of life like vibration. If it still will not start, it usually needs a battery, charging port, or board-level repair.
A phone that suddenly will not turn on is scary, especially if your photos are not backed up. Before you assume it is dead, try these steps.
1. Charge it for 30 minutes
A fully drained battery can take a while to show any sign of life. Use a charger and cable you know work, plug into a wall outlet, and wait at least 30 minutes.
2. Force restart
A frozen phone can look completely dead. On most iPhones, press and release volume up, press and release volume down, then hold the side button until the logo appears. On most Android phones, hold the power and volume down buttons for 10-20 seconds.
3. Check the charging port
Lint in the port can stop the phone from charging at all. See our guide on phones that will not charge.
4. Look for signs of life
Does it vibrate, ring, or get warm? If it rings but the screen stays black, the phone may be on and only the display is broken. That is usually a screen repair, not a dead phone.
5. Think about what happened
A drop, water, or a swollen battery changes what needs to be fixed. If the phone got wet, follow our water damage first steps and do not keep trying to charge it.
6. Stop if it gets hot or swollen
If the phone gets hot while charging or the screen is lifting, unplug it and bring it in. Do not keep charging a swollen battery.
When it needs repair
A phone that will not turn on usually needs one of three things: a new battery, a charging port repair, or board-level repair. At ART & FIX we diagnose which one it is and give you a free estimate before any work begins. Board-level repair can often save phones other shops call dead, along with the photos on them. Learn more about board-level repair.
Frequently asked questions
How do I force restart an iPhone?
On most iPhones, press and release volume up, press and release volume down, then hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.
My phone rings but the screen is black. Is it broken?
The phone may be working and only the display is damaged. That is usually a screen repair, not a dead phone.
Can a dead phone be repaired?
Often, yes. ART & FIX diagnoses whether it needs a battery, charging port, or board-level repair and gives a free estimate first.
Phone repair in Merced at ART & FIX
ART & FIX repairs phones, tablets, laptops, and computers at 1034 W. 18th Street, Merced, CA 95340. We are open every day, 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM, and every repair comes with a 30-day repair warranty.
Call or text (209) 446-7200 before you come, or send us your device model and problem for a free estimate.
