Phone won't turn on? Safe checks before you book a repair

Before you start

• You have a charging cable and plug you know work, ideally from another phone.
• You've checked the charging port for lint or dirt, using a torch.
• The phone isn't hot, swollen or damaged. If it is, skip to "Things to be careful about".

0 of 3 done. Ticking just helps you keep track; nothing is saved or sent.

Steps

1. 1

   Charge it properly

   Plug the phone into a wall socket, not a laptop, and leave it for at least 30 minutes. A completely flat battery can take a while before the phone shows anything at all.

2. 2

   Try a different cable and plug

   Faulty cables are one of the most common reasons a phone seems dead. Try a different socket too.

3. 3

   Force restart an iPhone

   On iPhone 8 or later: press and quickly release volume up, press and quickly release volume down, then press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears. This doesn't erase anything.

4. 4

   Force restart an Android phone

   On many Android phones, press and hold the power button and volume down together for about 10 to 20 seconds until the phone restarts. The exact buttons vary by brand, so check the manufacturer's support pages if this doesn't work.

5. 5

   Check whether it's actually on

   Call the phone from another phone. If it rings or vibrates, the phone is working and the screen is the problem.

6. 6

   Connect it to a computer

   If a computer recognises the phone when you plug it in, the phone is working even though the screen shows nothing.

If this happens, try this

• If it rings but the screen stays black

  It's likely a display fault. A screen replacement may fix it.

• If the Apple logo or manufacturer logo appears, then it restarts again and again

  The phone may need its software reinstalling, which can erase data. Ask for help before you try that.

• If it only works while plugged in

  The battery may have failed. A battery replacement usually fixes it.

• If nothing happens at all after charging and a force restart

  Try once more with a different cable and plug. If there's still nothing, it needs a closer look.

Things to be careful about

• If the phone is swollen, the screen is lifting, or it gets hot or smells while charging, unplug it, stop using it and get it checked.

• If the phone has been wet, don't charge it until it's completely dry. See our guide to phones dropped in water.

• Never push metal objects into the charging port to clean it.