iPhone Won’t Turn On or Show a Charging Icon After Dying
Asked by
MellowBirch42
My iPhone 16 was below 10% battery, so I plugged it in using the original charger and cable. After about 20 minutes, it was losing power faster than it was charging. Before it shut down completely, the battery health showed 88%. It has now been connected to power for about an hour, but the screen remains completely black with no low-battery or charging icon. I've tried different cables, chargers, outlets, and rooms with no change. What could be causing this, and what should I try next?
Answers
Try a force restart even if the phone appears completely dead: quickly press and release Volume Up, quickly press and release Volume Down, then press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears. Keep holding it for around 20–30 seconds. This is different from simply waiting for it to charge.
Reply to this answer
Since different chargers and outlets didn’t help, the charging port, cable connection, or another hardware component could be faulty. Carefully check the port for lint or debris, but don’t use anything metal to clean it. If a force restart and several hours of charging don’t work, it should be inspected by Apple or a qualified repair provider.
Reply to this answer
A DFU-mode restore is another possibility, but it’s a last resort because restoring the phone can erase its data. Only try that if you have a recent backup and the phone is detected by a computer. Otherwise, get a hardware inspection first, especially since the phone showed abnormal charging behavior before shutting down.
Reply to this answer
Add your answer
Answers are reviewed before publication.
MellowBirch42: I tried the button sequence, but it still stays completely black while connected to power.