Even the best smartphone is pretty useless if you can’t get it going. Luckily, we have solutions if your iPhone won’t turn on after iOS 17 update.
There is nothing new about the problem of iPhone not turning on as it has existed on almost all iPhone models. This problem has affected many iPhone models, including iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6S, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, iPhone XR, iPhone XS, XS Max, iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max, iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max, iPhone 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max, iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max and iPhone SE.
If you find yourself facing a stubbornly black screen after iOS 17 update, read below to learn why your iPhone won’t turn on and what you can do about it.
Why won’t my iPhone turn on after iOS 17 update?
Whether you’re rocking an older iPhone XR> or a brand new iPhone 14 Pro Max, nothing is more frustrating than a device that won’t turn on. Before you give up, there are a few fixable reasons your iPhone may not be powering up. If none of the problems below apply to you, it could be time to take your device in for a checkup at an Apple store.
The iPhone is out of battery
The most obvious reason for your iPhone not turning on after iOS 17 update is that the battery is dead. Luckily, this is the easiest solution to fix. On the iPhone XR, iPhone 11, iPhone 12, and iPhone 13 models, charging from 0—50% takes only 30 minutes. The same goes for the newest models, the iPhone 14.
Fast charging works when you use an Apple USB-C to Lightning cable and one of these adapters:
- Apple 18W, 20W,2 29W, 30W, 35W, 61W, 67W, 87W, or 96W, or 140W USB-C Power Adapter
- A comparable third-party USB-C power adapter that supports USB Power Delivery (USB-PD)
If you’re not sure which Apple Power Adapter you have, check the wattage on the top or bottom of the adapter.
Your charger isn’t working properly
If you left your iPhone to charge up and came back to a device that still won’t turn on, your charger may be the culprit. Faulty third-party chargers or even a worn-out one from Apple are worth replacing. There is also the possibility that the outlet you are plugging into isn’t supplying power.
Your iPhone is frozen
iPhones can sometimes freeze or get stuck on a black screen. Often, this is the result of an iOS glitch or a malfunctioning app.
How to get your iPhone to turn on again
If (fingers crossed) you’re facing a minor issue, one of the solutions below will likely help you get your iPhone turned back on. If your iPhone is completely shot, it may just be time to replace it.
Charge your battery
If your device’s battery is dead, you need to charge it. If iPhone is very low on power, it may display an image of a nearly depleted battery, indicating that it needs to charge for up to 10 minutes before you can use it. If iPhone is extremely low on power when you begin to charge it, the display may be blank for up to 2 minutes before the low-battery image appears. See our troubleshooting guide if your iPhone won’t charge.
To charge iPhone, do any of the following:
- Connect your iPhone to a power source using the charging cable (included) and an Apple USB power adapter (sold separately).
- Place iPhone face up on MagSafe Charger or MagSafe Duo Charger (connected to Apple 20W USB-C power adapter or other compatible power adapter) or on a Qi-certified charger. (MagSafe Charger, MagSafe Duo Charger, power adapters, and Qi-certified chargers are sold separately.) Note: You can also use third-party power adapters and Qi-certified chargers that are compliant with applicable country regulations and international and regional safety standards.
- Connect iPhone and your computer with a cable. Make sure your computer is turned on—if iPhone is connected to a computer that’s turned off, the battery may drain instead of charge. Look for the Charging icon on the battery icon to make sure your iPhone is charging.
WARNING: If your iPhone won’t turn on as a result of water damage, don’t plug the charging cable into it.
Assess your cable, adapter and outlet
If your iPhone doesn’t turn on after trying the above solution, inspect your charging cable, charging adapter and power outlet.
A phone not charging could be due to many reasons, but the cable is one of the first things to check. Especially if it’s an accessory you’ve had for a long time, possibly since the phone was purchased. Our cables go through plenty of torture. They go with you to many places, not to mention we can often step or trip on them, they often get tangled up, we throw them in bags carelessly, and so on.
Inspect your charging cable thoroughly and see if there are any evident signs of damage. Any rips, bends, cuts, or general damage will be a good reason for cables not functioning correctly. Also, try to charge another device with it and see if it works. If it does, the issue might be the device. You can also try using another cable to see if it will charge your smartphone battery.
If you find out a damaged cable is the issue, go ahead and get a replacement.
Of course, the charging adapter is just as important as the cable. Go ahead and put it through the paces. Inspect it for any damage. Cracks or bent outlets are obvious red flags. Likewise, try using it with other devices and switching it with another brick to see if this is the problem.
Finally, plug something else into the same outlet you’re trying to charge your phone with and see if it works. Sometimes outlets go bad, or a section of your home might have electric problems. Additionally, some power sources can be weak. If you find issues with your outlet, try other outlets in the house.
Those trying to charge using a USB port in a computer or power strip might not be getting the juice the smartphone needs to charge correctly. Move to a regular outlet and see if this gets rid of your charging woes.
Check your charging port
If your cable and charger work with other devices, it’s time to start looking at your phone. A common culprit is the charging port. For starters, go ahead and check if there is any dirt or debris in the charging port. Something as simple as a dirty port will mess up your charging. You can try cleaning the charging port with a brush or compressed air.
Have you noticed the charging port feeling loose lately? Charging ports can get worn out with excessive usage. You could also find signs of corrosion in there. Sadly, there isn’t much you can do about this, other than replacing the phone or trying to have the charging port replaced.
Force restart your iPhone
If your device doesn’t charge, force a restart. Your device may have frozen and could require juice once it powers up.
To force restart iPhone 8, iPhone SE (2nd generation), or Newer, follow the steps below:
- Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
- Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
- Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
To force restart iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus, follow the steps below:
Press and hold both the side button and the volume down button until you see the Apple logo.
To hard reboot iPhone 6S, iPhone SE (1st generation), or Older
Press and hold both the Home button and the side button until you see the Apple logo.
iPhone won’t turn on still? Contact Apple Support
If you’ve tried the solutions above, and your iPhone will not turn on, it may have a hardware failure. At this point, your best chance to get your device working is to locate the nearest Apple Store. Apple store employees can help determine what the underlying issue is with your iPhone. If you don’t have an Apple Store nearby, you can also contact Apple for support and service.
See also: iPhone Not Booting Past Apple Logo? 6 Best Ways to Fix it
Successfully fixed iPhone not turning on issue
If your iPhone doesn’t turn on, it might be dead or facing issues charging. Finally, you may need to force the device to restart. Let us know which of the above troubleshooting steps fixed your iPhone not turning on issue.