Your iPhone X won’t turn on and you can’t seem to find a solution to get it up and running once again? Here’s a troubleshooting guide to highlight the possible factors related to the untimely demise of your iPhone X, and how you can resurrect it back from the dead.
Back in the year 2007, when Steve Jobs unveiled the very first iPhone, it kickstarted an era of smartphones and brand loyalty that continues even a decade later. Depending on whether you’re an iPhone user who loves every device that comes out or a critic that sees them only a well-rounded update to most Android OS features released, you have to admit that the iPhone X reset the clock for the Cupertino company, with a build quality and software features that swayed from most other smartphones in the market.
Boasting an AMOLED display in an iPhone for the very first time, that wrapped around the bezels too, Apple also launched prized security features such as Face ID advanced technology with the iPhone X. However, the iPhone is, after all, a piece of hardware and software squished together, which isn’t always perfect. There can be times when your prized smartphone gives you grief, and you’re dead in the waters when your Apple iPhone X won’t turn on at all.
What to do when Apple iPhone X won’t turn on
The Apple iPhone X is designed to not just look good, but marked with IP rating for water and dust resistance as well. However, there have been plenty of reports from users online, complaining about their iPhone X device becoming irresponsive and unable to turn on the display. In our research, we’ve found multiple reasons for why this issue could surface, and a single fix doesn’t seem to resolve things. So, we’ve gone ahead and sorted through the user forums to find the reasons why your iPhone X won’t turn on and everything that you can do to fix it for good.
Solution #1: Force reboot the iPhone X
More often than not, when any sort of smart gadget or computer seems to malfunction, the cleanest way to sort things out is through a quick reboot. Phones hanging and the screen becoming irresponsive is not exactly a new problem among mobile users, but the way to resolve it has certainly changed. On older devices, you could pull out the battery and insert it again to perform a forced reboot. Since the iPhone doesn’t have a removable battery, here’s what you need to do to perform a forced reboot.
- On your iPhone X, press and release the Volume Up button.
- Now press and release the Volume Down button.
- Finally, press and hold the Power button on the side of the iPhone X.
- Press and hold the Power button until the iPhone vibrates and you see the Apple logo appear.
For some reason, if the screen does not boot up and you are unable to see the Apple logo, proceed to the next step.
Solution #2: Perform a battery cycle
The iPhone X follows the industry standard with a lithium-ion battery equipped under the chassis, which is designed to maximize the watts and increase the charging speeds. However, the technology behind the battery can sometimes falter, causing the level to drop below the registered capacity, causing the device to die out momentarily. When you plug in your iPhone X and it does not automatically boot up, this could lead you to believe there’s an issue with the display screen.
- Leave the iPhone X out in the open for a few days and wait for the entire battery to drain out.
- After a few days have passed, connect the iPhone X to a power source and let it charge overnight.
- You can then check to see if the iPhone X turns back on again as it usually would.
Solution #3: Restore the iPhone X
Whether you were trying to update your iPhone X and ended up pulling the plug before you were supposed to, it can lead to some serious trouble. Similarly, tweaking the software of iOS with jailbreaking tools can also cause the software to go haywire, which could leave you wondering why your iPhone X won’t turn on and work the way it always has.
- Turn on your computer and launch the iTunes app.
- Connect the USB Lightning cable to the computer.
- Get a hold of the iPhone X, press and let go of the Volume Up button.
- Now press the Volume Down and Power buttons and keep holding them for 5 seconds.
- While holding the Volume Down button, release the Power button.
- Even if the screen does not turn on, wait to see if iTunes detects your iPhone X.
- If the iPhone is detected, you will be given the option to restore the software on the iPhone X, and you can do so by pressing the Restore button.
Wait for the software to be downloaded and installed on your iPhone, and you should be able to see the Apple logo appear on the screen at some point.
Solution #3: Replace the Lightning cable
It may seem like a no-brainer, but you’ll be surprised to know how many times a mobile device is deemed dead, simply because the power supply to it is shoddy. Apple’s proprietary Lightning cable may be reversible and easy to use as the USB Type-C but it is locked down by IP laws. Apple allows the use of only certified Lightning cables with its devices, and if you’re using an after-market cable, it could mean that no power supply is being delivered to the device.
Even if you have been using the original Lightning cable that you got with your iPhone X, it could be bent and damaged. Replacing the charging cable, along with the charger adapter to see if it solves your problem of the iPhone X not turning on, could be yet another effective solution to try out.
Solution #4: Check the iPhone display
There are chances that you could find out that despite the iPhone X being in perfect working condition, the display stopped working all of a sudden. Whether it is from a hard drop that caused the internal cables to come to lose within the unibody or a defective hardware part that finally died out, you could be looking at a possible hardware issue that doesn’t let your phone turn on.
The initial test to confirm if the iPhone X is working would connect it to your computer using a Lightning cable. Wait for a notification tone to alerts you on the computer, or the charging chime notification that rings on the iPhone X when you plug it in. If you do hear a sound or a notification, this indicates a possible malfunction of the display.
If the iPhone X does connect to iTunes when you connect it, we recommend that you create a backup of your data and files right away. Regardless of whether you choose to take the iPhone X Touch to a certified Apple technician or not, it is important to secure your data first, since the repair process might lead to factory resetting the iPhone at the end.
Solution #5: Clean the Lighting port
Your mobile phone is technically the most used and abused device that you carry around everywhere. From the sandy beaches to the dirty locker at the gym, there are plenty of places from where the dirt and grime could collect and end up into the crevices of your iPhone X. Since the Lightning port on your iPhone X is just a slot waiting to collect dust, it could likely be blocking the power supply to the phone and making you wonder why your iPhone X won’t turn on like it used to.
- Using a can of air and its pointed nozzle, spray out any minor dirt and sand particles that might have gotten lodged into the power port.
- Additionally, you can use a wooden or plastic toothpick to clean out the Lightning power port.
- Avoid poking too hard at the Lightning charging port, and avoid bending any of the charging pins inside.
Solution #6: Liquid damage could be a problem
A popular misconception among users is that devices show signs of water damage immediately after coming in contact with moisture or water. However, water damage can sometimes take hours, and even days to wreak havoc on your device’s hardware, as it slowly begins to oxidize and erode the internal hardware components.
If you dropped your iPhone X in the pool, or it came into direct contact with water before being unable to turn on, it is a tell-tale sign. Using dry rice to pull out the moisture from within the iPod Touch could work if the device was still functional. But in most cases when the iPod Touch won’t turn on, this signals that the damage has already been done. Taking the iPhone X to a professional and getting it checked up is the only viable solution at this point.
Final Words
When your local and international communication, social life, financial transactions, and business relies on your mobile phone, ending up with one that doesn’t seem to turn can bring all of it crashing down. Apple prides itself on the quality of hardware and iOS is designed to be a no-nonsense software that makes life easier for its users, but being a tech at the end of the day, there can be operational issues every now and then.
Did any of the troubleshooting steps listed above help you get your iPhone X up and running again? Have we missed out a key method that you know of, and can help others resolve the problem of iPhone X won’t turn on right away? Be sure to share with us in the comments section right down below.
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Joshua says
January 6, 2020 at 3:13 pmNice article, its helpful to all iPhone users, thanks for that. But am having an issue with another iPhone 6+, I bought it in a second hand shop and its having icloud account, have been struggling to disactivate the account but to no way, IMEI 353319071368374. can you be of help please?