How to fix an iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Pro that won’t turn on

Having an iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 16 Pro Max that won't turn on can be frustrating, especially if you use your device on a daily basis. Here are some simple tips to get your device up and running again

By Chris Smith - Senior Editor
3 Min Read

Have you got an iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 16 Pro Max that won’t turn on or seems to be dead? There could be several reasons for this. Do not panic yet. Your iPhone 16 may seem dead, but we can help you get it running again.

As a note: this is a guide to mysterious situations where an iPhone 16 doesn’t turn on as a result of problems unknown. If you’re pretty sure what the matter is – if your device has fallen into water or overheated, for example – then we would recommend contacting Apple.

Recap: How to Turn on an iPhone 16

Before you worry that your iPhone 16 is broken, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with how to turn it on.

To turn on an iPhone 16, press and hold the side button until an Apple logo appears on the screen.

If your iPhone 16 has a broken button and you need it to turn on, you can plug it in to charge, and it will turn on automatically once the battery has charged enough.

Once your iPhone starts up, you will see a welcome screen (if it’s a new or recently updated iPhone) or a lock screen. Once you unlock your phone, you can use it as you normally would.

If you’re iPhone 16 doesn’t turn on, then try the following.

Make sure that your device has charge

Let’s see if your iPhone 16 has simply run out of battery power.

  • Connect your iPhone 16 to a power source and charge for about 20-25 minutes. Your iPhone may turn on itself. Pay attention to the empty battery icon without the charging cable on your black screen. This indicates your device is charging.
  • If your device does not turn on itself, press and hold the Side button to turn it on.
  • If you think that your device is not accepting charge, try a different charging cable. If this does not work, try a different power source, like a different USB-C port or power outlet, etc. Also, check the charging port. Ensure that the port is debris free. Firmly remove and attach the charging cable to your iPhone 16 a few times.

If you’ve given your iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Pro a decent charge using multiple plugs and cables but it still fails to display anything, you’re probably looking at a hardware problem and should look into your repair options.

If on the other your device now switches on but doesn’t get past the Apple boot logo, follow the steps below.

Force-restart

This will probably get your device working again if some software malfunction has caused this issue. You can force your iPhone 16 to restart by pressing and releasing the volume up button, then pressing and releasing volume down button, then finally pressing and holding the side button until the Apple logo appears.

Once you’ve rebooted, try using your phone normally. (To eliminate any battery-related problems, it’s a good idea to perform the reset while the device is plugged into a power source.)

If your device switches on, but then instantly switches off or refuses to get past the Apple logo after 10 minutes, then you might need to restore it. See the next step to see how to perform a reset.

Restore

If your iPhone turns on, but continues to have serious problems with iOS, you might need to restore it.

  1. Connect your iPhone 16 to a computer.
  2. Select your iPhone on your computer.
  3. While your iPhone is connected, follow these steps:
    • Press and quickly release the volume up button.
    • Press and quickly release the volume down button.
    • Press and hold the side button.
    • Keep holding the buttons until you see the recovery mode screen.
  4. When you get the option to restore or update, choose Update.
  5. Your computer will download the software for your device. If it takes more than 15 minutes, your device will exit recovery mode. Repeat steps 2-4.

DFU mode

DFU (Device Firmware Update) mode is used to update firmware and often enables you to fix a completely unresponsive iPhone or iPad, but should only be used in extreme situations.

  1. Quickly press and release the volume up button, then quickly press and release the volume down button, and then press and hold the side button until the screen goes black.
  2. As soon as the screen turns black, press and hold the volume down button while continuing to hold the side button.
  3. After 5 seconds, release the side button while continuing to hold the volume down button until your iPhone shows up in iTunes or Finder.
  4. As soon as it appears in iTunes or Finder, release the volume button. Your iPhone is in DFU mode.

Note: If the Apple logo is appearing on the screen, you held down the volume down button for too long. Start the process over from the beginning and try again.

Now you can go ahead and restore your iPhone back to factory settings by selecting Restore iPhone on the iPhone Recovery Mode screen. Once restored, your iPhone will automatically exit out of DFU mode and boot up to its activation screen.

Check for signs of life and contact Apple support

It is possible that your iPhone 16 may have been running at some capacity with a black screen. For example, it may still ring or vibrate when you receive calls or notifications. You may feel haptics. If your issue is like this, your screen may be the culprit. Likewise, your device may have a hardware problem due to a faulty part preventing it from powering on. In this case, it’s best to seek repair from a qualified technician or contact Apple Customer Support. Good luck!

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Chris Smith is a senior editor at GeeksChalk based in Canada. He likes to think of himself as a jack of all trades (and a master of at least a few), though he mainly focuses on iPhones and Macs. Often covering both at the same time. When not surrounded by various Apple devices while putting them through their paces, Chris can be found streaming the latest movies or series, gaming on his PS5, or getting fresh air on a hike in the beautiful wilderness of British Columbia.
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