Your iPhone’s power button is the Side button. It is also called the Sleep/Wake button because it can be used to lock or wake the device. The Side button is also used to turn on your iPhone, and you can use the Side button together with either of the volume buttons to turn off your iPhone.
An issue may occur where the Power button on your iPhone is not working. If the Power button on your iPhone® is stuck or broken, it can be hard or inconvenient to power on or off your device. If the power button is not working on iPhone, there are a few steps you can take to address the issue.
In this article, I’ll explain what to do when your iPhone power button is not working!
Why won’t your iPhone Power button work?
Your iPhone power button may not be working because your device is frozen. There are a lot of factors that may cause this. Software glitches or bugs, triggered by things like software updates or app conflicts, may cause your iPhone to become unresponsive.
Another reason why your iPhone power button may not be working is because of a hardware problem. If this is the case, you may need to contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store for assistance.
How to Fix iPhone Power Button Not Working
Charge your iPhone
Your Side button may seem nonfunctional if your iPhone’s battery has been completely drained. Plug your device into a power source, let it charge for 30 minutes, and then test to see if the power button is working again. Also, ensure that your charging cable and the power outlet are working. Sometimes, due to problems with the cable and/or outlet, charging does not occur.
Force restart
It’s possible that the software has crashed, freezing your iPhone. So, when you press the power button on your iPhone, nothing happens. By performing a force restart, your iPhone will be forced to turn off and back on. The force restart will unfreeze your iPhone and hopefully fix the power button problem.
A force restart depends on which iPhone model you have:
- iPhone 6s and earlier: Press and hold the power button and Home button at the same time. Keep holding the buttons until the Apple logo appears.
- iPhone 7 & iPhone 7 Plus: Simultaneously press and hold the power button and the volume button. Keep holding the buttons until the Apple logo appears.
- iPhone 8 and newer: Press and quickly release the volume up button, press and quickly release volume up button, then press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.
Please note that you should try to follow these steps even if you think the power button is not working.
Remove your case
Do you use a protective case? Some protective cases are thick and heavily built. Sometimes, a case may not fit perfectly, and the device button and the case’s button section may not align. Or, over time, a perfectly working case becomes worn or damaged. They may interfere with the button. They may cause the button not to move. Remove the case and then try again. If this does not make a difference, you can put the case back on if you would like.
Clean the power button
Check the Side button visually to ensure that there are no physical obstructions preventing the power button from being pressed. It is really easy for dirt and debris to accumulate around the button areas. This buildup can interfere with the buttons’ movement and responsiveness. You can use a soft cloth to clean the button and around it to see that there is no debris or other dirt.
A Temporary Fix For Stuck Power Button
When your iPhone power button is not working, you can get much of the button’s functionality by turning on AssistiveTouch in the Settings app. AssistiveTouch allows you to do things like activate Siri, use Emergency SOS, take screenshots, and lock or turn off your iPhone.
Restart your iPhone using AssistiveTouch
- Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch, then turn on AssistiveTouch
- You can drag the AssistiveTouch button anywhere on the screen for easy access.
- Tap the AssistiveTouch button, then tap Device.
- Tap More, then tap Restart.
Lock your iPhone with AssistiveTouch
- Tap the AssistiveTouch button, then tap Device.
- Tap the Lock Screen button in the AssistiveTouch menu.
How to Turn Your iPhone Off Without Using the Power Button
- Go to Settings > General > Shut Down.
- Drag the power off slider to the right and your iPhone will shut down.
How to Turn Your iPhone On Without Using the Power Button
If the Power button is broken and your iPhone is off, you can’t easily jump into the Settings app to hit a switch. Fortunately, Apple has thought of this situation.
Turning your iPhone back on is simple: just plug it in to charge over USB. Your iPhone will start up a few seconds after it starts charging (as long as the battery isn’t dead, in which case it takes longer).
Repairing The Power Button
Unfortunately, if your iPhone power button is not working, you’re probably dealing with a hardware issue and should get it repaired. Unless you work or have worked at an Apple Store, we don’t recommend trying to fix your iPhone on your own.
The components of your iPhone are very small — without a special toolkit, it’s nearly impossible to fix your broken iPhone power button on your own. Additionally, if you make a mistake while trying to repair your iPhone, you run the risk of voiding your warranty.
Your best option for a reliable repair is to schedule a Genius Bar appointment at the Apple Store near you and get your iPhone diagnosed by a licensed technician. Alternatively, you can contact Apple’s support team online, through the mail, or over the phone to find out what your repair options might be.
Conclusion
You now have a temporary fix for your broken iPhone power button, as well as repair options that’ll have it fixed in no time! We hope you never have this problem again, but the next time your iPhone power button is not working, you’ll know exactly what to do. Leave a comment below if you have any other questions.
