My Phone or Computer Won't Turn On: What to Try Before You Panic

You press the button and nothing happens. The screen stays black, and your stomach drops. Take a breath: a device that looks dead is very often just out of battery, frozen, or stuck, and the fix takes a few minutes and costs nothing. Here is how to work through it, from easiest to hardest.

First, figure out what kind of "off" this is

There are three common causes. The battery may be completely empty. The software may have frozen, which looks exactly like being off even though the device is running. Or the charger, cable, or outlet may be the real problem, so the device never gets any power. The steps below deal with all three, and they are ordered so you try the most likely and least risky ones first.

Step 1: Check the power source

Plug the device into a wall outlet you know works, using the cable and adapter that came with it, or another one you trust. Push the cable in firmly at both ends. If the outlet is on a power strip or a switch, try a different one. Cables wear out and adapters fail more often than people expect, so swapping in a second cable is a quick test that solves a surprising number of cases.

On a phone, also look inside the charging port with a flashlight. Pocket lint packs in over time and can keep the plug from making contact. Turn the phone off if it is on, then gently clear the lint with a wooden toothpick. Avoid metal pins, which can damage the contacts.

Step 2: Give it time to charge

A battery that has run all the way down needs a little while before the device will show any sign of life. Apple says to charge an iPhone for an hour before trying again, or about 30 minutes if a low-battery picture appears. Google's guidance for Android phones is similar: plug in, wait a minute to see a battery icon or a red light, and if you see a red light, charge for at least 30 minutes before trying to start it. Be patient here. Pressing buttons over and over does not speed anything up.

Step 3: Force a restart

A force restart is like pulling the plug on a frozen device. It does not erase your photos or settings. It simply interrupts whatever the software was stuck on and starts fresh. The button combination depends on the device.

iPhone

On iPhones with Face ID (no Home button), quickly press and release the Volume Up button, then quickly press and release Volume Down, then hold the side button until the Apple logo appears. This can take more than ten seconds, so keep holding. On an iPhone 7, hold the side button and Volume Down together. On an iPhone 6s or older, hold the Home button and the side or top button together.

Android phone

Hold the power button for 5 to 7 seconds. If the screen stays blank, Google suggests holding it for about 35 seconds, then waiting around two minutes. Some phones also restart when you hold the power and volume-down buttons together for 20 seconds or more. If you are unsure, check the maker's support page for your model, because button layouts vary.

Windows laptop or desktop

Unplug the charger and, if the laptop has a removable battery, take it out. Unplug anything attached, such as USB drives, printers, and extra monitors. Hold the power button for about 15 to 30 seconds, then release it. This drains leftover electricity that can leave a computer stuck. Plug in only the power cord and press the power button once. Many makers recommend this exact routine, and it works more often than you might guess.

Step 4: Is it really off, or just not showing anything?

Sometimes the device is running and only the screen is dark. On a phone, ask someone to call you, or listen for a vibration or a sound when you plug it in. If it rings but the display stays blank, the screen is the problem, and a repair shop is your next stop. On a computer, look for lights or listen for fan noise. If it seems to be on but the screen is black, try an external monitor or TV, and on a laptop try raising the brightness with the keyboard's brightness keys.

Common questions

Will a force restart delete my pictures?

No. It works like turning the device off and on again the hard way. Your files stay put. It is not the same as a factory reset, which does erase everything, so never choose that option from a menu unless you are sure.

Could a dead battery be the cause?

Yes, especially on a device several years old. Batteries wear out. If your device only works while plugged in, or shuts off suddenly at 30 percent, the battery likely needs replacing, which is usually far cheaper than buying a new device.

When should I stop and get help?

If you have tried a different cable and outlet, charged for an hour, and done a force restart without any sign of life, it is time for professional help. Apple's own advice at that point is that the iPhone may need service. Also stop if the device is swollen, very hot, or smells like burning plastic. Unplug it and take it to a repair shop or the maker right away.

A habit that saves future headaches

Turn on automatic backups, such as iCloud, Google's backup, or OneDrive, so that if a device never wakes up, your photos and contacts are safe somewhere else. It takes a couple of minutes to set up, and it turns a scary moment into an annoying one.