If you are facing phone power issue—whether it’s showing a black screen, stuck on the logo, or completely dead—don’t panic just yet. This guide walks you through everything from force restarts and battery charging tricks to deeper issues like motherboard failure or software glitches.
We also cover how water damage, faulty charging ports, or even third-party apps can cause your device to act like a paperweight. With real repair insights from iRepair Mobiles, Reading’s best phone and laptop repair shop, you’ll get both quick fixes and signs it’s time to bring your device in. Whether it’s an iPhone®, Android™, Google Pixel™, or Samsung®—we’ve seen it all and fixed it all.
Table of Contents
So, Your Phone Won’t Turn On. Now What?
We’ve all had that mini heart attack. You press the power button. Nothing happens. No vibration. No light. Just a silent black screen staring back at you. You might think your phone’s dead for good—but in most cases, it’s not. At iRepair Mobiles, we handle phone power issues like this every day, and more often than not, there is a fix.
Before jumping to conclusions, let’s walk through the possibilities—and what you can do right now.
1. The Battery Might Just Be Drained
Phones don’t always give clear signs when the battery is really dead. If your phone’s battery has been completely drained (especially after being left off for a while), it may not respond instantly when plugged in.
Try This First:
- Plug it in using the original charger and cable.
- Wait 15–25 minutes.
- Look for the battery icon to pop up, even faintly.
If your phone is totally unresponsive, try a different charger or cable. Sometimes it’s the charging accessories, not the phone.
| Symptom | Possible Cause | Quick Fix |
|---|---|---|
| No battery icon appears | Drained battery | Charge with original cable |
| Still no sign after 30 mins | Faulty cable/port | Try different charger & port |
| Charger heats up phone | Bad adapter or port | Replace adapter and inspect port |
2. Try a Force Restart (It’s Not the Same as a Normal One)
Sometimes the phone is just frozen with a black screen or stuck in a boot loop. This can feel like the phone is off, but it’s actually unresponsive due to a software glitch.
How to Force Restart Based on Model:
| Phone Model | Force Restart Instructions |
|---|---|
| iPhone 8 or newer | Quickly press Volume Up, then Volume Down, then hold Power button till logo |
| Android (most) | Hold Power + Volume Down for about 10–15 seconds |
| Samsung Galaxy® | Hold Power + Volume Up or Bixby + Power + Volume Up, varies by model |
| Google Pixel™ | Hold Power button for at least 30 seconds |
Pro Tip: Keep holding even if it vibrates once—wait for the logo to appear.
3. Check the Charging Port: Dirt, Dust, and Damage
A lot of dead phone solutions start with a flashlight and a toothpick. If dust or pocket lint is blocking the charging port, your phone may not be charging even though it looks plugged in.
What We Do at iRepair Mobiles:
- Inspect ports under magnification
- Clean with isopropyl alcohol and tools
- Test continuity with a multimeter
If your port is loose or physically damaged, that’s a hardware issue—and yes, we fix that too.
4. Stuck on the Logo Screen? You May Have a Boot Loop
If your phone starts but gets stuck on the Apple® logo or Android™ startup screen, that’s called a boot loop—usually a software issue, but sometimes more.
Causes:
- Recent update failed
- Corrupt app or malware
- Failing storage chip (common on older phones)
Solution:
- Boot into Safe Mode (for Android): This loads only system apps.
- iPhone users can try connecting to iTunes (or Finder on Mac) to do an update or restore.
If you’re not sure what you’re doing, don’t risk a factory reset. We’ve seen too many customers lose precious photos and texts by accident.
5. Water Damage or Physical Damage?
Dropped it in the sink, or spilled a drink over it? Water can short circuits in minutes—even if the outside looks fine.
Signs of Liquid Damage:
- No power despite charging
- Screen flickering or lines
- Overheating near charging port
DO NOT try to turn it on repeatedly. That could fry the motherboard. Instead:
- Dry it completely.
- Don’t plug it in.
- Bring it to a repair shop ASAP.
At iRepair Mobiles, we perform board-level cleaning and corrosion checks. We’ve brought phones back to life that were declared “gone” elsewhere.
6. Is It a Motherboard Issue?
If your phone is still not responding after all these steps, the issue might be internal—possibly a motherboard failure, short circuit, or damaged power IC chip. These are advanced repairs, but definitely fixable with the right tools.
Common Motherboard Issues We Fix:
- Phone heats up but won’t turn on
- No display but has sound
- Reboot loops after charging
- No charging response even with a new battery
7. Software Glitch or Update Crash
Software bugs, failed updates, or incompatible apps can also brick your phone. We often see this with Android™ phones that update overnight or iPhones® after an iOS update.
You can try:
- Booting into Recovery Mode
- Performing a soft reset
- Using desktop tools like 3uTools or iMazing (for iPhones)
For most people, though, it’s best to let a repair expert handle this to avoid data loss.
Still No Luck? Bring It to iRepair Mobiles – Reading
We’re not just any tech shop—we specialize in power issues, black screen fixes, and deep-level diagnostics for motherboard problems. Our in-house tech team uses advanced tools, micro-soldering equipment, and years of experience to bring devices back from the dead.
Whether your phone is completely unresponsive or stuck on the logo, our experts can:
- Perform full diagnostics
- Identify exact fault (hardware or software)
- Recover data where possible
- Get your phone up and running—usually same day
Final Thoughts
A phone power issue doesn’t always mean your device is dead. Whether it’s a drained battery, software crash, or motherboard fault, there’s a fix for almost every problem. At iRepair Mobiles in Reading, we’ve helped thousands of customers bring their phones—and peace of mind—back to life.
If nothing else works, don’t toss it away. Book a quick diagnostic appointment, and let our team work their magic.
