iPhone Won't Turn On or Screen Is Black? Force Restart by Model (Exact Buttons)
Your iPhone screen is black and won’t respond, or it’s frozen on the Apple logo and a normal restart isn’t possible because the screen won’t react.
Why: Either the software has hung (needs a force restart, which is safe and erases nothing) or the battery is fully drained (needs charging first). Force restart is the first thing to try because it fixes most frozen and black-screen cases in seconds.
If the charging connector or cable is wet or visibly damaged, keep it unplugged. For a wet connector, follow Apple’s drying instructions before trying wired charging; do not insert an object or use heat or compressed air.
Fix 1: Force restart — find your model below
A force restart does not delete any of your data. The button sequence depends on your iPhone.
iPhone 8, iPhone SE (2nd/3rd gen), and all later models (including every Face ID iPhone):
- Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
- Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
- Press and hold the Side button. Keep holding past the “slide to power off” screen — release only when the Apple logo appears (this can take longer than 10 seconds).
iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus:
- Press and hold the Side button and the Volume Down button at the same time until you see the Apple logo (can take longer than 10 seconds).
iPhone 6s, iPhone SE (1st gen), and earlier:
- Press and hold the Home button and the Side (or Top) button at the same time until you see the Apple logo (about 10 seconds).
Fix 2: Charge it and check the cable
If the force restart shows nothing, the battery may be flat or the charging path may be the problem.
- Connect to a wall power adapter (not just a computer USB port) with a cable you know works.
- Wait up to one hour. If you see the low-battery / charging icon, leave it charging at least 30 minutes (or until it powers on).
- If nothing appears after an hour, try a different cable, adapter, and wall outlet. Unplug and inspect the Lightning/USB-C port for debris or damage without inserting a tool or forcing the connector. If debris is lodged, contact Apple or an authorized service provider.
- If the connector is wet or a liquid alert appears, disconnect both ends of the cable. Apple advises gently tapping the iPhone against your hand with the connector facing down, then leaving it in a dry area with airflow. Retry after at least 30 minutes; if the alert returns, allow more drying time (up to 24 hours). Do not override the alert for routine troubleshooting.
Fix 3: Still black after charging
After the device has charged and you’ve confirmed it’s getting power, run the Fix 1 force restart for your model once more. If it still won’t turn on, won’t get past the Apple logo, or shows only the charging screen, the hardware likely needs service — contact Apple Support or visit an authorized provider.
FAQ
Will a force restart erase my photos or messages? No. It’s the equivalent of pulling the battery — nothing is deleted.
How is force restart different from “slide to power off”? Slide to power off needs a responsive screen. A force restart uses physical buttons, so it works even when the screen is frozen or black.
It turns on but is stuck on the Apple logo every time. That points to a software/update problem — see iPhone won’t update / “Unable to Verify Update”, or connect to a computer and use recovery mode.
Sources: Apple Support — If your iPhone won’t turn on or the screen is black · Apple Support — Liquid-detection alerts and connector precautions