How To Troubleshoot iPhone Turning Off Unexpectedly and Not Responding

Ever run into that weird situation where your iPhone just decides to turn itself off out of nowhere? And then, sometimes, it refuses to turn back on, even after pressing the power button? Yeah, it’s frustrating. Usually, it’s either a software bug, battery hiccup, or maybe water or temperature issues messing with the internal hardware. Whatever the cause, this guide walks through some of the practical ways to troubleshoot and hopefully get that iPhone back up and running without need for a full reset or trip to Apple. Because of course, Apple doesn’t make troubleshooting super straightforward, and a little bit of patience helps. Expect to see some tips that are quick fixes and others that might need a bit more work — but I’ve seen them work on a bunch of setups, so fingers crossed it helps.

How to Fix an iPhone That Turns Off and Won’t Restart

Put the iPhone into Charging

This one’s kinda obvious but easy to overlook. When the battery’s dead, the iPhone just switches off and stays that way. Plug it into a charger, preferably one directly connected to the wall — not a random USB port. Make sure the charger and cable are working, because of course, sometimes the problems are just bad cables or faulty outlets. Give it a good 15-20 minutes, then see if it turns back on. On some models, this works like magic — just a dead battery waiting for a little juice. On others, if the charging indicator isn’t popping up immediately, try another cable or outlet. Sometimes, the phone looks dead but is just really, really low on power, especially if the battery health isn’t great anymore.

Let the iPhone Cool Down if Overheating

This is more common than you’d think — iPhones have a safety measure to turn off if they get too hot. If you’ve been using it heavily, in the heat, or maybe after a planetary alignment (just kidding), the device might turn itself off and then refuse to turn back on until it cools. Check the backside; it should feel warm but not hot. If it feels hot, move it out of direct sunlight, turn off any cases, and keep it in a cool spot — maybe stick it in a shaded drawer or near an AC vent. Don’t try to turn it on while it’s still hot, that might make it worse. The goal is just to let the internal temp drop back to normal — then give it a few minutes. Not sure why it works, but sometimes just giving it a break from the heat will do the trick, and it will power on again when cooled down.

Update iPhone’s Software (if it turns back on)

If your iPhone turns back on, it’s a good idea to check for software updates — because bugs can cause random shutdowns. To do that:

Open the Settings app.
Tap on General.
Then select Software Update.
If an update is available, follow the prompts to download and install. Sometimes, Apple releases bug fixes that handle weird shutdown behaviors.

This is especially useful if you first noticed the issue after installing a public beta or a major update. Almost always, keeping the OS fresh helps with stability. On some setups, it might fail on the first reboot, or you might need to try a couple of times. Just keep in mind, if you’ve betatested iOS and things went haywire, rolling back to a stable version might help, but that’s another story.

Check for Water Damage and Liquid Contact

Did your phone take a plunge? Water damage is no joke — sometimes, it silently messes with internal circuits, causing shutdowns or refusing to turn back on. Check the Liquid Contact Indicator (LCI).Remove the SIM card tray and look inside the slot. The LCI is a tiny sticker that turns red when it gets wet. If it’s red, the damage might be more serious, and you’ll probably need a certified repair. If you’re lucky and the damage is minimal, a water-drying process (like putting it in rice or silica gel, though not perfect) might help, but honestly, for serious water damage, taking it to Apple or a trusted repair shop is best. Water effects can be sneaky, so don’t ignore that red indicator.

Force Restart the iPhone

This is a classic, and it often helps clear minor glitches in the software or hardware states. The process varies depending on the model:

iPhone X/11/12/13 or newer, iPhone SE 2nd Gen and later: Press and quickly release volume up, then press and quickly release volume down. Finally, press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.
iPhone 7 or 7 Plus: Hold down volume down and sleep/wake buttons together until the Apple logo appears.
iPhone 6s or earlier, including iPhone SE 1st Gen: Hold both the Sleep/Wake and Home buttons simultaneously until the Apple logo shows up.

Been in this situation — on some devices, it’s kinda quirky, and the timing is critical. Usually, once the Apple logo shows up, it’s on the road to recovery. Can’t promise it always works, but it’s worth a shot. Also, don’t forget to let it sit for a minute or two after the restart — sometimes, it just takes a sec for everything to settle.

Reset All Settings (if you can reboot)

This one’s a bit heavy but useful if the device manages to turn on after a forced reboot. It resets all your preferences, like Wi-Fi passwords and display settings, without deleting your data. Just remember, you’ll need to back up your data first—losing everything isn’t fun.

Open Settings.
Go to General.
Select Transfer or Reset iPhone.
Tap Reset and then choose Reset All Settings.
Enter your passcode when prompted.

Sometimes, messing with system preferences helps fix bugs that cause shutdown loops. On some devices, this may take a couple of tries, especially if the problem is rooted in a specific setting issue.

Bring It to Apple or Support if Nothing Works

If none of those steps have helped, probably time to get professional help. If you bought it from an Apple Store or authorized service, bring it in. They will diagnose deeper hardware issues, like faulty batteries or logic board problems. Alternatively, contact Apple support online; they can guide through more advanced diagnostics or set up a repair appointment. Water damage, in particular, usually requires specialized servicing, so don’t try to DIY that past a certain point.

Wrapping Up

Dealing with an unresponsive or shutting-off iPhone is annoying, but most issues are fixable with some patience. Whether it’s charging, cooling, updating, or a force restart, try these steps first before rushing for repairs. Sometimes, a simple reboot or software update is all it takes to breathe new life into a stubborn device.

Summary

Charge it fully and wait.
Check for overheating and cool down if necessary.
Update iOS to the latest version.
Inspect for water damage using the LCI.
Force restart based on your model.
Reset settings if the phone turns back on but hiccups persist.
Seek professional help if nothing else works.

Wrap-up

Hopefully, one of these fixes gets your iPhone back to being reliable. They’re simple enough to try in order, and most can fix common shutdown woes. If it turns out to be a hardware problem, like a battery replacement or logic board repair, then it’s better to let the pros handle it. Good luck — and don’t forget to back up regularly to avoid losing precious data during these hiccups!