iPhone 16 Pro Not Turning On? Troubleshooting & Fixes

ByThe Droid Guy Posted on

How to Fix iPhone 16 Pro That Won’t Turn On (15-Step Troubleshooting Guide)

If your iPhone 16 Pro refuses to turn on, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s permanently damaged. Follow this step-by-step guide to troubleshoot power, software, and hardware issues and revive your device.

1. Give It a Proper Charge

  1. Plug your iPhone 16 Pro into a known-good USB-C cable and at least a 20W Apple-certified adapter.
  2. Make sure the wall outlet works by testing another device or charger.
  3. Leave it charging for at least 30 minutes, even a completely drained phone won’t show the charging icon immediately.
  4. If no response, switch to another cable and adapter to rule out faulty accessories.

2. Inspect the USB-C Port

  1. Shine a flashlight into the charging port and check for lint or debris.
  2. If needed, clean gently using a wooden toothpick or an ESD-safe brush.
  3. Look for signs of liquid damage, a pink/red indicator means professional repair is likely required.

3. Force-Restart the Device

  1. Press and quickly release Volume Up.
  2. Press and quickly release Volume Down.
  3. Press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo (this may take up to 20 seconds).

4. Verify the Display Isn’t Blacked Out

  1. Flip the Ring/Silent switch and listen for vibration.
  2. Call your phone from another line to check if it rings.
  3. Shine a bright flashlight on the screen, if faint pixels appear, the display may be dead while the device is on.

5. Cool It Down or Warm It Up

  1. If the phone is too cold or too hot (outside 0–45 °C / 32–113 °F), let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes.
  2. Try force-restarting again after the temperature normalizes.

6. Remove All Accessories

  1. Detach MagSafe wallets, cases, or any magnetic accessories.
  2. These can block airflow or press buttons inadvertently, test the phone without them.

7. Try a Wired Power Cycle

  1. Plug your iPhone into a Mac or Windows PC.
  2. Open Finder (macOS Catalina and later) or iTunes/Apple Devices app.
  3. Select your iPhone, then click Eject.
  4. Disconnect the cable, then immediately reconnect and watch for the charging icon.

8. Enter Recovery Mode & Update iOS

  1. While connected to a computer, perform the force-restart button sequence but keep holding the Side button after the Apple logo appears.
  2. Release when you see the recovery mode screen (laptop + cable icon).
  3. On your computer, choose Update when prompted, this reinstalls iOS without deleting data.

9. Restore via Recovery Mode

  1. Repeat the recovery mode steps from Method 8.
  2. If Update fails, choose Restore instead.
  3. This erases all content and reinstalls iOS 18 cleanly (only use if you have a backup).

10. Use iOS 18 “Restore Nearby iPhone” (Wireless Restore)

  1. Put the iPhone in recovery mode.
  2. Bring an unlocked iPhone/iPad running iOS 18 within 10 cm.
  3. Tap Continue on the helper device, enter the six-digit code, and ensure both devices stay connected to Wi-Fi until the restore finishes.

11. Deep Firmware Update (DFU) Mode

  1. Connect your iPhone to a computer.
  2. Press Volume Up (quick), Volume Down (quick), then hold the Side button for 10 seconds.
  3. While holding Side, press Volume Down for 5 seconds, then release Side but continue holding Volume Down for 10 more seconds.
  4. The screen stays black, but Finder/iTunes should detect a device in DFU mode, click Restore.

12. Run Apple Diagnostics

  1. Use another device with the Apple Support app installed.
  2. Go to Device & Repair > Diagnostics, select your iPhone, and follow the prompts.
  3. It checks for issues like battery damage or logic board faults.

13. Check Battery Health & Cycle Count

  1. If the phone eventually turns on, go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging.
  2. A Service message or capacity below 80% with under 500 cycles indicates a weak battery needing replacement.

14. Inspect Side & Action Buttons

  1. Dirt or sticky residue around the Side or Action button may block activation.
  2. Clean gently using a lint-free swab dipped in 70% isopropyl alcohol.
  3. Press the buttons firmly after cleaning and retry force-restart.

15. Schedule Professional Service

  1. If the device still won’t power on, or you saw water damage indicators, book an Apple Store or Authorized Service Provider visit.
  2. Potential issues include logic board failure, power IC faults, or a blown fuse, which require specialized bench repair.

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