Why Won't My IPhone 5s Turn On? Troubleshooting Tips

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Ugh. The worst. You reach for your phone, tap the screen, and… nothing. A dead, cold, unresponsive slab of metal and glass. This happened to me last year, right before a crucial work trip. My iPhone 5s, the one I’d stubbornly refused to replace, decided to take a permanent nap.

It was a sinking feeling, like realizing you’ve left your wallet at home when you need gas. Panic started to set in. My entire life, or at least a significant portion of it, was contained within that device. Contacts, photos, emails – all vanished. Why won’t my iPhone 5s turn on? I needed to figure it out, and fast.

First, I’d like to make it clear that the most common advice you’ll find online is often… wrong. It’s usually the same generic steps you’ll see repeated, again and again. But most of the time, those don’t solve the problem, and they waste your time and your battery. This article is about what actually works.

So, let’s get you back in touch with your digital life.

The Dreaded Black Screen: What’s Really Going on?

Okay, so your iPhone 5s is a brick. The screen is black, there’s no response to button presses, and you’re staring into the abyss of your dead device. First, take a deep breath. It’s fixable, in most cases.

The root cause of a dead iPhone 5s can be multifaceted, but it usually boils down to a few key areas: a drained battery, a software glitch, or a hardware failure. Sometimes, it’s a simple fix; other times, it requires a little more detective work. We’ll walk through the most likely culprits.

One of the most common reasons is simply a completely drained battery. This seems obvious, but it’s often overlooked. Leaving your phone plugged in for hours, or overnight, doesn’t mean the battery is automatically charging properly. I’ve made this mistake more than once, assuming the phone was charging when it wasn’t. You might need to try a different cable and a different wall outlet.

However, let’s say you’ve plugged it in, waited for a while, and still nothing. Now we move on to more advanced troubleshooting.

Check the Basics: Cables, Chargers, and Outlets

Before you start panicking, let’s eliminate the easy stuff. Believe me, you’ll feel like an idiot if you spend hours troubleshooting only to find a faulty charger.

First, the charging cable. Are you using the original Apple cable? If not, the third-party cable might not be delivering enough power. I once spent an entire afternoon trying to revive a phone, only to realize the cheap cable I was using was the problem. Try another cable.

Next, the charging brick. Is it an official Apple charger? A charger that delivers too little power will do nothing. If you have an iPad charger, try that. They often provide more power. It’s worth a shot.

Finally, the outlet. Sounds silly, right? But outlets fail. Try a different outlet in your house. And just to be sure, test the outlet with a lamp or another device to confirm it’s working. (See Also: Cant Find Hidden Photos On Iphone Ios 15 )

If you’ve tried all of these, and your iPhone 5s still won’t turn on, you can proceed to the next step, but make sure to try different cables and chargers.

The Forced Restart: Your First Line of Defense

Okay, so the basics are covered, and your phone is still a paperweight. Time to try a forced restart. This is often the first, best solution.

This is where things get a bit more technical, but don’t worry, it’s easy. Here’s how to force restart an iPhone 5s:

Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
Press and hold the Side button (the power button on the top or side of the phone, depending on your model) until the Apple logo appears.

It may take up to 30 seconds for the Apple logo to appear. Be patient. Then, let go. If it works, your phone will restart, and hopefully, you’ll be back in business.

This method works by essentially cutting the power, forcing the phone to reboot. Think of it as the digital equivalent of turning off your car and turning it back on again.

If the forced restart doesn’t work, it’s time to move on to the next troubleshooting steps.

The Dfu Restore: When a Hard Reset Isn’t Enough

If a forced restart fails, the next step is a Device Firmware Update (DFU) restore. This is a deeper level of reset and can often fix stubborn software issues.

This process wipes everything from your phone, so it’s critical that you have a recent backup of your data. If you don’t, you might lose everything. Seriously, back up your phone before you try this step.

Here’s how to do a DFU restore. This process is a little more involved, and you’ll need a computer with iTunes (or Finder on newer macOS versions):

Connect your iPhone 5s to your computer using a USB cable.
Put your iPhone 5s into DFU mode:
- Press and hold the Power button and the Home button simultaneously for exactly 10 seconds.
- Release the Power button but continue holding the Home button until iTunes (or Finder) recognizes your device in recovery mode. This can take up to 30 seconds.
In iTunes (or Finder), you should see a prompt offering to restore your iPhone. Choose ‘Restore’.
Follow the on-screen instructions to restore your iPhone. This will erase all data and install the latest iOS.

After the restore is complete, your iPhone 5s should restart. If it does, you can then restore your data from your latest backup. It’s like hitting the reset button. The result is the device as it was when you first bought it, but if you have a backup, you’ll be able to restore all your important data.

Be warned: This can take a while, and it can sometimes fail. If it fails repeatedly, there may be a hardware issue. (See Also: Why Wont My Apple Watch Ping My Iphone )

Hardware Issues: When It’s Not Just Software

Okay, you’ve tried everything above, and your iPhone 5s still won’t turn on. Unfortunately, it’s possible you have a hardware issue. This is the least fun scenario.

Here are some of the potential hardware problems:

Dead Battery: Even if you’ve charged it, the battery might be completely dead and unable to hold a charge.
Logic Board Failure: The logic board is the ‘brain’ of the phone. If it’s damaged, the phone won’t turn on.
Water Damage: Water damage can wreak havoc on the internal components.
Screen Damage: A cracked or malfunctioning screen might prevent the phone from displaying anything.

Identifying the exact hardware issue can be tricky without specialized tools and knowledge. You can’t just open it up and poke around. The only real options at this point are these:

Contact Apple Support: Even though the iPhone 5s is old, Apple might still offer repair services, or at least be able to point you in the right direction.
Visit a Repair Shop: Find a reputable independent repair shop specializing in iPhones. They may be able to diagnose and repair the issue. But do your homework. Read reviews. Get a quote. Some shops are better than others.

One of the biggest mistakes I made with my phone was trusting the first repair shop I found. I took my phone there, they said they fixed the battery, but it still didn’t work. I wasted $150. If you can, go somewhere recommended by a friend.

Hardware repairs can be costly, and for an older phone like the iPhone 5s, it might not be worth the investment. However, data recovery from a broken phone is often possible, and that might be worth the cost, depending on what’s on the phone.

Is It Worth Repairing Your iPhone 5s?

That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it? The iPhone 5s is old. Released in 2013, it’s a decade-old device. The cost of repair needs to be weighed against the age of the device.

Consider this: a new battery replacement might cost around $70-$100, while a logic board repair could easily be several hundred dollars. At the low end, is it worth it? Maybe. At the high end, probably not.

Here’s a simple table to help you decide:

Issue	Likely Cost	Worth Repairing?	My Opinion
Battery Replacement	$70 – $100	Yes, if you like the phone	Good if you like the phone.
Screen Replacement	$100 – $150	Maybe, depending on the damage	Worth it if you can get it done cheaply.
Logic Board Repair	$200+	Probably not	Consider a new phone.
Water Damage (complex repairs)	$150+	Likely not	Probably not worth it.

Ultimately, the decision is yours. If you love your iPhone 5s and it’s mostly working, a battery replacement makes sense. If the issue is more serious, it might be time to move on.

Apple has stated that iPhone batteries typically hold around 80% of their charge after 500 full charge cycles. Considering the age of most iPhone 5s devices, it’s quite likely that the battery is the source of the problem.

Faq: Answering Your Burning Questions

What Do I Do If My iPhone 5s Won’t Turn on After It Got Wet?

Immediately power it off if it’s still on. Then, try to dry it out. Avoid rice; it’s mostly a myth. Instead, use a desiccant, like the packets that come with new electronics. Take it to a professional repair shop as quickly as possible. Water damage can corrode components quickly, so the sooner you get it looked at, the better. You may need a new logic board, which is expensive. (See Also: Why Cant I Send Images On Iphone )

How Long Should I Charge My iPhone 5s If It Won’t Turn on?

Leave it plugged in for at least an hour, and preferably longer. Sometimes, a completely drained battery takes a while to regain enough charge to boot up. The phone may not show any sign of charging for the first few minutes, but give it time. Try a different charger, outlet, and cable to ensure it’s actually getting power. Consumer Reports recommends that you always use the original Apple charger for best results.

Can a Broken Screen Prevent My iPhone 5s From Turning on?

Yes, a severely damaged or malfunctioning screen can prevent the phone from displaying anything, even if the phone is otherwise working. The screen might be black, but the phone could still be running. Try a forced restart, even if you can’t see anything. If you hear sounds, like notifications, you know the phone is running, but the screen is the problem.

How Can I Recover Data From a Dead iPhone 5s?

If you have a recent backup, restoring from that backup is the easiest method. If you don’t have a backup, data recovery specialists may be able to extract data from the phone’s storage. This process can be expensive, but it might be worth it if you have important photos or other files. The American Bar Association recommends backing up important documents on a weekly basis, as the loss of data can have serious consequences.

It’s always better to back up your data regularly so that a hardware failure doesn’t mean a total loss of your precious photos and important files.

Verdict

So, you’ve tried everything. You’ve checked the charger, the cable, and the outlet. You’ve attempted a forced restart and even a DFU restore. Now, your iPhone 5s remains stubbornly dark. The frustrating truth is, there’s no magic bullet. Why won’t my iPhone 5s turn on? The answer depends on the specific issue, and sometimes, the issue is simply beyond repair.

What’s next? You have a few options: a repair, a data recovery attempt, or the dreaded upgrade. Weigh the costs and benefits, consider your attachment to the phone, and make a decision that’s right for you. Don’t be afraid to let it go if the phone has served its time. Technology moves on.

Before you toss it in a drawer, try one last thing: leave it plugged in overnight. Sometimes, a deeply drained battery just needs a long, slow charge to wake up. You might get lucky. It’s happened to me, but don’t hold your breath.

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If all else fails, consider this an opportunity to upgrade. You may want to consider a new phone. At least your current data will be easier to transfer.

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