Detailed instructions on why you can not turn on the smartphone and what to do

If your smartphone keeps rebooting or won’t turn on at all, you may be wondering what to do. There are many possible situations, and if you don’t see yours listed here, feel free to comment and we’ll help you out.

In this article, we’ll cover the following scenarios:

• The screensaver freezes and won’t load past the logo
• Endless reboot cycle without stopping
• The phone turns on and off by itself, especially after a failed software update or when running Android
• The device has been unused for a long time and shows no signs of life or charging
• When you press the power button, the LED indicator lights up red or blue, starts flashing, or immediately goes out
• The phone gets stuck on the "Loading" screen
• A white screen appears and there is no possibility of resuscitation.
• Android does not boot or start after a fall (in water, toilet, beer, tea, etc.).
• The application suddenly "jammed" and "disconnected" while working.
• The device does not boot after a factory reset.

Fault Statistics:

• Faulty charger or cable
• Mechanical damage or drowning
• Broken or clogged connector
• Software failure (viruses, drivers, update glitches)
• Damaged video controller (or backlight)
• Battery needing replacement
• Broken power button
• Defective motherboard
• Burned out charge controller

Here’s a comprehensive guide that can be applied to all Android devices and partially to certain iOs models like iPhone, Alcatel, Asus, Lenovo, Meizu, Philips, Nokia, Oppo, Phillips, Prestigio, Sony Xperia, HTC, Samsung, Xiaomi (Redme), ZTE, BQ, Vertex, Micromax, Digma, Fly, Umidigi, Oukitel, Texet, Leagoo, Dexp, Doogie, Huawei (Honor), HomTom, as well as Chinese No-Name smartphones sold under the brands of Megafon, Beeline, MTS, and even basic button cell phones. This instruction is also relevant for tablets, Android stereos, and TV set-top boxes.

To start

Instead of panicking and rushing to find the service center’s phone number, try troubleshooting the problem at home. Not only will this save you money, but it will also equip you with the knowledge to handle similar situations in the future.

Statistics:

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Replacing the cable or adapter solves the issue in 50% of cases.

The battery might be completely discharged and needs to be recharged. In this situation, we suggest checking:

• The USB cable for any kinks, animal bites, wire fraying or breakages, and braiding integrity.
• The Micro-USB, Type-C, or Lightning plug for any damage or contamination.
• The charger itself (the wall-mounted power supply) to ensure it is functioning properly.

Alternatively, you can try using a different power cable to rule out any wire or charger breakages.

Make sure to check the amperage output of the power supply. A normal range is 1-2.4 amperes. If the charger indicates 0.3-0.5 A, it is too low, and the adapter should be replaced.

Do a "hard" reboot

If there is a malfunction or any "unclear situation" with any electronics, the first step is to perform a reboot.

It is recommended to do a reboot even when the phone appears to be unresponsive. Sometimes, the device may be stuck and not display any signs of life on the screen.

There are various methods to perform a reboot:

1. Forced restart: Press and hold the volume down key and the power button simultaneously for 3-5 seconds. The smartphone’s screen should blink, indicating that the operating system is starting to load. Note that the keyboard shortcuts may vary on different models, so if you’re unsure, feel free to ask in the comments, and we will provide specific instructions for your model.

Statistics:

Total: A hard reboot is successful in 30% of cases.

1. My score increased by 166.

After a frostbite or extreme heat

Statistics:

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Normalizing the temperature helps only 5% of the time.

If the phone has been exposed to severe freezing or overheating, it may not turn on. Extreme temperature conditions (below -15-20°C and above +45°C) can activate the battery protection mode, causing the device to shut down and become unresponsive for a period of time. In order to resolve this issue, it is recommended to take the device to a warm place, ideally in a heated room, and allow it to warm up for about 15-20 minutes. Afterward, attempt to turn on the device. It is important not to place the device directly on the battery, as this will only worsen the situation.

To cool down a cell phone, you can use a refrigerator, but make sure to put it in a cellophane bag before doing so. Leaving it in the refrigerator for 10-20 minutes should be sufficient to cool down the internal components.

Try to boot in safe mode

Statistics: Total Booting in Safe Mode resolves the issue in 5% of cases The reason for the failure can be a malfunction in Android or applications, or the activity of malware. The system may fail to boot due to an internal conflict or error after the release of a new update. However, there is a solution: we recommend booting the operating system in safe mode. In essence, this is a boot of a "bare" Android without most applications. On different smartphones, entering safe mode is achieved by pressing a combination of keys:

1. General method: press and hold the "volume down" and "power" buttons until a dark menu with text appears on the screen. Use the volume buttons to navigate and select "Safe mode". Confirm the action by pressing the "power" button.

For older mobile devices, you can try a simple trick to enter recovery mode. Just hold down the "volume up" and "volume down" buttons while the logo is loading. If the phone reaches this point, you are good to go.

If you are using a ZTE Blade, the process is slightly different. Press the power key once and then hold down the "volume down" and "power on" buttons. Release them as soon as you see the logo or the familiar "green robot" icon on the screen.

Some Samsung Galaxy models have a different method. Simply turn on the device and wait for the logo to appear. Once it does, press the "volume down" button and keep holding it until the Android booting process is complete.

For both MEIZU and Samsung devices, start by turning on the phone using the "power" button. Keep holding it until the logo appears. Then, release the "power on" key and quickly press the "volume down" button. Hold it down until the gadget finishes booting up.

If you own a Huawei device, the process is pretty straightforward. Turn on the smartphone and immediately press the "volume down" button. Keep holding it until the operating system finishes booting up.

If all the steps are followed accurately, the system will commence in "Safe Mode" at the bottom of the screen. At this point, it is advised to uninstall any recently installed software, clear the cache, and delete any recently downloaded data. It is highly recommended to create a backup by transferring photos, videos, and documents to your computer using a cable.

Statistics:

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"Jiggling" the battery is effective 5% of the time

The technique is applicable to older models that have a removable battery. Remove the battery, wait for a few minutes, and then reinsert it. This will de-energize the circuit board, creating a potential short circuit, and enabling you to restart the process.

Remove the SIM and memory card

Statistics: Total

Removing the SIM card and SD memory card assists in solving 5% of issues.

Occasionally, system failures may arise as a result of a conflict at the hardware level. Specifically, there may be a mismatch between the SIM card or memory card and the cell phone in terms of hardware compatibility. This could be due to either physical damage to these components or software errors. To troubleshoot this, remove both the SIM and SD card and attempt a reboot.

If basic diagnostic and repair techniques have proven ineffective, it becomes necessary to delve deeper into the issue. This involves scrutinizing the smartphone’s components for any signs of mechanical damage, as well as thoroughly examining the device’s software.

Fault Statistics:

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Connector problems occur in 10% of cases.

Often, when the battery is completely drained and cannot be charged, the phone will not turn on or show any signs of life. This issue is usually related to the power jack, which is typically a microUSB or USB type-C connector.

1. First, visually inspect the connector. If the charging tab is broken off, or if the port is loose or damaged, it is recommended to take the device to a repair shop. This type of repair usually involves soldering the entire module, which is difficult to do without the proper equipment, experience, and spare parts. The cost of such a repair is generally around 1000-2000 rubles.
2. If there is any dust, debris, or hair in the socket, use a strong blast of air to blow it out.
3. For a more thorough cleaning, carefully use a thin object such as a pin or needle to clean inside the socket.
4. After completing all the necessary actions, attempt to power on the device once more.

Fault Statistics:

Total:

– 5% of cases require battery replacement.

There are several common faults with charging batteries:

1. Deep discharge. In this case, your phone won’t turn on even when connected to the power source. It is recommended to let it recharge quietly for 30-50 minutes and then try turning it on again.
2. Physical failure or complete wear and tear of the battery. This can be checked on removable batteries or by opening the phone case and connecting to the battery terminals. If the battery is faulty, it may appear swollen. It is essential to replace such a battery immediately, as it can be dangerous and may even ignite.

Issue with power button

Fault Statistics:

• Total number of cases with broken power button – 2%

In some cases, the problem may be caused by the power button coming loose or being physically damaged. You can usually tell if the button is broken by its lack of response and absence of a clicking sound when pressed. Unfortunately, this type of malfunction can only be fixed at a service center, as the button mechanism is soldered onto the motherboard.

Motherboard defective

Fault Statistics:

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Motherboard malfunctions – 2% of cases

The motherboard is the core component of any smartphone. If this module is damaged, the phone becomes unresponsive and essentially turns into a "brick". Common symptoms of a faulty motherboard include:

• The phone does not boot in recovery mode.
• The computer does not recognize the phone when connected.
• The phone does not respond to keystrokes.
• The phone cannot be reflashed.

There are several reasons why a motherboard may fail:

1. Damage from physical impact.
2. Liquid ingress, especially from being submerged in water.
3. It is highly advisable to have the motherboard checked at a reputable service center for any potential damage. In some cases, the cost of replacing this component can amount to 50-70% of the price of a brand-new smartphone.

Mechanical damage or drowning

Fault Statistics:

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In 10% of cases, the "not turning on" issue can be attributed to mechanical damage or drowning.

In this scenario, the causes of the problem can be divided into two main categories:

1. Mechanical damage caused by various factors such as falling, deformation of the case (e.g., being placed in the back pocket of jeans), strong impacts, shaking, or other physical impacts.
2. Liquid ingress, which includes water, tea, coffee, alcohol, moisture, sweat, and rain. Any liquid can potentially short circuit the delicate electrical pathways within the device.

Devices experiencing such malfunctions may exhibit glitches, display failures, communication issues, GPS and Wi-Fi malfunctions, or severe interface lags. In some cases, the devices may even become completely unresponsive or "bricked".

Crooked firmware

Fault Statistics:

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Software failure – viruses, drivers, and update glitches occur in 5% of cases.

This malfunction usually occurs with custom firmware, but in rare cases, failures can happen due to the installation of new updates for the native operating system.

• In the first situation, you can perform a Hard Reset procedure. Resetting the smartphone to factory settings will revert it back to the original operating system and delete all data from the phone.
• In the second scenario, you can wait for an official patch or a new update. In critical situations, these are usually released quickly.

Viruses

Malware, rootkits, and Trojans have the potential to disrupt the functioning of your device. To mitigate this, it is advisable to employ third-party software. Additionally, it is highly recommended to remove the memory card and conduct a thorough virus and Trojan scan using your computer.

Fault Statistics:

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Burnt out power controller – 1% of cases

The power controller, which is responsible for evenly charging the battery, is prone to malfunctioning. Identifying the fault at home can be quite challenging. However, a burnt out controller can be detected through a number of indirect symptoms:

1. The battery is in good condition: it is not swollen, and the output voltage matches the factory specifications after charging with a universal charger (such as a frog charger).
2. Prior to the malfunction, the smartphone experienced rapid battery drainage. Sometimes, this occurred sporadically. For instance, the battery would lose 20-50% of its charge within 5 minutes without any apparent reason. Additionally, charging time would increase, and significant heat could be felt emanating from the back of the device.

Q&A

Take into account a variety of glitches that fall outside the category of major or primary issues. For instance, when the mobile device freezes, restarts frequently, or displays unfamiliar or "insufficient" notifications.

Cyclic reboot is a condition of a smartphone in which it continuously attempts to load the operating system but fails and enters a constant cycle of rebooting. Several factors can cause this issue, including incorrectly installed or custom firmware, internal Android or iOS errors, or an error during an OS update.

To resolve the cyclic boot problem, you can try the following methods:

1. Restarting the phone using the hardware buttons (you can find detailed instructions in the first section of the article).
2. Installing new firmware in Recovery Mode (for Android), DFU Mode (for iOS), or EDL Mode (for Xiaomi).
3. Performing a recovery procedure using "Recovery Mode".
4. Performing a Hard Reset procedure through the bootloader.

Attention! Please note that all actions performed on your smartphone are done at your own risk. To avoid permanently damaging your device, we recommend taking it to a reputable repair workshop.

Red battery lights up

If your cell phone screen is dark with a red battery symbol, it is likely that your battery is no longer functioning properly and needs to be replaced. It is possible that the battery has reached its maximum number of charge-discharge cycles, which is typically around 300-400 cycles. Another possibility is that the battery has experienced a deep discharge due to being unused for a long period of time, such as being stored in a desk drawer for 3 months or more.

Before replacing the battery, it is recommended to check the charger. It is possible that the charger does not have enough power to supply the necessary current. Modern smartphones require a minimum of 1 amp power supply for charging, so a charger with a power output of 0.3-0.5 A may not be sufficient for charging the device.

The worst-case scenario occurs when a smartphone becomes unresponsive, leaving all valuable data such as photos, videos, correspondence, and documents trapped within its memory. While it is possible to retrieve information from a non-functioning device, this task requires specialized software and extensive knowledge of computers.

To successfully recover data, it is advisable to seek assistance from professional repair shops. Skilled technicians can utilize service software or perform memory chip unsoldering to extract the desired information. Subsequently, the salvaged board will be transplanted into a functioning device, allowing the data to be retrieved. Although this service may be costly, it presents a potential lifeline for rescuing and restoring data from the "dead" device.

The screen is black, but the boot does not go

An obscured screen does not always imply that the device is non-functional:

• On numerous occasions, a dim display signifies a frozen update process, particularly if it involves a complete system update. Reboot the device using the physical buttons.
• A dim screen with the backlight illuminated may occur due to bootloader or firmware malfunctions.
• When the screen module gets wet, it can cause the display to become unresponsive even though the phone itself operates normally. In such cases, replacing the module with a new one will resolve the issue.

Hanging on the logo after factory reset

There are several potential causes of this issue:

1. Incorrect installation of firmware, power outages during system updates, or installation of a custom OS version. You will need to flash the device via recovery mode.
2. Insufficient memory. The system may boot very slowly or not start at all. To resolve this, optimize your applications, clear cache and data, and consider performing a Hard Reset from the bootloader menu.
3. Mechanical or hardware failures, including pseudo-cyclic booting. This occurs when the phone constantly reboots without starting the Android download. The problem may be due to moisture entering the power button, sticking or failed mechanical contacts.

If it does not respond to charging

• It’s possible that the battery has depleted and needs to be replaced. Your device might vibrate or flash a red/blue/white LED. You can try removing the battery and charging it using a different charger.
• If the battery overheats severely,
• If there is a break in the display loop,
• If there is a short circuit on the motherboard,
• If moisture gets inside the device,
• Sometimes, the need to update the firmware or drivers of the gadget can cause this situation.

So, we have identified the steps to be taken if the phone does not power on:

1. Perform a "hard" reboot,
2. Replace the USB cable and charger,
3. Place the device in a warm or cool location,
4. Attempt to start the device in safe mode,
5. Inspect the battery (remove and reinsert it),
6. Remove the SIM card and memory card.

If none of the above solutions work, it is advisable to seek assistance from a reputable repair shop. However, before visiting the service center, it is recommended to attempt troubleshooting the device by yourself.

• Possible reasons for the device not powering on include:
• Damage to the power socket,
• Failure of the battery or charging controller,
• Malfunction of the motherboard or power button.
• Physical damage or moisture inside the device affecting its functionality,
• Inability to turn on due to incorrect installation of firmware or malware infection.