Dropped iPhone Won't Turn on? 8 Fixes

If your dropped iPhone won't turn on, you may see a black screen, a flashing Apple logo, or a device that keeps restarting after the fall. In some cases, the problem may come from an iOS crash, battery or charging issue, or a loose internal connection. A harder impact can also cause physical hardware damage.

Before assuming your iPhone is completely broken, there are several troubleshooting methods worth trying. This guide explains why a dropped iPhone won't turn on and shows you 8 practical solutions, including force restarting, charging the device properly, fixing possible iOS issues, and checking for hardware damage.

Why Won't My iPhone Turn On After Being Dropped?

If your dropped iPhone won't turn on, the impact may have caused either a temporary software problem or physical damage inside the device. The exact cause often depends on what happens when you try to power it on or charge it.

• 01 Temporary iOS crash: The impact may coincide with a system freeze, leaving the screen black or unresponsive.
• 02 Battery or internal connection issue: A hard drop may affect the battery or an internal connection, preventing the iPhone from receiving stable power.
• 03 Damaged display: Your iPhone may still be running even though the screen stays completely black after the drop.
• 04 Charging-related damage: Damage to the charging port, cable connection, or power components can prevent the battery from charging properly.
• 05 Internal hardware damage: A severe fall can damage components such as the display assembly, battery, connectors, or logic board.
• 06 Boot problem: If your iPhone repeatedly shows the Apple logo and turns off again, it may be stuck in a boot loop caused by an iOS issue or hardware damage.

---

8 Ways to Fix Dropped iPhone Won't Turn on

If your dropped iPhone won't turn on, don't immediately assume that the device is permanently damaged. A drained battery, frozen iOS system, damaged display, loose internal connection, or other hardware damage can all cause an iPhone to remain on a black screen after a fall. Let's start with the safer troubleshooting methods below.

Solution 1: Check the iPhone for Physical Damage

Before trying software fixes, take a quick look at your iPhone. Since the problem started immediately after it was dropped, physical damage is more likely than it would be with a normal startup issue.

Check whether the screen or back glass is severely cracked, the frame is bent, the charging port is damaged, or the device becomes unusually hot. You can also press the Side button or call the iPhone from another phone. If it rings or makes notification sounds while the screen remains black, the iPhone may still be running and the display could be damaged.

If the iPhone shows signs of serious physical or battery damage, skip the following troubleshooting steps and contact Apple Support or an authorized repair provider.

Solution 2: Charge Your iPhone for Up to One Hour

A dropped iPhone may also fail to turn on simply because the battery is too low to start properly. Connect it to a reliable power source and leave it charging for up to one hour before trying to turn it on again.

Check the charging cable, USB power adapter, and charging port for visible damage or debris. You can also try another compatible cable, power adapter, or wall outlet to rule out a charging accessory problem.

After charging, press and hold the Side button to see whether the Apple logo appears.

Solution 3: Force Restart the Dropped iPhone

If the iPhone has enough power but the screen is still black or the Apple logo keeps appearing and disappearing, try a force restart. This can restart an unresponsive iPhone without erasing your personal data.

• For iPhone 8 and later: Quickly press and release the Volume Up button. Quickly press and release the Volume Down button. Then press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears. It may take longer than 10 seconds.
• For iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus: Press and hold the Side button and Volume Down button at the same time. Release both buttons when the Apple logo appears.
• For iPhone 6s and earlier: Press and hold the Home button and the Side or Top button together. Keep holding them until the Apple logo appears.

If the iPhone still shows no response after charging and force restarting, continue with the next methods.

Solution 4: Check Whether the Screen Is Damaged

Sometimes an iPhone is still powered on after a drop, but a damaged display makes it look completely dead.

Try calling your iPhone from another phone. You can also connect it to a Mac or Windows computer and see whether Finder or the Apple Devices app recognizes it.

If the iPhone rings, vibrates, receives notifications, or is detected by the computer while the screen remains black, the problem may involve the display rather than iOS. In this situation, a screen or hardware inspection is more appropriate than repeatedly restoring the software.

Solution 5: Use A Professional iOS System Recovery Tool

If your dropped iPhone shows signs of power — for example, it displays the Apple logo, gets stuck in a boot loop, or can be detected by a computer — but still cannot start normally, the problem may involve iOS rather than damaged hardware. In this case, you can try TunesKit iOS System Recovery. It not only can deeply repair troublesome iPhone issue, for instance, iPhone stuck on update requested while updating to iOS 27, blue screen or recovery mode, but it also compatible with iPhone/iPad/iPod touch. Lots of iPhone users put their minds at ease when they go for this option. So, it is real trustworthy.

Following the steps mentioned below will be free of any issues that bring you back to a normal phone.

Step 1. Download and Run TunesKit Tool

Connect your iPhone to a computer via USB. After connecting successfully, click the iOS System Repair > Start button proceed to the next step.

Step 2. Choose Standard Repair

Standard Repair can address the typical iOS issue, most importantly, your data will not be damaged.

Step 3. Download Firmware Package

The program will detect your device, then check the information and confirm. If it reads incorrectly, please choose the right one and click the Download button.

Step 4. Start Fixing Dropped iPhone Won't Turn On

After the firmware is downloaded completely, click the Start Standard Repair button it will automatically repair your iPhone. It takes some time, make sure to keep the device always connecting to your computer during the repair.

Solution 6: Update the iPhone in Recovery Mode

If the iPhone still cannot start, Recovery Mode provides another way to reinstall iOS.

• Step 1. Connect your iPhone to a Mac or Windows PC. Open Finder on a Mac or the iTunes app on Windows.
• Step 2. Put your iPhone into recovery mode.
• Step 3. When your computer gives you the choice between Update and Restore, try Update first. Updating reinstalls iOS while attempting to keep your personal data.
• 
• Step 4. Do not disconnect the iPhone while the update is in progress.

Solution 7: Restore the iPhone as a Last Software Resort

If Recovery Mode Update fails and you have ruled out obvious hardware damage, you can try Restore.

Be aware that Restore erases the data and settings on the iPhone and reinstalls iOS. You can restore your information afterward only if you have an available iCloud or computer backup.

Connect the iPhone to Finder or Apple Devices, enter Recovery Mode again, and choose Restore when prompted.

Because of the risk of data loss, this option should come after the non-erasing methods rather than before them.

Solution 8: Contact Apple for Hardware Repair

If the dropped iPhone still won't turn on after charging, force restarting, and attempting appropriate software fixes, the fall may have damaged the display, battery, charging components, internal connectors, or other hardware.

This is especially likely when the problem began immediately after a hard drop and the iPhone shows no response at all.

Contact Apple Support, an Apple Store, or an Apple Authorized Service Provider for a hardware inspection. Avoid opening the iPhone or attempting battery repairs yourself, particularly if the device is swollen, unusually hot, or damaged.

---

Summary

I hereby outline some ways to fix a dropped iPhone that won't turn on. TunesKit iOS System Recovery handles this situation in a more professional and convenient. This helps us in time-consuming and avoids hassle. I am sure this guide will help you save your damaged phone in simple steps. If you still find it tough to recover, feel free to tell me in the Comments with your detailed issues; I will try my best to help you out.