Top 7 Ways: How to Fix iPhone Won't Turn off

If your iPhone won't turn off, the screen may be frozen, the Power button may not work, or an iOS software issue could be preventing the device from shutting down normally. In some cases, insufficient storage, a faulty button, or a damaged screen may also cause the problem.

Fortunately, there are several ways to fix an iPhone that won't turn off, from using the correct shutdown method and force restarting the device to repairing potential iOS issues. Below, we'll explain the possible causes and walk you through the most effective solutions step by step.

Why Won't My iPhone Turn off?

If your iPhone won't turn off, the problem may come from a temporary software glitch, an unresponsive screen, or a hardware issue. Here are the most common causes:

• 01 iPhone is frozen: A crashed app or iOS process may stop the screen and buttons from responding normally.
• 02 Side or Volume button is not working: A damaged or stuck physical button can prevent you from opening the power-off screen.
• 03 Touch screen is unresponsive: If you can't swipe the power-off slider, the iPhone may appear impossible to shut down.
• 04 iOS software glitches: System bugs or errors after an iOS update can interfere with normal shutdown.
• 05 Insufficient storage: When iPhone storage is almost full, system performance may become unstable and cause freezing or shutdown problems.
• 06 Hardware damage: Drops, water exposure, or internal component issues can also cause an iPhone to stop responding.

---

Video Guide: Fix My iPhone Won't Turn off

---

7 Fixes for iPhone Won't Shut off

If your iPhone won't shut off normally, try the following methods in order. Start with the non-destructive solutions first and use a full restore only as a last resort.

Fix 1: Turn Off iPhone from Settings or Control Center

If the Side button or Volume button is not responding but the touchscreen still works, you can shut down your iPhone without using the physical buttons.

Option 1: Use Settings

• Step 1. Open Settings and tap General.
• Step 2. Scroll to the bottom and tap Shut Down.
• Step 3. Drag the slide to power off slider to the right.

Option 2: Use Control Center

On supported iOS versions, open Control Center, touch and hold the Power button in the upper-right corner, and then drag the power-off slider.

This method is especially useful when your iPhone won't turn off because the Side or Volume button is stuck or damaged.

Fix 2: Force Restart Your iPhone

If your iPhone is frozen and won't turn off, a force restart can help when the screen or normal shutdown controls stop responding. It does not erase your personal data.

For iPhone 8 and later, including iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation):

• Step 1. Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
• Step 2. Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
• Step 3. Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears, then release it.

For iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus: Simply press and hold the Side button and Volume Down button together until the Apple logo appears.

For iPhone 6s, iPhone SE (1st generation), and earlier: Press and hold the Home button and Side/Top button together until the Apple logo appears.

Fix 3: Update iOS

A software bug may cause an iPhone to freeze or prevent it from shutting down normally. If you can still use the touchscreen, check whether an iOS update is available.

• Step 1. Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
• Step 2. If an update is available, tap the Update Now button.
• Step 3. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the update.

Back up important data before installing a major iOS update. Also make sure the iPhone has sufficient storage space and battery power.

Fix 4: Reset All Settings

If your iPhone still works but repeatedly freezes or refuses to shut down, corrupted or conflicting system settings may be involved. Resetting all settings restores system preferences to their defaults without deleting your photos, messages, apps, or documents.

• Step 1. Open Settings > General.
• Step 2. Tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.
• Step 3. Tap Reset > Reset All Settings.
• Step 4. Enter your passcode if prompted and confirm the reset.

Keep in mind that Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth pairings, privacy settings, Face ID or Touch ID settings, and some other preferences will need to be configured again afterward.

Fix 5: Free Up iPhone Storage

Extremely limited available storage can affect iOS performance and may contribute to freezing or other abnormal behavior.

• Step 1. Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
• Step 2. Check which apps, photos, videos, or downloaded files are using the most space.
• Step 3. Remove unnecessary files or use Offload Unused Apps to free up storage without deleting the app's documents and data.

After freeing some storage, restart the iPhone and check whether it can shut down normally.

Fix 6: The Best Tool to Fix iPhone Won't Turn off

Even in the midst of fixing iPhone won't shut off issue, many solutions may end up leaving you without a couple of data. Using the best tool that does not lose your data is probably above the rest. TunesKit iOS System Recovery will quickly fix any iOS problem with no risk of losing data in only 4 steps. Furthermore, it has an elegant speed capable of rescuing your iOS devices in numerous situations like iPhone frozen, stuck in recovery mode, white screen of death, won't turn on, among other scenarios.

What's more, if you want to reset your device, upgrade/downgrade the system, or enter/exit the Recovery mode, TunesKit iOS System Recovery can be able to help you within several clicks.

So, when your iPhone refuses to turn off, just follow these steps. Remember, you need to download and install TunesKit iOS System Recovery to your computer.

Step 1. Connect your iPhone to the computer

Once you launch the program, connect your iOS device to it. You can use a USB cable for the connection. Then go to the iOS System Repair button, click on it and be redirected to the mode to chose. Click on the Start button.

Step 2. Choose a mode

If you want to keep your data intact, simply choose the Standard Repair to begin.

Step 3. Download the firmware package

You have to download the latest iOS firmware package to pave way for you to fix the iPhone won't turn off problem. You also need to confirm your device's model or correct it manually. When settled, click on the Download button so that the firmware package that matches your iPhone can start the download process.

Step 4. Fix iPhone won't turn off

Note that when the firmware successfully downloads, the next business is to repair the iPhone. Click on the Start Standard Repair button and let the program do the run automatically. The end product is a fix of the iPhone won't shut off, to a well functioning iPhone.

Fix 7: Restore iPhone in Recovery Mode

If your iPhone still won't shut off or continues freezing after trying the solutions above, restoring iOS in Recovery Mode can be used as a last resort.

Connect the iPhone to your computer, put iPhone into Recovery Mode, and then open the appropriate program:

• Mac: Use Finder.
• Windows PC: Use the Apple Devices app.
• Older supported systems: iTunes may still be used.

When the computer detects the iPhone in Recovery Mode, choose Restore and follow the onscreen instructions.

After the restore is complete, you can set up the iPhone and restore your data from an available iCloud or computer backup.

---

FAQs About iPhone Won't Turn off

---

The Bottom Line

If your iPhone won't turn off, start with the basic fixes such as a force restart, updating iOS, or resetting system settings. For software-related problems, TunesKit iOS System Recovery can help repair common iOS issues, with Standard Repair designed to preserve your data. If the problem is caused by a damaged button, screen, or other hardware component, contact Apple Support or an authorized service provider for further inspection.