Apple iPhone SE Wont Turn On, Black Screen, Other Power Issues [Troubleshooting Guide]

Originally, the Apple iPhone SE smartphone runs in the iOS 9.3 platform with a more enhanced battery life and overall performance. But for some reasons, some things have changed following the implementation of the most recent iPhone operating system, the iOS 10. In fact, several reports on post iOS update flaws have been populating online forums and websites from some iPhone SE owners who have encountered issues after the most recent iOS update. One of these issues had reached our mailbox and this is what we are trying to address in this post.

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What causes this power or black screen problem to occur on your iPhone?

The iPhone special edition otherwise known as the iPhone SE smartphone was officially released on the 31st of March, 2016 as part of the iPhone series of devices designed and marketed by Apple Inc. This 4-inch iPhone comes with almost identical features to that of the iPhone 5s but also integrates some hardware upgrades including updated processor, rear camera, and other advanced features from the larger iPhone 6s variant. And so the SE is deemed as a smaller yet powerful iPhone to-date.

But months after its official release, several issues have likewise started to emerge. One of the most common concerns is on the iPhone SE that won’t turn on or stuck in black screen state. The onset of the problem differs between users though. Some have encountered the same problem while using random apps while others after installing an update to the iPhone iOS.

Power issues including this one can also be triggered by some other factors including faulty apps and corrupt files. Some faulty apps or corrupted contents can also affect the phone’s overall function since they are all utilizing the same platform. It’s possible for the iPhone system configuration to be messed up by a misbehaving app, which could result to anew problem to arise including issues with the iPhone start-up process.

Meanwhile, other cases of an iPhone that does not power on and black screen symptoms have been found connected to charging issue while some on bad battery.

Generally, the widely known factors that are linked to various power issues on the iPhone would include software problems, bad battery, and hardware damage.

To isolate the problem, try to think about the prior changes or actions you’ve made to your device before the onset of the symptoms. For example, did the problem start after installing certain apps, configuring some settings, or installing software update on your iPhone SE? Following this approach will help you determine what to troubleshoot on your device and where to start in order to fix it.

How to fix your iPhone SE that won’t turn on or stuck in black screen?

Unless there is no hardware damage to the iPhone, such problems can still be rectified by some workarounds. These steps will help you identify and resolve the underlying cause of the problem.

Note: Be sure to test your iPhone after performing each method to see if that has fixed the problem. Proceed to the next applicable method, if necessary.

Step 1. Turn on your iPhone again

Although you may have done it already, press the Power button this time. Consider this as the first step in the troubleshooting process to ensure you did not miss a single thing.

Alternatively, you can perform a force restart by pressing and holding the Power and Volume Down buttons simultaneously for at least 10 seconds until you see the Apple logo.

Forcing your iPhone to restart will not erase any content on your device, thus it is a safe procedure. It is one of the widely used method in dealing with a frozen screen that does not responding to touch, as well as when a device starts to power on but gets stuck during start-up. Performing this method once again might be able to help, so you might as well give it a try on your end. If that does not work either, proceed to the next step.

Step 2. Connect your iPhone to a charger

To ensure that the problem is not triggered by insufficient battery life, connect your iPhone to a charger and let it charge for a quite some time for it to store enough power if needed. As recommended, allow it to charge for up to an hour.

If there are no problems with the charger or any of the charging equipment, you should see the charging indicator on your iPhone screen a few minutes after you connect it to the charger. But if after an hour and the charging screen is still not showing up or you are prompted the connect to power screen, try to check the jack, power adapter and USB cable and make sure they are properly working. Also check and ensure that everything is securely plugged in and free of debris that may have prevented the device from charging. To determine whether or not the problem is inflicted by a faulty USB or power adapter, you can try to use a different cable or power adapter if available.

Step 3. Restore your iPhone and re-install iOS

In the case where your iPhone SE does not power on or powers on but stuck at the Apple logo, red or blue screen for a long time during start-up, restoring the device can be a potential solution. There is a higher chance that the problem is triggered by a corrupt program or random apps malfunction, which can be rectified by performing a system restore. You will need a computer with the latest version of iTunes program installed to proceed with this process. Once you’re all set, you may then proceed with these steps:

  • Connect your iPhone to a computer.
  • Once the computer detects your device, force your iPhone to restart by pressing and holding the Power and Volume Down buttons simultaneously. Do not release both the buttons when the Apple logo appears and keep holding them until the Recovery Mode screen appears.
  • When prompted with the option to restore or update, select Update to continue.

Wait as iTunes will attempt to re-install iOS without erasing your data on the iPhone. Let iTunes complete the software download for your iPhone. If the download takes over 15 minutes, your iPhone will exit recovery mode. By then, you will need to repeat steps from force restart until the restore or update selection screen.

Step 4. Perform a DFU restore your iPhone

DFU or Default Firmware Update refers to a deepest type of restore you can perform on an iPhone. Performing a DFU restore on the iPhone will erase and reload every bit of code that controls both the software and hardware of your iPhone. You will need a computer to proceed with the process.

Important Notes:

  • Before you perform a DFU restore on your iPhone SE, be sure to back up your iPhone to iCloud or iTunes because there is a possibility that something can go wrong in the process.
  • Do not perform a DFU restore if your iPhone is water-damaged because it may break your iPhone completely. Liquid damage might have harmed another component that can prevent the restore from completing and should that happens, a useable iPhone with minor issues can become completely unusable if a DFU restore fails due to water-damage.

Here is how to put your iPhone SE in DFU Mode and restore firmware:

  • Connect your iPhone to your computer.
  • Open iTunes on your computer. It doesn’t matter if your iPhone is on or off this time.
  • On your iPhone, press and hold the Power and Home buttons simultaneously for 8 seconds.
  • After 8 seconds, release the Power button but keep holding down the Home button.
  • When you see the iTunes has detected an iPhone in recovery mode prompt, release the Home button.
  • Your iPhone screen should then become completely black. This denotes that you have successfully entered DFU mode. If it is not, then start all over.
  • Finally, proceed with restoring your iPhone SE in DFU mode through iTunes.

Wait for the system restore to complete then try to turn on your iPhone and see if it can go through this time.

What to do next if your iPhone SE still won’t turn on or remains in black screen after performing everything?

If the problem persists, then this time I suggest contacting Apple Support to set up service or ask for other options. Just tell them exactly what you’ve done so far, and the symptoms you have seen on your iPhone SE, so they can assist you better. It’s possible that some hardware components might have been damaged, thus preventing your iPhone from turning on or get stuck in black screen.

0 thoughts on “Apple iPhone SE Wont Turn On, Black Screen, Other Power Issues [Troubleshooting Guide]”

  1. My wife’s SE problem is when talking on the phone the screen will not go dark when touching her ear thus engaging the keys on the keyboard. I can’t find a fix.

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