Do you have an iPhone that no longer turns off? Here’s how to fix it

When you try to turn off your iPhone 15 or any other model, you may encounter a situation where it does not turn off as expected. Maybe you’re getting ready for bed, want to keep your phone silent while you go to the movies, or it’s misbehaving and you need to reset it. There are […]

Do you have an iPhone that no longer turns off?  Here’s how to fix it

When you try to turn off your iPhone 15 or any other model, you may encounter a situation where it does not turn off as expected. Maybe you’re getting ready for bed, want to keep your phone silent while you go to the movies, or it’s misbehaving and you need to reset it. There are many situations in which you might want to turn off your iPhone, and if it refuses to do so, it can obviously be quite annoying.

This problem can have several reasons, and identifying what is happening is not always 100% clear. Fortunately, fixing an iPhone that won’t turn off is often a very simple process. Here’s what you need to know.

Bryan M. Wolfe / Digital Trends

Why your iPhone won’t turn off

There could be several reasons why your iPhone won’t turn off. For example, it could be due to a software glitch, a faulty button, or a screen malfunction.

The software problem may be due to a recent update or an application that is not working properly. The faulty button may be physically stuck or unresponsive. A screen malfunction, such as unresponsive touch input or frozen display, can also cause this issue.

Apple iPhone 15 Plus and Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max seen from the back.
Apple iPhone 15 Plus (left) and Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

how to Fix an iPhone That Won’t Turn Off

If you have an iPhone that won’t turn off, you’ve come to the right place. Follow these troubleshooting steps and your iPhone should be up and running in just a few minutes.

Step 1: The first thing to try is the built-in software tool to turn off your iPhone. You can access it in the Settings app below General. Faucet Close to initiate the Slide to turn off function, which should solve your problem.

Screenshot showing <a href=how to turn off your iPhone using the Settings app.” style=”aspect-ratio: 1.3643410852713″/>

Bryan M. Wolfe / Digital Trends

2nd step: If that doesn’t work, you can try a hard reset to turn off your iPhone. The process works for phones supporting iOS 16 and later. First, press and release the volume up button on your iPhone and release it. Then press and release the volume down button. Then press and hold side button on your iPhone. You can release the side button once you see the Apple logo on the screen. There are different steps to follow to perform a hard reset on old iPhones.

Step 3: If you’re still having trouble, go back and try steps 1 and 2 again to just confirm if they are effective. Assuming this is not the case, you may need to consider restore your iPhone from a backup. This is a process that will take more than a few minutes, but could resolve the problem.

Step 4: If you prefer not to perform a restore, there is another possible solution: wait. Eventually, your iPhone battery will run out. Once this happens, charge your iPhone and see if you can then turn it off normally.

Lock screen on iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Joe Maring / Digital Trends

What to do if your iPhone still won’t turn off

Are you still having problems? You should contact Apple Support. A representative will likely ask you to follow the steps mentioned before providing further recommendations. Either way, Apple has the tools to fix this problem if all else fails.

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