How to fix iPhone Force Restart Not Working – an easy guide

The reasons why Force Restart iPhone not working. 

iPhone force restart not working

How to fix iPhone Force Restart Not Working?

Many iPhone users at times encounter the problem – iPhone force restart not working or the iPhone has become unresponsive. Now, what to do when force restart iPhone not working? In this article, I have explained the reasons why you can’t force restart iPhone and how to fix the issue to get your device back to normal.

Before we go into the troubleshooting steps to fix when an iPhone won’t force restart, let’s first look into what a force restart is and why it is necessary.

What is a Force Restart?

A force restart, also known as a hard reset, is a method to forcefully restart your iPhone when it becomes unresponsive or encounters issues like freezing, crashing apps, or a blank screen.

Why Force Restart iPhone is necessary?

Force restarting your iPhone is necessary because it can help to resolve various software glitches.

It is useful when your device becomes sluggish and displays unusual behaviour or stops responding altogether or when you need to clear the memory of your device.

You may also like to read this post: iPhone no sound on calls – steps to fix

How to Force Restart iPhone?  

Here are the steps to follow on how to force iPhone to restart,

1. Quickly press and release the volume-up button;

2. Quickly press and release the volume-down button;

3. Lastly, press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears, and then release;

Let’s now look into the reasons why your iPhone won’t force restart.

The common reasons why your iPhone Force Restart not working  

Here are the common reasons why force restart iPhone not working:

1. Unresponsive Buttons

One of the most common problems users face when they can’t force restart iPhone is unresponsive buttons.  If there are malfunctioning power buttons your iPhone won’t force restart. When your iPhone’s volume buttons and power buttons are not working correctly, performing a force restart can be challenging.

2. Software Glitches

Sometimes, software glitches or bugs can prevent the force restart process from working correctly. This can happen after an iOS update, due to outdated software, corrupted system files, or conflicting applications.

3. Low Battery

If your iPhone’s battery is very low, it may not have enough power to respond to a force restart.

4. Incorrect Button pressing sequences

A force restart requires specific button combinations to be pressed simultaneously. If the correct sequence is not followed, you may find your iPhone force restart not working.

How to fix the common reasons why iPhone Force Restart not working?

Now that we’ve identified the common reasons why you may see your iPhone force restart not working, let’s go into the solutions to overcome them.

1. Unresponsive Buttons

If your iPhone’s physical buttons are not responding enable the ‘AssistiveTouch’ feature in your iPhone’s accessibility settings. This virtual button can substitute for physical button functions. However, if the issue still persists even after using this feature consider visiting an Apple Store or authorized service center to seek professional help for the repair of physical buttons.

2. Software Glitches

To address software-related force restart issues ensure that your iPhone is running the latest iOS version. To update your iOS version,

Go to Settings > General > Software Update> Download and install available updates.

3. Low Battery

To deal with low battery issues connect your iPhone to a charger and allow it to charge for at least 15 minutes to ensure there’s enough battery charge. Sometimes, a faulty charger can also hinder the charging process. In such a case, try using a different charger and cable.

4. Incorrect Button pressing sequences

To use the correct button sequences to perform iPhone force restart, press the following button combinations on different iPhone models:

iPhone 8 or later versions:

i. Quickly press and release the Volume Up button;

ii. Quickly press and release the Volume Down button;

iii. Press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo;

iPhone 7 and 7 Plus:

Simultaneously press and hold the Volume Down and Sleep/Wake (Power) buttons until the Apple logo appears;

iPhone 6s and earlier versions:

Press and hold the Home and Sleep/Wake (Power) buttons until you see the Apple logo;

If none of the above steps can fix the issue, it’s time to reach out to Apple Support or visit an authorized service center to diagnose and repair any underlying issues.

You may also like to read: iPhone Charging Port not working – a comprehensive solution

How to fix the iPhone Force Restart Not Working issue with iTunes

Restore your iPhone with iTunes: If your iPhone won’t force restart, restore your iPhone using iTunes by following the steps below:

Step 1. Ensure that the latest version of iTunes is installed on your computer and connect your iPhone to your PC;

Step 2. Launch iTunes > Click the phone icon from the top-left corner > Tap Summary > Click Restore iPhone to confirm;

Put iPhone into Recovery Mode with iTunes:   Another option to fix iPhone Force Restart Not Working is to put your iPhone into recovery mode and reset it with iTunes. Follow the steps below to put your iPhone into recovery mode (this method erases all data on your iPhone):

Step 1. Connect your iPhone to your computer and launch the latest version of iTunes;

Step 2. Put your iPhone into recovery mode;

Step 3. iTunes will detect that your iPhone is in recovery mode. Click the “Restore” button;

Step 4. After the restore process is complete, your iPhone will restart, and you can set it up as new;

If none of the above methods resolve the iPhone force restart not working issue, get in touch with Apple Customer Service and they will assist you in repairing your device.

Frequently asked questions

Now that I have explained how to fix the ‘force restart iPhone not working’ issue let me also address some of the related queries often asked by iPhone users.

What is the difference between a force restart and a factory reset of an iPhone?

A force restart just restarts your iPhone, while a factory reset erases all data and settings of your device, returning it to its original state.

Is it safe to force restart my iPhone?

Yes, force restarting your iPhone is safe and will not cause any damage to your device.

How do I hard reset my iPhone physically?

To hard reset an iPhone follow the steps below:

1. Press and release the volume up button;

2. Press and release the volume down button;

3. Press and hold the power button till the Apple Logo appears;

4. Release the button when the Apple logo appears;

You may also like to read: iPhone volume buttons not working these 6 proven fixes

Conclusion

In this guide, I have provided practical solutions to the common reasons why you see your iPhone force restart not working.

Ensure that your device is up to date and properly charged before attempting the solutions to resolve them. By following the steps outlined in this post, in most cases, you can regain control of your iPhone and ensure that the force restart function works flawlessly.

However, if none of the steps mentioned in the post can fix the issue and you can’t force restart iPhone, you can seek professional assistance by reaching out to Apple Support or visiting an authorized Apple service center.


An engineer with passion for writing on Technolo gy. My Blog https://www.the-tech-addict.com mainly covers Tips& How-to-guides relating to Computer, Internet, Smartphones, Apple iDevices, and Green energy.

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