Your iPhone power button doesn’t just power on/off your device. It also helps with screenshots, reset commands, and tons of other functions. So, when the iPhone power button gets stuck, it’s important to fix it right away.

But why is the iPhone on/off button stuck? and how can you turn on/off your iPhone when the iPhone power button is stuck?

If you are also bothered by these questions, you are in luck because this guide discusses possible reasons your iPhone power button got stuck and quick fixes to resolve the iPhone power button stuck problem. You’ll also discover how to turn on/off your device when iPhone power button is stuck.

In this article
    1. Enable iPhone Assistive Touch as Power Button Alternative
    2. Turn On the iPhone via USB When iPhone On/Off Button is Stuck
    3. Use iPhone Double-Tap Feature to Trigger iPhone Restart or Power Off

Quick Fixes to Resolve iPhone Power Button Stuck

Before we dive into the deep fixes for the iPhone power button stuck problem, let’s try out the quick fixes because chances are your iPhone on/off button is stuck because of one of the following reasons:

1. Check iPhone pouch/case

If your iPhone pouch or phone case isn’t the right size, it can restrict some buttons from pressing properly. Likewise, if you are using a hard phone pouch for protective reasons, the iPhone power button may become stuck. So, remove the pouch and press the power button again.

2. Clean the iPhone power button and remove debris

Over time, debris and dust may accumulate in your iPhone casing, causing your iPhone power button to become stuck or unresponsive. In this case, clean the power button and remove debris from the iPhone casing using a phone cleaning kit.

3. Insert the button if dislodged

Did you drop your iPhone recently? The power button may have become dislodged or improperly placed, causing it not to press when you try. The quick fix here is to properly insert the iPhone Power button in its hole. If needed, you may need to disassemble the device to insert the iPhone power button properly.

4. Fix software errors via Dr.Fone – iOS System Repair

If you are pressing the power button but nothing is happening on screen, an iOS problem may be at play. In this case, you should use the efficient iOS system repair tool; Dr.Fone to repair all your iPhone iOS system problems.

5. Shut Down iPhone via Settings

You can also shut down your iPhone via Settings if the Power button is stuck. Go to Settings and click on General. Then scroll down and click on Shut Down. Slide to Power off the iPhone and wait for the device to shut down.

6. Contact Apple support

Do you think it’s a deeper problem? Then contact Apple support. You should also contact support if your device has hardware or component damage.

How to Turn On/Off iPhone When iPhone Power Button Stuck

If none of the methods above fixes your iPhone power button, then you are literally stuck with an iPhone power button. In this case, you should use one of the methods below to turn on/off your iPhone when the iPhone power button stuck:

Prep: Back Up iPhone Data to PC

Before you try to repair your iPhone power button, you should back up your iPhone data to your computer, so you don’t lose your personal files and custom settings. One safe and easy way to back up your iPhone to your computer is via the MobileTrans - Backup & Restore tool.

MobileTrans is a user-friendly backup tool that allows you to back up over 18 types of iPhone data to your computer including text messages, WhatsApp chats, photos, music, documents, videos, and lots more.

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Back Up Your Data to Computer Easily

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Now that you have backed up your iPhone to the computer, let’s check out how to turn off/on your iPhone without a power button.

Enable iPhone Assistive Touch as Power Button Alternative

iPhone Assistive Touch allows you to use and power on/off your iPhone when the power button is unresponsive or damaged and you don’t need any iPhone accessory to use this feature. When the iPhone power button is stuck, you can enable and use the iPhone assistive touch feature via Settings to control the device.

Here is how to enable iPhone Assistive Touch as a power button alternative:

  • Unlock your iPhone and go to Settings. Then click on Accessibility.
iphone accessibility settings
  • Click on Touch and tap Assistive Touch. Ensure the Assistive Touch feature is turned on.
iphone assistive touch settings
  • When turn on Assistive Touch, you’ll see a light circle on the right side of your screen. Click on the light circle to access the Assistive Touch menu. Then click on Device.
how to turn on/off iphone via assistive touch and fix iphone on off button stuck issue
  • Hold the Lock Screen icon for a few seconds till you see the power off slider. Then slide to power off your iPhone.

Alternatively, you can choose to restart your iPhone using the Assistive Touch feature. Click on the Light Icon and select Device > More. Then choose Restart to reboot your iPhone without the power button.

how to restart iphone via assistive touch and fix iphone power button stuck

Tip: You can also use the Assistive touch feature to control other functions on your iPhone including to lock or rotate the screen and to adjust the volume levels.

Turn On iPhone via USB When iPhone On/Off Button is Stuck

Another way to turn on an iPhone when the iPhone button is stuck is via a USB connection. When your iPhone is turned off, an active USB connection either from your computer or a power adapter can turn on the device without the power button. However, you have to ensure the USB cable you use is compatible with the iPhone.

  • When your iPhone is turned off, plug a USB or lightning cable into your device’s charging port.
  • Ensure the other end of the USB cable is plugged into a power adapter, power bank, or your computer. Then leave your iPhone to charge for a few minutes.
how to restart iphone via usb if your power button is stuck on iphone
  • Once your iPhone is charged enough, it will boot up automatically. Enter the iPhone passcode to open the device and voila, your iPhone will turn on.

If you enable the Assistive Touch feature, you can use the feature to control your device and turn off the device. Then use the USB method to turn on the device later.

Use iPhone Double-Tap Feature to Trigger iPhone Restart or Power Off

Did you know that you can tap the screen or back of your iPhone to perform certain actions on your iPhone such as taking a screenshot when the iPhone power button is stuck and even shutting off the device?

If your device screen is off and you want to turn on the display, you can just double-tap on the screen and the iPhone will come on if you have the feature enabled.

Here is how to use the iPhone double tap feature to trigger iPhone restart or power off:

  • Go to Settings and click on Accessibility. Then click on Touch.
how to restart iphone via the double tap feature when my iphone power button is stuck
  • Turn on the toggle switch next to Tap to Wake. Now, when you double-tap your iPhone screen when the phone is inactive, the device will come on without you pressing the power button.
how to restart iphone via the double tap feature
  • You can also click on Back Tap and choose Double Tap.
how to wake iphone via the back tap feature when power button is stuck on iphone

Next, assign the double tap feature to an action, so whenever you double tap the back of your iPhone, the screen will come on and perform the action.

For instance, you can ask the device to take a screenshot whenever you double-tap the screen without pressing the power button. You can also lock the iPhone screen, power off the device, and access Assistive Touch whenever the iPhone button is stuck by double-tapping the back of the iPhone.

Final Words

In summary, having your iPhone power button stuck isn’t a pleasant experience. When this happens, you’ll discover you can’t put the device in sleep mode, restart your iPhone, take screenshots, or even turn off/on the iPhone conventionally.

When you discover the iPhone power button is stuck, use the quick fixes revealed above to fix the problem. If the power button is still stuck after, then you should use one of the alternatives discussed above to turn on/off your iPhone without the power button. Ensure to back up your iPhone data to your computer before you fix the power button, so you don’t lose files permanently.

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FAQ

  • 1. How much does it cost to repair the iPhone on/off button?
    This depends on the damage to the iPhone power button. If you need to replace just the power button, it should cost between $3 and $10 depending on your iPhone model. However, if you want to repair the iPhone power button flex cable, the cost of repairs may go up to $15. That said, you won’t have to pay for repairs if your iPhone warranty is still active and you go to an Apple Store.
  • 2. What causes the iPhone power button to stop working?
    There are different possible reasons for an iPhone power button to stop working ranging from a hardware and iPhone component problem to an iOS software issue or water ingress. The best way to find out the problem is to troubleshoot one issue after the other until you discover why your iPhone power button isn’t working. In some cases, you may need repairs.
Navkiran Dhaliwal
Navkiran Dhaliwal Jun 19, 24
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