Android phone won't turn on? What to try before a repair

2 min read · 6 steps · Updated 2 October 2026

A dead-looking Android phone usually has a fully empty battery or frozen software with the screen off. Both can be fixed at home.

Step by step

1. Charge it properly first

   Use a wall charger and a cable you have tested on another device. Leave the phone connected for at least 30 minutes. A battery symbol or a small light should appear after a while.

   Done

2. Check the port and cable

   Look into the charging port with a light and remove fluff with a wooden toothpick. Try a second cable and charger.

   Done

3. Force restart

   On a Pixel, hold the power button for 30 to 60 seconds, until the phone restarts. On a Samsung, hold the side button and volume down together for more than seven seconds. On other brands, try holding power alone, then power and volume down.

   Done

4. Force restart while charging

   If nothing happened, repeat the button hold with the charger connected.

   Done

5. Check whether only the screen is dead

   Call the phone from another one, or listen for sounds and vibration when you plug it in. If it rings or vibrates but stays black, the display is faulty and needs repair.

   Done

6. Try wireless charging

   If the phone supports it and starts charging on a pad, the charging port is the problem.

   Done

Good to know

If the phone got wet or took a hard knock just before, stop trying to charge it and take it to a repairer.

A phone that starts, shows the logo and restarts again and again may be recoverable through the maker's repair tool on a computer. Pixel owners can use Google's Pixel Update and Software Repair website.

Once it is running, back it up straight away: how to back up an Android phone.

In short: Charge for 30 minutes with a good cable, then force restart with a long press.