iPhone Force Restart Not Working? Try These 9 Easy Fixes

Sometimes, your iPhone might freeze or stop responding. A force restart usually helps fix this, but it doesn’t work occasionally. If you’re having this problem, you’re not the only one. Many iPhone users experience this at some point. The good news is you can solve this by understanding why it happens.

In this guide, we’ll explain what a force restart is, why your iPhone might not restart this way, and how to fix it. We’ll also share tips on adjusting your iPhone’s settings for better performance. This information will help you get your iPhone working smoothly again.

What is a force restart?

A force restart, also called a hard reset, is a way to restart your iPhone when it stops working right. This can happen if your phone freezes, apps crash, or the screen goes blank. Doing a force restart is helpful because it fixes many software problems.

It’s a good option when your phone is acting slow, behaving strangely, or not responding at all. A force restart also helps clear your phone’s memory, improving its performance.

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What causes iPhone force restart not working?

If your iPhone won’t force restart even when you press the right buttons, there could be a few reasons for this problem:

• Your iPhone might have a damaged or broken button, which can cause the force restart not to work.
• If your iPhone’s software is old or the operating system has errors, it can stop the force restart from working.
• A very low battery or battery issues might also prevent your iPhone from force restarting.
• Other problems with the iPhone’s system can also cause the force restart not to work.

By using the steps we’ll talk about next, you can usually fix these issues with the force restart.

How to fix the iPhone force restart not working?

To help you fix the problem of your iPhone, not force restarting, we’ve put together a list of solutions. These are based on the common causes of the issue. You can find detailed steps for each solution below. This way, you can try different methods until you find the one that works for your iPhone.

1. Force restart your iPhone correctly

You might not have used the correct method to force restart your iPhone. The steps to force restart can vary depending on the model of your iPhone. Ensure you’re doing it correctly by following the steps for your specific iPhone model. This will ensure you’re correctly attempting the force restart.

↪ For iPhone 15/14/13/12/11/X, and iPhone 8 series

• Start by quickly pressing and then releasing the “Volume Up” button. Next, do the same with the “Volume Down” button: quickly press and release.
• After that, press and hold the “Side Sleep/Wake” button. Keep holding it until you see the Apple logo and release the button.

↪ For iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus

• Press and keep holding both the “Volume Down” button and the “Sleep/Wake” button simultaneously.
• Hold these buttons until the Apple logo appears on the screen, and release both buttons.

↪ For iPhone 6, iPhone SE, and older

• Press and hold down the “Sleep/Wake” button and the “Home” button at the same time.
• Hold these buttons until you see the Apple logo on the screen; release both.

2. Update the iPhone’s iOS

Sometimes, if your iPhone won’t force restart, it might be because of a problem with its software. Apple often releases updates to fix these issues. Keeping your iPhone updated to the latest iOS version is a good option to avoid small problems.

This method is the most valid solution for this problem, but it only works if your phone is working. If it is frozen or not turning on, you can not perform this method. Here’s how to check for updates and install them:

1. First, open your iPhone’s “Settings” app and go to the “General” section.
   

   

2. Then, scroll down and tap on the “Software Update” option to see if there are any updates available.
   

   

3. If you find updates, tap on “Download and Install” to start the update process.
   

   

Once the update is done, try force restarting your iPhone to see if the issue is fixed.

3. Factory reset iPhone

If your iPhone is working, but you can’t force restart it, a factory reset might help. This will erase all the data and settings on your iPhone, so it’s like starting fresh. This will remove most of the software glitches or issues you might be having. Here’s how to do a factory reset:

1. First, open the Settings app on your iPhone, then scroll down to find “General.”
   

   

2. In the General settings, look for the option “Transfer or Reset iPhone.”
   

   

3. Choose “Erase All Content and Settings.”
   

   

4. Your iPhone will warn you that this action will remove all your Apps, Data, and Apple ID and turn off Find My iPhone. If you’re sure, tap “Continue.”
   

   

5. Enter your passcode when prompted, then tap on the option to reset all settings.
   

   

READ MORE: Forgot iPhone Passcode? Here Is How To Reset ➜

4. Charge your iPhone

Ensure your iPhone has enough battery before you force restart it. A low battery can stop your iPhone from restarting properly. When you plug it in to charge, let it charge for at least 15 minutes before trying anything else. This gives your iPhone enough power to restart.

5. Disable activating Siri by pressing the side button

Sometimes, when you’re trying to force restart your iPhone, you might accidentally turn on Siri by pressing the side button. This can interfere with the restart process. To avoid this, you can turn off the option to activate Siri with the side button. Here’s how:

1. Open your iPhone’s “Settings” app and then tap “Siri & Search.”
   

   

2. Look for the option that says “Press Side Button for Siri” and toggle it off.
   

   

6. Restore iPhone via iTunes

If updating your iPhone and turning off Siri with the side button didn’t solve the problem and your iPhone still won’t force restart, you might need to restore your iPhone using iTunes. Here’s a simple guide to do that:

1. First, download and open iTunes on your computer. Then, connect your iPhone to the computer with a USB cable.
2. iTunes should recognize your iPhone automatically. Once it does, click on the “Device” icon in iTunes.
   

   

3. Finally, select the “Restore iPhone” option. This will restore your iPhone to its previous state. After the process is complete, restart your iPhone to check if it’s working properly.
   

   

Images sourced from: Fix369

7. Check for physical damage

Check your iPhone for any signs of physical damage, especially around the buttons used for the force restart. Damage to these parts can stop the force restart from working properly. If you find any physical damage, it’s best to get help from a professional.

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8. Consider third-party tools

If you’re still having trouble, you might want to try some special tools to fix iOS system problems. These tools offer more options than the usual settings on your iPhone and can be helpful for tough issues.

They can help you restore, reset, and remove glitches from your iPhone, including force restarting issues. Here are some well-known third-party tools you can consider:

• Tenorshare ReiBoot
• Dr.Fone – System Repair
• iMobie PhoneRescue
• Joyoshare UltFix

9. Contact Apple Customer Support

If you’ve tried everything and your iPhone still won’t force restart, it’s time to contact Apple Customer Support. The issue might be due to a major problem that you can’t fix unless you’re a trained expert. Get in touch with Apple, tell them about the issue, and they will help fix your iPhone.

Optimizing settings for performance

Adjusting your iPhone’s settings can help it run smoother and might even prevent issues like needing to force restart. Here are some tips:

• Background app refresh: This lets apps update their content even when you’re not using them. Turn this off for apps that don’t always need to be updated.
• Reduce motion and transparency: In your iPhone’s settings, you can reduce motion and transparency effects. This helps your phone respond faster.
• Clear app cache: Over time, apps can build up cached data, which slows things down. Check the app’s settings to clear its cache, or you can reinstall it to start fresh.

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Final Thoughts

Dealing with an iPhone where the force restart is not working can be frustrating, but you can try several steps and fixes to resolve the issue. We’ve outlined various methods, from updating your iOS and correctly performing a force restart to checking for physical damage and even using third-party tools for more stubborn issues.

Remember to keep your iPhone charged and consider disabling Siri’s activation via the side button. If these solutions don’t work, reaching out to Apple Customer Support is a wise choice. Additionally, optimizing your iPhone’s settings for performance can prevent such problems in the future.