Apple iPhone XS won’t turn on after iOS 13 update. Here’s the fix.

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The Apple iPhone XS has recently received the iOS 13 update but some users complained because their devices powered down and won’t turn on after updating. But here’s the thing, as long as your iPhone doesn’t have any signs of physical or liquid damage, you should still be able to make it respond again by doing one or a couple of procedures. iphone xs not turning on

In this post, I will share with you the most effective solutions to fix a problem like this. We have encountered this kind of issue several times in the past already and I could tell you, it’s nothing but a firmware crash. So, if your iPhone XS won’t turn on or got stuck on a black screen, continue reading as this article may be able to help you one way or another. 

Before we move on to our troubleshooting, if you happen to find this post while looking for a solution to a different problem, then visit our iPhone XS Help Guides page for we have already addressed some of the most common issues with this device. We may have already published articles that could help you fix your problem. Find issues that are similar to yours and feel free to use our solutions.

Why an Apple iPhone XS won’t start or turn on anymore?

When a smartphone gets stuck on a blank screen and would no longer start, it is but natural for us to think that there’s an issue with the hardware. After all, even if new devices have their own ‘protection’ they are still fragile, especially their screens. But there are other factors we need to consider, they are as follows:

  • Water damage. New iPhones have the IP certification, which means that they are water- and dust-resistance. However, the certification does not mean that they are already invulnerable. If they are submerged in water for too long, they will still have water damage and that can be one of the reasons why your iPhone isn’t turning on anymore.
  • Physical damage. Of course, if you dropped your iPhone XS on a hard surface and then this problem started, you can always expect that there’s a component that may have been damaged. In such case, the first to break will be the screen. Your device may still turn on but its screen may no longer display anything and probably just gets stuck and won’t respond, hence the black screen.
  • Software issue. Another possibility is that some of the apps might be causing some inconsistencies on your iPhone’s normal operation which may have resulted in a blank screen or unresponsive device. Most of the time, your iPhone would also not charge depending on the severity of the problem.
  • Battery drain. If the battery is drained, it’s natural that your iPhone won’t start or turn on. So, if you haven’t done it already, try charging your iPhone and see if that works. If the problem is due to a firmware crash, the your iPhone XS may also not charge.
  • Firmware crash. There are times when the firmware crashes and it may also result in a black screen and not charging issues. While it may seem like a serious hardware problem, it’s actually just a pretty minor issue that you can surely fix on your own. The fact is that when this problem occurs, it is probably just a pretty minor problem provided that your iPhone has not been dropped on a hard surface, got hit with a hard object or left submerged in water for a long time.

So, continue reading below to learn how to troubleshoot your iPhone that won’t start anymore.

Fixing an iPhone XS that won’t start or turn on after the iOS 13 update

As I said earlier, this problem is probably just due to a firmware crash. It’s when the phone stops responding due to some inconsistencies in this processes brought about by the new firmware. We have seen many cases like this after an update but don’t worry as this problem is pretty fixable. That said, here’s what you need to do: 

First solution: Force restart to fix iPhoneforce restart an iphone xs that won't turn on or start up

A forced restart can often fix an iPhone XS won’t turn on issue.A forced restart is the most effective solution against a firmware crash. It is a simulated battery removal that refreshes your phone’s memory as well as reloads all its apps and services. Most of the time, this is the only thing you need to do to make your iPhone XS that won’t turn on respond again. Here’s how it’s done: 

Easy way to Force restart

  1. Quickly press and release the Volume Up button, and then quickly press and release the Volume Down button. 
  2. The moment you release the volume down button, press and hold the Side or Power key until the Apple logo shows on the screen. 

The moment you see the logo, that’s a sign that your iPhone is already responding. However, if the logo does not shows and your device still won’t turn on, then move on to the next solution. 

Second solution: Charge your iPhone and do the Forced restart

If the device didn’t respond with the first procedure, it’s possible that the battery was drained, and that the firmware crashed just before the iPhone powered down. Here’s what you need to do to rule it out: 

Charging and doing the Forced Restart

  1. Plug the charger to a working wall outlet, and connect your iPhone to it using the original lightning cable. 
  2. Regardless of whether the device shows the charger symbol or not, leave it connected to the charger for 10 minutes. 
  3. While the iPhone is connected to the charger, quickly press and release the Volume Up button, and then quickly press and release the Volume Down button. 
  4. The moment you release the volume down button, press and hold the Side or Power key until the Apple logo shows on the screen. 

Most of the time, the device will respond to this procedure. However, if your iPhone is still not turning on after this, then it’s time you scheduled an appointment at the Genius Bar. 

On the other hand, if you were able to make your iPhone respond after this but the problem occurs from time to time, then you just need to reset it to permanently fix the problem. But prior to the reset, make sure to backup your files and data as they will be deleted. When ready, here’s the steps on how to reset your iPhone: 

  1. From the Home screen, tap Settings. 
  2. Find and tap General. 
  3. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen, and then touch Reset. 
  4. Tap Erase All Contents and Settings. 
  5. Tap Erase Now. 
  6. If prompted, enter your security lock. 
  7. Tap Erase iPhone at the bottom of the screen.  
  8. Tap Erase iPhone again to proceed with the reset.  

If your iPhone is still not turning on

After doing the procedures above and your iPhone XS is still not respond or still stuck on a blank screen, then that’s the time that set up an appointment at the Genius Bar so that an Apple technician can check the device for you. It is very much possible now that the problem is with the hardware. But depending on how techie you are,  you may also try restoring your iPhone via DFU. Many users said that they were able to fix their iPhones by doing this, although it may be complicated. But if you’re up for it, here’s how it’s done:

  1. Connect your iPhone to the computer then launch iTunes or Finder.
  2. While your device is connected, quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
  3. Then, quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
  4. Finally, press and hold the Side button until your iPhone screen turns black.
  5. Keep holding the Side button when the screen turns black and then press the Volume Down button.
  6. Hold both buttons for 5 seconds.
  7. After 5 seconds, release the Power button but keep holding the Volume Down button for another 10 seconds.
  8. When your iPhone has successfully entered the DFU mode, a window will pop-up giving you options to ‘Cancel,’ ‘Update’ or ‘Restore.’
  9. Click Restore and confirm your command.

I hope that we’ve been able to help you fix your iPhone XS that won’t turn on after the iOS 13 update. We would appreciate it if you helped us spread the word so please share this post if you found it helpful. Thank you so much for reading!

Connect with us for more iPhone fixes

We are committed to helping our readers fix the problems with their phones as well as learn how to properly use their devices. So, if you have other issues, you may visit our Help Guides page so you can check by yourself the articles we’ve already published that contain solutions to common problems. Also, we do create videos to demonstrate how things are done on your phone. Visit our Youtube Channel and please subscribe to it. Thanks. 

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