iPhone 17 Won't Turn On Solution: 7 Ways to Fix Black Screen or Frozen Issues

Finding your iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, or iPhone 17 Air won't turn on, has a black screen, is unresponsive, or won't charge? Don't worry—don't rush to send it in for repair. Many times, the problem is simply a dead battery, charging issues, or a software freeze. In this article, Phonefix will first explain the possible causes and then step through seven proven fixes.

I. Initial Inspection
Before diving into further repairs, it's recommended to first troubleshoot the most basic and easily overlooked areas. Many "won't turn on" issues are actually caused by the device not receiving power properly or a minor issue. Please check the following points first:
1. Is the charger working properly?
Sometimes, the problem isn't with the phone, but the charger. If charging still doesn't work after trying another device, the charger may be faulty.
2. Is the data cable or iPhone charging adapter damaged?
Check for kinks, breaks, or loose connectors. 
3. Is the charging port dusty or cluttered?
Use a small brush or toothpick to gently clean the inside of the port to prevent loose connections.
4. Is the battery completely drained?
When the battery is drained, it may take a while for the device to respond again.
If the above troubleshooting is normal but the phone still won't turn on, continue trying the following troubleshooting methods.

II. Repair Method: Seven Steps to Revive Your iPhone 17
Method 1: Force Restart
When your device freezes or becomes unresponsive, a force restart is the quickest and safest way to do it. To do this:
1. Quickly press and release the Volume + button.
2. Quickly press and release the Volume - button.
3. Then, press and hold the Side button (Power button) until you see the Apple logo.
This step will not delete your data and is ideal for reviving a frozen device.

Method 2: Charge your iPhone 17 for at least 30 minutes.
If the phone is completely unresponsive, it's likely that the battery is drained or the charger is not delivering enough power.
Recommendations:
· Use an original or certified charger and data cable.
· Plug your phone into the charger and let it sit for at least 30 minutes.
· Avoid frequent operations while charging. After 30 minutes, try to power on the phone by pressing and holding the side button again.

Method 3: Use a system repair tool (no data loss)
If restarting and charging still don't work, it's likely that the system has crashed or experienced another software issue. In this case, consider using an iOS system repair tool (which requires computer assistance) to recover the phone. The general process is:
· Install the repair software on your computer.
· Connect your iPhone 17 to your computer with a iPhone data cable.
· Run a "Standard Repair" tool to attempt to resolve the system issue without losing data.
However, please note that while these tools are convenient, they still require a firmware download, which is time-consuming and requires an internet connection.

Method 4: Enter Recovery Mode and Restore/Update
If the repair tool doesn't work, try entering Recovery Mode. Instructions:
1. Connect your iPhone 17 to your computer.
2. Quickly press the Volume Up button, then the Volume Down button.
3. Press and hold the Side button until the computer connection icon appears.
4. On your computer, select "Update" to try to restore your phone without losing data, or "Restore" to factory reset your phone (which will delete all data).
Recovery mode is suitable for more serious system issues, but it's slightly more complex and requires both a computer and iTunes/Finder.

Method 5: Use a computer to check device recognition
Sometimes, your computer may still recognize your device even if it has a black screen. In this case, you can:
· Connect your phone to your computer.
· Open iTunes (Windows) or Finder (Mac).
· Check to see if a notification appears stating "Device Connected."
· If recognition is successful, try selecting "Update iOS" or "Restore" to repair the problem.

Method 6: Use a higher-wattage charger (20W or higher)
Some users have reported that using an underpowered charger may cause the phone to remain unresponsive even after being connected for several minutes.
Recommendation:
· Use a 20W or higher charging adapter. 
· Plug your phone into a charger for at least 30–45 minutes before trying to power it on again.
This will ensure your phone receives enough power to boot up.

Method 7: Enter DFU Mode (Deepest Recovery)
If none of the above methods work, you can try DFU mode (Device Firmware Update mode). This is the deepest and most thorough recovery method, but proceed with caution as it will delete all data. Here are the steps:
1. Connect your iPhone 17 to your computer.
2. Quickly press Volume Up, then Volume Down.
3. Press and hold the Side button until the screen goes black.
4. Simultaneously press and hold the Side button and Volume Down, then release the Side button and continue holding Volume Down.
5. If your computer indicates that the device is in DFU mode, you can choose to restore it.

Most iPhone 17 problems that won't turn on can be solved with basic steps, such as battery drain, charger or data cable issues, or system freezes. Simply follow the steps above, starting with the simplest "charge and restart" procedure, and gradually attempting system repair or recovery mode.

If you've tried all of these methods and still haven't found a solution, it's likely a hardware issue (such as a problem with the battery, iPhone motherboard, or display)—we recommend contacting official customer service or an authorized repair center for further testing.