iSumsoft» iOS Issues»[9 Ways] How to Fix iPhone Force Restart Not Working

[9 Ways] How to Fix iPhone Force Restart Not Working

Charlotte Bayley
Charlotte Bayley

Updated:

When your iPhone won’t respond to a force restart, it can feel frustrating and inconvenient. Whether you're trying to fix a frozen screen or a more complicated issue, not being able to force restart the device can be alarming. In this article, we'll explore 9 effective ways to fix the problem when your iPhone force restart is not working as expected. From simple troubleshooting steps to more advanced solutions, we’ve got you covered.

iPhone Force Restart Not Working

Solution 1: Ensure the Force Reboot Is Done Correctly

One common reason why a force restart is not working is that the steps are not being executed properly. Even though it seems simple, the sequence of button presses on an iPhone is very specific and must be followed carefully. Here’s how to force restart your iPhone the right way:

1. Press and quickly release Volume Up button.

2. Press and quickly release Volume Down button.

3. Press and hold the Side button until an Apple logo appears and then release the Side button. This can take up to 20 seconds, so be patient. Make sure not to release the Side button if prompted to slide to power off.

Solution 2: Disable "Press Side Button for Siri"

Sometimes, pressing the side button triggers Siri, interfering with a force restart. By disabling Siri, you may be able to prevent this interference. Here’s how you can disable Siri.

1. Open Settings on your iPhone.

2. Scroll down and tap Siri & Search.

3. Toggle off Press Side Button for Siri.

disable Press Side Button for Siri

After you’ve disabled Siri, try to force restart your iPhone again. If the problem was caused by Siri, disabling it may allow the force restart to work properly. You can re-enable Siri afterward, if you want.

Solution 3: Turn off Emergency SOS

In some cases, the Emergency SOS feature can interfere with the force restart process. If this feature is triggered accidentally, it might prevent the phone from restarting properly. Disabling Emergency SOS temporarily can help resolve the issue.

1. Open Settings on your iPhone.

2. Scroll down and tap Emergency SOS.

3. Toggle off "Call with Hold and Release" and "Call with 5 Button Presses".

disable Emergency SOS in Settings

By disabling these options, you prevent accidental activation of the Emergency SOS feature during a force restart. Once you've turned off this feature, try performing the force restart again to see if it resolves the problem. You can always turn Emergency SOS back on after troubleshooting is complete.

Solution 4: Drain the battery and restart the iPhone

Draining the battery is another method you can try if the force restart is not working. When your iPhone battery is completely drained, it shuts down automatically. Once the battery is fully drained:

1. Plug your iPhone into a charger and let it charge for about 15–20 minutes.

2. Once it has enough charge, turn it back on by holding the Side button.

This method can sometimes reset any issues that were causing the force restart not working.

Solution 5: Update iOS

An outdated iOS version may cause certain functions, like the force restart, not working properly. Updating your iPhone’s software can fix known bugs and enhance performance. Here’s how to check for and install updates:

1. Go to Settings > General > Software Update.

2. If an update is available, tap Download and Install.

3. After updating to the latest iOS version, try performing the force restart again.

Solution 6: Fix Your iPhone with iSumsoft iOS Refixer

If the above solutions haven't worked, it may be time to try a third-party tool like iSumsoft iOS Refixer. This powerful tool is designed to fix various iPhone issues, including force restart not working, without risking data loss. If you have other issues with your iPhone, it can also give you a fix all together.

1. Download and install iSumsoft iOS Refixer on your computer, then launch the program after installation.

2. Connect your iPhone to the computer using a USB cable, and if prompted on your iPhone, tap Trust to allow the connection.

3. In iSumsoft iOS Refixer, select "System Repair" and then "Standard Mode" on the next page.

choose System Repair

4. Click Start to proceed, then click Next. The software will automatically detect your iPhone.

detecting iPhone

5. Click Download to let the software download the necessary firmware to repair your device.

click Download

6. Once the firmware is downloaded, click Repair to start repairing your iPhone.

click Repair

7. When the software prompts for a successful repair, your iPhone will restart automatically. At this point, the force restart function and all other features should be working normally.

Successfully repaired iPhone

This method offers a safe and efficient way to fix software-related issues on your iPhone, including problems with the force restart function.

Solution 7: Erase Your iPhone

If you don’t want to use any third-part solution, erasing your iPhone and setting it up as new might resolve the problem. Be sure to back up your data first because this method will remove everything on the device.

1. Go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.

2. Follow the on-screen prompts to erase your iPhone.

3. Once the iPhone is wiped clean, you can set it up again and restore from a backup if necessary.

This step often fixes stubborn software problems that can prevent a force restart from working.

Solution 8: Restore Your iPhone with your computer

If you’re still facing issues, a more comprehensive approach is to restore your iPhone using a computer. This method reinstalls the iOS system software and can resolve any issues preventing a force restart. Here’s how to do it:

1. Connect your iPhone to your computer via a USB cable, and tap Trust on your iPhone if prompted.

2. Open iTunes (or Finder on macOS Catalina or later) on your computer.

3. In iTunes/Finder, select your iPhone and click on Restore iPhone.

4. Follow the prompts to complete the restore process.

Solution 9: Contact Apple Support

If you’ve tried all of the previous solutions and your iPhone force restart is still not working, it’s time to seek professional help by contacting Apple Support. There may be an underlying hardware issue that’s preventing the force restart from working properly, and only Apple’s diagnostic tools can fully assess the situation.

Conclusion

It can be incredibly frustrating when you attempt to force restart your iPhone to resolve an issue, only to discover that the force restart is not working. Fortunately, there are multiple solutions available to help you fix this issue. Often, the issue may arise from not executing the steps correctly, so revisiting the instructions could be beneficial. Additionally, features like Siri or Emergency SOS sometimes might interfere with the force restart, and temporarily disabling them could resolve the issue. If the root cause is a software glitch, updating iOS, resetting your device, or utilizing third-party tools such as iSumsoft iOS Refixer can help. By implementing these strategies, you should be able to fix the issue and restore your iPhone to normal functionality.