Why does my iPhone shut down and only power on when connected to the charger?

Why does my iPhone shut down and only power on when connected to the charger?
I’m facing a troubling issue with my iPhone where it shuts down randomly and only powers on when it is connected to the charger. Every time I try to turn it on without connecting it to a power source, it just won’t respond. But, the moment I plug it into the charger, it seems to come back to life. This cycle has become quite frustrating as I am unable to use my phone unless it’s tethered to a charger. I’ve tried a few basic troubleshooting steps like restarting the device and ensuring it’s fully charged, but the problem persists. I’m not exactly sure what could be causing this erratic behavior and would like to understand more about why this is happening and what might be wrong with my iPhone.
6 Answers

This issue could be related to the battery health of your iPhone. Over time, the battery’s capacity to hold a charge diminishes, causing the device to behave erratically. I recommend checking the battery’s condition via the settings. To do this: 1. Go to Settings. 2. Tap on Battery. 3. Select Battery Health & Charging. If the battery health is significantly degraded, it could be causing your iPhone to shut down unexpectedly and only power on when connected to a charger.

I’ve encountered a similar problem with my iPhone before, and it turned out to be a faulty charging port. The port might be working intermittently and not providing a stable connection to the battery, which is why your iPhone shuts down and only operates when directly connected to a charger. I suggest cleaning the charging port carefully using a toothpick or compressed air to remove any dust or debris blocking the connection. If that doesn’t help, you may need to replace the charging port entirely.

I had a similar issue once, and it turned out to be caused by moisture damage. Even a small amount of liquid getting inside your phone can cause severe problems with the battery and motherboard. If you’ve recently been in a humid environment or had your iPhone around water, moisture might have seeped in. Dry your phone by placing it in a sealed bag with rice for at least 24-48 hours to absorb any residual moisture. However, if the problem persists, professional repair is necessary.

It sounds like your iPhone’s software might be malfunctioning. This can sometimes happen after an update doesn’t install correctly or if there’s a software bug. Here’s what you can try: 1. Update your iPhone to the latest iOS version if you haven’t already. 2. Reset your iPhone’s settings back to default (go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings). Note that this won’t delete your data but will reset preferences. 3. As a last resort, back up your data and perform a factory reset (Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings).

Your description suggests a potential issue with the iPhone’s internal components, such as the power IC (Integrated Circuit) or the motherboard. An IC failure interrupts the battery’s connection with the other components, leading to power inconsistencies. In this case, a professional technician’s assistance is essential. They can open the device, diagnose the hardware, and determine the appropriate fix—whether that’s repairing or replacing particular parts.

From my experience repairing iPhones, this problem is likely due to a degraded battery connection inside the phone. Over time, the battery connector might become loose due to drops or mechanical strain. You can try pressing down on the back of the device gently to see if the connection reestablishes. However, to permanently fix this issue, you should have an expert technician open the device and secure or replace the connector if needed.