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iPhone 14 Pro Max won’t turn on – possible causes and how to fix

Last Updated on January 4, 2024
The iPhone 14 Pro Max won't turn on.
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If your iPhone 14 Pro Max won’t turn on and you’re looking for solutions, then you have landed on the right page.

iPhones not turning on is usually not a big issue, as it might be due to a dead battery. If this is the case, then all you have to do is charge the phone. However, if charging your iPhone doesn’t seem to work, then your phone has likely suffered hardware damage or is facing a software glitch.

With that being said, we have taken into account possible reasons why your iPhone 14 Pro Max is not turning on and solutions to the issues.

Why won’t my iPhone 14 Pro Max turn on?

There are a few reasons why your iPhone 14 Pro Max is not turning on –

  • No battery left in your phone
  • Damaged charger or cable
  • Physical damage to the phone
  • Exposure to water or liquid
  • Software issues

How to fix your iPhone 14 Pro Max that won’t turn on

Step

1

Try charging your iPhone

The most common reason why your iPhone is not turning on is because the battery has died down. To get your iPhone 14 Pro Max up and running, plug it into a charger (preferably a genuine charger with a lightning cable). Wait for at least 30 minutes to an hour and let the phone charge uninterrupted. If a drained battery is the cause, you should be able to turn your phone on after it has enough power.

Step

2

Check if the charging port is clogged

If your iPhone is not turning on and you know the charger is working properly, there’s a chance that the charging port is clogged or corroded. Sometimes, the charging port gets clogged with dust, lint, or other debris and interferes with smooth charging. 

To clean the port, here’s what you can do – 

  • Use a flashlight to see if there’s anything visibly stuck in the port
  • Use a toothpick to remove any visible debris
  • You can also use a lint-free, soft cloth to wipe away any dust

Step

3

See if the power adapter or cable is damaged

If your iPhone 14 Pro Max won’t turn on or charge, you should check whether the power adapter is working properly. If the cable is frayed or damaged, it might not be functioning. To determine if a faulty adapter or a damaged cable is the culprit here, you can – 

  • Try charging another functioning device with the charger
  • Try plugging the power adapter into another outlet
  • If your cable looks frayed or damaged, try changing the cable

Step

4

Check your iPhone for physical damage

If you have accidentally dropped your iPhone, then the impact might have damaged one or more internal components. Now, you cannot open up your phone to see if anything is broken inside. But you can check for any visible damage on the outside – 

  • See if your iPhone screen is chipped or cracked
  • Check if all the volume buttons and side buttons are working
  • See if the device has any cracks or dents
  • Use Siri prompts to check if it’s just the display that is not functioning

Step

5

Force restart your iPhone 14 Pro Max

Another way to get your iPhone up and running is to try to force restart it – it’s just a more powerful restart, and it won’t affect your data.

As the iPhone 14 Pro Max is a newer model, it does not have a Home button. Here’s how you can force restart it – 

  • Press and release the volume up button
  • Press and release the volume down button
  • Press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears
  • Once you see the logo, let go of the button

Step

6

Put your iPhone 14 Pro Max into Recovery mode

To use iPhone 14 Pro Max Recovery mode, you will need access to a computer. Depending on the computer you are using, you might be able to use this mode through Finder or iTunes. 

Here’s how to put your iPhone 14 Pro Max into Recovery mode – 

  • You can start by force restarting your iPhone 14 Pro Max. To do this, you will have to press and release the volume up and down buttons and then hold down the side button (refer to step 5)
  • When the Apple logo appears, don’t release the side button, and quickly plug your phone into the computer
  • When you see the Recovery mode screen on your computer, you can release the side button
  • You can now choose to Restore your iPhone or Update the system to the latest version

If you opt for the ‘Restore’ option, the data on your iPhone will be erased. However, if you go for the ‘Update’ option, the software will be updated without erasing your data. 

Step

7

Get help from Apple technicians

If charging, rebooting, and restarting does not work, you should get in touch with Apple support or visit the nearest Apple service center.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why my iPhone 14 Pro Max won’t turn on or charge?

If your iPhone 14 Pro Max won’t turn even after you have tried charging it, then we recommend you check if your power adapter and cable are working. You can also try plugging your charger into a different outlet. If your iPhone is still not charging or turning on, then it is likely that the device is having hardware or software issues. In this case, you should visit your nearest Apple service center and get it looked at.

Conclusion

To sum up, your iPhone 14 Pro Max not turning on might not necessarily be a serious issue. Most probably, your phone has drained out, and your iPhone needs uninterrupted charging. However, if charging does not solve your problem, then your iPhone might have a hardware or software problem, and you should pay your nearest service center a visit. On the same note, if it’s time to change your phone, you can check out the new iPhone 15 models.

Nitisha is a content writer and editor and she has over 3 years of experience in writing about video games and tech.