Samsung Galaxy Phone Not Turning On

Before undertaking any of the more time-consuming solutions below, these are a few fundamentals to get you started:

• Perform a force restart. Press and hold the power and volume buttons. Your phone should vibrate if it was successful.
• Try a different charger, cable or power outlet. For more specifics, ensure your power source is compatible.
• Remove your case or any connected peripherals.

Try a wireless charger if you typically charge via USB (or vice versa). This circumvents issues with a particular charging mechanism. If your phone powers on with a wireless charger, head over to the Samsung Galaxy Not Charging page instead.

Lint or other bits of rubbish tend to get caught in ports. After repeated charging, debris gets compacted toward the back of the port. This can prevent the cable from making proper contact.

• Inspect your charge port. Use a flashlight to improve visibility.
• Check the fit of your cable. Does the USB-C or micro USB plug sit flush with the bottom of the phone? It should. If it's loose, or only charges when you wiggle the cable, start with a cleaning.
• If there is debris in the port, use the custom cotton swab method or other non conductive probe to clear it out. You may need to shave down the toothpick for your custom swab so it fits into the port.
• Blowing compressed air into the port can free up any loosened bits.

No battery lasts forever—they are consumable by nature. Batteries can fail in numerous ways, and a bunk battery could certainly prevent your phone from powering up.

• Check your battery’s health using the Samsung Members app. If it's not already installed, download it from the Google Play store. Under the support tab, select phone diagnostics and run the battery test.
• Look for signs of battery swelling. Separation of the enclosure, localized screen discoloration, or unexplained bowing of the housing are indicators of battery expansion.
• Recently repaired your device? Disconnect the battery, then reconnect it. An improperly connected battery can result in unexpected charging behavior.
• If diagnostic tests fail or visual signs of failure are present, replace the battery.

Aside from inability to transmit a charge, damage to your USB port could cause incorrectly routed electrical signals or trigger over current protection.

• Inspect the port thoroughly. Use a flashlight for better visibility. Can you see any bent pins on the interior, is any corrosion visible? These are obvious signs of charge port damage.
• The tongue in the middle of the USB-C port (or micro-USB on older devices) could have come loose. Gently check for wiggle with tweezers if you suspect this is the case. Any amount of movement is abnormal.
• If you find damage, or it seems suspect replace the charging port daughterboard.
  • Be sure to get one for your exact model. They often contain networking components (including the SIM reader). Your cellular service may not function with an incompatible board installed.

If your charge port is attached to the main motherboard, you'll need some soldering know-how to replace it. Or find someone with the soldering skills to remove the existing port, and install a new one. Otherwise you'll be stuck replacing the whole motherboard.

Unlike the iPhone, Android phones are not designed to auto power on when the charger is connected. You need to press power first.

• Check the button’s movement, is it depressing, or clicking when you press it?
• If it is not clicking when pushed, make sure the buttons are not deformed in any way. A dent in the wrong place can cause a button to stick in one position. This calls for a replacement of the button covers.
• In the absence of damage, turn it off and clean any debris around the buttons with a toothpick. A cotton swab and isopropyl alcohol can assist with persistent grime and help loosen any that may have worked its way under the cover.
• If they still seem stuck, internal cleaning or inspection is necessary, The buttons are visible mounted into the housing. Physical debris may also be lodged here, preventing proper function.
• As a worst case scenario, the button or the cable may be damaged. Replace it if necessary.

Aside from faulty charging components, failure of any other component could potentially prevent power on. These issues are more time-consuming but can usually be rooted out when approached methodically.

• Disconnect everything from the board aside from the screen (so you can tell if it turns on), the battery and the power button.
• Does it turn on now? If yes, begin reconnecting components until you can recreate the failure.
  • If you connect a daughterboard with other parts attached, any of those parts could also be at fault.
  • Use process of elimination to narrow down the bad part and then replace it.

Samsung phones, like all electronics are susceptible to liquid damage, or can develop any number of faults on the board. Just one bad component could be the difference between function and a brick.

• Check for obvious signs of a board issue - burned or cracked components, liquid residue, corrosion or bend. If there are signs of liquid the iPhone Liquid Damage Guide might help.
• Replacing the motherboard is often the most practical solution for a DIYer whose board has failed.
• Contrary to popular belief, the board itself can be repaired. However, it requires specialized tools and microsoldering know-how. This is not something most people can do themselves, but many independent repair shops can do it for you!