iPhone not working after an update? 10 Step fix

iPhones are still the most popular mobile on the market, but an iOS update can still cause problems. We’ll go through connection issues such as being unable to call someone, then discuss your phone’s memory and what you can do to get it working, and finally we’ll look at what to do if your iPhone is not turning on at all.

iPhone not working after an update – Fix

If your iPhone has stopped working after a recent update, it’s likely to have had an effect on the firmware you’ve installed. If not this, then it could be down to the settings on your mobile, and potential software glitches too.

Software updates are designed to correct bugs and improve your iPhone’s overall performance. However, after updating iOS, you may experience difficulties such as frequent crashes, unresponsive behaviour, some apps not operating correctly, or sluggish performance on your iPhone.

These flaws can degrade your entire experience rather than enhance your device’s functionality. You’ve come to the right place if you’re having troubles with your iPhone following an update.To begin, let’s mention the possible causes of your phone not turning on and then go on to the solutions.

Step 1: Reset your iPhone network settings

After ensuring that network coverage available, the solution is to fix network issues by resetting the network settings on your device. In some cases, after updating iOS, issues related to connectivity rise, and they can be fixed by restarting the network settings. To do so;

  • Go to Settings, and then tap General.
  • After that, choose Reset and then tap Reset Network Settings.
iPhone ResetNetwork Settings

After resetting the network settings, restart the phone to determine whether the issue has been resolved. If the problem is network-related, it is most probable that resetting the network will fix it.

Step 2: Turn on and off Bluetooth or Wi-Fi a few times

Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity issues were pretty common with iOS 14. Anyway,  Try disabling and reactivating your phone’s Bluetooth and Wi-Fi settings several times to see if this fixes your problem. If the solution was unsuccessful, restart the phone and check that the issue has been resolved. In most circumstances, restarting the device solves the problem.

iPhone Turn On and Off Bluetooth Wi-Fi

However, in some instances, the issue may result from the update itself, and the manufacturer will provide a minor patch soon afterward.

Step 3: Update or reinstall the apps

Apps and memory issues are common in phones after updating the firmware, and this is due to the re-indexing of the data. You should always install pending app updates, as when the background apps on your phone become outdated, you can begin to get in app errors caused by bugs. If your iPhone apps won’t automatically update, then you’ll need to do it manually.

If you’ve recently updated and are experiencing problems with running apps, you should give your iPhone some time to adjust to the new version of iOS. This is due to the fact that when you update the software on your iPhone, your device will need to incorporate the new system as well as re-index the data.

After a few hours and a phone restart, if the problem persists, it is time to reinstall or update the malfunctioning app. It is worth noting that, as a result of out-of-date apps not being compatible with the most recent version of iOS, several issues may develop following the iOS upgrade.

Step 4: Free up internal memory space

If your iPhone has become too slow following an update, you should check and manage your iPhone’s internal memory. It could just be an issue with Safari not working, but in some cases, it could be with all of the apps on your device.

Some iOS updates contain files in complex formats or large sizes, which might take a lot of storage on your iPhone. Delete unnecessary files and clear the cache to restore the smooth experience you enjoyed with your iPhone.

iPhone Internal Memory

If you don’t have enough space on your phone – which can be a result of many different things, like outdated apps you don’t use anymore, or too many photos and videos – then this can cause issues when it comes to installing an update.

Step 5: Factory reset your iPhone

Restoring your iPhone back to its factory settings can also work if your iPhone is stuck or not working, but it’s a pretty drastic measure to take.

This is your last resort if your iPhone keeps crashing or freezing even after you’ve tried the instructions in this article. However, don’t jump right into this method. Always back up your data before doing a factory reset so that you can restore it later.

Step 6: Take your phone to a Apple Store

Suppose you’ve tried everything and your iPhone still doesn’t work after an update. In that case, there’s a possibility something is wrong with the internal components of your smartphone. For example, liquids or anything may have damaged your iPhone.

In such cases, the best course of action is to take your iPhone to an Apple store and have it inspected. Getting in touch with Apple support beforehand to organise an appointment is also a good idea.

Step 7: Try recharging

If you think that battery drain might be an issue with your iPhone, then you’ll want to check that it’s not completely dead. As well as this, you’ll also want to check;

  • If your device’s battery has died completely (a black screen when connected to power, not a charging screen)
  • Mobile operating system has crashed
  • The firmware has become corrupted.
  • Hardware issues

The first thing you’ll probably want to do is put your phone into recovery mode – you can put it into recovery mode by holding the Home button along with the volume buttons (check this post if your volume buttons don’t work on your iPhone). Let’s get to the good stuff now: the solutions.

If your iPhone won’t switch on following an update, it is most probable that the battery is entirely depleted. So, plug your iPhone into an original or MFI certified lightning cable and a reliable power source to charge it.

If your phone powers on and shows the Apple logo but you’re encountering connectivity issues, such as being unable to make calls, this is pretty common.

Step 8: Network and connectivity issues

When having issues getting your device connected properly, it’s possible that after updating iOS, you are unable to make a call from your phone. Connectivity issues can usually be traced back to either your mobile data, or if you’re using your home internet connection, then to your Wi-Fi router.

Step 9: Restart your phone

If your phone is also not working properly after a software update, rebooting is the first solution that comes into mind. This is one of the simplest and most successful ways to fix a range of issues on any phone, including iPhones.

You don’t need to restore you iPhone back to factory settings to do this – just a simple restart should do the trick. After restarting, check how your iPhone is acting; if the problem persists, proceed to the next step.

Step 10: Toggle Airplane Mode/Check signal

Toggle Airplane mode by heading to the Control Center and tapping the Airplane Mode symbol. Then, wait 5-10 seconds before tapping the icon a second time. This will only work if you’ve been having an issue with your mobile data, which could be caused by weak signal in your area.

If the problem persists, it is possible that you are not in an area with no network service. First, check whether your friend’s and family’s phones have reception. You may also need to restart your iPhone or activate and reactive Airplane mode.

Conclusion

The methods we’ve given in this article will most likely fix your iPhone not working after an update issue. However, if you are unlucky and continue to experience difficulties, you must consider the possibility that something is wrong with your iPhone’s hardware and is unrelated to the update.

Photo of author

Connect: LinkedIn

Author

Farhad Pashaei

For the past seven years, I've been tinkering with power banks, smartphones, laptops, printers, and writing reviews about them. When I'm not writing, you can bet I'm devouring information on products that are making their first foray into the market, demonstrating my unquenchable thirst for technology.

Read more from Farhad Pashaei

appsuk-symbol-cropped-color-bg-purple@2x

Apps UK
International House
12 Constance Street
London, E16 2DQ