Phone Keeps Restarting or Stuck on the Logo? What to Do

Few phone problems are as frustrating as one that won't stay on. Maybe it restarts in the middle of a call, or maybe it shows the logo, goes dark and starts over again and again. That second one is often called a boot loop, and it can leave you without your phone right when you need it.

The cause can be anything from a bad app to a worn-out battery to a damaged part inside. Here's how we at We Fix Phones N More help customers narrow it down, starting with the safest steps.

Why Phones Restart on Their Own

Software glitches and bad updates

An update that didn't finish installing, a corrupted system file or an app that crashes in the background can all force a restart. These are often fixable without opening the phone.

A tired battery

As a battery ages, it can struggle to deliver steady power, especially when the phone is busy or cold. When voltage drops too far, the phone shuts off and restarts to protect itself. If your phone also dies at 20 or 30 percent, the battery is a strong suspect. Our guide on signs your phone battery needs replacing covers the other warning signs.

Water or drop damage

Liquid can cause corrosion that shows up days or weeks later, and a hard drop can loosen or crack connections on the board. Restarts that began after a spill or fall usually point to hardware. If your phone got wet recently, read what to do when your phone gets wet.

Overheating

Phones shut down when they get too hot. If restarts happen while charging, gaming or sitting in the sun, heat may be the trigger.

Safe Things to Try at Home

If the phone stays on long enough to use

• Back up right away. If the phone is unstable, your first job is saving your photos, contacts and messages. Use iCloud, Google or a computer while you still can.
• Install updates. Check for iOS or Android updates and for app updates. Developers often fix crash bugs quickly.
• Think about what changed. If the restarts started after installing a particular app, delete it and see whether things settle down.
• Free up storage. A nearly full phone can behave strangely. Our post on freeing up phone storage walks through it.
• Take off the case and let it cool. If it's warm, give it a break away from chargers and direct sun.

If it's stuck on the logo

• Force restart. On most iPhones, press and release volume up, press and release volume down, then hold the side button until the logo appears. On Android, holding the power and volume down buttons together for several seconds usually works, though it varies by model.
• Charge it on a known-good cable. A phone with a nearly empty or failing battery may not have enough power to finish starting up. Leave it on a wall charger for a while and try again.
• Try an update through a computer. iPhones can be updated in recovery mode through Finder on a Mac or the Apple Devices app or iTunes on Windows. Choose Update, not Restore, so your data stays in place.

Be Careful With a Factory Reset

A factory reset or full restore can fix stubborn software problems, but it erases everything on the phone. Only do it if you have a recent backup you trust. If you don't, stop and get help first. Once a phone is erased, data that wasn't backed up is usually gone for good.

If your phone won't boot and holds photos or files you can't lose, our data recovery service may be able to help before anything gets wiped.

When It's Time for a Repair

Bring the phone in if:

• It keeps restarting even after updates and a force restart.
• The problem started after a drop, crack or spill.
• It only stays on while plugged in, or the battery is swollen.
• It won't get past the logo no matter what you try.

These usually come down to a battery, a charging port, a damaged connector or board-level trouble, and a technician can test each one instead of guessing. We handle iPhone repair, Samsung repair and most other phone repairs right here in Horsham, and our repairs come with a 90-day warranty.

Get Your Phone Back to Normal

A phone that restarts on its own rarely fixes itself, and the longer it goes, the more you risk losing what's on it. If you're in Bucks or Montgomery County, stop by We Fix Phones N More at 801 County Line Rd in Horsham, or call us at 215-323-4750. We'll take a look, explain what's going on in plain terms and help you decide on the best next step.