All techs know that the first step to repairing a device is to find the root of the problem and determine what Repair is needed. We usually do this using a repair diagnostic exam, during which we examine every function of the device to see what is working and what isn’t. When your favorite device isn’t responding as it should be, you can perform your own diagnostic exam to figure out what the issue is.

How to diagnose your phone issues:

1. Close all your apps and turn the device off and on again. To rule out a software issue caused by a malfunctioning or rogue app, close everything and see if the problem persists. You can also turn your device completely off and back on again to close everything, this is called a power cycle. No settings are changed when you do this.
2. Perform a reset. A hard reset shouldn’t be the first tactic used, but it can be helpful. This type of reset will revert all of your settings back to their original factory option. Your data and photos are safe, but special settings such as keyboard and display settings will be reset. You can perform a reset by holding down the power button and the volume down button on the recent versions of the iPhone, and the power button and the home button on newer models.

3. Test the device using different accessories. If the issues you are experiencing are battery or charge port-related, try testing your device using different accessories including a new power cord and power brick. These accessories can go bad over time and it may actually be the cause of your issues.

4. Examine the surface and crevices of the device. The final check before bringing your device to a Repair Professional is to examine the surface of the device for damage. Check the inside of the charge ports and around the crevices of the device. If you see any debris, dust, or signs of water damage, these could all be signs of an issue. Debris and dust can be cleaned out with some cotton swabs and maybe a little bit of rubbing alcohol, but water damage will need to be addressed by a repair professional. Water damage can cause corrosion and short circuits in your device that can do permanent damage. A repair professional might be able to reverse the damage if caught quickly. 

If you have tried all of these steps, but your problem is persisting, you should bring your device to a repair shop. At uBreakiFix, we can perform more in-depth tests and recommend a repair service if it turns out to be a hardware issue.

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