iPhone 4 periodically won't wake up

Going on strong for three days now. Hope the problem really went away 🙂

Had this problem also, IP4 kept "dying". We had restored from IP3G. AT&T manager told us what to do - we deleted all the backup (ipsw) files in itunes, plugged in the ip4 and went through the whole process again but this time chose "set up as new iphone" and after that finished, sync'd the phone a couple more times to get back the music, photos, etc. So far so good, the iphone 4 hasn't frozen up or "died" at all, so apparently it was a problem with using the old 3G backup file to restore from (and we had NOT updated to ios4 on that 3G). Hope this helps someone, it was really frustrating and nearest Apple store was 1-1/2 hours away.

My iPhone 4 is also having this problem. Bought it last Thursday, but the first instance of the 'coma' issue only happened on Monday. Happened only once that day, then once yesterday, and three times this morning. I did a search for the issue and it turned up a period where the same thing appeared to be happening when iOS3.1 was released. It seemed to be a bug in that version (although I never experienced it at the time), and I guess it was fixed in the next version.

Seems that maybe whatever caused it has turned up again in iOS4, and again only a few are experiencing it. One suggestion I read about at that time was to switch off the 'Fraud Warning' setting in the Safari settings. A few people posted that the 'comas' seemed to have stopped since turning that off. I did that after reading about it, and since the three 'comas' in quick succession this morning (with the two ten second holds of the power/home buttons to reboot each time) it has been OK since. Obviously this is far too soon to know if it has really helped as I initially went 4 days without the problem, and nearly 24 hours between the first, second and third instances. Figured I might as well suggest it here in case it does help.

Edited to add: I did not use a backup for my iPhone 4. It was set up as a new phone right from the start.

Message was edited by: Kadoogan

I did the ipws deleting with the Apple Care person on the helpline aswell, but it didn't work. My brandnew iP4 was also from the first moment installed as a new iphone I did not use the backup from my 3G. After the first installation as new phone a put some from the safed music and a few apps on it. But it died nevertheless.

Mine did all this without any use of safari previously. Interesting that your episodes happend it a similiar scheme as mine. First coma after 20 hours, all fine than after the funny button pushing thing at the store, than next episode after 16 houer roundabout and a few more on the same day. Than the next morning and I let it on the usb cable on my Mcb most of the morning and it didn't die. When I was out I used it much more often to see if it died. It did the coma thing again on the fourth morning I had it and on that day I got the replacement which I installed now as a backup from the first iP4 and it did not have the coma issue since than.

Just to echo the other updates-- yesterday I received a new phone at the Apple Store. I restored as a new device, and ended up syncing from my iTunes. The sync went through very smoothly, and the phone has been staying awake. No more brute force required to power it back on. To all you folks with a comatose iPhone, it seems the only fix is to swap out the buggy phone for a new one. Good luck to all.

Can I just check that those who have replacement phones have installed the same apps they had on the malfunctioning phones? Are the new ones effectively set up in exactly the same way the original was? Just thinking this may point further towards a hardware issue rather than one caused by a dodgy app or setting.

Since my earlier post my phone hasn't repeated the problem. It is noticable though that the problem has only struck at roughly the same time each day, between 9 - 11am (I'm in the UK). Will be interesting to see if it strikes again during that period tomorrow. Even if it does I can't see how it would help solve the issue as I have no idea what could be causing it. Perhaps the timing has just been a coincidence.

I was having the same problem. I had my appointment with the Genius bar at my local Apple store. The night before I did a restore and set it up as a new phone, and no problems all night, but decided to take it in anyway. Once there they told me they had never heard of this problem, and of coarse I couldn't recreate it in the store. So they once again did a restore and sent me on my way. She was pretty cool and told me if it happens again to bring it right back.
On the way home I was driving with my earbuds in the phone on the passenger seat like I always drive and guess what ?? COMA ! I went right back and they replaced my phone. I'm not sure about the earbuds, but I remember most of the time this "coma" thing happened I had the earbuds in. Not sure if it is a hardware problem or software. But be persistent and they will get you a replacement.
I know I ramble !!

Message was edited by: Matthew Kemsley

Well the Safari Fraud Warning setting thing I mentioned in a previous post had no effect (as expected). My phone still goes into a coma. The weird thing is that it only seems to happen during the morning. The issue has not occurred once during an afternoon or overnight.

I went into Carphone Warehouse where I did my upgrade and they have placed a note on their systems to call me when they have stock so they can replace it, but it may be weeks before they do get stock (supply in the UK was ridiculously low as usual with Apple). I will try a full restore over the weekend to see if that helps, but judging from others that have done that I don't think it will help.

This is my very first Iphone so no 3G backups. Since activating on Friday it has died 3 times. The first time I couldn't get it to reset, plugged it into Itunes which didn't recognise it as a device. Managed to reset it while plugged in then it sprang to life and Itunes recognised it and said it was in recovery mode. The restore failed with 1601 but then the phone appeared to be back to normal and working fine. So no restore was done. Chalked it down as a one-off but then it happened again two days later. This time I managed to reset it after trying a few times, no need to plug into Itunes. Third time was this morning and again had to try the reset more than once before it worked.

I have appt at Apple tomorrow, hoping to get replacement but I bought it through CPW so not sure if there will be issues. Interestingly, I am in UK and it has also happened mid-morning each time and I have been at home. In fact out of the 6 days since activation, 2 days when I have been out mid-morning it has NOT died and 3 days at home mid-morning it HAS died. Only 1 day at home mid-morning and it hasn't died. Coincidence?

The fact it has happened to you in the same location is interesting. Mine was fine until Monday morning. It just so happened that I was off work last week. Returned on Monday, and every time the phone has gone into a coma it has been when I am at work.

Coincidence or is there something about the location that causes the issue? Anyone else notice a similar pattern?

I think I am going to try a full restore Friday evening when I should have time to do one, then will keep an eye on the phone over the weekend where I should be in or around home to see if the problem occurs again. If it is OK it will then be interesting to see if the problem starts again when I'm back to work on Monday.

Edited to add: Like yourself, the problem has always occurred during the morning, never in the afternoon (even when I am at work) and never overnight. Absolutely no idea what could be causing it.

Message was edited by: Kadoogan

I got mine replaced. Solved all issues. My phone would be fine while in my pocket during the day. But if I would put it on a table and not touch it for about five to ten minutes it would go into a coma. I restored thinking that it could be an app. After i restored I didnt put any apps and started as a new phone. Had to replicate the problem at the apple store and they swapped it. No more problems.


Good luck and just get it replaced if you can.

Raban_j - I assume not putting any apps on a full restore didn't fix it?

As I was just about to do just that, after the phone going coma on me 5 tims so far today!

Well after trying everything I finally took mine back for a replacement today. Apple had no quibbles when replacing to be fair. I haven't had any issues with my new handset yet, fingers crossed...