iPhone 4 Power Button Stuck

Sorry to hear that @2TheMax, as I am the same a self confessed Apple fan with many products and I would not want to be in similar situation in the future like you.

This time I was in luck, came back from the Apple store today and got my 4S replaced there and then 🙂 but this is only due to having six months left of the warranty. I asked the genius what would of happened if I was out of warranty and had the same issue with the power button the replacement would have cost £130!

Lets pray and hope my second iPhone 4S lasts long enough until the iPhone 5 comes out! Whenever that will be: Starts the speculation of rumours J

If you have hardware limited warranty but not within the 90 days for phone support best thing is goto apple store :) Hope your new phone last a long time. I also hope my iPhone 4 lasts till the 5 is out.

I'm glad someone got the clear picture of Apple. My phone is 1.5 years old and this just happened to me. They told me that Apple (the maker's of the phone) do not have the tools to fix this problem so they sent me to my service provider to ask if I am illegible for an upgrade OR I can purchase a new phone for $169.

What a way to make money from selling poor products, but having people replace it every 2 years or being forced to buy a warrantee. In this case, the warrantee may have been worth it.

Sad..

It amazes me how many people are upset about this, but then turn around and say they will stick it out until the iPhone 5 comes out. Which means they will endure buying this hardware that has awful QC and turn around and buy another one. I just don't understand it. I really don't. The only thing I can think of is that it's some sort of sociological sickness, a form of hysterical group think that causes people to behave irrationally. I mean, the definition of insanity is to do things over and over expecting a different outcome when you know what is going to happen already. Come on people. Demand change, not a new product with the same terrible quality.

I had this problem and found the solution. On the actual button membrane, connected to the power flex sensor cable, there is a SMALL rubber nub. This tiny rubber nub is what bridges the connection between the metal button and the membrane. This is a very cheap fix. I replaced the sensor cable for under $5, but make sure it has the rubber nub. It is decently long process. There is a guide on www.ifixit.com for this repaire. You will need an inexpensive tool set also. I took my phone apart, installed the new cable, and my power button once again clicked. However, I somehow stressed the digitizer and LCD connectors in the process. Rendering the screen useless and completely black. When putting the power button bracket back in, be EXTREMELY careful with the inner screw. I fixed my power button but still had to spend the $158 for a new phone.

Good luck.

I have fixed this issue on several iphone 4's. I did not have to replace the power button flex cable. I have fixed it by either adding a small piece of plastic to the metal top button portion to bridge the gap left by the disappearing rubber nub or by simply adjusting the placement of the flex cable on the black plastic piece that attaches to the body.

Both of these attempts do require that you remove the front assembly first or you will most likely kill the LCD.

The whole process took me about 30 minutes from start to finish (with a lot of practice on the iphone 4). I recommend only if you have experience working on the 4 since there is a lot of potential for killing it if you don't do it correctly.

Glad to hear your iPhone 4 got replaced Jakester20. However, the true problem is that it shouldn't have needed replacement so soon. Like others I have several Apple Products but this is my first encounter with a quality issue in an Apple product. Companies who stand behind the quality of their products generally give you a lifetime warranty of their craftsmanship. Apple however seems to build iPhones to last till the next one comes out and consumers are FORCED to buy a new one to replace their broken one! Needless to say this is not right. "Upgrading" your phone when the new model comes out should be a choice and not a necessity.

Like Robotaz it bothers me to hear people complain yet say they can't wait to buy the next iPhone. Yes their products are innovative, but where is the quality? I have only owned 2 iPhones, a 3GS and 4. I got the 4 by choice and not necessity.

I will say I am looking forward to seeing what the new iPhone 5 will bring, but, I am not going to be purchasing one. I have become skeptical on Apples quality and craftsmanship. If everyone keeps buying their poor quality iPhones Apple is happy, and they see no need for change. People need to start questioning Apple's iPhone quality, demanding better materials and longer life from their iPhones.

ShibbyChongo and elirose, appreciate the advice but these truly are not solutions to the big picture. Apple might as well offer to sell you do-it-yourself repair kits for $149 when you first purchase your iPhone because they are aware their iPhones will break in 1-2 years. Sounds very similar to "AppleCare+ for iPhone" to me, just minus the repair kit and $50. Again, not right!

I agree that it shouldn't occur but it does occur and I'm offering a way for people to get the button to work without having to buy a new phone.

If you do happen to buy a new phone, please let me know as i would be glad to buy the old one, fix it and resell it.

2TheMax, just a word of caution. Rational, logical statements that question Apple's quality or functionality will bring the wrath if you keep going. Every time I come on this forum to discuss real issues that I have, I am berated and called a troll. It's the same psychological/sociological mindset that causes them to attack us and also to ignore common sense and keep buying the phones.

It is very sad indeed. How come someone can come on here and give me a 30 minute, under $5 fix for my Iphone, but Apple tells me that they don't have the tools to fix it? I guess what they mean is that they don't have the time and it's not worth their money to fix it or to keep my business.

When I went to get my Iphone fixed, I was there to purchase my first IPAd as well; let's just say, I walked out with my broken Iphone and will probably never return. Have an excellent product (as Apple does) when it works, is not worth the lack of customer service skills when they are most needed. IMO

The real problem that carriers and Apple need to resolve is the idea of a TWO year contract and a phone warranty of LESS than two years. This basically screws you if the phone dies. This can be solved a couple of ways:

1) have the contract and warranty periods match (brilliant eh?)

2) release you from contract obligation if a certified known problem occurs with your phone

The cellular providers will then put pressure on Apple of they lose a lot of contracts.

I'm surprised this isn't a consumer protection law. The reason it isn't is because consumers don't pay lobbyists.

Believe it or not, it's actually is a common problem. The employee that I talked to basically said that this happens because of the user pressing too hard on the button? Seriously? When I purchased my iPhone 4, the lock button stop working completely after 5 months of use. I got mine replaced and a year and 17 days later, it happened to me again. I brought it to the genius bar and complained that this was the second time that this has happened to me. I spoke to a manager and they replaced my phone a second time. I've been out of warranty for 17 days. See if they can replace the phone for you. Doesn't hurt to ask.

I think it's appalling that Apple refuses to fix the defective sleep-wake button on my iPhone 4 unless I pay $150. Unbelievable. It had a shelf life of 14 months? And even though Apple routinely replaces iPhones 4's with this defect when they're still within warranty (see above), those of us who are just outside the warranty period, we're supposed to accept that the phone functioned properly for barely a year? When will Apple take responsibility for what -- it seems pretty clear -- is an apparent manufacturing defect? And why isn't Apple concerned that telling longtime loyal customers to take a hike in this kind of situation will eventually turn the customers away and put a dent in the company's profits?

I do not know why they do not warrant against manufacturer and parts defects for the time period until a new upgrade. Yes, it may cost a little bit more, but I would think the difference in sales would account for that difference.