iPhone 4 Power Button Stuck

I've since been Googling and found 2 suppliers (one local and one promising quick postal turn around) that will replace the switch and associated cables for <£30. Awaiting a response from one to see if I can get a new battery slipped in cheaply at the same time (normally about £30 too).......got to be worth doing until iPhone 5 arrives...

I've had this problem as well. Scheduled an appointment at the genius bar and they told me the same thing. I can pay $149 for a replacement or upgrade to a 4s. I wasn't going to do both so I asked him what the problem was and how did it happen. He just said oh you know through normal wear and tear it stops working. My jaw dropped. its only been a year and something like this happens and its normal? I've always had really good customer service with apple but this time its kind of ridiculous. You think if this is a common thing you would extend the warranty out or atleast try to fix the button for customers. I wasn't even asking for a new phone I just wanted them to fix it and they couldn't.

A buddy of mine replaced the broken button on an iPhone 4 and was told by the parts company (DirectFix) that the buttons were flying out the door. At retail the button only costs $8.00 (including tax and freight) and took about 15 minutes to replace. It seems Apple would be covering their *** against a class action suit by fixing the phones at cost.

While the button itself is cheap, replacing it is a big task. I doubt anyone can open up and replace the button in 15 minutes. Opening up an iphone and assembling it back is a really complex process best left to phone repair experts. Moreover if you dont fix things back in place correctly you will have other problems. A buddy of mine who tried doing it himself messed up his wifi antenna so now his wifi only works if he's within 3 feet of his router.

I have the same problem. I went to my local Apple Store today and was told it would cost me £119 to fix the problem, a button! It would be for a replacement. It is 18 months old and no blemishes but yes it is out of their one year warranty.

Now we all know Apple only give you a one year warranty wheres as most other companies give you two years. I understand you can purchase apple care but as I like the orional OP handel my goods with care I dont see the need for this. The sales of goods act as well as the EU directive states that a product has to be 'fit for purpose'.

'The UK Sale of Goods Act already offers us protection against faulty goods even when the manufacturer’s guarantee has run out and says that goods must last a “reasonable time” – which can be claimed anything up to 6 years from the date of purchase.'

Now if my phone had a smashed up screen and the button was broken off by throwing or dropping it then yes i epect to pay but simple wear and tear after 18 months is unacceptable, and to charge £119 demonstrates the lact of respect Apple has for its consumers. They may be the genuis bar but we are not mugs.

1999/44/EC

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/bills/article-1677034/Two-year-warranty-EU-la w.html

I just had the same experience at the genius bar. turns out they are not really genius.. but I have the idea that the woman was not even really smart and she did not know much about it. In first place she just offered me to buy a completely new iPhone, not even to swap it. After asking again and again she asked her manager, came back and offered me the 149$ swap but she did not mention the upgrade to the 4S. When I asked her she told me the same story from the beginning, that I could buy a completely new one. Can anybody tell me more about the offer of upgradnf to the 4S? How much is it? I am really mad about them.. And turns out they are obviously incompetent.

Just got back from getting my on/off button replaced: £30 and done while I waited (10 mins). While it was in bits I got a new battery installed too, as mine was 18 months old, for an extra £15. 12 month warranty on repairs too! Now don't have to use Assistive Touch to close down, but it is a great short-term work-round for those of you that are still struggling.

I am using my THIRD iPhone 4 and each time I have had this problem. I never drop my phone and take complete care of it. In my world it is a VERY common problem. I am out of warranty and they told me they can't do anything for me besides a $149 repair. Time to do surgery on my own, thanks for nothing Apple...

I went to the Glasgow store on 30 Jan and was advised the same. Orange don't give a hoot, and Apple just want to make even more money out of me. It's disgusting. I've tried citing sale of goods and durability and defects to Orange, but the network aren't willing to budge, saying that it's all Apple's problem. Stumped.

any suggestions on how to find a reliable place to fix it? also, I saw what you and another poster wrote about the assistive touch. i have no idea where that's located or how to use it. your input would be much appreciated!

tpain1/BaldGog

I got mine done in Chatham (Kent) at www.iphone-repairs.co.uk for £29.99, they do mail-order too.

Please note I have nothing to do with the company and can't guarantee that your experience will be as great as mine (shares go up as well as down, past performance is no guarantee of future performance etc etc etc).

tpain1

Re assistive touch, go to Utilities/Settings, General, Accessibility then scroll down to the bottom, you'll see assistive touch, select it and turn it on. You get a little white blob on the screen.

To use it, hit the blob, this gives you a number of options; you need "Device" and "Lock Screen".

.....alll of this effort instead of having an on/off button that lasts the life of your phone.....

PS saw them change a shattered back screen in < 1 min for £29.99 too!

Under EU Directive 1999/44/EC

It seems that, in the EU, Apple has an obligation to fix the problem, by law, if you can check off these 4 points:

-The goods were purchased no longer than two years ago;

-The store will not provide a refund or repair because you are returning the item after their return period has ended, usually one year;

-You are reporting the fault within two months of discovering it;

-And the goods show no signs of damage through your actions or misuse.

Also, I don't think the sleep button breaking counts as "actions or misuse" if we have simply pressed the button and it went on us.

I went into the genius bar today and was told it couldnt be fixed. Was offered a new phone for $190 since I wasn't under warranty anymore. Don't know why I didn't ask, but I wonder if its for just the regular iPhone 4, which I have, or the 4S

I had two occasions where this happened, each for a different reason.

1). Not sure if anyone mentioned this, but for me most recently it was something a lot simpler and kind of stupid...it turns out the day after day after day activity of putting my phone into and out of my pocket really built up and packed in a substantial amount of lint that ended in no charging. Didn't pay attention to the charge for a day since cable was latching in position, but seemed to not meet all the way in after close review. Took a small staple to clear way down and around that i/o cable port.

2). First encounter was resolved by what others have mentioned here, pushing and holding home and power button for like 10 seconds kicked it back on.

Thanks for the details. You're answer gives me a work around on my 1.5 year old phone. I'm totally bummed -- how was I going to get on a plane? Up until now I have been a very loud advocate for Apple products. With this issue...and the 'warranty' answer I got from Apple. Not so much an advocate!