Iphone 4 Home button not working after upgrade to OS 4.3.1

I have been subscribed to this discussion for over a year and am about to unsubscribe since I've fixed my home button a few months ago. Before I go though I wanted to offer my solution(s).

First of all, there is definitely a hardware problem and I think most, by this point, have accepted that. I was initially on the side of software when this thread first started but after getting some short term results from tricks like "smacking my phone", putting the connector in and bending up, dripping isopropyl alcohol into the home button, and so on, It was clear that many of us had a hardware issue. My most used solution was a "smack" on my shoulder. I literally had a bruise from where I continually whacked the thing every day to get it working for close to 6 months.

I was to the point where I wanted to whip my phone like a skipping stone right into a brick wall and watch happily as it shattered into a thousand pieces. Instead, I decided to open it up and try to get to the root of the problem. I ended up completely disassembling my iphone to get the home button extracted and noticed a couple interesting things along the way.

First of all, my home button was fine (unlike my buddy who's home button I had to replace due to dust buildup)

My issue was the connection to the board right behind the speaker housing. This is a 10 minute fix if you are so lucky. If you have been dealing with this problem and it's driving you crazy, I highly recommend just opening the thing up, removing a few screws and taking a look at where the home button's ribbon cable attaches. Turns out there is a very small latch that locks the ribbon cable in place and it had popped up causing the small delicate cable to become loose. This connection just so happens to be right next to the dock connector and explains why I could always cause and resolve the problem by manipulating the port (as you can see from my post on page 8)

If you're still dealing with this I understand the frustration. I hope that this might help you along. Good luck..

I have a similar problem. Tap. Nothing. Tap Tap. Nothing. TAPTAPTAPTAPTAPTAPTAP oh what the ****...

But I have found a clue for my problem not mentioned in this thread (or at least I didn't find it). This problem only happens when I am at home connected to my Comcast network via wifi. Away from home, using wifi or AT&T's data network, the button works just fine all the time.

Tried all the hints mentioned above.

The investigation continues...

Anyone else have this weirdness?

Yes! Definitely a hardware problem for me too. You may notice some coincidence - with apps, network... - but the fact that the software button works points to a HW issue.

I could live for a while with the tactile button and making it work by bending the connector.

But finally I decided to buy a new button on eBay and replace it myself.

And that's it! Now it works perfectly!

I don't know if it is related to the problem but I noticed that the new button has a small nipple in the center.

Apple should definitely admit the problem and offer a solution. The button is almost free and the replacement is a 45 minutes job for a non professionnal like me.

Hope my experience will help!

urgh! my iphone 4s is bnew. i still have this problem..it's soooooo annoooyyyinngngg! 😟

• Open a default iOS application, such as Stocks, Calculator, or Weather
• Press and hold down the Power button until the “Slide to Power Off” dialog appears, then release
• Now press and hold the Home button until the “Slide to Power Off” screen disappears, force quitting the application

http://osxdaily.com/2011/12/22/iphone-home-button-not-working-or-unresponsive-fi x/#comment-404019

Worked for me.

• Open a default iOS application, such as Stocks, Calculator, or Weather
• Press and hold down the Power button until the “Slide to Power Off” dialog appears, then release
• Now press and hold the Home button until the “Slide to Power Off” screen disappears, force quitting the application

Well that didn't work for me. Onto the next one.

Thank you Rickg73. I tried this and the button is working...at least form the last 5 min it has been responding every time I press on it.

Blessings.

Gayane.

Just noticed this thread was still going.

Let me add an interesting insight to this.

My iPhone 4 and 4s continues to show these symptoms despite careful handling, careful operations and cleanliness that will put hospitals to shame. They still show intermittent non-responsiveness. The 4s is a little better but I am guessing it is because it is FASTER.

Now...this will really put the software issue back on the map.

I have an iPad 1. Yep. 1st generation. I gave it to my 2 year and 10 month old son over year ago. He is grotty. He abuses the home button as soon as he doesn't like anything and he also abuses the apps, starting each one but never closing any of them.

He doesn't have a hardware problem! The iPad has never experienced a problem at all and when he tells me the button doesn't work, I close all his apps and restart his iPad and its as good as new.

The moral of the story? Something in the software is broke but the hardware home button on the iPad 1st generation at least seems sound. The iPad remains dirty and filty as. He doesn't mind it and neither do I (its not mine) and he only gets me to shut it down when once every month, it becomes non-responsive.

Go figure.

p.s. If Apple or anyone wants to do stress testing on tablets, phones, etc...my son is available for hire at a reasonable rate.

Experience with iPad 1st generation, home button stress testing, application stress testing, iOS stress testing with over 6 screenfuls of application folders in each. Yes, that is a LOT of apps. He will ensure every app is started for you. He will also drop his iPad from time to time on a hard surfaces. Certificate printout on completion of testing. You won't be disappointed. ;-)

Hi,

Just wanted to update on my findings with having the same issue. I ended up purchasing a new button off of Ebay for $5. When I took the phone apart there was no dust, its a 4 not a 4s and i carry it in my pocket, so I do not belive that dust was the issue,

However if you look at the way the ribbon cable is designed and sits in the phone, it is flexed causing extra tension to be put on the cable and my cable actually appeared to be cracked. I have had the new button in for over a week not and have not had the issue return at all.

I belive this, that the ribbon cable was cracked causing a poor connection sometimes working and sometimes not, which leads me to belive that all of the ways to re-align the button just put the right type of pressure on the ribbon for a temporary "good" connection only to become faulty again.

I wish I would have taken pictures but this is just my observation and opinion. Anyway the new button works like a charm!

Good Luck!

Has no one discovered assistive touch ?! It works as an replacement home button on screen, and quite well too !

Settings > general > accessability > assistive touch

OMG! That 'Assistive Touch' feature works a treat! Can't believe I haven't used it earlier! No more sore thumbs from having to press down so hard on the Home Button anymore! Yay! Thank you! :-D

After living with a non functional home button for a year. I accidentally dropped my phone on a tile floor. No damage to the phone. But my home button has been working since. So I believe something was stopping it and the fall dislodged it. Not telling you to drop the phone but my suggestion is to find a phone tech to open it up and look at it.

I service iPhones and iPods for a living, I also manufacture electronic devices, and I have to say that this home-button problem is one that has dogged me for a long time. Today I decided to take a few more hours to look at the situation and find out what on earth is going on.

To me, I'm 99% sure it's a hardware issue, primarily associated with the small FPC flip connector housing and its inability to handle any stress put on the FPC button lead by the speaker assembly.

If you look at the underside of the speaker assembly you'll see there's a recess area for the FPC cable and the enlarged lead-in header where some SMD parts are. What appears to be happening is that sometimes the recess doesn't line up perfectly and it subsequently crushes down on the FPC lead, which while not damaging it, it does cause it to break contact on one or more of the pins in the connector. If you twist your iPhone and try press the button you might find there's a zone where it works. I've noticed this particularly on phones which have been smashed and had frame assembly damage.

My solution for now has been to carve away the recess area a little more and also not tighten down the 2.4mm screw on the right hand side of the speaker assembly too much (torque it up, then back it off a bit).

Can provide some pictures if required.