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iPhone 4 Home Button not working properly

Hi all,


My iPhone home button (round button at the bottom) has started "not responding correctly." Sometimes when I press the button it works as it should, but other times it takes at least 10 clicks before anything happens. I can hear the clicking sound that the button physically makes so I can't imagine that it's hardware related - but it sometimes doesn't want to do anything.

After searching Google and the forums it seems to be pointing towards a software issue? I upgraded the phone to the latest software 4.3 around 3 weeks ago.


Modern Firmware - 01.10.01


Any advice is much appreciated,

mrdanang

iPhone 4, iOS 4.3

Posted on Apr 27, 2011 1:34 AM

Reply
542 replies

Oct 24, 2011 4:38 AM in response to mrdanang

Hey all,


I found this website and tried the solution down the bottom of the page and it has worked for me. See if it works for you as well.


http://www.iphonestuffs4u.com/iphone-home-button-not-working/


  1. Open any application on the iPhone
  2. Press and hold the Power button till the ‘Slide to Shutdown’ screen appears.
  3. Now release the Power button and gently hold the Home button.
  4. In all probability, your Home button would start functioning normally again!

Oct 28, 2011 10:58 PM in response to mrdanang

This Works: caliberate your ph button

Try holding on to the power button, till u see slide to power off. Now release power button and press the home button at the pressure you would use on the home button. It should change to the icon springboard screen( with all the icons). It should work properly after that.

Took the advice from another discussion which i was trying to find. But try it anyway it worked for me. I suspect mine is a sofeware issue that made it seem like a hardware issue.

Oct 30, 2011 6:30 AM in response to jazemaster

Incredible. I was convinced it must be a bad contact and need physical repair, I'm amazed but this solution worked a treat for me.


Many thanks 🙂

jazemaster wrote:

  1. Open any application on the iPhone
  2. Press and hold the Power button till the ‘Slide to Shutdown’ screen appears.
  3. Now release the Power button and gently hold the Home button.
  4. In all probability, your Home button would start functioning normally again!

Nov 1, 2011 1:51 PM in response to skylinegtr

1) plug in your iphone cord into the phone (no need to plug into computer or power outlet)


2) grip the top and bottom part of the cord nearest to the phone, as if your about to pull the cord out (not the sides)


3) GENTLY tilt the cord upwards


4) test your home button out!


I also saw this solution in another thread and from the replies to the OP the success rate is very high. Worked for me.

Nov 12, 2011 8:00 AM in response to mrdanang

I'd say, definitely it is hardware related like what others have mentioned.


Here's another original solution to the problem:


(1) Place the phone vertically on any side.

(2) Use your finger tip to repeatedly and lightly press on the edge of the Home button (just like you're playing video games) until you hear a clicking sound that gets louder and louder each time. Then stop.

(3) Repeat the steps above with the rest of the sides.


I bet this is just a contact problem and eventually some of us might need to open the phone up and clean it from the inside or bring it back to Apple for a replacement (for those of you who are still under warranty).

Nov 20, 2011 7:16 AM in response to mrdanang

This is definately NOT a software issue. This is a problem with the hardware of the home button.


I've had this problem for about 12 months to the point where it became unbearable. I had taken it to the apple store and thy said it was most likely a software related issue. I tried all of their suggestions: closing all the apps running in background, restoring my iPhone, "recalibrating" the home button... But nothing worked. Sometimes it would seem like it did something but it would never last longer than a few minutes. Unfortunately that was all the apple store could do for me because my phone is 93 days out of warranty.


So I looked around and weighed up my options. It would be $250 for a replacement phone, or I could try find someone for an out of warranty repair.


Then I found this guide and thought why not give it a try?: http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Installing-iPhone-4-Home-Button/3144/1


Ive just successfully finished putting in a new home button and everything is working really great! It wasn't easy mind you, and took me a about 2.5 hours, but of you're patient and can handle fiddling with electronics it definitely worth it.


Good luck!

Nov 20, 2011 5:24 PM in response to lukexyz

I had tried the rubbing alcohol trick and letting it drain out. Seems like it only worked temporaily. I remembered using some electrical cleaner to clean the electrical contacts on a trailer hitch. I read on the can that it is a cleaner also. I had a small amount left and sprayed a small amount on fingertip and worked it down into button area. Did this twice Made sure I was pressing on all sides of button as I did this. Then i let it drain as previos postings have stated I was concerned it may discolor the glass in some way so I made sure I wiped it quickly and cleaned off with alcohol. Also vacuumed button with vacuum cleaner to see if I could get anything else out. Not sure if I did. I did this approximately four hours ago and the button is like new. The alcohol fix would not last for me. What I used was something called CRC lecra motive electrical parts cleaner. The can says it is for more heavy duty machinery than an electrical device. It does say it is non staining and it removes oil dirt wax and other foreign matter. It does state not to use on plastic.

•On the can it does say they make CRC plastic safe cleaner. It is used for electrical devices like tape decks and vcr's. I got my cleaner at like a Walmart or auto parts store. I am not sure where you can get the CRC electric parts cleaner. I'm thinking a radio shack maybe even Walmart may have the plastic cleaner. On the can I used it did state not to use on plastic nothing was mentioned about glass. But then again I used such a small amount. It is still working just checked. Button is super sensitive. Thanks to all of you who helped me with their postings about the iPhone 4

iPhone 4 Home Button not working properly

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