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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

Apr 20, 2013 10:58 PM in response to SYR

FINALLY WORKING AGAIN!!! I followed the methods mentioned in this forum:


  1. Drop a couple of drops rubbing alchohol on the home button and press repeatedly
  2. Use some compressed air in the charging slot at the bottom
  3. Get a new case


Just like SYR, I got the Otterbox case and it has had more sucess keeping the home button working than any other case I've had. Protects the bottom of the phone from more crap getting up in there and the way it applies pressure to the home button must also help. Thanks everybody for your help!


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005SUHRH6

Apr 29, 2013 10:37 AM in response to mrdanang

I was having a problem with my home button not working or being unresponsive to repeated pushes. COme to find out it worked when I hit it ont he very edge of the top left and bottom right of the button, but not a direct middle press. Came here to fins if there was a fix and found I found this tip on another post and surprisingly it worked!


It’s actually a very simple process to recalibrate your Home button; simply open a stock iOS app (Weather, Stocks, Clock, etc.). Once the app is open, press your iPhone’s power button until the ‘slide to power off’ screen appears. From that screen, press and hold your Home button until iOS force quits the stock app you have open. You’re done!

May 4, 2013 8:23 PM in response to stufrombc

I have found the home button fault is caused by a poor connection of the charging connector at the bottom of the phone. This maybe a design fault as it is weakened when ever you plug the charger in or pull the charger out so after a year or two this causes the home button to fail. If you poke a plastic object into the charging bay then the home button will work again until you plug it in to charge again. Using the virtual home button will help if you're away from home and cant find an object to shove into the charging port. I often use the charging connector by plugging in and pulling out repeatedly until the home button works. Main thing to remember is it's a physical breakage causing the fault.

May 21, 2013 11:37 PM in response to mrdanang

Hi all!!

there is no need to spend any money or to go the the genius bar!! i had the same problem with the home button. it was not responding even after pressing it three to four times. But the solution that worked for me was spraying my deo into the charging port and cleaning it a bit and then spray some more over the home button and pressed it continuosly from each side of home button till it started responding from every part. I hope it works for you too.

Jun 1, 2013 9:09 PM in response to Bramthorne

Hi Bramthorne this method worked for me too. It's starting to look as though there could be two seperate causes for this problem, one mechanical and the other software calibration. Obviously if the switch is broken repair/replacement is the only answer but if the iOS cant see the switch when the home button is pressed then this method actually works. In my search for an answer I discovered a service centre in Melbourne that claims to be able to repair this problem in 15 mins on the spot with no appointment for $45.00 so it must be a common one. It may turn out to be related to the recharge/connection port I guess we will just have to see if it reoccurs.

Cheers

Jun 7, 2013 7:41 PM in response to mrdanang

I got my iPhone 4 replaced not so long ago on my last day of having Apple Care and the new one now has an issue with the Home button not always responding. I never had an issue with the Home Button not even on the last iPhone 4 I had. I am mad because I would have to pay and it has only been like 5 months since I got it. I feel it would be wrong to have to pay an issue like this especially on a replacement phone that I have had for a short time.

Jun 13, 2013 1:41 AM in response to mrdanang

I found two solutions to this problem.

The first is more conventional:

1. Open an official Apple App like the clock or compass

2. Hold the power button until u get the slide to turn off

3. Hold down the home button until the slide to turn off goes away

This worked (at least so far).

The other is that dust is the cause of the problem so a good way to suck the dust out is to use a vacuum cleaner in place you connect the charging lead.

Sounds a bit left field but seems to work.

iPhone 4 Home Button not working properly

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