Q: iPhone 4 Home Button not working properly
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Aug 28, 2011 10:28 AMby Kevinwdw,Yesterday, the home button stopped working again. I decided to check with my Apple store to see if they had additional information, they concluded that it is a hardware issue and if I need a replacement it will be $199. Not too happy at this moment. Knowing the new phone is due to come out, I will survive it till the next release. Also note, never pay your electronics with your ATM card unless they offer extended warranty. Should have used my Amex so I would have another year of warranty. Read your card's agreements, you'll never know what you are covered under your credit card/debit card.
So back on the Apple boards, I ventured into the iPad area to see if they had the same issue as both products have a home button. Yes, there is an issue with the home button with the iPad . One post by Tommy London suggested to take Safari app out of the dock (the four apps that are stationary on the bottom of the screen). OMG my home button works after that and so far no issues to report.
THANK YOU.
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Aug 28, 2011 12:57 PMby RobbJobRN,I've been having the same problem for the last few weeks...finally restored to factory settings today and the button started working perfectly again...once I synced all my apps, music and new OS, the problem is back. Def a software issue...going to start eliminating apps to see if one of those are the problem.
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Aug 29, 2011 1:47 AMby imat1977,I had the same problem. Tried out the solution of removing Safari from the dock and it seems to work fine now. Really really strange. I also noticed that the button issue tends to happen more often when you have lots of "open" apps. Close some of them and it gets better. Strongly hope iOS 5 resolves the issue and even allows to activate the home screen without pressing a button.
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Aug 30, 2011 5:46 AMby Marcelleke,exact same problem
my source of the problem could be diffrent:
I updated my iphone to 4.3 at same period I dropped my phone on the ground and broke my backpaenel
I bought a replacement part for the back panel in china.
but now sthill experiencing that home button issue.
I'm going to reopen my phone this evening and blow out the dust particals and see if it makes any diffrence.
I got a lot people i know that are experiencing the same issue as me, even with brand new (not damaged) iphones even the new white one
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Sep 1, 2011 5:18 AMby guyfrommontreal,same issue happening on mine and its been like this for the last few months.
I just tried moving safari and it seems like it responded better. I also tried pressing different areas of the button and that also seemed to work.
I'm sure that in the user guide it says nothing about pressing different areas of the button for it to work properly after almost 1 year of use!
The button should just work...
Can we get a fix for this, my warranty is about to expire!
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Sep 1, 2011 8:52 AMby friartat,In my case, the home button starts working again when I plug it to iTunes so I am quite sure it is a software problem. If it is any consolation to everyone, I had the problem on and off for a few weeks but it appears to have gone away and I just upgraded to 4.3.5 over the weekend as well.
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Sep 1, 2011 9:43 PMby iMac39,After reading all the posts in this thread, I am almost convinced this is a hardware problem, caused by corrosion on the contacts of the home switch. This is very common, and happens to nearly all electrical contact switches over time. Cleaning the contacts removes the conductive coating, and will only make the problem come back later.If you open the unit, do not use any abrasive tools to clean the contacts - instead use an industrial contact cleaner spray or liquid. (in fact, you might even try spraying some in through the charging port, without opening the unit up)
The fact that blowing the charging port seems to fix the problem, albeit temporarily, indicates that the moisture in your breath is temporarily breaking down the corrosion. Pluging in the phone also seems to temporarily fix the problem, probably because you are disrupting the corrosion (same effect as slapping the back of the phone) - but eventually, the problem will return. The fact that plugging it into iTunes seems to fix it is a false positive - I would suspect that plugging it into any power source to charge it will most probably have the same effect - or just plugging and unplugging the power cord several times.
It would be interesting to see what parts of the country users are experiencing this problem.. I would suspect if you are living in a hot dry climate, it is more unlikely than if you are in a humid climate or live near the sea where there is a lot of salt content in the moist air.
Personally, I always wondered why Apple never provided a 'cover plug' to close off the power port when not in use. Over time, this is just going to collect crud from your pocket or purse. Closing the port when not charging or connected to iTunes seems like a logical preventitive step.. Even cheap flip phones have plugs closing off the open ports.
