Does my phone have a hardware failure? (error 28 in iTunes)

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Level 1

19 points

Does my phone have a hardware failure? (error 28 in iTunes)

In the past, my iPhone had a history of freezing up at the Apple logo or constantly searching for cellular service.

Three weeks ago, my iPhone was constantly searching for cellular service and thus caused the phone to be lagging and skipping while browsing. After connecting to iTunes by USB and doing a factory reset, that solution fixed the problem.

This weekend, when I turned on the phone, it was stuck on the Apple logo. I consulted the Genius Bar at the Apple store and they suggested me to do another factory reset, with me doing a backup to my computer and not iCloud. I did so, as well as transferring data piece by piece (apps first, then music, then pictures, etc.) I did this all yesterday.

Today, my phone fails to turn on at all. No Apple logo, nothing. I connect to iTunes by USB, iTunes goes to do a factory reset of the device, but an error 28 pops up and quits the restoration process.

Are all these signs of hardware failure on my phone? This seems to happen everytime I turn off the phone for the day and turn it on again the next day. Are iPhones not supposed to be powered off, but constantly on?

iPhone 4S, iOS 5.1.1

Posted on May 15, 2012 8:40 AM

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Answer 1

varjak paw

Level 10

170,200 points

May 15, 2012 8:43 AM in response to ShomikB

That does indicate a possible hardware problem, yes. Apple has some information on the error here:

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3694#error28

Regards.

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Answer 2

ShomikB Author

Level 1

19 points

May 15, 2012 8:49 AM in response to varjak paw

I looked at that link, and I did connect to iTunes with the supplied white cable and it didn't work.

I don't understand the second half of that paragraph. That looks computer/iTunes related, doesn't it? I have no iTunes problems on my computer. I even ran a virus scan on my computer just to see if there were any infected files when transferred to the phone was causing this problem, but the computer is clean.

The Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings on my iPhone when I last checked them were not greyed out. I was able to select a wireless network. I was able to connect to my wireless network on my iPhone.

And for the last link, iTunes does recognize the phone to be in "recovery mode". It was able to access it yesterday when it was working. Backup, syncing, and transferring apps and other files were all working yesterday.

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Answer 3

brad805

Level 5

7,397 points

May 15, 2012 9:19 AM in response to ShomikB

Error 28 is most often a hardware failure of the iPhone power manangement circuitry. Some users have fixed this with replacement of battery or charging dock. All iPhone 4S have Warranty Coverage, make appointment with Genius and take iPhone to Apple Store for resolution of this problem.

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Answer 4

ShomikB Author

Level 1

19 points

May 15, 2012 9:27 AM in response to brad805

What is the charging dock?

The Genius on Saturday told me that he checked the battery inside to see if it was causing problems but it wasn't.

Could it be I'm using a third-party USB-to-wall charger and not the supplied USB-to-wall charger? I have been using this third-party plug for 4 months with this phone before this problem and I have been using it for a previously owned 2nd gen iPod touch. It was charging fine and working.

Or maybe when it's done charging I turn the phone off before I take the plug off the wall. Maybe I'm not supposed to do that?

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Answer 5

brad805

Level 5

7,397 points

May 15, 2012 9:37 AM in response to ShomikB

Charging Dock, is 30 pin connector Port on iPhone.

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Answer 6

ShomikB Author

Level 1

19 points

May 15, 2012 9:43 AM in response to brad805

As I connect it to iTunes it recognizes the device and the phone powers up, but after the error 28 it shuts off again. So it could be the battery or the charging dock. Either way should I ask for a replacement?

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Answer 7

brad805

Level 5

7,397 points

May 15, 2012 11:19 AM in response to ShomikB

Your iPhone has hardware fault, most likely somewhere in the power management circuitry. Definitely take iPhone to Apple for Warranty Coverage.

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