iPhone 5s - Repeatedly beeps when charging, rebooted, now won't turn on

I notice this isn't a new topic, but I've never really seen a real solution or any follow up...hoping someone can share their experiences.


This happened to my brand new 5s. The charging tone went off every 5 seconds when plugged in...kept doing it so I tried that hard reboot (holding both buttons down), only it did not come back! The charging tone still went off when plugged in, though. Attached to the computer USB, iTunes does indicate it is charging. But no matter what, the phone will not turn back on.


I took it to the Apple store. They immediately try the two-button reset...fail. They plugged one of their own lightening cables in it, and witnessed the repeating charging tone, and it not booting up. Finally, they took it back behind closed doors asking me to come back in half an hour. I come back half an hour later asking for my phone. After talking to three "helpful" employees, a tech(?) walks out of the doors with my phone saying "There's nothing wrong with it". The tech says all she did was charge it and it came back. I asked if the charging tone went off every 5 seconds. She said "No". She kept repeatedly telling me the "battery was completely...completely dead" and just needed to sit in the charger for a while before it can power back on. I told her I had this plugged in for hours the day before to see if the repeating tone would go away...with two different OEM cables, and we tried this using one of your own store cables a while ago before it got to her (It was so obvious the employee was going to tell me "bad cable"). Anyway, the tech just kept throwing up her arms, smiling, nervously giggling... I just rolled my eyes back and warned her I'll be back asking for her and her manager if this happens again.


Anyway... I do not believe the Apple store was being honest with me. They had to have done something, but they are not revealing what it is. Does anyone know or have real information to this strange charging symptom followed by it never booting up? It'd be even better if there was a quick solution to it (opposed to making an appointment with the Apple store).

Posted on Dec 6, 2013 11:05 AM

Reply
21 replies

Jan 11, 2014 7:22 PM in response to eddiev9

I figured it out i had the same exact problem after changing my iphone lcd. I was awooried i would have to go to the apple store to get my phone fixed like you did to yours. But i figured out of you hold the sleep and home button at the same time for 5 seconds then let go of the home button and keep holding on to the sleep button the beeping stops and the apple logo should pop back up again. If this does not work try it again but instead of letting go of the home button this time try letting go of the sleep buttong this time

Dec 7, 2013 6:49 AM in response to eddiev9

My 5S just started doing this on Thursday: every fraction of a second or so it oscillates between connecting and disconnecting with the charger (USB or wall, doesn't matter). Since it's still under the limited warrantee, I took it to the local Mac dealer (I live in a small town w/out an Apple store) and they shipped it off. I'm waiting now for the replacement--telephonless, too!


What concerns me is that many people seem to be having this issue.


You were right to be suspicious of the Apple store employees. Once they replicated the behavior that you experienced, they should have immediatly offered to exchange your phone. Anything else, in my opinion, is unacceptable. As long as your phone is still doing it, I'd go back, ask for the manager and tell them to exchange your phone.

Dec 7, 2013 8:01 AM in response to eddiev9

something i personaaly seen in alot of lightning connectors (not just iphone 5s) is what apears to be a build up or dryer lint.

if you look very carefuuly into the bottom of your dock (white phone white dock/black phone black dock) you should be able to see the back of the dock clearly if you cannot it means there is something in there. using a very thin non conductive item (maybe a thin toothpick) be very careful to avoid the pins and gently scrape the lint or compacted dust from the connector and then plug yout phone back in (you should then notice the constant beeping disapear during your charging as the connector can now sit exactly in place.



hope ths helped 🙂

Dec 7, 2013 5:29 PM in response to Flerbid

I did replicate the problem in front of the ...salesman? (the ones who walk around the store asking if you've been helped), but it was the technician hidden behind closed doors is the one who walked out saying there was never any problem. The phone is okay for now, but I'm definitely demanding a replacement if this happens again.

Call it a hunch, but I think they did take the phone apart and replaced the battery or parts, and they do not want to report the new 5s as defective; not good for their reputation, and they probably don't want people to spread the word out that "If you have this issue, Apple will replace it immediately".

Jan 12, 2014 4:41 AM in response to NimishS95

NimishS95, believe me I had a lot of time to fiddle around with the phone (the night before my appointment at the Apple store), and I tried every which way multiple times to get the phone working again.

That day at the Apple store all I kept telling the employees was "yup, ...already tried that...and that...and that..." They found my comments humorous until they realized none of their tricks were working. This is why I'm having such a hard time accepting the "Oh, there was never a problem with it, sir. It was just a 'completely' dead battery issue" explanation after an hour wait. The phone's been working flawlessly ever since, by the way.

Anyway, that's still good advice... fiddle with your phone all you can in all 'button combinations', different lightening cables--both adapter and USB...do about every trick an Apple employee would do (except taking it apart).

Feb 11, 2014 11:13 AM in response to eddiev9

I bought a 5s of one of my delivery drivers the chap droped it in a pint in a nightclub he had insurance so they replaced it and let him keep the old one. But anyway i have some experience dissasembeling phones to repair screens so because it was waterdamaged the waranty is out the phone has the same symptoms as yours i think they replaced your screen and didnt tell you tbh

Mar 31, 2014 2:47 PM in response to themacgraddy

Thank goodness I've found this chat . I have 2 iPhone 5's Which both do since I did LCD repairs , I have repaired phones before and never had this problem , I have tried 2 cables, and both have the same effect , also , neither phone is recognised on iTunes when plugged in , but the phones still sound the charging alert every 5 seconds , strange strange stuff going on and I have no clue what to do about it , I would very much a troubleshooting method or any knowledge on this problem

May 20, 2014 11:07 PM in response to eddiev9

I'm so Glad to find this Chat!! I have an Iphone 5c that is doing exactly the same thing. I have tried every other way to hold the sleep and home buttons, use different charging cables, cleand up charching port, (first with a low power vaccum then using a light to see if there where any obstructions on the port but none where visible) and hook it up to the macbook pro..... but nothing!!! still black dead screen. when I hook it up to a power sourse a beep sound every 5 -6 seconds..

I'll make an appointment at the apple store and will get back with any help full feed back.

May 21, 2014 3:10 PM in response to aguila503

Exactly the same for me, I have an iPhone 5C and I've only had it for 6 months, I look after it with extreme care as I have to use it for my business networking (emails & soundcloud) but my screen has just gone black, not even the apple icon shows when I 'try' to reset and restore it, even in recovery mode absolutely nothing works. This is the second iPhone I've owned (previously had a 4s) and this is the second time its broke on me.. Might have to consider HTC next time

May 21, 2014 8:28 PM in response to eddiev9

Ok... so I made an appointment at the genius bar... they took the phone to the back to check it out.... after waiting for about 15 minutes the guy that helped me out said they can not figure out what is wrong with your phone... they replaced it with a new one.. no fuzz!! the only drag would have been if I had not backed it up.. luckily I had!

Yes, there's a problem with the Iphones... (actually the very firt time this has ever happened to us and ALL my family has Iphones) but apple stands by their products and offers very friendly help and if it need replacement.... they replace it, like I said no FUZZ!!


(I do still wonder what went wrong..??? mmmmm???)

Sep 23, 2014 10:52 AM in response to Laser212

I was pulling my hair out over this, especially considering I own several cell phone repair shops specializing in Apple. The way to fix the constant beeping or vibrating when your phone is on the charger, OPEN THE GLASS BY REMOVING THE TWO STAR BIT SCREWS ON THE BOTTON, SUCTION THE GLASS OFF AND UNPLUG THE BATTERY FOR 10 MINUTES, (LESS TIME MAY WORK, BUT I USED 10 MINUTES) if YOU DONT WANT TO DO ALL OF THIS JUS BRING IT TO NY CELL PHONE REPAIR SHOP AND TELL GTHEM TO UNPLUG THE BATTERY FOR 10M AND THEN PLUG IT BACK IN AND CHARGE THE PHONE ANYWHERE YOU WANT. HAPPY TRAILS...

Jan 27, 2016 2:49 PM in response to eddiev9

Hi, i have the same problem with my iphone 5s. If anyone knows the solution for this issue, please tell me/us.


The phone was working perfectly but i changed the hardcase. I had it all reassembled beside the display (it was also connected but not into his place). I turned it on, it was working well. I put the display into place but has it was not good on the top i had to remove it and plug it again. When i tryed to turn it on, it just wont work. was black and dead. I´ve tryed 100 times the home/sleep buton tricks. didnt work. When i plug the power cable into the computer or the wall it just keeps beeping every 5 secs. when i turn it into silence it keeps vibrating evey 5 secs.


I open it up again, all the plugs from all the cables were good conected.


This can only be related with the display, because when i try to remove it the second time, it sag a litle bit. before this, was working perfectly.


Theres a video on youtube with a guy with the same problem so you guys can better check the beeping sound https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l59ADnGrbhY




If any one knows how to fix this, please let me/us know.



Sory about my english.



Cheers from Portugal

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iPhone 5s - Repeatedly beeps when charging, rebooted, now won't turn on

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