My iPhone 5c screen orientation is stuck on portrait. It does not rotate automatically anymore

I researched my orientation problem for 2 days for my iphone 5. I downloaded an app in the appstore called sensor kinetics which shows current readings for all the sensors. I could see that my accelerometer Z axis was fixed at 97+ value reading, even when the phone was laid down flat on a level table, but the X and Y axis data was fine and fluctuating when the phone is moved. (The ideal reading when laid flat is about 9 for the accelerometer z axis).

I though that the sensor was broken. The calibration approach via the compass did not really fix it for me. Well, out of frustration, having this app open i started slapping the iphone 5 several times against my palm and lo and behold it corrected itself and Z axis value dropped. The reading is still not 9, but something like 12 for Z axis when phone is laid flat, but the most important thing being the auto rotation works for apps. Hope this helps someone, so clearly a matter of playing around till it auto corrects. So the age old banging on electronics approach still works. :-)

Hello Vfromut,

Thank you for the question. Have you checked to see if the Rotation Lock button was enabled? The Rotation Lock button is now located in the Control Center on your iPhone. If you swipe up from the bottom of the screen, you will see the option to lock or unlock the orientation:

• Swipe up along the bottom of the screen to display Control Center (you can do this from any screen, including the Lock screen).
• Tap the Screen Rotation Lock button.
  
• If the button was highlighted, the button will appear dimmed after tapping it.
  

I recommend reviewing the full article if the issue persists:

iOS: Screen does not rotate

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3805

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.

Best,

Sheila M.

I just started having the exact same issue 2 days ago except mine gets stuck in landscape mode which makes it very hard to use the message app. My camera is also stuck.

I do not have the screen lock turned on.

If I completely turn the phone off and turn it back on it works for a little while.

Liz

I had the same issue, the screen orientation was locked in landscape.

I slapped it on my palm 2 times and now it's not doing it anymore, Thanks man!

I had the same issue on my iPhone 6+ and after restarting and resetting I was getting frustrated. Then I saw this post slapping it worked a treat! Thanks guys!!!

I had the same problem ,hitting it on the palm fixed it thanks a ton man