My iPhone 4S screen is black, only siri works. What's with that? What can I do?

Question

My iPhone 4S screen is black, only siri works. What's with that? What can I do?

Hey,

I have an iphone 4S. Like a billion years ago the power button stopped working.
Havent had problems with it until now, where it suddenly went black while I was using it. Siri still works when I hold down the home button but listening to siri's voice is just not enough for me.

Apparently holding the power and home buttons at the same time for 30 seconds an unresponsive iphone back on, but I can't do that with my power button being broken.

What should I do? I really would like to avoid going to the apple store.

iPhone 4S, iOS 7.1, year old phone. still in its prime

Posted on Apr 15, 2014 10:07 PM

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Answer 1

Apr 15, 2014 10:09 PM in response to louisa.fioret

Hi louisa,

Well, since you cannot reset your device, it seems like you are going to have to take a trip to the Apple Store....

Sorry,

GB

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Answer 2

Apr 15, 2014 10:10 PM in response to gail from maine

Isn't there a way of resetting it without the power button? Or somehow fixing the power button?

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Answer 3

Apr 15, 2014 10:15 PM in response to louisa.fioret

Nope. You need to take it into the Apple Store.

Sorry,

GB

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Answer 4

stvhemi

Level 1

95 points

Apr 15, 2014 10:38 PM in response to louisa.fioret

I've had success getting home buttons to work again by using compressed air and blowing around the button loosening up the lint that was keeping it from working. I've never done it with the power button but its worth a try. lint has a way of getting behind the button and interfering with the switch. other than that you would have to replace the button. I actually have my phone open a the moment and the power switch replacement looks like an easy job to me. you can get these kinds of parts on ebay and ifixit.com. If you have a techie in the family they could fix it for you. Otherwise its off to the apple store for a replacement.

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Answer 5

Apr 15, 2014 11:06 PM in response to stvhemi

That's actually a really great idea, thank you stvhemi. I reckon I'll go give it a go. Or find some technical person to do my dirty work for me

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Answer 6

stvhemi

Level 1

95 points

Apr 15, 2014 11:17 PM in response to louisa.fioret

Yeah. this last summer I had they joy for fixing my nieces ipod. My brother told me the button wasn't working so I just asked her for it not telling her what I knew or was going to do. I took it out the garage and used my compressor and blew around the button a few time and it started working. She was so surprized and happy.

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Answer 7

Sep 28, 2015 4:03 PM in response to louisa.fioret

how did you end up fixing your Iphone 4s? my phone just turned black for no reason but siri still works

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Answer 8

Sep 28, 2015 4:11 PM in response to ThaoNhu10

Does your Home and Power button work? If they both do, then you don't have the same issue that the OP had.....

Reset your device: Hold down the Home and Power buttons at the same time and continue to hold them down until the Apple appears (up to 30 seconds). Once the Slide to Unlock screen displays, you should be all set.

GB

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Answer 9

Jan 2, 2017 9:56 PM in response to louisa.fioret

All I did was hold both the power and home buttons for 30 seconds or so and the apple appeared and it was good as new

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Answer 10

Jan 2, 2017 10:01 PM in response to Shaynegardiner

As has already been discussed. However, the OP (who you are responding to), did not have a functional Home button, so that is why I told her she would have to take it to the Apple Store.

GB

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