Fix a Pixel phone that won't charge or turn on

Use the steps on this page to fix the following problems on your phone:

  • Won't turn on
  • Has a black or blank screen
  • Turns on but immediately turns off

Hold the power button

First, try holding down your phone's power button for 5-7 seconds. Learn more about turning on your Pixel.

Troubleshoot your cable, charger, outlet & case

Important: Use the charger and cable that came with your phone.

  1. Check that your cable and charger are working.
    1. Try them with another device.
    2. Check that the cable is securely connected to the charger and to your phone.
    3. Check that there's nothing in the port of your phone, like dust or lint.
  2. Check that your outlet is working.
    1. Plug the charger into a wall outlet.
    2. Plug in something else, like a lamp.
  3. Check that no accessories, like cases or battery packs, cover the sensors on your phone or press its buttons.

Troubleshoot your battery charge

Plug in your phone with a working cable, charger, and outlet, then wait one minute.

  • If you see a battery icon, your phone is powered off and is charging. You can restart right away.
  • On Pixel 2 and Pixel (2016), if you see a red light, your battery is fully discharged. If the red light is flashing, there isn't enough power to turn on. Charge your phone for at least 30 minutes before restarting.

Troubleshoot your screen

Important: If you don't see a battery icon or red light after you plug in your phone, the issue could be with your screen.

  1. Press the power button for about 30 seconds.
  2. Wait about 2 minutes.
  3. Make your phone ring. You can call it from another phone or use Find My Device. Learn how.
  4. If your phone rings, learn how to troubleshoot your screen. If it doesn't, go to the advanced steps (below).

Troubleshoot with advanced steps

Option 1: Troubleshoot by connecting to a computer

  1. Unplug the cable from the power charger.
  2. Check that your computer is on and connected to a power source.
  3. Connect your phone to your computer's USB port with the cable that came with your phone.
  4. Wait 10–15 minutes.
  5. Disconnect and reconnect the cable from your phone within 10 seconds.
  6. Within 1 minute:
    • If you see a battery icon, your phone is powered off and is charging.
    • If you see a red light, your battery is fully discharged. If the red light is flashing, there isn't enough power to turn on.
  7. Charge your phone for at least 30 minutes.
  8. Press and hold the power button until your phone restarts. You might need to tap Restart .

Option 2: Troubleshoot using your phone's buttons

With your phone plugged in, press and hold both the volume-down button and the power button at the same time for at least 20 seconds.

If you see a red light, your battery is fully discharged.

  1. Charge your phone for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Press and hold the power button for a few seconds.
  3. On your screen, tap Restart .

If you see an Android robot and the word "Start" with an arrow around it:

  1. Press the volume-down button until you see the option to "Power off." Press the power button to pick "Power off."
  2. Charge your phone for at least 30 minutes.
  3. Press and hold the power button for a few seconds.
  4. On your screen, tap Restart , or press and hold the power button for about 30 seconds, until your phone restarts.

Still have issues with your Pixel phone?

For possible solutions to other issues with your phone's reset, you can post questions on our forums to the Pixel community.

Related resources

  • Charge your phone
  • Turn on your phone
  • Fix a phone that freezes or is unresponsive
  • Fix a screen that isn't working

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