Troubleshooting Problems After a Repair

We’ve all been there—the repair should be done, but it’s not. Something is wrong. This is the perfect time to panic. But first, take a deep breath, and let’s double-check a few things.

Many problems magically resolve themselves when you retrace your steps. It’s right up there with “Have you tried turning it off and on again?”—seemingly too simple to work, but it often does. Try this before moving on to more complex troubleshooting.

For starters, double check your device’s name and model number carefully, and make sure you received a compatible replacement part. For instance, an iPhone 6 is not the same as an iPhone 6s or 6 Plus, and the parts are not compatible. Inspect your replacement part to make sure it matches the old part that you removed.

Next, follow the repair guide a second time, reading and verifying each step carefully. (Remember to turn off the power and disconnect the battery.) As you work:

• Read the comments on each step for clues about what might have gone wrong.
• Physically reseat each connector, disconnecting and reconnecting it to make sure it’s snug. Pay particular attention to any connection that seems like it could be related to your problem. For example, if the problem is a blank or glitchy screen, reseat the display connector.
• Check each connector socket carefully for dust, bent pins, or other problems. If a socket or connector looks dirty, flush it out with some compressed air. If needed, clean it carefully with isopropyl alcohol (90% or greater) and allow it to air dry.
• Check for accidental damage—inspect cables and components carefully, and make sure nothing looks pinched or torn. Note any exposed copper or bare wires.
• Check for anything else that looks amiss. Are there any missing or mis-aligned components? Did you have any parts left over? Did you skip any steps, or overlook a warning? Did you pry at your device with a screwdriver or any other conductive metal tools?

If everything looks good, reassemble your device, reconnect the battery, and test to see if your issue is resolved.

If your device was working better even with its old cracked screen or dying battery—or whatever component it was that you just replaced—try reconnecting the old part, and see if that resolves your issue. (Don’t forget to disconnect the battery while you work.) If your issue clears up, and you’re certain you received the correct part for your specific model, it could mean your replacement part had a problem.

If you bought your part from iFixit, contact customer support so we can verify the problem and exchange any defective parts for you as quickly as possible. If you bought your part elsewhere, you’ll need to sort that out with your vendor. (But if you’d like to support our mission to provide free repair guides for everything, consider buying your next part or tool from iFixit.)

Sadly, if your problem persists even with the old part installed, and it’s a problem you didn’t have before embarking on your repair, it’s likely something was damaged during the procedure. Maybe a cable got pulled too hard, or a wayward stab of your pry tool damaged something on the board. iFixit’s warranty doesn’t cover accidental damage, but we’ve created some great resources to help you identify the problem and figure out what to do next. Don’t give up!

Inspect everything carefully for damage, and photograph whatever you find. Damaged cables can usually be fixed by replacing the attached part. Repairing board damage usually requires microsoldering help from a professional, but it’s very fixable.

Whatever problem you’re having, you’re probably not alone. Visit our Answers forum and type your issue into the search box (for example, “iPhone 7 won’t turn on”). Then, see what solutions have been suggested by our community for other folks in your situation. If your initial search doesn’t prove very helpful, rephrase your search and try again.

If you’re still stumped, try posting a new question in our Answers forum and explain the situation as best you can. Be sure to include your device’s exact name and/or model number. List everything you’ve tried so far, and post pictures of any damage you’ve found. Our community of experts can offer suggestions for what to do next, or help direct you to a repair professional if you’re in over your head. Good luck!

• Tips for First Time iPhone Fixers
• Recognizing and Disconnecting Cable Connectors
• Screwdriver Best Practices
• How to Remove a Stripped Screw
• Repair Guides
• Troubleshooting Pages
• Answers Community
• iFixit Support