Why Is iPhone/iPad Recovery Mode Not Working [Fixed]

Imagine you’re trying to update or fix a problem with your iPhone or iPad, and you use Recovery Mode. But suddenly, it gets stuck in that mode and nothing you do seems to help. It is frustrating when your iPhone or iPad gets stuck in Recovery Mode. There are several reasons why this happens and there are fixes you can try yourself.

In this guide, we’ll explain why is your iPhone or iPad recovery mode not working and provide simple steps to help get your device out of Recovery Mode. Let’s get started and bring your device back to life!

Why iPhone/iPad Recovery Mode Not Working

We often use Recovery Mode on iPhone or iPad to fix problems or update the software. But sometimes the Recovery Mode gets stuck. There may be different reasons for this problem.

Finding the main reason behind the problem is the first step towards getting your iPhone working again. Let’s discover the reasons behind iPad or iPhone recovery mode not working.

Software Issues:

• Sometimes, a random glitch in the software can make Recovery Mode freeze.
• If you use iTunes to put your device in Recovery Mode, problems with iTunes (like being outdated) can cause trouble.
• There might be connection issues. A bad cable or computer port can stop your device from talking to iTunes properly.

Hardware Issues:

• If you dropped your iPhone or iPad, the screen or its connections might be broken. This can mess up Recovery Mode.
• Water inside your device can damage important parts and make things not work right.

Software issues can be addressed easily and some fixes can help you out. But in case of hardware issues, you might need some professional help. Now, Let’s explore the available solutions if the iPhone/iPad recovery mode not working.

5 Fixes to iPhone/iPad Recovery Mode Not Working

Seeing your iPhone stuck in Recovery Mode can be concerning, but don’t worry! Some methods can help you in this situation. We will explain all those methods to you. Let’s start with the simplest one

Fix 1. Force Restart iPhone/iPad

Sometimes, a small bug in your iPhone’s software can make it get stuck. A force restart can fix this by refreshing your device’s memory. The method to force restart an iPhone is a little different for different models of iPhone. Here’s how to do it for various models of iPhones.

iPhone 8 and later models:

Follow these steps to force restart iPhone 8 and later models.

Step 1. Press and release the Volume Up button quickly.

Step 2. Press and release the Volume Down button quickly.

Step 3. Press and hold the Side/Sleep/Wake(Top button for iPad) button for about 10 seconds. Don’t stop holding, even if you see the Apple logo.

Step 4. Release the button when your iPhone restarts and shows the Apple logo again.

iPhone 7 and 7 Plus:

Follow these steps to force restart iPhone7.

Step 1. Press and hold the Side/Sleep/Wake button simultaneously with the Volume Down button.

Step 2. Press and hold both buttons at the same time. Keep holding them for about 10 seconds. Don’t let go even if you see the Apple logo!

Step 3. Release the button after your iPhone restarts and shows the Apple logo again.

iPhone 6 (or earlier):

The steps to force restart iPhone 6 or earlier versions are given below.

Step 1. Press and hold the Sleep/Wake(Top button for iPad) and Home buttons simultaneously.

Step 2. Keep holding both buttons. Wait until you see the Apple logo appear again. This means your iPhone is restarting.

If force restarting the phone did not work, don’t worry. We have some more solutions that may work for your device.

Fix 2. Check Apple Mobile Device USB Driver

Sometimes the iPhone/iPad recovery mode not working problem is not there due to an issue with your iPhone or iPad. The connection to your computer might be faulty. Your computer needs a special “driver” to communicate with your device. This driver might be damaged or outdated. If it’s not present there at all, don’t worry, you can easily reinstall it. Let’s check for the Apple mobile device USB driver.

Follow the following steps to check the driver in the Windows.

For Windows Computers:

Step 1. Search for Device Manager in the Start menu.

Step 2. Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers and find Apple Mobile Device USB Driver.

Step 3. If the driver has a yellow exclamation mark, it means there’s an issue. No driver at all means you’ll need to reinstall it.

Step 4. Right-click the driver and click Update Driver. If it’s missing, find the driver on Apple’s website.

Follow the following instructions if you use a Mac device.

Mac Computers:

Mac devices usually handle the drivers automatically. If it seems to be a communication issue, there are some solutions you can try:

1. Unplug your device, then plug it back in.
2. Try a different cable or USB port on your computer.
3. If this doesn’t fix the Recovery Mode issue, don’t worry! Move on to the next solution.

Fix 3. Update iTunes

If you’re using iTunes to put your iPhone or iPad into Recovery Mode, an old version of iTunes can sometimes cause problems. Let’s make sure you have the latest version:

Step 1. Open the Microsoft Store app and search for iTunes.

Step 2. If iTunes has an update available, it will show Update button. Click Update.

If updating iTunes doesn’t resolve the issue, we have another proven method that works most of the time. Let’s explore the best iTunes alternative.

Fix 4. Try iTunes Best Alternative without Data Loss

If the other fixes don’t help with the iPad/iPhone recovery mode not working, it’s time for a powerful tool: AnyFix – iOS System Recovery. It’s designed to fix tricky iOS problems. This software is a proven alternative to iTunes to make your device enter/exit recovery mode. Using this tool, you can easily resolve Recovery Mode issues, without losing important data. Let’s review what makes AnyFix special.

• Easy to Use – AnyFix offers clear instructions and step-by-step guidance. This makes it easy to use for everyone to fix issues in clicks.
• Fixes Lots of Problems – It can resolve a wide range of iOS issues, like stuck on recovery mode, stuck on Apple logo, blue screen, white screen ,boot loop, and more.
• Ensures Data Safety – AnyFix makes sure to protect your important photos, messages, etc. during the repair process. No data loss at all.

Let’s learn how to use AnyFix to fix iPhone/iPad recovery mode not working.

Step 1. Download and install AnyFix to your computer. Click on the Enter/Exit Recovery Mode option. Plug your iPhone or iPad into your computer using its lightning-USB cable.

Step 2. Then click the Enter button to put your iPhone/iPad into Recovery mode. It takes a while to enter the recovery mode.

Step 3. Once your device enters Recovery Mode, you will see this screen. Make sure that your iPhone or iPad screen shows the Recovery Mode symbol. Here, click the Exit button to exit recovery mode.

This method has a high chance of fixing the issue. If it doesn’t, you may need to use DFU Mode. Let’s learn more about it.

Fix 5. Use DFU Mode

DFU (Device Firmware Update) mode is the deepest type of restore you can do on an iPhone or iPad. It completely wipes and reinstalls every bit of code on your device. It’s a last resort when other fixes haven’t worked.

The steps for DFU mode are complex and differ for each iPhone or iPad model. DFU mode can be tricky so try to research thoroughly before using this. If you plan to use DFU mode:

• Search for “DFU mode” and your device model on the official Apple support website.
• Follow instructions very carefully to avoid damaging your device.

Note: DFU mode erases all data on your device. Be sure you have a backup or are prepared to lose your data before proceeding.

If DFU mode does not fix your iPhone, the problem is with your hardware. You may need to contact professional help.

The Bottom Line

Getting stuck in Recovery Mode can be frustrating. This article explained all the possible solutions to fix an iPhone or iPad stuck in Recovery Mode. We covered simple fixes and tools like AnyFix. AnyFix is a great way to solve iOS Recovery Mode problems. Trying these fixes yourself can save you time and effort. If your device is stuck in Recovery Mode, don’t worry! This knowledge gives you a great starting point to get it working again.