Problem Solved: iPhone 7 Troubleshooting for the Most Common Issues

Did you know that during the first quarter of 2017 alone, Apple sold 21.5 million iPhone 7 units? During the same period, the company also saw a staggering 17.4 million iPhone 7 Plus sales. All that makes both models the world’s two best-selling phones during that time.

Now that four years have gone by from its date of release, many iPhone users have already switched to a new model. If you’ve held on to your iPhone 7, though, you’ve likely already faced several issues with it.

You should try a few iPhone 7 troubleshooting steps before you upgrade, though. You may still get a few more years of use from your current device, so long as you catch and fix the issue early.

To that end, we’ve rounded up some of the most common issues with the iPhone 7, as well as potential fixes. Read on to learn what to do in case you encounter such problems.

Overheating

The issue of overheating has plagued users of the iPhone 7 since the time Apple released the device. Some say their phones heat up when taking photos, playing music, or downloading stuff. Others state that their device gets excessively hot while charging.

Now, keep in mind that it’s normal for devices (regardless of brand or model) to warm up as they carry out tasks. This is especially evident during times wherein they perform labor-intensive activities. For instance, you may notice your iPhone 7 heating up when you sync it with iTunes, play games, or take long videos.

However, your phone should cool down as soon as it finishes these tasks. If it doesn’t, it’s likely that you have heavy programs still running in the background.

How to Troubleshoot iPhone 7 That Overheats

First, double click on the Home button of your phone to launch the multitasking tray or app switcher. This should launch all the apps that are currently operating in the background. You can swipe all the way to the left to see just how many of these apps (and which ones) are running.

If there are many apps on the tray, they’re likely the culprit behind your overheating phone. Force quit them by swiping up on each one that you want to close. You can also close three apps all at the same time by using three fingers (one for each).

Phone Doesn’t Turn On

If your iPhone 7 won’t turn on, it may be due to overheating or a completely discharged battery. It may also result from exposure to extreme cold, which can cause the device to shut down in the first place. A hardware problem with the battery itself may also be the culprit.

Troubleshooting an iPhone 7 That Won’t Turn On

First, try pressing and holding down the power button for at least 3 seconds. If your phone is still alive, it should respond by showing the Apple icon.

If the power button doesn’t do anything, plug it up (be sure to use a genuine, working charger). Wait for about a minute or two to see if the Apple icon appears. If it still doesn’t react in any way, it’s likely time to get your phone repaired or upgraded.

Poor Battery Life

Apple estimated that the battery of the iPhone 7 would last two hours longer than the iPhone 6s. The company also said that the iPhone 7 Plus should last at least an hour more than the 6s Plus.

Of course, the age of your phone and the way you use it will affect its actual battery life. If you play games, stream, or take videos for hours on end, all these would cause your battery to drain rapidly.

What if you’re not using your phone that much and its battery still drains quickly? In this case, it’s time for some iPhone 7 troubleshooting, as you may have rogue apps killing its battery.

Troubleshooting Steps for Poor iPhone 7 Battery Life

First, perform all the steps listed above for overheating. Monitor your phone battery after force quitting all CPU-intensive background apps.

If your battery still drains fast, you may have missed an integral OS update. Head over to your phone’s settings to ensure that it’s now on iOS 14.0, which Apple released on September 16, 2020. It’s a significant security update, but it may also help you resolve your battery drain woes.

You should also check your phone for any specific app that guzzles a lot of power. Go to Settings then open “Battery,” under which you’ll find a list of apps based on battery usage rate. You may want to update, install, or replace any program that’s eating too much batt energy.

Grayed-Out Speaker Icon During Calls

You may have noticed that your iPhone 7 has a grayed-out speaker icon whenever you make phone calls. However, your speaker may still work fine when you play music, videos, or games. In this case, it may be due to glitches or issues with Bluetooth devices paired with your phone.

Troubleshooting iPhone 7 On-Call Speaker Issues

First, disable the Bluetooth functionality on your iPhone 7. The easiest way to do this is to swipe from the bottom of the device and then to tap the Bluetooth icon.

After this, try placing a phone call to anyone to see if the speaker icon is no longer grayed-out. If it still is, restart your phone and ensure that you also have the latest iOS.

You may also want to unpair all Bluetooth devices currently paired with your phone. If the on-call speaker icon works after this, the issue was likely due to a glitch with Bluetooth drivers.

You may be able to know which of your peripherals are faulty by re-pairing them with your phone one by one. After each pairing, try making a call. If the speaker icon grayed-out again, the last device you paired with your phone is likely the culprit.

Follow These iPhone 7 Troubleshooting Steps Now

There you have it, some of the most vital iPhone 7 troubleshooting tactics that may help you fix your device. Most of these, such as force quitting apps, reboots, and OS updates, can take care of many other minor issues. However, if none of them work, then it may be time to get your iPhone 7 or 7 Plus serviced (or replaced).

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