6 Ways to Fix iPhone Frozen/Stuck on Lock Screen 2024

Clare Phang
Last updated: Nov 28, 2024

This post is about possible reasons and practical fixes for iPhone frozen/stuck on the lock screen. Read on for more details.

"Has anyone had any troubles with only their Lock Screen freezing? I am using my phone normally except for the Lock Screen which is stuck/frozen. I can’t clear notifications or read the clock clearly because the lock icon is stuck on top of the clock. The time is changing but I can’t use anything on the Lock Screen. I was able to get back into my phone using the utilities control screen."

- A Question from Apple Community.

Many users have encountered iPhones frozen/stuck on the lock screen. Both swipe up to unlock or press the Side button to fail to work.

Don't worry! In this post, you'll learn some useful skills to get out of the frozen lock screen.

6 Ways to Fix iPhone Frozen/Stuck on Lock Screen 2024

Why Is My iPhone Stuck on the Lock Screen?

Various reasons may cause the iPhone stuck on the lock screen. Here is a list of the most common ones:

  • Software bugs.
  • iPhone storage full.
  • Application errors.
  • iOS issues.
  • Touch screen issues.

How to Fix iPhone Frozen or Stuck on Lock Screen in 6 Ways

After checking the list of possible reasons of the iPhone is stuck on the lock screen, let's go directly to its fast fixes.

In total, you'll find 6 solutions to this tackle problem. Keep reading for detailed steps of each method.

1. Get a Phone Call

If you ever find your iPhone is stuck on the lock screen, ask someone to make a phone call. The phone call may bring you out of the frozen lock screen.

2. Restart/Force Restart iPhone

After the call fails, give your iPhone a restart. Restarting your iPhone can solve most of the occasional problems.

In the case that restart doesn't work, force restart your iPhone.

Here is how to force restart your iPhone for different models:

  • For iPhone 8 or Later:

Press and quickly release the Volume Up button>press and quickly release the Volume Down button>press and hold the Side button>release it when you see the Apple Logo screen.

  • For iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus:

Press the Volume Down and Power buttons at the same time>release them until you see the Apple Logo screen appear.

  • For iPhone 6 or Earlier:

Press the Home button and Power button at the same time>release them when you see the Apple logo screen on your iPhone.

Don't want to have a restart? Try to press and release the Side button repeatedly first.

3. Try A Third-Party iPhone Repair Tool

The easiest and most convenient way to fix the iPhone frozen on the lock screen is to turn to a professional iPhone repair tool.

BuhoRepair is one of the most powerful iPhone repair tools. With it, you can easily fix iOS system issues, like iPhone stuck on the restore screen, iPhone stuck on the Apple Logo, iPhone stuck on the lock screen, etc.

DownloadRuns on Windows & Mac
Security Verified & 100% Safe

Here is how to use BuhoRepair to fix the iPhone frozen on the lock screen:

  1. Free download, install, and launch BuhoRepair.
  2. Click Rrepair Now>Select Standard RepairRepair Now.
    Fix iPhone Frozen on Lock Screen BuhoRepair
  3. Connect your iPhone with your computer via a USB cable.
  4. Click Download. Once finished, click Repair Now.
  5. Set your iPhone as a new one.

4. Restore iPhone with iTunes/Finder

Restoring your iPhone with iTunes/Finder is an effective way to fix the iPhone stuck on the locked screen.

Note
It's worth noting that it will erase all your iPhone data. You'd better back up your iPhone before you restore it.

In the case that you have synced and trusted your iPhone with your computer before, there is no need to enter the recovery mode. All you need to do is connect your iPhone to your computer via a USB cable, open iTunes/Finder, and then click Restore.

In the case that you have never synced and trusted your iPhone with your computer before, you have to enter recovery mode to connect to iTunes.

Here is how to use iTunes/Finder to restore your iPhone in recovery mode:

  1. Open iTunes/Finder.
  2. Connect your iPhone to your computer via a USB cable.
  3. Put your iPhone into recovery mode:
  • For iPhone 8 or later, including iPhone SE ( 2nd generation):

Quickly press and release the Volume Up button>press and release the Volume Down button>press and hold the Side button until the recovery mode screen appears.

Put iPhone 8 in Recovery Mode
  • For iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus:

Press and hold the Top (or Side) and Volume Down buttons simultaneously until the recovery mode screen appears.

Put iPhone 7/7 Plus in Recovery Mode
  • For iPhone 6s or earlier, including iPhone SE (1st generation):

Press and hold both the Home and the Top (or Side) buttons simultaneously until the recovery mode screen appears.

Put iPhone 6s and Earlier in Recovery Mode
  1. Click Restore.
  2. Set up your iPhone.

5. Clear Storage on iPhone

If the lock screen gets stuck frequently, you may consider clearing your iPhone storage.

Not enough space on the iPhone may slow the running speed of your iPhone. Even worse, it may make your iPhone frozen.

6. Contact Apple Support

The last try you could make is to ask Apple Support for help. Besides the software issues, there may be hardware issues with your iPhone.

Besides the above 6 methods, some other effective methods are worth a try. For example, charge your iPhone, use Siri, try the external keyboard, etc.

How to Prevent iPhone from Being Stuck on the Lock Screen Again

If you want to prevent your iPhone from getting stuck on the lock screen again, always remember the following tips.

  • Keep enough iPhone storage space.
  • Keep running the updated iOS version.
  • Find and remove unsafe third-party tools.
  • Turn unnecessary notification access off.
  • Limit the number of lock screen accesses.
  • Don't jailbreak unless it's necessary.

Conclusion

In this post, the reasons, fixes, and preventions of iPhone frozen on the lock screen are introduced in detail.

Follow the fixes to bring your iPhone back to normal!

Clare Phang has been captivated by the world of Apple products since the launch of the iconic iPhone in 2007. With a wealth of experience, Clare is your go-to source for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and all things Apple.