Is Your Phone's Home Button Not Working? Quick Fixes to Try

Sometimes your phone's home button may become unresponsive and stop working altogether, no matter how good you take of your device. This problem could stem from a normal software glitch to some serious hardware damage. But, when you encounter this issue, there's no need to your nearest tech shop and panic buy a new phone just yet. 

We’ve listed down some effective ways you can do to get your home button working normally again. 

 

 

  1. Reboot

The device’s home button might not work because the device’s software crashed. First, try to reboot your phone by holding the power button and home button together for at least 10 seconds.

 

  1. Connection cable replacement

The home button might not work because of damage to the connection cable. You can solve the problem by replacing the connection cable in one of our Happytel stores.

 

  1. Restore the device’s settings

If the home button continues not to work, follow the steps below:

Settings > General > Reset > Reset all settings

This is the process to initialising all settings of the device. This means that the settings information stored in the device will be reset to the initial settings. Data such as contacts, photos and apps will remain intact.

 

  1. Restore device

The next option is to restore your device to factory settings. There are 2 ways to restoring your device. If your device is still working, please follow the following steps:

Setting > General > Reset > Erase all content and settings. This is the process of restoring your device to factory settings. WARNING – this will erase everything on your phone. Only do this if you have just backed up your phone.

If you want to restore via iTunes, do the following steps:

Connect your device to iTunes.

Turn off your device.

Hold the power button and home button together until you see the iTunes icon.

Now, you can find an iPhone in recovery mode on your computer.

Click to restore (do not disconnect the iPhone before finishing the installation of new firmware)

 

  1. Damaged home button cable

If there is any damage to the home button cable, unfortunately, there is no way to fix the device’s touch ID (fingerprint) function

 

  1. Mainboard damage

Another possibility is mainboard damage.

 

Q: What is the mainboard?

A: The mainboard (motherboard) is the core part of the hardware and controls all functions of the phone. Every part of the phone with a function is connected to this mainboard.

 

Q: How can the mainboard gets damaged?

A: The mainboard can get damaged from shocks (drops), dropping into water or even from pressure. It can also be caused by charging with a poor quality charger/cable. Damage to the mainboard can arise even if there is no physical damage.

 

Q: What happens when the mainboard is damaged?

A: As the mainboard is the core part of the device, once it’s damaged, it can make functions play up. The functions affected depend on the location of the damage.

 

Q: How do I know if the home button is not working because of damage to the part (connection cable/home button) or mainboard?

A: There is no way to physically find out if the mainboard got damaged or not unless you test the device with a new part (button cable) and see if it is working or not. With this matter, we can help you through a quick inspection and can tell you if it will be solved by replacing the part or not.

 

Q: What should I do if it is a mainboard damage?

A: If it’s a mainboard issue, don’t worry. We can fix this issue at Happytel. Most button related problems arising from the mainboard can be repaired by micro soldering in our Happytel Head office. Our success rate for this procedure is 85%.

 

Get your phone repaired at your nearest Happytel store today!

Find your nearest Happytel store here or book a repair online here

More Blogs
Can an iPhone Camera Lens Be Fixed? Here’s What You Need to Know
Can an iPhone Camera Lens Be Fixed? Here’s What You Need to Know

Your iPhone’s camera is one of its most powerful features—whether you're snapping selfies, capturing special moments, or filming TikToks. But when that tiny lens gets cracked or scratched, it can cause major frustration. The good news? Yes, the iPhone camera lens can be fixed! 🔧✨ ❌ What Happens When Your iPhone Camera Lens Is Broken? If your iPhone rear camera lens is cracked or shattered, you might notice: 📷 Blurry or foggy images 🔆 Light flares or glare in photos 🎯 Trouble focusing 🪟 Dust or moisture entering the camera ⚠️ Camera app glitches or black spots Even a small...

Read more
Top AI Phones in Australia 2025: Why You Should Upgrade
Top AI Phones in Australia 2025: Why You Should Upgrade

In 2025, the smartphone game has officially changed. We’ve moved beyond just camera megapixels and screen resolution — the real revolution is happening with AI-powered smartphones. From smart voice assistants and real-time translation to enhanced photo editing and predictive productivity tools, AI mobile technology is redefining how Australians use their phones daily. Whether you're working remotely in Melbourne, a business owner in Brisbane, or a traveller flying out of Sydney Airport, it’s time to upgrade to an AI-ready phone. This guide explores the best AI smartphones in Australia, key benefits of upgrading, and the top mobile accessories that complete your...

Read more
Why is my iPhone not charging?
Why is my iPhone not charging?

Few things are more frustrating than plugging in your iPhone and realizing it’s not charging. Whether you're dealing with a dead iPhone battery 🔋, iPhone charging problems ⚡, or intermittent charging, this issue is surprisingly common—and usually fixable. Here are some of the most common reasons your iPhone won’t charge and what you can do about it. 1. Dirty or Damaged Charging Port 🧹 One of the most common causes of iPhone not charging is a dirty charging port. Over time, lint, dust, and debris can accumulate, preventing a proper connection between the charging cable and your phone. Use a...

Read more

To purchase EXG products, you must agree to the terms and conditions listed above.

An error occurred. Please wait a moment and try checking the checkbox again.