Web Analytics Made Easy -
StatCounter

iPhone SE Restarts Every 3 Minutes: Troubleshooting Guide in 2024

If your iPhone SE restarts every 3 minutes, then you don’t need to panic at all. It can happen due to 

  • Degraded battery which can be fixed by just replacing the battery
  • Common hardware issues that can be repaired through DIY work or professional help
  • A software glitch that needs a force restart to be fixed
  • Improper software update that needs to be updated through iTunes
  • Not enough storage on the phone which can be solved by freeing up some space

As a last resort, you can call the experts at Apple Store or Support. To get a detailed guide on how to solve the iPhone restart problem keep reading this article till the end.

Why Does iPhone SE Restart Every 3 Minutes?

Before we get into the details of why an iPhone SE restarts every 3 minutes and how you can fix it, check the table below for some of the common reasons and their solution. 

 

Reason Solution
Degraded Battery Replace the Battery
Hardware Issue Repair the Board Issues
Software Issue Force Restart the iPhone
Improper Software Update Update through iTunes/Finder, DFU Restore
Not Enough Storage Free Up Space

Software Issue:

Common software glitches can lead to the iPhone SE to restart every 3 minutes. Don’t worry though, it isn’t that big of an issue. To fix it, you just need to force restart the phone.

Solution: Force Restart iPhone SE

Following are the steps for force restarting the iPhone SE

Step 1: Press and quickly release the volume up button

Step 2: Press and quickly release the volume down button

Step 3: Press and hold the side button 

Step 4: As soon as the Apple side logo appears release the side button 

With a forced restart, most of the software-related problems will be gone. But if the restarting problem persists then it is a hardware issue. 

Degraded Battery:

If you find that your iPhone is not showing a percentage at the top of the screen then it indicates a battery problem. More specifically it implies that the battery data is not being properly read by the device. This is leading your device to restart every 3 minutes. 

Solution: Replace Battery

Before you try to replace the battery, make sure to diagnose and verify that your battery is defective.

Replace Battery

Source: WIRED

Following are the steps to diagnose the battery

  • Go to ‘Settings’
  • Next, click on ‘Privacy’ and then ‘Analytics and Improvements’
  • After that, click ‘Analytics Data’ and then scroll down until you reach files starting with ‘panic-full’

Once you get to the files, keep searching for the keywords where it says ‘Missing Sensor TG0B or TG0V”. If you find any keyword as such then your battery is defective. 

Now, you need to replace the battery. Following are the steps for replacing a battery in the iPhone SE

Step 1: Turn off the phone and remove the required screws

Step 2: Use tools like a suction cup or an opening pick to separate the display assembly carefully

Step 3: Disconnect the battery connectors 

Step 4: Remove parts like the Taptic Engine, and logic board so that you can access the battery

Step 5: Gently pull away the battery adhesive tab from the battery and then extract the old battery properly.

Step 6: Install the new battery in the battery compartment and reconnect the battery connector

Step 7: Reassemble all the parts

If you are looking for a video demonstration of this process then check this:

Once you have properly set the battery in your iPhone, make sure to follow the required steps to make the battery life in your iPhone longer

Hardware Issue:

Apart from the battery, problems in other components such as the sensor or power jack can also lead to the iPhone restarting every 3 minutes. 

If there is any defective or missing sensor in parts like the lightning connector flex cable then the iPhone kernel panics will be triggered. This can lead to the device restarting at regular intervals. 

Apart from this if the screen or power jack has not been replaced properly then there can be a faulty replacement part. This can mean that the iPhone SE will not be charged properly or the screen will not work properly. Either way, the result is that the iPhone will restart every 3 minutes. 

Solution: Repair the Board Issues

Once again, start by diagnosing the issue at first.

  • Test with a known good screen.
  • Diode Mode the LCD connector line: SPI_AP_TO_TOUCH_CS_CONN_L.
  • If OL, there’s a board issue.
  • If 0.366, apply pressure on the SIM Tray area to check for fluctuations. Fluctuations indicate a board issue.

You can also do the following 

  • Check the panic log to identify the cause of restarting.
  • If “Missing Sensors: mic1”, test with a known good charging port flex.
  • Use high-quality parts, ideally OEM Pull or Premium.
  • Diode Mode the Charging Port connector lines: I2C1_AP_SCL, I2C1_AP_SDA.
  • OL reading indicates a board issue.
  • 0.329 reading indicates no issue, but apply pressure on the SIM tray area to check for fluctuations.

Following are the steps for repairing

To fix board issues:

  • Run 3 long jumpers to bypass and reinforce connections.
  • Recommended to run all 3 jumpers regardless of symptoms. 
  • Jumper 1: SPI_AP_TO_TOUCH_CS_CONN_L –  Run from LCD connector at C5770 to a trace near SIM tray and U3600.
  • Use Boardview software to locate the trace. Once installed, UV mask the jumper wire. 
  • Jumper 2: I2C1_AP_SCL – Run from R6610 (next to CPU) to C6456 (next to charging port FPC). 
  • Jumper 3: I2C1_AP_SDA – Run from R6611 (next to CPU) to C6466 (next to charging port FPC).

After installing jumpers:

  • Verify Diode Mode readings are no longer OL or shorted (0.000).
  • Test with known good parts.
  • Check touch functionality and run the stopwatch to ensure the issue is resolved if it surpasses the 3-minute mark.

After fixing, make sure to get a proper power jack for your iPhone

Not Enough Storage:

When your iPhone SE’s storage is full, it can cause problems. This might make your phone restart unexpectedly and slow down its performance.

Solution: Free up Storage

If the storage has been full for a while then free it up. It is always a good idea to keep some space in your device’s storage. This can allow your iPhone to regularly update itself and avoid problems such as restarting every 3 minutes. 

Overheating:

When the device gets too hot, the iPhone can restart itself as a default mechanism. To avoid this issue from happening do not expose your phone to direct sunlight. Apart from that, do not keep it in your pocket for a long time. Keep it at room temperature. 

Improper Software Update:

If the software update is not complete or if it fails abruptly then the iPhone SE will restart every 3 minutes.

Improper Software Update

Source: Forbes

Solution 1: Update through iTunes/Finder

You have to update the software properly on your iPhone. But you can also do it using your computer. 

If you’ve got a computer, you can try updating your iPhone using iTunes (for Windows or macOS Mojave and earlier) or Finder (for macOS Catalina and newer). Sometimes, this can help skip over any problems that are stopping the update from happening directly on the device.

Solution 2: DFU Restore

If you’ve tried everything else and nothing’s working, there’s one more thing you can do. It’s called putting your iPhone into DFU (Device Firmware Update) mode and restoring it. This gives your iPhone a fresh start by erasing everything and installing the newest iOS version. 

But here’s the catch: it wipes out all your data, so only do it if you’ve recently backed up your iPhone.

However, before you try to put your iPhone into DFU, you can call Apple Support or visit any of the nearby Apple Stores. They should be able to help you with any of the issues and properly diagnose to find out what can be the solution. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Why Does My iPhone Keep Turning Off Every 3 Minutes?

Your iPhone may turn off every 3 minutes due to several reasons such as a system glitch, software malfunction, battery damage, or even water in the phone. You need to properly diagnose and find the root of the problem and then fix the issue. 

Why is My Phone Getting Stuck and Restarting?

Your phone is getting stuck and restarting because the operating system is not compatible with your handset. It can also happen if there is not enough storage space in your phone. To fix this, you can update the software or free up some space. However, if this doesn’t work, watch out for any virus in the system. 

Can a Reboot Loop be Fixed?

Yes, a reboot loop can be fixed. To fix a reboot loop you need to understand the problem at first. One effective technique to fix the reboot loop in iPhone is to use an iOS system repair tool like TunesKit iOS System Recovery. This can help to solve the problem without any data loss. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, the iPhone SE restarts every 3 minutes for both software and hardware issues. The best part is that in most cases, you can easily fix the problems on your own. It is a simple matter of just resetting or replacing a few components. However, if you are not sure of the process then it is always a good idea to consult experts to stop restarting every 3 minutes.

Add Comment