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10 Tech How-To

Turn On Samsung Galaxy J7 Without Power Button

Guide 10-16580 · Updated · Step by step

If your Samsung Galaxy J7’s power button is broken, stuck, or unresponsive, you can still turn the phone on using alternative methods. This guide covers several reliable ways to power up your device without pressing the physical button, including using the charger, the home button, and Android’s built-in accessibility features. You’ll need your phone, its charger, and possibly a computer or another device for some methods.

What You’ll Need

  • Samsung Galaxy J7 (any variant)
  • Charger and USB cable (preferably the original)
  • A computer or laptop (for ADB method, optional)
  • A paperclip or SIM ejector tool (for the reset method, optional)

Step-by-Step

  1. Plug in the charger. Connect your Galaxy J7 to a power source using the charger and cable. In most cases, the phone will automatically power on when it detects charging, even if the battery is completely drained. Wait a few minutes for the boot animation to appear.
  2. If the screen stays off, try a hard reset. Press and hold the Volume Down and Home buttons simultaneously for about 10-15 seconds. This simulates a hardware reset and may trigger the phone to boot up without the power button.
  3. Use the Home button (if your phone is off but has a charge). Press and hold the Home button (the physical one at the bottom of the screen) for about 10 seconds. On some J7 models, this can wake the device from a powered-off state.
  4. Try the ‘Press and hold Volume Down + Power’ trick (if you have a removable battery). If your J7 has a removable back cover, take it off and remove the battery. Wait 30 seconds, then reinsert the battery. Now press and hold the Volume Down button and Home button together for 10 seconds. This often forces the phone to start.
  5. Use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) if you’ve enabled USB debugging before. If you previously enabled Developer Options and USB debugging, you can connect your phone to a computer via USB and run the command adb reboot. This will restart the phone if it’s in a powered-off state but still recognized by the computer.
  6. Use the ‘Fast Boot’ or ‘Download Mode’ method. With the phone off, press and hold Volume Down + Home together, then connect the USB cable to a computer. This may boot into Download Mode, from which you can select ‘Reboot’ using the volume keys and confirm with the Home button.
  7. If all else fails, use a wireless charger (if supported). Some J7 models support wireless charging (with a special back cover). Placing the phone on a compatible wireless charger may trigger it to turn on.

Common Mistakes

  • Not waiting long enough. When you plug in a completely dead phone, it may take a few minutes before the screen shows anything. Be patient and leave it plugged in for at least 5 minutes.
  • Pressing the wrong button combination. Make sure you’re pressing the Volume Down (not up) and Home buttons together. The Home button is the physical one at the bottom center of the screen.
  • Assuming the battery is charged. If the battery is completely drained, the phone won’t respond to any button presses until it has some charge. Always plug it in first and wait.
  • Forgetting that the Home button might be broken too. If your power button is broken, the Home button may also be worn out. Try the charger method first, as it’s the most reliable.

Tips

  • Enable ‘Auto Power On’ (if available). Some J7 models have a setting under Battery or Advanced Features that lets you set the phone to power on automatically when charging. Check your settings once you get the phone on.
  • Use a smart plug or a timer. Plug your charger into a smart plug and schedule it to turn on at a specific time. When power flows, the phone may boot up automatically.
  • Keep the phone charged. Since you can’t easily turn it on, never let the battery fully die. Set up a routine to charge it before it reaches 20%.
  • Consider using a third-party app. Once the phone is on, install an app that lets you control the phone with gestures or the volume buttons, so you can avoid the power button for future restarts.

Troubleshooting

  • Phone still won’t turn on after charging. Try a different charger and cable. Some cables are charge-only and don’t carry enough current. Also, clean the charging port with a dry toothpick or compressed air.
  • Screen shows a battery icon but won’t boot. This means the phone is charging but the system isn’t starting. Try the hard reset combination (Volume Down + Home) again while it’s plugged in.
  • The phone vibrates but the screen stays black. This could be a display issue, not a power issue. Try connecting to a computer and see if it appears as a device. If it does, use ADB to reboot.
  • ADB doesn’t recognize the device. Make sure you have the correct drivers installed and that USB debugging was enabled before the phone died. If not, you’ll need to use another method.
  • None of the methods work. The phone may have a hardware failure beyond the power button. Consider taking it to a repair shop. They can often replace the power button flex cable for a reasonable cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I turn on my Galaxy J7 without the power button using the volume keys?

No, the volume keys alone won’t power on the phone. However, you can use them in combination with the Home button or when the phone is already in Download Mode to navigate and select ‘Reboot’.

Will the phone turn on automatically when I plug it in?

Yes, this is the most common and successful method. When you connect a charger, the phone’s hardware detects the power and initiates a boot sequence, even if the screen stays off for a few seconds.

My phone is completely dead and won’t respond to anything. What should I do?

Leave it plugged into a wall charger (not a computer) for at least 30 minutes. Then try the hard reset combination (Volume Down + Home) while still plugged in. If that doesn’t work, try the battery removal method if your model has a removable battery.

Can I use a wireless charger to turn on my J7?

Only if your specific J7 model supports wireless charging (usually with a special back cover). If it does, placing it on a wireless charger may trigger it to power on, but it’s less reliable than a wired charger.

Is it safe to use ADB to reboot my phone?

Yes, using ADB to reboot is safe as long as you have the correct drivers and USB debugging enabled. It sends a standard reboot command to the Android system.

What if the power button is broken but the phone is on? How do I restart it?

You can restart it by holding the Volume Down + Home buttons for about 10 seconds. Or, you can use the ‘Restart’ option in the power menu if you can access it via a third-party app or the notification shade.

Related

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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