Why an iPhone crashes when checking update and how to fix it

All you wanted was to update your iPhone’s software to the latest version of iOS available, but things went wrong when the device stops working and crashes during the update check. Problems like this usually occur when the system stops abnormally. The crash of the system often leads to blocking the device on something they do or on any screen where they are. When this happens, the device stops responding or crashes. To return it to its normal working status, it must be restarted.

But since the screen does not respond to touch input commands, an alternative restart method must be performed. Faced in this post is a significant problem on the iPhone that crashes during the verification of the update. Read on to find out why this happens and what to do to restore your iPhone and restore it properly.

First of all, if you are looking for a solution to a different problem, then go to our iPhone Guides page for having already solved some of the most common problems with this device. Try to find problems similar to yours and feel free to use our alternative solutions.

Troubleshoot an Apple iPhone locked while checking for updates

Before troubleshooting, check and make sure your iPhone has enough memory space to allocate the update file. If the internal memory is running out, there will be no more space to save the update. As a result, the update process will not end and your iPhone will probably hang.

In this case, freeing up some space by eliminating unnecessary content, including unused apps, will solve the problem. To check the memory status of your iPhone, go to Settings-> General-> iPhone Memory, then check the available memory. If the free storage space is less than 1 GB, you must delete unused files and apps.

If your iPhone has ample storage space, you can exclude other factors including Internet problems, restrictions and invalid settings that may have caused conflicts to the phone update system. Just refer to these subsequent solutions.

The iPhone does not automatically connect to the WiFi – How to resolve

First solution- force your iPhone to restart

The first factors to be excluded are small firmware errors that caused random symptoms. And the easiest way to fix these errors is to restart the system. But since the device is locked or unresponsive, it may not be possible to perform a standard reboot. As an alternative solution, force your iPhone to restart with one of these methods.

If you are using an iPhone 8, 8 Plus or a newer variant, follow these steps to force the reboot:

1. Press and release the Volume Up button.
2. Then press and release the Volume Down button.
3. Finally, hold down the side button and release it when the Apple logo appears.

On the first iPhone like iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, a forced restart is performed like this:

• Press and hold the Volume down button and the power button (suspend/resume) at the same time and then release both buttons with the Apple logo.

If you are using an older version of iPhone like iPhone 6s, 6s Plus, 6, SE and 5s, a forced reboot is performed like this:

• Hold down the power (suspend/wake) button and the Home button for a few seconds, then release both buttons when the Apple logo is displayed on the screen.

Allow the device to boot up properly, then connect back to the Internet.

If your iPhone is able to boot after a forced reboot, try turning off the restrictions on your iPhone to make sure this doesn’t prevent your device from downloading the update file. To disable restrictions on your iPhone, follow these steps:

1. Tap Settings from the main screen.
2. Select General.
3. Tap Content and privacy restrictions.
4. Then select the option to disable the restrictions.
5. Re-enter the restriction passcode when prompted to disable the restrictions.

To exclude invalid settings or incorrect customizations that may have caused conflicts to your iPhone’s update system, it may be useful to reset all settings. This reset will delete all recent customizations and restore the original values and options.

It does not affect the information saved in the internal memory, so it is not necessary to back up the files from the device. If you want to proceed, here’s how to restore all the settings on your iPhone:

1. Then from the main screen, tap on Settings.
2. General Touch.
3. Scroll down and tap Reset.
4. Choose the option to reset all settings.
5. Enter the passcode of the device when prompted to continue.
6. Confirm that you want to restore all the settings on your iPhone.

The phone will restart after the restore is complete. At that point, you can start to reactivate the WiFi and other features you want to use again on the phone. Try to see if your iPhone is still locked while checking for updates and if so, move on to the next solution.

iPhone does not sound- what to do

Second solution- delete the update file

One of the possible reasons why your iPhone is blocked during the verification of the update is that a fragment of the update file that has been downloaded to your device has been damaged. In this case, the entire update file cannot be completely downloaded.

Eventually, your iPhone crashes while checking for the update. To solve the problem, you need to delete the damaged part of the update file from your iPhone. Here’s how to access and delete this file:

1. From the Home screen, tap on Settings.
2. Select General.
3. Tap iPhone Storage. You will then see a list of apps and files.
4. Select the software update file from the list
5. Tap the option to Delete Update. The update file will then be removed.
6. Return to Settings after completely deleting the update file.
7. Select General.
8. Tap Software Update.
9. Please try downloading and installing the update again.

If your iPhone crashes while checking for the update, proceed to the next method to exclude other factors.

How to know if your iPhone is unlocked

Third solution- update the Internet connection

One of the common problems for which your iPhone may not be able to download or install the wireless update is due to Internet connectivity problems. The device will need to communicate with the update server to process the update request.

But without a stable Internet connection, it would not be able to establish a connection to the update server, so update errors occur. To solve random Internet problems like this, we recommend updating your Internet connection.

There are several ways to update the Internet connection on your iPhone. You can start from the main Internet source which is the wireless router/modem. When the wireless modem/router detects firmware crashes, network problems are generated.

Problems range from slow browsing to intermittent connection or falling WiFi. To exclude it, switch the wireless router/modem off and on again with these steps:

1. Press the power switch to turn off the wireless modem/router.
2. While the equipment is off, disconnect the AC adapter from the power source.
3. After 30 seconds to 1 minute, reconnect it and turn the modem/router back on.
4. Wait for the network signal to return to stable.

Then reconnect your iPhone to the WiFi network to go back online and retry the update.

Another way to update your iPhone’s Internet connection is via the WiFi switch. Disabling and enabling the WiFi button can also help eliminate minor WiFi symptoms that may have prevented the iPhone’s wireless update.

• To do this, go to Settings-> WiFi Menu,then toggle the switch on and off to enable and disable WiFi.

Performing the old Airplane Mode trick is also another option to consider if none of the previous procedures can solve the problem. Enabling and disabling airplane mode for a few moments can help eliminate random errors that cause negative symptoms to your phone’s wireless features.

• To perform this trick, go to Settings-> Airplane Mode, then activate the switch to activate airplane mode. This disables the phone’s wireless features. While airplane mode is active, soft reboot/reset your iPhone. After restarting the phone, return to the Settings-> Airplane Mode menu. Then turn on the Airplane mode switch to turn it off again.

The wireless radios and their functions are then reactivated. Enable WiFi to reconnect to the Internet and use online services. Once your iPhone is connected, open a browser and browse through various websites and pages. If all the websites are able to load, it means that your iPhone has Internet access.

At this point, go back to Settings-> General-> Software Update menu, then try downloading and installing the update again. If it still crashes while checking for the update, try the next solution.

Fourth solution- upgrade your iPhone with iTunes

If the wireless update doesn’t work, iTunes can be considered an alternative solution. To update via iTunes, you will need to protect a computer with the latest version of the iTunes app and a stable Internet connection. Then proceed with these steps whenever you’re ready:

1. Connect your iPhone to your computer using the original USB / Lightning cable supplied.
2. When your iPhone is connected, open iTunes on your computer.
3. Wait for your iPhone to appear in iTunes, then click on its icon.
4. Go to the Summary section, then click on the option to verify the update.
5. When you’re ready, click on the option to download and update your iPhone.
6. Enter your passcode when asked to proceed.

Then follow the on-screen commands to complete the device update. If it does not pass through and your iPhone is still locked on checking the update, go to the next solution.

Fifth solution- delete your iPhone and restore the factory default settings via iTunes

Among the last options to consider if none of the previous methods helps is a complete system restore. This will erase everything from your iPhone system and restore the factory default settings. Any associated errors, including those affecting wireless services, are also eliminated.

But before proceeding, back up all your files to iCloud or iTunes so you can recover them later. Once you’re ready, follow these steps to manually delete your iPhone in iTunes and install the latest version of iOS available:

1. Launch the iTunes app on your computer. Make sure you use the latest version of iTunes. Otherwise, you should consider upgrading iTunes first to avoid conflicts and system errors.
2. Connect your iPhone to your computer with the USB cable or Lightning cable provided by Apple.
3. Wait for your iPhone to appear in iTunes, then select it.
4. Go to the Summary section, then click on the button to restore [device].
5. Make new click Reset to confirm that you want to restore your iPhone in iTunes. This will require iTunes to start deleting your iPhone and then install the latest version of iOS available.
6. When the recovery is complete, the device restarts. At that point, you can configure it as new.

If you choose to manually update your iPhone and then get stuck during the update check, it’s time to restore your iPhone.

Last resource- restore your iPhone in recovery mode

In addition to a factory reset, you can also put your iPhone in recovery mode to delete the device and restore iOS. This process will require the use of iTunes on a computer, so you’ll need to protect the equipment first.

You can use a Windows or Mac PC as long as it runs on an operating system compatible with your iPhone. The steps to enter the recovery mode vary depending on the device model. Please refer to these steps if you are not sure how to put your iPhone in a recovery state:

To access recovery mode on iPhone X or later and iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, proceed as follows:

1. Hold the side button/ignition and both the volume buttons until not the cursor appears Shut Down.
2. Drag the slider to turn off the device.
3. Connect your iPhone to your computer by holding down the side/power button, then release the button when the Connect to iTunes screen appears (recovery mode).

To access recovery mode on iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, follow these steps:

1. Hold the side/Power button until you see the cursor Turn Off.
2. Drag the slider to turn off the device completely.
3. Connect your iPhone to your computer by holding down the Volume Down button, then release the button when the Connect to iTunes (or restore mode) screen appears.

To access recovery mode on iPhone 6s or earlier models, follow these steps:

1. Hold the side/power button until not you see the cursor Turn Off.
2. Drag the slider to turn off the device.
3. Connect your iPhone to your computer by holding down the Home button, then release the button when the Connect to iTunes (or restore mode) screen appears.

After a few seconds, iTunes will ask you to restore or update your iPhone. Select Restore to order iTunes to download the software for your device and restore iOS.