iPhone Erase All Contents and Settings Stuck? Here's the Fix

by J. Robertson Macaulay D. Young Updated On Apr 19, 2023 Published On Aug 31, 2021 Basic iPhone Tips Ideal for Newbies

So, you have chosen to erase all contents and settings perhaps so you can sell your device or to fix a certain software problem that the device has been exhibiting. But the process has taken more than an hour, indicating that it is stuck.

In this article, we will look at what you can do when the reset process on your device fails or the device gets stuck on erasing all contents and settings. Let's start with why your device seems to be stuck.

What Causes the "iPhone Erase All Contents and Settings Stuck" Issue?

There are a lot of reasons why your iPhone gets stuck when you choose the "Erase all Contents and Settings" from the device, but the four main ones include low available storage apace, infrequent reboots, problems with unstable or buggy apps, and running an outdated version of iOS.

These four combined can affect the way the device functions, causing software problems that may cause the device to get stuck after a reset. The following are some of the best solutions to fix an iPhone that is stuck.

iPhone Erase all Contents and Settings Stuck

Must-Try Fixes to iPhone Erase All Contents and Settings Stuck Issue

Force Your iPhone to Restart

If the device is frozen so that you can't turn it off normally, the best solution to consider is a forced restart. The process to do that will depend on the type of iPhone you have. The following are the specific steps to follow for each model;

iPhone 8 (Plus) and Later Models: Press and release the Volume Up button, press and release the Volume Down button and then press and hold the Side/Power button until the Apple logo shows up.

Force Restart iPhone 12

iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus: Press and hold both the Power and the Volume Down button at the same time. Continue to hold both buttons until the Apple Logo appears.

Force Restart iPhone 7

iPhone 6S/6S Plus, iPhone 6 (Plus): Press and hold both the Side (Power) button and the home button until the Apple Logo appears.

Force Restart iPhone 6S

Fix iPhone Stuck Issues without Data Loss Using TinyFix

Another good way to repair the software issues, causing the device to get stuck is to use a system repair tool like TinyFix. It is very easy to use and can fix any iOS stuck issue without causing data loss.

Follow these simple steps to use TinyFix to fix the device;

Step 1: Download and install TinyFix onto your computer.

Step 2: Run it and then connect the iPhone to the computer using USB cables. Click "iOS System Repair" as soon as the device is detected to begin the repair process.

 main screen of TinyFix

Step 3: Click "Standard Repair" and read the notes here before clicking on "Standard Repair" again.

Standard Repair Mode

Step 4: If the program is unable to detect the connected device, you may be prompted to put it in recovery mode. Just follow the instructions on the screen to put the device in recovery mode and if recovery mode doesn't work, try putting the device in DFU Mode.

Plug in Your iOS Device

Step 5: You will then need to download the latest firmware for the device. Just click on "Download" the firmware package will be downloaded automatically.

get the appropriate firmware

Step 6: When the download is complete, click on "Fix Now" to start the process. In a few minutes, your iPhone will restart and the touchscreen unresponsiveness will be resolved.

repairing the device

Try a Standard Restore for Your iPhone

If the device still doesn't turn on, then you should consider restoring it to factory settings via iTunes or Finder. This will erase all the data on your device, so it is better if you have an available backup on iTunes or Finder before doing this.

To factory restore the device, connect your device to the computer. Open iTunes on the Windows computer or Finder on the Mac computer. Once the device is successfully recognized, choose the "Restore iPhone " option.

Try a Standard  Restore for Your iPhone

Restore iPhone in Recovery Mode

You can also try to restore the iPhone in Recovery mode. This solution can be very effective if the device is running an older version of iOS, or it got stuck right after an update.

Connect the iPhone to the computer and open Finder (macOS Catalina 10.15) or iTunes (Windows or macOS Mojave 10.14 and earlier).

When the iPhone appears in iTunes or Finder, click on it and force restart it using the process described above, but continue to hold the buttons past the Apple logo until you see the "Recovery Mode " screen.

iPhone 8 or later in recovery mode

iTunes or Finder will offer you options. Choose "Update" and the computer will reinstall iOS without erasing the data.

finder recovery mode notification

Restore iPhone in DFU Mode

DFU (Device Firmware Update) mode is a good option to fix more stubborn iOS problems. It is the last resort as it will overwrite the software and firmware with new code.

Connect the iPhone to the computer and then follow these steps;

iPhone 6s, iPhone SE (1st Generation) and earlier Models;

  • Step 1: Press and hold the Power and Home button at the same time for about 8 seconds.
  • Step 2: Release the Power button after 8 seconds, but continue to hold the Home Button until the device appears in iTunes or Finder.

iPhone 7 and 7 Plus;

  • Step 1: Hold the Side and the Volume Down button for about 8 seconds.
  • Step 2: Let go of the Side button, but continue to hold the Volume Down button until the iPhone appears in iTunes.

iPhone 8, iPhone SE (2nd Generation) and Later Models;

  • Step 1: Press and quickly release the Volume Up button. Do the same with the second volume button.
  • Step 2: Press and hold the Side button and when you get a blank screen, press and hold the Volume Down button (without releasing the Side Button).
  • Step 3: Hold both buttons for about 5 seconds and then release the Side button.
  • Step 4: Keep holding the Volume Down button until the device appears in Finder or iTunes.

Note: You will be successful in DFU mode if the screen remains black. If you see the Apple Logo or the Connect to iTunes screen, then the process has failed and you need to start again.

Once the device is successfully in DFU mode, follow the instructions in Finder or iTunes to restore it.

 restore iPhone in DFU mode

iPhone still Stuck on Erase all Contents and Settings?

If you have tried all the solutions above and the device is still stuck, contact Apple Support to make an appointment to get the device repaired.

If the device is still under warranty, you can get it repaired for free. This is a good solution if you suspect that a hardware issue may have caused the problem.

When your device gets stuck soon after erasing all contents and settings, the first thing to do is to figure out what is causing the problem. You can usually tell from the signs that preceded the problem.

For example, it is a software issue if you updated the device right before it got stuck and it is a hardware issue if you dropped the device.

Whatever the cause, the solutions above should help you fix the device without causing any additional problems. But if you suspect, hardware damage, don't try to fix it yourself.

J. Robertson Macaulay D. Young

Mako is a technical writer with a passion for all things tech. Whether you're wondering about how to fix your iPhone or Android device or trying to get something to work in your settings, Mako is your go-to for professional help. He loves writing, testing solutions, and most of all, making sure his research is factually accurate.

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