Fix Your Stuff Community Store

Repair information, troubleshooting tips, and guides for the sixth iteration of Apple iPhone, announced on September 12, 2012. Model: A1428, A1429

2522 Questions View all

Options

iPhone 5 Screen won't rotate

Not sure if anyone would know how to fix this, but I have an iPhone 5 (GSM) where the screen won't rotate.

The orientation is not locked. I believe the device is on iOS 7.1 (updated via. iTunes) and can't get it to work for the life of me. I've tried a new LCD/Digitizer using an extender cable, but still won't work. I have a feeling that it's in the logic board somewhere? Is there any way that this can be fixed? Is it possible that it's a software problem?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer this question I have this problem too

Is this a good question?

Yes No
Score 7
Add a comment

13 Answers

Filter by:
Most Helpful Newest Oldest
Most Helpful Answer

Options

In most cases, people who have the rotation issue just need to unlock the rotation lock. If you are not sure how to do this, I have written up a tutorial here.

Since you said that you have unlocked it and it does not work, it just might be a faulty sensor. However, it seems that you have opened up the iPhone, double check that you are putting the screws in the right places as the magnetic screws can cause an interference if placed in the wrong spot!

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 6
Add a comment

Options

The gyroscope is faulty and yes this is a board fault

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 5

1 Comment:

Thanks all for your response. Do you have any instructions or images of where/how the gyroscope can be fixed?

by

Add a comment

Options

just unlock phone - on main screen swipe bottom to top (like when you open flashlight) click on fifth icon at top - if highlighted it's locked - so click to unlock

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 5

5 Comments:

Thank you Cathy. You're the only one that helped me unlock the 5th icon on top, the orientation works now!

by

Did not know about swiping bottom to top--it fixed orientation problem which occurred after I upgraded the system. Much thanks!

by

Thanks, didn't know that either!

by

Indeed just helped me now, after new upgrade of IOS, it was no longer rotating, now sorted

by

This was brilliant. I had been trying to fix this since last night and read your directions and now life is back to normal. Thank you.

by

Add a comment

Options

Download an app called "sensor monitor" to check gyro/accelerometer value, if check fails, restore the software, if it still fails then it is a hardware issue.

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 4

2 Comments:

Thanks. I'll give that a try today. Any chance that you may have a repair tutorial or any documentation on how to fix the gyro/accelerometer?

by

Logic board repair is very complex and require a lot of skill. First you have to remove the EMI shield, then diagnose the problem, then replace faulty components.

by

Add a comment

Options

Exact same problem. Occurred when I replaced the battery using the ifixit kit. Apparently I've broken the phone. DO NOT ATTEMPT A BATTERY REPLACEMENT ON YOUR OWN. Take it to a store where they guarantee the work and pay them to do it. It isn't worth trashing a $400 phone to save $50.

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 4

5 Comments:

UPDATE: OK folks, I screwed up. When the battery was replaced, I failed to keep track of each individual screw removed from the square-ish RFI shield over the cable connectors. The 4 screws have 3 different lengths, and the differences are indistinguishable to the unaided eye. This is covered (briefly) in the video how-to guide, but in greater detail in the online step-by-step guide.

Failure to put the correct screws back in the correct holes can (at best) disable the sensors. At worst, you can wreck the logic board.

If all functions other than the sensors seem to be working fine, and you've just replaced the battery, then here is what to do:

Get a micrometer. Re-open the phone and remove the RFI shield over the 3 connectors at the top of the phone. Using the micrometer, measure all 4 screw lengths. You will need good lighting, fine tweezers, and even finer motor skills. You may also find a magnifying glass stand helpful. More in next comment

by

THEN: using the step by step online guide, insert the two shorter screws in the appropriate holes and snug them down. These have different lengths and are not interchangable!

Next, use the magnetic tipped screwdriver to try to distinguish which of two 1.7 mm screws is more magnetic. Put it in the correct hole. Ditto with the other 1.7 mm screw.

Before connecting the home button cable, power up the phone temporarily and check the sensors are working. If not, then power down, swap the two 1.7 mm screws, and try again. This should fix the problem.

Finally, power down again, reassemble, and enjoy the relief of recovering from a scary experience!

by

Thank you Tom. This was the only helpful post I could find! I replaced my battery and used a scanditech kit. This step was not clearly defined about the different screw sizes properly. I reorganized the screws and voila, everything works perfectly.

by

Thank you Tom. This was really the only helpful post I found!

I guess the problem with the gyroscope and compass is the magnetic field of the screws. Because they need to have their own magnetic field, they just work with the non magnetic screw in the right place :)

by

Solved my issue Tom. Thanks.

Found the right location of the screws by googling it.

by

Add a comment

Options

i would definitely rule out software first, but yes, there is an accelerometer chip that can be replaced on the logic board. there are also a couple of very tiny filters that control the screen rotation function that are very very close to the edge of the logic board---have you ever removed the battery in this phone? could be pry damage if so.

but yes, this can probably be solved with some logic board work.

jessa

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 2
Add a comment

Options

I have the same. Water damage.

remove EMI shield and gently clean with alcohol and toothbrush.Oxidize parts

Good luck Rene van der Beek

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 0
Add a comment

Options

Mine has been dropped a couple of times could this be problem???

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 0
Add a comment

Options

I have the same problem. My screen doesn't rotate and the sensor monitor says "unknown"! What is that mean. Thanks

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 0
Add a comment

Options

i have i phone 5s , while playing videos the screen is not rotating, this problem from last 3 months i dont know what to do ,warrenty is completed in 3-dec-2015 please suggest me

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 0

1 Comment:

compass is not working

by

Add a comment

Options

My roation is not working am using iphone 5s

If I don't repair it they damage my board?

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 0
Add a comment

Options

I have this same problem. My rotation doesn't work after a while. But I can fix it by restarting my iPhone..

I'm jailbroken though so unsure if it's a tweak making it malfunction overtime.. no idea what causes it to get stuck honestly..

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 0
Add a comment

Options

i having same problem .i already changed motion ic it steel not working .plz help me.

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 0
Add a comment

Add your answer

Sam will be eternally grateful.
View Statistics:

Past 24 Hours: 0

Past 7 Days: 1

Past 30 Days: 3

All Time: 48,747