You can effectively turn on your Moto G5 Plus without a functioning power button by utilizing a combination of the charger and the volume keys, specifically to access the bootloader menu and initiate a normal system start.
Method 1: Using Charger and Volume Down Key
This is the primary and most reliable method to power on your Moto G5 Plus when the power button is not working. It bypasses the need for the physical power button by forcing the device into a special boot mode from which you can command it to start normally.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Ensure Device is Off: Make sure your Moto G5 Plus is completely powered down. If it's merely in sleep mode, this method won't apply.
- Plug in the Charger: Connect your Moto G5 Plus to a power source using its charger. This provides the necessary power and often triggers the device to attempt a boot sequence or enter a charging state.
- Simultaneously Press and Hold Volume Down: Immediately after plugging in the charger, or while it's connected, press and hold the Volume Down key. It's crucial that both actions (plugging in the charger and holding Volume Down) are done in close succession or as simultaneously as possible.
- Access the Boot Menu: Continue holding the Volume Down key. After a few seconds, your phone should display a special screen, often referred to as the Bootloader, Fastboot Mode, or Recovery Menu. This menu presents various options for how the phone should start.
- Navigate Options: Use the Volume Down key to scroll through the available options on this screen. The Volume Up key might also work for navigation, depending on the specific firmware version.
- Select "Normal Powerup" or "Start": Look for an option like "Normal Powerup," "Start," "Power On," or "Boot System Now." This command tells your phone to boot into its regular Android operating system.
- Confirm Selection: Once "Normal Powerup" or a similar option is highlighted, press the Volume Up key (or sometimes the power button, if it still works for selection but not initiation) to select it. Your phone should then proceed to boot up normally.
Important Note: If your phone's battery is completely drained, allow it to charge for at least 15-30 minutes before attempting this method.
Understanding the Boot Menu Options
When you enter the boot menu, you'll encounter various options. Here's a table explaining common selections you might see:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Start / Normal Powerup | Boots the phone into the standard Android operating system. This is what you want to select. |
| Restart Bootloader | Reboots the bootloader itself, typically returning you to the same menu. |
| Recovery Mode | Allows you to access the Android Recovery Menu, which offers options like factory reset, clearing cache partition, or applying updates. Useful for troubleshooting. |
| Power Off | Shuts down the device completely. |
| Barcodes | Displays device specific barcodes (IMEI, Serial Number, etc.). |
| Factory Mode | A diagnostics mode often used by service technicians. |
For more general information on Android recovery and boot modes, you can refer to Android Recovery Mode explained (Please note: This is a general guide and not specific to Moto G5 Plus or power button issues).
Method 2: Using ADB (Advanced Method - Requires PC)
If your phone is already on and you need to restart it without a power button, or if the above method doesn't work and you have ADB debugging enabled on your phone and a PC, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB).
- Install ADB Drivers: Set up ADB on your computer. You'll need the Android SDK Platform-Tools.
- Enable USB Debugging: USB debugging must be enabled on your phone before the power button failed.
- Connect Phone to PC: Connect your Moto G5 Plus to your computer via a USB cable.
- Open Command Prompt/Terminal: Navigate to the folder where you installed ADB.
- Reboot Command: Type
adb rebootand press Enter. This will restart your phone. If you want to shut it down, you might be able to useadb shell reboot -p(though this depends on the specific Android version and device).
This method is primarily for restarting a phone that is already powered on. For initially turning on a completely off device, the charger + volume key method is generally more applicable without prior ADB setup.
Long-Term Solutions for a Broken Power Button
While these methods help you turn on your phone in an emergency, they are temporary workarounds. For a permanent solution, consider:
- Repairing the Power Button: Taking your phone to a professional repair service to replace the power button is the most straightforward solution.
- Remapping Buttons: Once your phone is on, you can install apps from the Google Play Store (e.g., "Button Mapper") to remap another physical button (like a volume key) to act as a power button for turning the screen on/off or for reboot options.
- Gesture-Based Power Apps: Some apps allow you to power off or reboot using gestures or scheduled times, though these also require the phone to be already on.
Remember to handle your device with care, especially when dealing with physical button issues, to avoid further damage.
