The truth is, a device that won't power on isn't always a dead battery or a logic-board failure. Sometimes it's something simple. Sometimes it's complex. And the price depends entirely on what we find when we dig in. That's why we always start with a proper assessment, and that's where the conversation about cost and turnaround actually begins.
What Does a "Won't Turn On" Assessment Really Cost?
We charge R599 for a full diagnostic on any Apple device that won't power on. That's non-negotiable, and it's a fair price. Here's what that gets you:
We'll connect your device to our test rig, check power delivery, measure voltage on the charging rails, and, if it's a Mac, run micro tests on the SMC and firmware. For iPhones and iPads, we'll isolate the battery, charger, and USB controller. We'll physically inspect for signs of liquid damage, impact trauma, or component failure. We won't guess. We won't try three fixes and charge you for each one. We'll tell you exactly what's broken and what it costs to fix.
In our experience, most "won't turn on" cases fall into a handful of categories, and the assessment reveals which one you're facing within 20 minutes.
Common Causes, And Why Diagnosis Matters
A device that won't respond to power can fail for many reasons. Knowing which one is crucial because the repair scope, and the price, varies wildly.
Battery and charging faults are the most common we see, especially on iPhones and MacBooks that are three to five years old. Batteries degrade. Charging ports collect debris. USB-C connectors corrode. If it's a battery issue, we can have your iPhone or iPad running again from R1,200. For MacBook batteries, the cost is from R2,500. These are straightforward, and turnaround is typically same-day if you drop it in before 10 a.m.
Logic-board failures are less common but more serious. We've pulled dozens of devices where the power management IC is dead, or a capacitor has blown after a power surge. Liquid damage is a frequent culprit, a client's 2019 MacBook Air arrived in May with a coffee spill that seemed minor at the time. By the time they brought it in, the damage had spread to the power rail, and the device wouldn't charge or boot. Our team traced the fault to a failed charging controller and replaced the affected component. That repair cost from R3,500 and took three working days. See our guide on logic-board repair for more on how we approach these cases.
Liquid damage is worth its own mention because it's insidious. A device might work fine after a spill, then fail weeks later as corrosion spreads. We've seen this pattern hundreds of times. If liquid damage is the culprit, turnaround depends on how much of the board is affected. Some devices need component-level rework; others need data recovery if the board is beyond repair. That ranges from R800 for cleaning and micro-repair to R2,000 for more complex component work. Read more on our liquid-damage page if that applies to you.
Price Transparency, What You'll Actually Pay
Here's what we tell clients in the workshop: after your R599 assessment, we'll give you a written quote. No surprises. No "just a bit more" when you pick it up.
A battery swap: from R1,200 (iPhone) to R2,500 (MacBook). Same-day or next-day.
A charging-port replacement: roughly the same ballpark, though MacBook ports tend to be more involved.
A failed logic board or major component: from R3,500 upwards, depending on what's burned out. We'll break down the part cost and labour separately so you know exactly what you're paying for.
Data recovery: if the device won't power on and you need files off the drive, we can extract them directly. That's from R2,999 depending on the drive type and damage level.
For context, these prices are a fraction of what Apple will quote you at their service centres, and significantly less than buying a new device. More importantly, we'll often save your device; Apple frequently declares them unrepairable and pushes you toward a replacement.
Every repair comes with a three-year warranty on parts and labour. If a battery fails within three years, we'll replace it free. If a component we replaced stops working, we'll fix it without charge. That's our commitment because we work on devices we know we can stand behind.
Turnaround Times From Our Hyde Park Workshop
Load shedding in Johannesburg has changed how we manage turnaround. We're honest about it: on Stage 6 days, we lose workshop time. But we've adapted. We keep backup power for diagnostics and critical repairs. We plan our schedule around the load-shedding rota.
For a battery replacement, expect same-day if you arrive before 10 a.m. on a non-shedding day. Next-day if you come in the afternoon.
For a charging-port replacement, add a day, these need careful desoldering and reballing on the micro-level.
For a logic-board repair or component replacement, we typically work on a three to five business-day timeline. Some jobs are quicker; others need parts we source from our suppliers in Sandton or Pretoria.
For data recovery, we'll give you an estimate once we've assessed the drive. This can range from one day to a week depending on failure severity.
We'll text you updates as we work. We're in Hyde Park, easily accessible from Rosebank, Sandton, and the northern suburbs. Drop-off and collection are straightforward.
Why Choose ZA Support for a "Won't Turn On" Repair
We've fixed more than 12,000 Apple devices since we opened. We're not a mobile-phone stall in a mall. We're a proper workshop with diagnostic rigs, component-level repair capability, and a team of technicians who've trained on micro soldering, board-level diagnosis, and data recovery. We're POPIA compliant, your device data is secure with us, and we'll never access your files without your explicit permission.
Most importantly, we're honest. A device that truly can't be repaired, we'll tell you upfront. We won't keep charging you "just one more diagnostic" or "one more attempt." We know when to call it and recommend data recovery or recycling instead.
Ready to Get Your Device Fixed?
Your next step is simple: bring your device in for assessment, or book online at zasupport.com/book. Pay the R599 diagnostic fee, and we'll give you a clear answer and a written quote. If you'd rather chat first, WhatsApp us on 064 529 5863 and tell us what's happening. We'll give you an honest sense of what we're likely dealing with and what it might cost.
Don't wait for a device that won't turn on to get worse. Every day a device sits without power, corrosion spreads, batteries degrade further, and data risk increases. Let's get it sorted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I know if my device has a dead battery or a logic-board fault?
You won't know without a proper test. That's exactly what our R599 assessment does. We connect your device to controlled power, measure voltage, and check for signs of component failure or liquid damage. A dead battery shows no response to charging; a logic-board fault usually shows no power rails at all. We'll tell you which one it is.
Q: Can you fix a MacBook that won't turn on if it's been sitting unused for two years?
Probably. If it's just a deeply discharged battery, we can revive it. If the battery is dead but the logic board is sound, we replace the battery and you're done. If there's corrosion or component failure from sitting, it depends on the extent. The assessment will show us.
Q: Is your three-year warranty valid if I damage the device again?
The warranty covers defects in parts and labour, it doesn't cover new damage. If you spill coffee on your MacBook after we repair it, that's a new fault and not covered. But if a battery we installed fails naturally within three years, we'll replace it at no cost.
Q: How long does a data recovery take if my device won't power on?
If we can extract the drive, we can usually recover the data within 24 to 48 hours. If the drive itself is damaged, it takes longer, potentially a week, because we may need to work on the drive's controller or platters. We'll give you a timeline after we open the device.
Q: Will you check my device if I'm not sure what's wrong?
Yes. That's the whole point of the assessment. Bring it in, pay R599, and we'll tell you exactly what's broken. You get a written quote before we do any repair work. No commitment until you sign off.
Q: Do you offer any payment plans for expensive repairs?
We work primarily on upfront payment, but we're open to discussing arrangements for significant repairs. Contact us to discuss your situation, or ask when you come in for your assessment.
