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How to Fix a Black Screen on Your Phone
Edited 6 months ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team
Black ScreenSmartphoneTroubleshootingAndroidiPhoneDevice ManagementPerformanceMobile OSHardwareUser Guide
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Introduction
The Black Screen of Death on a smartphone can be a frustrating experience. It occurs when your device turns on but nothing but a black screen appears on the display. There can be several reasons behind this problem, such as software glitches, hardware failure, or accidental settings changes. In this extremely comprehensive guide, we will explore the possible causes and solutions to troubleshoot and fix the phone black screen issue.
Understanding the black screen phenomenon
A black screen can occur on any smartphone, whether you are using iOS or Android. It is important to understand that this problem does not mean that your phone is permanently damaged. In many cases, some troubleshooting steps can bring your device back to its normal working state. To effectively solve this problem, we will discuss both simple and advanced methods to fix your phone from the black screen condition.
Common causes of a black screen
- Software crashes: Temporary software glitches can cause the device to become unresponsive.
- Battery drain: The phone may not have enough battery to display anything.
- Hardware failure: Physical problems such as a damaged screen or internal components can cause the screen to go black.
- Extreme temperatures: High temperatures may cause the device to shut down or not display anything to protect its components.
- System data may be corrupted: System files may become corrupted, preventing the phone from booting up or displaying correctly.
Initial troubleshooting steps
1. Charge your device
Your phone's battery may have drained unexpectedly. Connect it to a charger and let it charge for at least 15-30 minutes. If possible, check with another device to make sure the charging cable and charger are working properly. After connecting the charger, see if any LEDs light up or if a charging icon appears on the screen.
2. Force restart
Sometimes, performing a force restart can help restart the phone. The force restart procedure may vary depending on the manufacturer and model of your device.
For Android devices:
- Samsung: Press and hold the Power and Volume Down buttons simultaneously for about 10-20 seconds until the device restarts.
- Google Pixel and others: Press and hold the power button for 30 seconds, then release it.
For iOS devices:
- iPhone 8 and later: Quickly press and release the Volume Up button, then press and release the Volume Down button, then press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
- iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus: Press and hold the Volume Down and Sleep/Wake (Power) buttons at the same time until the Apple logo appears.
- iPhone 6s and earlier models: Press and hold the Home button and the Top (or Side) button until you see the Apple logo.
3. Check the display brightness and settings
If the screen is barely visible, you may have accidentally adjusted the brightness settings. In some cases, a dark screen is mistaken for a black screen. You can try finding a bright place or shining a light on the screen to detect faint images or outlines.
If you feel some strength, try these steps:
- Use a different light source to see if the screen is actually on but is too dark.
- If possible, adjust the brightness by understanding the structure of your device or consulting your manual for button combinations to increase brightness.
Advanced troubleshooting and solutions
1. Boot into Safe Mode (Android only)
Safe mode allows you to boot your phone with all third-party apps disabled. If your phone's black screen issue is caused by a third-party app conflict, safe mode can help diagnose this problem.
To boot into safe mode:
- Press and hold the power button until you see the manufacturer's logo.
- When you see the logo, immediately press and hold the Volume Down button.
- Press and hold the Volume Down button until your phone boots up. "Safe Mode" should appear at the bottom of the screen.
In safe mode, see if the screen works normally. If so, the problem may be app-related. You should try uninstalling recently downloaded apps until the problem is resolved.
2. Device recovery mode
For Android devices:
Recovery Mode can help resolve issues like corrupted data that might have prevented your phone from booting up correctly.
- Turn off your device completely.
- Press and hold the Power and Volume Down buttons simultaneously until you see the device's logo, then release.
- Use the Volume buttons to navigate to "Recovery Mode" and confirm with the Power button.
- Go to “wipe cache partition” using Volume Down and select it with the Power button.
For iOS devices:
You can try using Recovery Mode with iTunes (on PC) or Finder (on macOS Catalina and later) to restore your iPhone.
- Make sure you have the latest version of iTunes or Finder.
- Connect your device to the computer and open iTunes or Finder.
- As mentioned earlier, force restart your iPhone while it's still connected. Don't release the buttons when you see the Apple logo; keep holding them until you see the "Recovery Mode" screen.
- On your computer, select "Restore" when prompted. This will erase your device and its data, and reinstall the OS from scratch.
3. Perform a factory reset
If you have tried all the previous options and the phone still doesn't work, a factory reset may be necessary. Be careful, this process will erase all data on your phone and reset it to factory conditions.
For Android devices:
- Turn off the device.
- Press and hold the Power and Volume Up buttons until you see the boot logo.
- In the recovery menu, select "Factory data reset". Use the volume buttons to navigate and the power button to select.
For iOS devices:
Use iTunes or Finder as instructed in Recovery Mode to fully restore your device. When prompted, choose "Restore" not "Update."
Preventive measures
After you resolve the black screen issue, consider taking preventive measures to avoid such a problem in the future:
- Update your device software regularly to benefit from bug fixes.
- Back up your data regularly with cloud services or external storage.
- Clear excess cache or unused apps that may be blocking system resources.
- Prevent your device from overheating by protecting it from direct sunlight or intense use.
- Use protective cases and screen protectors to prevent impact or physical damage.
Conclusion
A black screen on your phone can be a scary and frustrating problem, but with the guidance provided in this document, you should be able to identify and resolve the issue effectively. Remember to follow each solution carefully and take preventive steps to ensure that your device remains in optimal condition. If the problem persists despite your best efforts, it may be time to consult a professional technician for further analysis and repair.
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