How to fix Google Pixel 3 XL that’s stuck on the black screen of death and won’t respond

The black screen of death seems to become a very common problem nowadays and while most of the time it’s just a minor problem, users become so worried when they find out their phones no longer responds and are stuck on a black screen. Such is the case with some of Google Pixel 3 XL units.

So, in this post, I will tackle this problem and provide you with the effective solution we often use to address similar issues. We have encountered this problem several times in the past and we know how to fix it and again, it’s oftentimes a minor issue so you should be able to fix it on your own without any help from tech. Continue reading as this article may help you somehow.

Before we move on to our solution, if you are looking for a solution to a different problem, visit our Pixel 3 XL Help Guides as we’ve already addressed some of the most common problems with this device. We may have already published articles that can help you fix your problem.

First solution: Force restart your Pixel 3 XL

Most of the time, a black screen of death is a result of firmware crash. When it happens, the phone will be stuck on a certain screen, usually a black screen, and would no longer respond no matter what you do. So, it won’t turn on or reboot and it won’t even charge. The most effective solution to deal with it is this:

Press and hold the Power key for 30 seconds or even more and when the logo shows up on the screen, release it.

Your Pixel 3 XL will respond to this procedure as it’s hard-wired to do so. It’s actually a simulated battery removal and any phones with non-removable batteries will respond to it. So, once your phone actually boots up after doing such procedure, then that’s the end of the problem. However, if it still continues to be unresponsive, then try the next solution.

Second solution: Charge phone and perform the forced restart

As I said earlier, if a phone is suffering from a black screen of death issue, it won’t respond even if it’s connected to its charger and having a drained battery isn’t usually a problem. But the thing is, it’s possible that the firmware crashed while the phone was running out of battery and even if the forced restart can fix the problem, the device may still not respond if there’s not enough juice to power it up. With that being said, here’s what you must do about it:

Plug the charger to a working wall outlet and connect your Pixel 3 to it.
Regardless whether the phone shows it’s charging your not, leave it connected to the charger for at least, 10 minutes.
After which, press and hold the power key for 30 seconds or more to see if it boots up this time.

If the black screen of death was caused by a drained battery and firmware crash, then it should already be booting up by now. If it’s not, then the problem is more serious than we thought and there’s only so much you can do with a device that won’t even turn on. That being said, it’s time you brought it back to the store or shop so that a technician can check it for you.

I hope that this how-to post has helped you one way or another. Please help us spread the word by sharing this post to your friends or people who may also have similar problems. Thanks for reading!