iPhone black screen issue is among the hardest problems to fix as there is no way you can access and navigate your iPhone menu. But with proper research and testing, we have come up with potential solutions that may help fix this annoying screen issue.
When you’re stuck on a black screen and the phone becomes unresponsive, it could be that your phone is having software or hardware issues.
Hardware-related factors such as physical or water damage, substandard screen replacement, and faulty screen are often corrected by a service repair. But software errors like firmware glitches and system corruption can be corrected using the tweaks we have listed below.
How to fix black screen issue on iPhone?
Mapped out below are potential tweaks to clear out software-related issues causing your iPhone screen to become black. Make sure to check if the problem is corrected after performing each solution.
1. Charge iPhone to fix black screen issue.
A “low battery” notification typically pops out on your screen whenever your battery life has become low, and it is possible that you haven’t noticed this message. Eventually, your screen has turned black as the battery became empty. If this is the case, you just need to recharge your iPhone. Once the screen shows an indication that it is charging, wait until the battery becomes fully charged and then turn on your iPhone.
2. Force restart your iPhone.
If your iPhone is already fully charged and you are still stuck on black screen, perform a force restart or hard reboot to eliminate random software glitches that are affecting your phone’s booting system.
To force restart iPhone 6s and earlier models, follow these steps:
- Simultaneously press and hold the Home and Sleep/Wake buttons for a few seconds.
- Release both buttons when the Apple logo appears.
To force restart iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, do these:
- Press and hold the Wake and Volume Down buttons simultaneously for a few seconds.
- Release the buttons when the Apple logo appears on your screen.
To force restart iPhone 8 and later models, follow these steps:
- Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
- Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
- Then press and hold the Side or Power button and release when the Apple logo appears.
Apps that were left running in the background and became corrupted should be force closed using these steps. Cache files from these corrupted apps that caused your iPhone to be stuck on black screen of death will also be cleared out. Being said, your iPhone should be back to its working state and therefore no longer shows a black screen.
3. Check for and install apps and iOS updates on your iPhone.
An iPhone that is stuck on black screen and is not responding can also be due to faulty apps and minor firmware glitches. Out-dated apps are most likely to act up and become faulty. Meanwhile, possible firmware glitches might have affected your iPhone’s bootloader system leaving you with a black screen. If you are already able to navigate your iPhone after performing the previous solutions, perform these steps:
Check for and install Apps Updates:
- From Home, launch the App Store.
- Scroll down to the Updates section to view the lists of pending apps updates.
- Tap Update All to install all pending apps updates at once.
- Then restart your iPhone.
Check for and install iOS update:
- Connect your iPhone to Wi-Fi.
- Go to Settings->General.
- Then tap Software Updates.
- If you are prompted with available iOS updates, follow the onscreen prompts to download and install the latest iOS version.
The black screen issue on your iPhone should be corrected after updating your pre-installed or third-party apps, and/or updating your iOS to the latest version available.
4. Recovery Mode restore iPhone via iTunes.
Meanwhile, if your iPhone screen is still stuck on black screen and won’t respond at all, you now need to utilize recovery mode restore via iTunes. Doing so will help you set up your iPhone again and give it a fresh start. This option can potentially help fix the black screen issue especially if the underlying cause is a corrupted or buggy iOS. Here’s what needs to be done:
- Using the Apple-supplied USB or cable lightning, connect your iPhone to a Mac or Windows computer with the latest iTunes software installed.
- For iPhone 7 and 7 Plus versions, press and hold the Wake and Volume Down button. Keep holding down the buttons when the Apple logo appears, and release the buttons once you see the recovery mode screen.
- For iPhone 8 and later generation, press and quickly release the Volume Up button. Press and quickly release the Volume Down button. Then, press and hold the Power button and wait until the recovery mode screen appears.
- For iPhone 6 and earlier models, press and hold the Home and Wake/Sleep buttons. Continue holding when the Apple logo appears. Then release the buttons when you see the recovery mode screen.
- On your computer, select your iPhone name. You will then be prompted with options to Restore and Update.
- Select Update to reinstall the software on your iPhone without wiping out the saved files on your phone memory.
- If you have backed up your iPhone to either iCloud or iTunes, you can select Restore.
Wait until the restore or update process has been completed, then set up your iPhone as new again.
5. DFU Mode (Device Firmware Upgrade/Update) restore your iPhone.
Device Firmware Upgrade/Update enables iPhone to be restored without activating the boot loader or operating system. Major software issues and tough bugs should be cleared out after performing this tweak. Just like recovery mode restore, you also need to have a Mac or Windows computer with the latest iTunes version installed. Connect your iPhone to the computer using the supplied USB cable and follow these steps to enter DFU Mode:
For iPhone 6 and below:
- Press and hold the Power and Home buttons simultaneously for at least 8 seconds, then release the Power button.
- Continue holding down the Home button for about 5 seconds and then release when the screen turns black. This means that your iPhone has entered DFU Mode.
For iPhone 7 and 7 Plus:
- Press and hold the Side and Volume Down buttons.
- Release the Side button after at least 8 seconds, but continue to hold down the Volume Down button.
- Release the Volume Down button when the screen is black and iTunes has detected your iPhone.
For iPhone 8 and later models:
- Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
- Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
- Press and hold the Side/Power button until the screen becomes black.
- Right after the screen turns black, hold down both Side and Volume Down buttons.
- Wait for at least 5 seconds, then release the Side/Power button. Continue holding down the Volume Down button and release it when iTunes recognizes your iPhone.
Once your iPhone has successfully entered DFU Mode, follow the onscreen prompts to restore your iPhone in iTunes.
Note that DFU Mode is not recommended for phones with physical or liquid damage as this will result to DFU Mode restore failure. Thus, iPhone may become totally defective.
To exit from DFU Mode, force restart your iPhone using the steps provided above.
If your iPhone screen remains black, not responding, or won’t turn on at all, you need to contact Apple Support to schedule an appointment for repair as your iPhone might be exposed to hardware damage. Alternatively, you can also contact your iPhone provider for further assistance and recommendation.
