Is your iPhone showing nothing but a black screen? This can be rather frustrating. It can even happen when people update their iPhone to iOS 17. However, the reasons why this happens could be different in different situations.
This article will cover the causes and solutions for when you get the black screen of death.
- Common Solution to iPhone Black Screen
- iPhone Black Screen but Still on
- iPhone Black Screen of Death after Update of iOS 17 or other versions
- I Dropped My iPhone and the Screen Is Black
- iPhone Screen Goes Black When Opening Apps
- iPhone Screen Goes Black Randomly Then Comes Back
- Other Hardware Issues Leading to iPhone Black Screen
Common Solution to iPhone Black Screen
The first solution is quite simple – force restarting iPhone. This solution is universally used for iPhone that gets a problem, so no matter what your case is, you can try force restarting your iPhone. When the screen is black, it is not easy to turn it off the usual way. Here is what to do if you want to try and force restart your iPhone.
The following is for people with one of the following models of iPhone 8, X, Xs, Xr, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15.
- Press and quickly let go of the volume up button.
- Press and quickly let go of the volume down button.
- Hold onto the side button until you see the Apple logo.
If you have the iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus:
- Hold the side button and volume down button until you see the Apple logo.
And finally, if you have the iPhone 6s or earlier:
- Hold the side button and home button until you see the Apple logo.
iPhone Black Screen but Still on
In this case, iPhone is stuck on a black screen but it still works. By “still on”, we mean it still vibrates and makes sounds. The only issue with it is the screen. This is either due to a software issue or a problem with the screen. Software problems could cause the screen not to work normally. Screen components could also be defective so that iPhone only shows a black screen.
Firstly, check whether or not it’s a software issue.
- Plug your iPhone into your computer using a cable.
- Open iTunes.
- Click on the mobile phone symbol- often located at the top of iTunes. If you cannot see the phone symbol, scroll down to the next section.
- Select “Update” and follow the on-screen requirements.
If “Update” doesn’t work, you could also try clicking “Restore”, but we warn you that restoring will delete everything on your iPhone. If you have data that you cannot lose, do not press “Restore”.
If this doesn’t work, the problem could be with the screen rather than the software. In this case, you will need to visit your local Apple repair shop to get it fixed.
iPhone Black Screen of Death after Software Update of iOS 17
If you’re experiencing a black screen after a software update of iOS 17 or other versions, your iPhone will be like a brick. Even when you connect it to iTunes, you will not see the phone symbol because iTunes cannot detect it. Here is what to do about it.
- Plug your iPhone into your computer using a cable.
- Follow your iPhone’s “Force Restart” technique stated in the “Common Solution to iPhone Black Screen” section. But, keep on holding the correct buttons until you see the recovery mode symbol. This symbol looks like a cable connecting to iTunes or a laptop. You can also check this link to learn the guide.
- You should now see a pop-up with 3 options: Update, Restore, and Cancel.
- Press Update.
As we mentioned in the previous section, you could also press “Restore”, but doing so will erase everything stored on your iPhone. This way will start a cleaner installation of iOS 17.
Please note that if you have just updated iOS, there may not be a new version of the software available for update. In this case, there will be no update button on the pop-up window. If you don’t want to lose data, you can try the iPhone system repair tool iToolab FixGo. It is a tool specially designed to solve iPhone system problems. It can repair system problems while retaining the data on the phone.
I Dropped My iPhone and the Screen Is Black
If the black screen results from you dropping your iPhone, the problem will be with the hardware, not the software.
The screen of your iPhone might be broken too. Take your iPhone to your nearest iPhone repair center to get it fixed. We would not advise you to attempt to make this kind of repair yourself as doing so will probably make the problem worse.
iPhone Screen Goes Black When Opening Apps
Sometimes, it can be due to an app that your iPhone screen goes black. This is not necessarily because the makers of this app have ulterior motives. It could just be that the app’s software is not compatible with your iPhone’s software and therefore lead to a system crash which causes the black screen problem. In this case, generally, you can turn your iPhone back on.
After your phone reboots, first of all, update the app. You can go to the App Store and search for the app’s name. If there is an update, click the Update button.
If your screen still gets black after updating the app, try deleting the app by holding it down, selecting “Remove App” > “Delete App”, and finally “Confirm”.
iPhone Screen Goes Black Randomly Then Comes Back
For some iPhones, the black screen is not a permanent state but something that goes on and off. This is usually because of software problems, battery quality, or storage issues.
1). Software Issues
Sometimes there could be some system glitches that make your iPhone goes black randomly and then comes back. The software is not totally corrupt, so your iPhone works again later.
For such software issues, you should update the software if there is a new version. Go to Settings > General > Software Update, and you will know if you need to update your iOS or not. If this doesn’t help, you can also try restoring your iPhone using iTunes, which we have mentioned in the above section.
2). Battery Quality
If your battery is bad, you will need to replace it at your local iPhone repair shop. Here is how you can find out whether or not that is necessary.
- On your iPhone, open “Settings.”
- Click “Battery”.
- Click “Battery Health”.
- Look at the maximum capacity to see how good your current battery is.
- If your battery’s maximum capacity is below 80, maybe you can consider getting a new one.
3). Storage Issues
However, if there is nothing wrong with your battery, the problem could perhaps be storage. Check how much storage you have to decide if you should delete some apps you don’t use or pictures and videos you don’t look at.
- On your iPhone, select “Settings.”
- Click “General”.
- Click “Device Storage”.
- This will tell you how much storage space you’ve used up. If it’s too much, think about what you can delete.
- Under “Device Storage”, you will also see some recommendations for increasing your phone’s storage. You can try these recommendations.
Other Hardware Issues Leading to iPhone Black Screen
There are, of course, some other hardware issues that may result in your iPhone’s screen going black.
1). Phone Dropped In Water
For example, if you dropped your phone in the water. Firstly, it’s worth trying the old “leave it to dry rice” trick. But, if that doesn’t work, you may need to take it to the repair shop to get it fixed.
2). Battery Dead
Perhaps the issue is with the battery. It might not be charged properly. A drained battery can look similar to the black screen of death.
Try connecting your phone to a power source (usually either a wall charger or computer) using a cable. If you see the Apple logo, it’s charging.
If you do not see an apple logo, here’s some advice
- Make sure the charger isn’t damaged.
- Try a different socket.
- Make sure the wall socket-USB adaptor is working as it should.
- Wait for at least 1 hour to see if it is charging.
3). Motherboard Problem
The issues with the motherboard can occur without any signs before. It can be suddenly broken. I’ve got 2 broken motherboards before. For the problems with the motherboard, I recommend that you get it replaced by the Apple store if it is within the warranty. If it is out of warranty, it may cost less if you find a trustworthy repair store to get it fixed.
