How to Fix iPhone Screen Is Black but Phone Is On

Even though the iPhone screen is black and unusable when it has the "black screen of death," you can still use it. Here are the methods professionals advise for diagnosing and resolving your iPhone screen is black but phone is on problems.

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Myra updated on Sep 05, 2023 | Home > iOS & Mac Topics

A "screen of death" can be found on almost every electronic device. The "blue screen of death" affects computers and laptops, while the "red ring of death" affects game consoles. This term describes problems with a device that is severe enough to render it entirely non-functional and frequently require professional assistance.

The iPhone's screen is blank and unresponsive to touch in the "black screen of death," but you can still use the phone because it is still making sounds or vibrating. So your iPhone is nothing more than a buzzing paperweight without touch sensitivity or screen visibility, which makes this a very irritating problem.

Your life works when your technology does, too. Although many of these "problems of death" are severe malfunctions, only a few are permanent. Here are the methods experts recommend for your iPhone screen is black but phone is on problem diagnosing and fixing solutions.

iPhone Screen Is Black but Phone Is On: 4 Possible Reasons

Your iPhone may unexpectedly go black for various reasons, like pressing the wrong buttons, causing it to enter the DFU mode unintentionally. It may also occur if your iPhone is a refurbished model. Here are some additional typical causes:

  • Hardware problems: For instance, dropping your phone can harm the LCD screen or internal parts, resulting in blackouts. The processor on your iPhone could occasionally overheat if you use it too much, breaking the connection between the processor and LCD.
  • Software problems: An unsuccessful iOS restore occurred, or your iPhone model is incompatible with iOS15.4, which has just been updated. If you've already jailbroken your iPhone, malware is the cause of the malfunctions. The most frequent cause is a software crash.
  • A problem with an app: Your system's performance could be slowed down, and your LCD screen could become frozen if an application uses too much memory, is incompatible with other apps, or is infected with malware.
  • Low battery: The iPhone screen will automatically dim if your phone's battery runs low.

We can relate to your situation. Don't worry, though. Your issue has solutions that we can provide. Try the ways listed below if your iPhone screen is black but phone is on:

How to Fix iPhone Screen Is Black but Phone Is On

Connect the iPhone's display connector if your iPhone's screen goes black but is still on. You must gently press the iPhone's body and display over the top of the device, specifically in the vicinity of the camera and display connector. Occasionally, unintentional bumps and drops weaken or disrupt the contact with the display connector. To rejoin the connectors and restore your iPhone's regular operations, firmly tap it for around 30 seconds at a time.

Solution 1. Fix the black screen by repairing iOS

First of all, I'd like to introduce how to fix the iPhone black screen due to some unknown iOS system bug using a third-party iOS repair software - EaseUS MobiXpert. With this effective repair tool, you can sselect two repair options - standard and deep modes. It is suggested to try the "Standard Repair" option first. And if the operating system is severely damaged and the "Standard Repair" function doesn't work at all, then you are expected to try the "Deep Repair" feature.

Step 1. Launch EaseUS MobiXpert on your computer, choose "System Repair" from the Home page.

MobiXpert hompage

Step 2.  Then, choose "iOS/iPadOS System Repair" from the new screen.

ios system repair

Step 3. Connect your iPhone or iPad to the computer and choose "Standard Repair." If you want a thorough repair, you can choose "Deep Repair."

select repair mode

Step 4. Confirm your device model and click "Next" to move on. Then, EaseUS MobiXpert will download a firmware for you, which will take a while. If you have installed a firmware before using this software, you can directly click "Verify" to continue.

verify firmware

Step 5. Then, click "Repair Now" to start the repair process. After the repair completes, you can check your device and restart it for use. 

erpair complete

Solution 2. Externally press the iPhone

There is a good chance that the software problem with the program you are using is the cause of your screen becoming completely black. The program can also be loading anything, which is the alternative scenario. With streaming apps, this frequently occurs, especially if your internet connection is slow.

Solution 3. Fix any app issues you may have

The best action to take in this circumstance would be:

Step 1. Close the app, exit it, and return to the home screen.

Step 2. Launch the App Store, then select the Updates option. Install any updates that are readily accessible for the program that keeps crashing.

Step 3. Restart your iPhone.

app

Usually, this will resolve the problem. If the issue continues, we encourage you to contact the app's creator or uninstall it to protect your device's health.

Solution 4. Try a force restart

If your iPhone is on but screen is black is a software problem; forcing a restart should solve it. The only way to restart your iPhone for the background process or the running app to be terminated and launched anew is if one has crashed. The steps to forcibly restart your iPhone are listed below.

Step 1. Press & release the Volume Up button immediately. Repeat the process for the Volume Down button.

Step 2. Press the Side button until the screen displays the Apple logo. Depending on the crash, the logo could appear in 10 to 20 seconds.

force restart

Delete any offending apps after your iPhone restarts to prevent a crash from happening again. You can upgrade the application even if the latest version has resolved the problem. As an alternative, charge your device before performing a force reset.

Solution 5. With iTunes, update or restore your iPhone

Apple released a software tool called iTunes to store media files. It can also resolve specific iOS problems by reinstalling the software. The steps are as follows:

Step 1. Connect your iPhone via a cable to your PC. Open the most recent version of iTunes, then wait for it to be detected.

Step 2. When iTunes detects your device, click "Back Up Now" on the "Summary" tab to make a copy of your iPhone's data.

Step 3. To upgrade iOS 16 on your iPhone without losing any data, select "Check for Update."

itunes

Click "Restore iPhone," which will delete all your data if updating doesn't work. But once finished, you can use iTunes to restore your backup.

Solution 6. Reset iPhone to its factory settings

Using an iOS system repair program, you can often fix the software-related random iPhone screen blackout issue. If you don't want to utilize third-party programs, the final option is to use recovery mode to return your iPhone to its original factory settings. All data on the iPhone, including settings, apps, and data, will be erased. Take a backup of your iPhone first.

Then, follow these instructions to restore your iPhone to its default settings.

Step 1. Launch iTunes after connecting the iPhone to a computer or Mac with the most recent version of iTunes installed.

Step 2. Force restarting the iPhone will put it into recovery mode while it is still connected.

Step 3. You can upgrade or restore the iPhone using the dialogue box that will appear on iTunes. To restore the iPhone, click Restore.

Solution 7. Consider DFU mode

DFU mode restores your final option if Recovery mode restores hasn't fixed your iPhone. It is not advised since you risk bricking your iPhone if something goes wrong. Because of this, if you aren't sure about the step, you should not take it. So here are the steps, though, if you decide to try it.

Step 1. Start over by restarting your computer. Connect your iPhone using a lightning cord to your PC.

Step 2. Tap and hold the Volume Down button. If you see the Apple logo, you have failed and must release all buttons to restart.

Step 3. Release the Side button but keep holding on to the Volume Down button if you don't see the Apple logo.

Step 4. Release the Volume Down button after you receive a message from iTunes stating that it has found your iPhone. Proceed with the on-screen instructions to complete the DFU mode restoration process.

dfu

Remember that your device is not in DFU mode if you see the message Plug into iTunes on your screen. You must start over. Let us repeat once more that hiring an Apple professional with experience with DFU mode is preferable to attempting it yourself.

FAQs on iPhone Screen Is Black but Phone Is On

Your questions regarding how to fix an iPhone is on but screen is black but your phone is on may be addressed by the frequently asked questions (FAQs) listed below:

1. Is the black screen of death permanent?

A software bug typically brings on the Black Screen of Death but is frequently fixable. Black displays that appear to appear out of nowhere are typically the result of a hardware issue that is more serious. It will be necessary to fix or replace the component. There is nearly always a solution, no matter what.

2. What is the black screen of death?

Even while the phone is turned on, the screen on your iPhone can become black. The screen stays black and unresponsive. This condition is frequently called the "Black Screen of Death" on the iPhone because it may prevent you from carrying out any operations. Even the touch functionalities are inoperable.

3. Is black screen iPhone fixable?

You may employ a few troubleshooting techniques & fix your iPhone's black screen of death, regardless of how it happened, or at the very least, stop the problem from permanently harming the data or files you have stored on the device.

Conclusion

Both software and physical problems may cause an iPhone screen is black but phone is on or a black screen of death. We have provided answers in consideration of the software problem. Before deciding that the problem is hardware-related, you should give them a try. If so, the screen must be replaced, or the dislodge problem must be fixed by an Apple professional or at an Apple store.