There are a few potential causes if your iPhone screen suddenly goes black or won’t turn on:
Hardware Issue
A hardware problem like a faulty display or logic board could cause the screen to go black. Some signs of a hardware issue:
- The screen goes completely black and unresponsive.
- You can’t restart your iPhone or force reset it.
- There’s no image at all, even when shining a light on the screen.
With a hardware problem, a trip to the Apple store or an authorized service provider is probably needed. They can run diagnostics tests and determine if a repair or full replacement is necessary.
Software Glitch
A software glitch or app freezing could make the screen appear black. Some signs of a software issue:
- The screen goes black but you can still hear alerts/notifications.
- Pressing the home or power button has no effect.
- The Apple logo doesn’t appear on startup.
- Force restarting your iPhone resolves the problem.
With a software glitch, try force restarting your iPhone by pressing and quickly releasing the Volume Up button, then pressing and quickly releasing the Volume Down button, then press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears. This will restart your phone and resolve many temporary software bugs.
Stuck Power Off
In rare cases, an iPhone may get stuck while powered off, causing the screen to remain black when you try to turn it on. Some signs of this:
- The screen stays black when trying to power on.
- Charging doesn’t help.
- Force restarting has no effect.
If your iPhone is stuck while powered off, connect it to a computer and open iTunes. A hard reset can be performed by restoring the iPhone through iTunes which should resolve this issue.
Empty Battery
One of the most obvious reasons an iPhone screen can go black is a drained battery. The battery may have discharged too low to power the screen. Some signs of an empty battery:
- The low battery warning appeared before the screen went black.
- The screen immediately comes back on when plugged into power.
- The battery level was already low beforehand.
If your iPhone screen goes black and you suspect the battery is empty, connect your iPhone to a charger. Give it 10-15 minutes to charge up enough to power back on. Let it charge up to at least 10-15% before trying to turn the screen on.
Crashed App
A crashed app or process could make your iPhone screen appear black or frozen. Some signs of an app crash:
- Screen went black while using a specific app.
- You can still hear alerts/notifications.
- Pressing home/power button has no effect.
- Force restarting the iPhone resolves it.
If a misbehaving app is suspected, force restart your iPhone. Then when it boots back up, check Settings > Battery and monitor battery usage to see if any app is using excessive power or seems stuck. Deleting the problematic app may resolve app crashes that lead to a black screen.
Display Cable
On an iPhone with a physical Home button, a loose or damaged display cable could cause a black screen. Signs include:
- Dropping your iPhone or impact that could have loosened the cable.
- Display works but is intermittent (flickering, freezing, going black).
- Pressing on certain spots triggers a response/flicker on the display.
Carefully check the display cable connection at the bottom near the Home button. Reseating the cable or getting it repaired may resolve this issue.
Touch Screen Not Responding
If your iPhone has a black or frozen screen but is still powered on, the touch screen itself may have failed. Signs of that include:
- Display is on but unresponsive to touches.
- Display works but touch gestures have no effect.
- Restarts and resets don’t help.
If the display is intact but the touch screen isn’t responding, this indicates a problem with the touch screen digitizer. The iPhone may need a touch screen replacement in order to properly recognize taps and swipes again.
Failed Proximity Sensor
A failed proximity sensor can also cause an unresponsive black screen. The proximity sensor shuts off the display and touch functionality during calls when you hold the iPhone to your face. Some signs of a faulty sensor:
- Screen goes black during calls.
- Display stays black even after call ends.
- Proximity sensor diagnostic tests fail.
Take your iPhone to Apple or a repair shop. They can test the proximity sensor and likely just needs to be cleaned or replaced if faulty.
Won’t Power On
If your iPhone completely fails to power on at all, the screen may stay black when you try turning it on. Some signs of a power issue:
- The screen stays black when trying to turn it on.
- No signs of life even when plugged into power.
- The battery won’t charge.
First, let it charge for at least 30 minutes before trying again. Try a force reset. If there’s no response, contact Apple Support to troubleshoot or set up a repair.
Backlight Malfunction
Problems with the backlight on an iPhone screen can also lead to a black display. Signs include:
- The display works but looks dim.
- Only some backlighting is visible.
- Using a flashlight shows broken backlight pixels.
Take your iPhone to Apple or a repair shop to diagnose display issues related to backlighting. The repair requires replacing the screen.
Water Damage
Exposure to liquid can damage an iPhone screen and make it go black. Some signs of water damage:
- It was exposed to moisture.
- Water sensors/indicators are triggered.
- Corrosion is visible on sim card or charging port.
If your iPhone screen went black after getting wet, immediately power it off. Let it dry out completely for at least 72 hours before trying to turn it back on. Water damage often requires professional repair or replacement of the display and internal components.
Dropped iPhone
Physical trauma from dropping your iPhone can damage the screen and cause it to go black. Some signs:
- It was recently dropped.
- There are visible cracks or damage.
- Pressing on the screen triggers a response.
Visually inspect for any cracks, dents or deformation caused by dropping or impact. Any physical damage will likely require a screen replacement or professional repair service.
Bent iPhone
If your iPhone is bent or warped, it can damage connections and cause the screen to go black. Signs include:
- The iPhone frame doesn’t lay flat.
- There is a visible curve or warp.
- Buttons or ports don’t line up.
A bent iPhone may need replacement of the display and underlying components. In some cases the metal housing may be bent enough that the device needs replacement.
Jammed Power Button
A jammed or defective power/sleep button could leave the screen black and unresponsive. Signs of a jammed button:
- The power button feels stiff and hard to press.
- The button seems stuck in a pressed position.
- The iPhone activates erratically or randomly.
Carefully inspect the power button for any obstruction or damage. Clean around the button with compressed air. The power button may need to be repaired or replaced if defective.
Bad Logic Board
An underlying motherboard failure can cause an iPhone screen to go completely black randomly. Signs of logic board failure:
- Screen goes black intermittently.
- Rebooting or hard resets temporarily fix it.
- LED flashes or other odd visual glitches.
If a logic board defect is suspected, contact Apple Support for troubleshooting. A logic board replacement may be necessary if that is determined to be the cause.
Conclusion
While an iPhone with a black screen can be troubling, the most common causes tend to be app crashes, software issues, or discharge batteries. Try rebooting the phone, force quitting apps, letting the battery charge up, or connecting your iPhone to iTunes on a computer. Hardware problems like a faulty display cable, bad logic board, or broken power button require professional repair.
If you recently dropped your iPhone or got it wet, physical damage is the likely cause of the black screen. Schedule an appointment at an Apple store or authorized service center to inspect and test the iPhone. Water damaged components often need replacement. Lastly, make sure to backup your data regularly so important photos or information won’t be lost if the screen goes black.
| Cause | Signs | Solutions |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware failure |
|
iPhone repair or replacement |
| Software glitch |
|
Force restart iPhone |
| Stuck while off |
|
Hard reset through iTunes |
| Empty battery |
|
Let iPhone charge 10-15 minutes |
| Crashed app |
|
Force restart and delete problematic app |
| Display cable issue |
|
Reseat or replace display cable |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my iPhone screen suddenly go black?
Common causes for an iPhone screen that suddenly goes black include an unresponsive app or operating system crash, the battery running out of charge, a display cable coming loose internally, or physical damage from dropping.
Can a black iPhone screen turn back on?
Yes, a black iPhone screen can often be revived. Letting the battery recharge, doing a force restart, closing frozen apps, or repairing physical damage can get an unresponsive black screen working again.
Why does my iPhone screen go black when I make calls?
If your iPhone screen consistently goes black only when making calls, that indicates a problem with the proximity sensor. It automatically shuts off the screen when held to your face, but a faulty sensor will leave the screen black even when the call ends.
How do I restart my iPhone if screen is black?
To force restart an iPhone with black or frozen screen, press and quickly release the Volume Up button, press and quickly release the Volume Down button, then press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
Why does my iPhone screen randomly go black?
Frequent random black screens that resolve with restarting are often due to a software bug or glitch. Updating iOS, deleting problematic apps, or resetting all settings can prevent an iPhone screen from going black intermittently.
Can water damage cause iPhone black screen?
Yes, water damage is a common cause of an iPhone with a black screen. Liquid can corrode internal components and disable the display. Immediately power off water damaged iPhones, don’t try charging, and let fully dry for at least 72 hours.
How to fix iPhone black screen of death?
For an iPhone with the “black screen of death” that won’t power back on, force restart it, try DFU mode and restoring, inspect physical damage, check the display cable, or test with a new battery. Hardware repair may be needed if software fixes don’t work.
Why is my iPhone screen flickering then going black?
An iPhone with a flickering, flashing or intermittent black screen is often caused by a loose display cable. Pressing on certain spots may trigger screen response. Try reseating the display cable or get it repaired.
Can iPhone black screen data be recovered?
Recovering data off an iPhone with black screen depends on the cause. If it’s a crashed app or drained battery, restarting will enable data recovery. With hardware damage, professional data recovery services can extract contents if memory chips are intact.
What to do if your iPhone has a black screen?
If your iPhone has a black screen, first try a force restart. Charge it for at least 10 minutes if battery is depleted. Check for physical damage like cracks. Try resetting settings or updating iOS software. If it persists, contact Apple support for troubleshooting or to set up a repair.
