A black screen is one of the most common issues that iPhone users face. It can occur due to software glitches, physical damage to the screen or other components, or device freezing. Restoring an iPhone often helps fix many software-related issues that may be causing the black screen. However, if the issue is caused by hardware damage, a restore may not resolve it. In this comprehensive guide, we will cover:
What causes black screen on iPhone?
There are several potential causes behind iPhones displaying black screens:
- Software crash or glitch – A software crash can make the screen unresponsive and black. This often happens after an iOS update or app installation.
- Battery issues – If the battery is unable to provide sufficient power to the iPhone, it may cause the screen to turn black.
- Screen damage – Physical or liquid damage to the screen can disable it fully or partially.
- Logic board issues – Faults in the logic board, which controls the phone’s components, may cause black screens.
- Other hardware damage – Issues with connectors, cables and sensors linked to the screen can also trigger a black screen.
- Overheating – High temperatures can trip the internal temperature sensors and lead to black screens.
- Freezing – Very low temperatures may also cause iPhone screens to freeze and turn black.
Will restoring fix iPhone black screen?
Restoring an iPhone can often resolve software-related black screen issues. Here’s how it helps:
- Fixes iOS errors – A restore installs a fresh copy of iOS, clearing any corrupted files or settings.
- Removes problematic apps – Apps that may be crashing iOS are deleted during a restore.
- Clears app data – Any app data that may be causing conflicts or crashes is erased.
- Resets settings – Network, location, privacy and other settings are reset to defaults.
- Resolves jailbreak issues – A restore deletes any remnants of jailbreaking that may affect the system.
So in summary, restoring an iPhone can eliminate any software bugs, conflicts or glitches that lead to black screen issues. However, it cannot fix hardware-related problems like screen damage or logic board faults. The black screen will persist even after restoring if the underlying cause is hardware failure.
When should you restore to fix black screen?
Here are some signs that point to a software issue being responsible for the black screen, and restoring having a good chance of resolving it:
- Black screen appears randomly, not caused by any physical damage
- You recently installed an iOS update or new apps
- Phone feels warm or drained of battery quicker than usual
- iPhone restarts randomly or gets stuck at Apple logo
- Screen flickers before turning black
- Pressing lock button doesn’t wake phone up
- Jailbreaking caused issues before black screen appeared
In such cases, a restore has a high chance of success. Restoring when the black screen is obviously due to physical damage is pointless.
How to restore iPhone to fix black screen
Here are step-by-step instructions to restore an iPhone to troubleshoot black screen issues:
- Force restart the iPhone – Press and quickly release Volume Up button, press and quickly release Volume Down button, then press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo. This clears out minor glitches that may be causing the black screen and allows moving to the next steps.
- Back up the iPhone – Connect the iPhone to a computer and do a backup via iTunes or iCloud. This preserves your data and settings.
- Download latest iOS – Ensure iTunes or your computer has the latest iOS version the phone supports. This will install a fresh iOS during restore.
- Put iPhone in recovery mode – Press and hold Side and Volume Down buttons together for 10 seconds to enter recovery mode. You’ll see the Connect to iTunes screen.
- Restore iPhone – In iTunes, click Restore iPhone. This will install latest iOS and restore from the backup.
- Set up iPhone and check – On first boot, set up the iPhone from scratch rather than using backup. Then check if the black screen issue is resolved once setup is complete.
The above steps will cleanly restore your iPhone and rule out any software issues causing the black screen. If the issue persists, then hardware damage is likely the culprit.
Fixing hardware-related black screens
If you’ve tried restoring your iPhone and the black screen still appears, then it’s likely due to a hardware problem. Here are some steps to troubleshoot and fix it:
- Hard reset – Try force restarting the iPhone by pressing and holding Side and either Volume button for 10+ seconds until Apple logo appears.
- Update/restore in DFU mode – Put iPhone in DFU mode and update or restore to eliminate any deeper firmware glitches.
- Check screen condition – Carefully inspect the iPhone screen for cracks, damages or unresponsive areas in the display.
- Check battery health – Charge the battery up to 100% and check Battery Health in Settings app. Replace battery if required.
- Check logic board – Logic board failure can cause black screen issues not fixed by restore. A repair may be required.
- Substitute display – Hook up a known good display temporarily to test if the issue is with the original screen.
- Get professional repair – For complex hardware faults, seek professional iPhone repair rather than DIY solutions.
Be cautious of third-party or DIY screen replacements, as incorrect installation or low quality parts may also cause black screen problems.
Checking for hardware damage
To assess if black screen issues stem from hardware damage, check for the following signs:
- Visible screen damage – Cracked glass, distorted display, dead pixels etc. point to screen failure.
- Image but no backlight – Faint image visible under light indicates display backlight issue.
- Unresponsive touch – Touch input not working points to fault with screen digitizer.
- Flickering display – Intermittently working backlight hints at loose display connectors.
- Burn-in image – Burned-in image that remains even after restore indicates screen deterioration.
- No image at all – Blank screen with no visible image or backlight implies complete display failure.
- Won’t turn on – Phone unresponsive even after charging hints at logic board fault.
Such symptoms require hardware-level repairs, not just software restores, to resolve the black screen successfully.
Preventing black screens
You can avoid many black screen issues by taking simple preventive measures:
- Install iOS updates promptly
- Avoid jailbreaking your iPhone
- Don’t install apps from unknown sources
- Protect iPhone from drops and liquid damage
- Avoid extreme temperatures for phone storage or usage
- Maintain adequate battery health
- Backup data regularly
- Arrange professional repairs for hardware damage
Early troubleshooting of minor issues can also prevent them from escalating into complete black screen failures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my iPhone screen turn black randomly?
Sudden black screens are often caused by software crashes or glitches, battery charging issues causing low voltage, overheating that trips screen thermal sensors, or hardware problems like loose connections.
How long does an iPhone take to restore?
The iPhone restore process typically takes between 5-15 minutes if done through iTunes. iCloud restores can take 30 minutes or longer depending on internet speeds.
Will restoring delete everything on my iPhone?
Yes, restoring deletes all data and settings on the iPhone and installs a fresh copy of iOS. You should always backup your iPhone before restoring to avoid data loss.
Why is my iPhone stuck on black screen after restore?
If the black screen issue remains even after restoring, then it is likely being caused by underlying hardware damage or failure. A software restore cannot fix hardware-related black screens.
How much does it cost to fix iPhone black screen?
Screen replacements at Apple for iPhones without AppleCare+ coverage can cost $129 to $329 depending on the model. Repairs of motherboard and other internal failures cost $199 to $499. With AppleCare+, screen repairs are $29.
Conclusion
Restoring an iPhone can often resolve black screen issues caused by software glitches or crashes. However, it doesn’t fix hardware-related problems. Check for physical damage and unresponsive pixels to identify hardware faults. Prevent black screens by installing iOS updates, avoiding drops, managing battery health, and getting timely repairs. Restore the iPhone through iTunes or iCloud after backing up data to troubleshoot black screen issues arising suddenly after an update or app installation. However, if the screen remains black after restoring, seek professional repair for underlying hardware damage.