7 Tips on How to Fix Black Screen on iPhone (iOS 18/17)

User Concern

“My iPhone seems to be functioning because I hear notifications and vibration, but the screen remains balck and unresponsive. I can't access anything on it. Any ideas on how to fix this?”

The iPhone remains one of the most popular smartphones today, thanks to its user-friendly design and reliable performance. We rely on our iPhones for work, communication and entertainment, it can be really annoying when something goes wrong.

A common issue many users face is the black screen of death, when the screen goes completely black and the phone seems unresponsive. Before heading to an Apple Store, there are several steps you can try at home. In this article, we will explore what causes iPhone black screen of death and some potentail solutions to fix the issue.

What is iPhone Black Screen of Death and Why Does It Happen?

The iPhone black screen of death is a frustrating problem where the screen goes completely black and doesn’t respond to any taps or swipes - but the phone itself might still be on, making sounds or vibrating.

While there are ways to fix it (which we’ll cover below), it’s important to ask: why does this happen in the first place? Let’s take a look at some of the most common causes:

• Battery Drain: If your iPhone’s battery is fully drained, the screen won’t turn on at all - even though the phone may still be functioning in the background.
• App Malfunction: A buggy app might crash and cause the screen to go black. This can sometimes freeze the whole phone.
• Software Glitches: Software bugs or incomplete updates can make the display stop working, even though the phone is still running.
• Hardware Issues: If your iPhone has been dropped, exposed to water, or physically damaged, the screen or internal parts might stop working properly.
• Malware or Viruses: Though rare on iPhones, malicious software could interfere with system functions and cause a black screen.
• Jailbreaking: Modifying your iPhone through jailbreaking can make it unstable and more prone to system errors, including a black screen.

What To Do When My iPhone Screen is Black?

Now that you understand what might cause your iPhone screen to go black, it’s time to try some effective fixes. Here are a few troubleshooting steps to help you resolve the iPhone black screen of death:

Tip 1. Charge Your iPhone

A completely drained battery is often the reason behind an iPhone getting stuck on a black screen. To fix this, plug your iPhone into a power source using an Apple-certified cable and adapter. Let it charge for at least 15 to 30 minutes before trying to turn it on again.

Tip 2. Force Close Crashed App

If your iPhone screen went black right after opening a specific app, that app could be the problem. In this case, try force closing it.

• Swipe up from the bottom of the screen (or double-press the Home button on older models) to open the app switcher.
• Then, swipe up on the app that caused the issue to close it. After that, your screen should respond normally again.

Updating the app might also fix the issue. Just open the App Store, scroll down, and tap on "Updates". If the app causing the problem has an update available, install it. After that, restart your iPhone and check if the screen works properly again.

Tip 3. Force Restart Your iPhone

iPhone black screen issues ususally suggests that there are minor software errors with the device. If your iPhone has a black screen and unresponsive, you can perform a force restart to troubleshoot the problem. The exact steps will depend on the iPhone model you have:

• For iPhone 8 or later: Press and quickly release the Volume Up button, then press and quickly release the Volume Down button. Finally, press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
• For iPhone 7 or 7 Plus: Press and hold both the Side button and Volume Down button simultaneously until the Apple logo appears.
• For iPhone 6s or earlier: Press and hold both the Side button and Home button until the Apple logo shows up.

Tip 4. Update iPhone to the Latest iOS

If your iPhone starts after the force restart, check for any iOS updates. If there's one available, download and install it. Updates often fix bugs and security issues that can prevent black screen problems.

If you're still unable to access your iPhone settings because of the blank screen, you can update your device using a computer. Here are the steps:

1. Connect your iPhone to your computer with a USB cable.
2. On Mac (macOS Catalina or later), open Finder. On Windows or Mac (macOS Mojave or earlier), open iTunes.
3. Select your iPhone from the list of devices.
4. Click Check for Update, then click Download and Update to install the latest iOS version.

Tip 5. Restore Your iPhone with iTunes or Finder

If force restarting or updating doesn't help to solve the black screen iPhone, performing a restore via iTunes/Finder might do the trick. However, you should be aware that all the current data on your iPhone will be erased after restoring.

1. Launch iTunes or Finder and connect your black screen iPhone to the computer via USB cable.
2. When your phone is connected, follow the steps in Force Restart to put the device in to Recovery Mode.
3. iTunes or Finder will detect your iPhone that is in Recovery Mode. And a message will pop up requiring you to update or restore the device.
4. Click Restore and wait for iTunes to finish the restore. Keep your iPhone connected

Tip 6. Fix iPhone Black Scren without iTunes [No Data Loss]

If there is still no response to the device, it's very likely that something goes wrong with the iOS system. You may concern about the data saved on iPhone when the screen is not responsive.

In this situation, FoneGeek iOS System Recovery can help to fix the iOS system issues without using iTunes. The program can be used to fix most iOS issues, like iPhone stuck in recovery mode, DFU mode or device won't turn on without the risk of data loss.

Key Features of FoneGeek iOS System Recovery

• Fix all iPhone issues that you met, for example, iPhone stuck on black screen or white screen, recovery mode/DFU mode, iPhone won't turn on, etc.
• No data will be erased. In other words, your device will be fixed and work normally without data loss.
• Its user-friendly interface requires little technical knowledge. Everyone can easily use it without any hassle.
• It works with all models of iPhone, iPad, iPad touch and iOS versions, even iPhone 16/15 and iOS 18/17.

Here's how to fix iPhone black screen of death without data loss:

Step 1: After downloading the program on your computer, run it and connect your iPhone to the computer using USB cable, then select "Standard Mode".

Step 2: The information of your device will be detected and displayed. Tap on "Download" and the program will start to download the firmware package of the latest iOS version.

Step 3: Once the download has completed, click on "Fix Now" and your iPhone will be repaired immediately and work normally after the fixing.

Tip 7. Contact Apple Support

If you've tried all of the above solutions but the problem persists, the most possible cause for the iPhone black screen of death could be a hardware issue. In this case, you'd better take your iPhone to a local Apple Store and ask an expert to help you repair the device.

FAQs about Black Screen of Death on iPhone

Can I fix iPhone black screen issue without losing data?

It depends on the method you use to fix the iPhone black screen issue. Methods like charging your iPhone, force restarting it, or using FoneGeek iOS System Recovery will not result in data loss. However, restoring your iPhone using iTunes will erase all the data on your device.

How to prevent iPhone black screen of death?

Here are some tips to prevent iPhone black screen of death:

• Keep your iPhone at a stable temperature, as extreme heat or cold can cause the screen to go black.
• Regularly update or reinstall any apps that might be causing system issues, as faulty apps can lead to the black screen.
• Keep your iPhone at a stable temperature, as extreme heat or cold can cause the screen to go black.
• To fix this problem, you may take the risk of data loss. Thus backup your iPhone data beforehand is recommended.

Conclusion

To summarize, the black screen of death on an iPhone can be caused by either software or hardware issues. If you encounter this issue, don't worry, as there are several methods to troubleshoot and resolve the problem, as discussed in this post.

If the cause of the black screen problem is related to software, the best solution is to use FoneGeek iOS System Recovery. With just a few clicks, this tool can restore your iPhone to its normal functioning state without any data loss.