How to Fix the iPhone Black Screen Issue and Avoid It in the Future?

by Maggie Mueller Updated On Aug 22, 2024 Published On Aug 22, 2024 Basic iPhone Tips Ideal for Newbies

An iPhone stuck on a black screen can happen for several reasons, most of which are related to software. Hardware issues rarely cause this problem, but they can happen, such as if the device is dropped or exposed to water. Unless there has been significant physical damage, the issue is more likely to be software-related.

Below, we will explore some solutions to help you fix the black screen on your iPhone. Let's dive in.

Try to recall what your iPhone has gone through in the past 24 hours. Did it fall? Was it exposed to harmful conditions, or did this happen after an iOS update or a restore from backup? Even though iPhones are known for their durability, they are not immune to problems.

Here are some potential reasons your iPhone is experiencing the black screen of death:

  • Your iPhone's battery is drained or damaged.
  • Critical system issues caused by an iOS update, downgrade, restore, or jailbreak failure.
  • A displaced or damaged LCD cable caused by a drop.
  • Water damage.

While it's ideal to have a professional check the black screen issue, you can try some simple remedies at home if you can determine the possible cause.

Plug Your iPhone Into a Charger

When your battery level drops to 20%, your iPhone will notify you with a low battery alert. However, after that, it won't give more warnings, and the phone may shut off without you realizing it.

Before attempting other solutions, plug your iPhone into an Apple-certified charger and leave it for at least 30 minutes. If the charging indicator doesn't show after 30 minutes, try a different power source. If your iPhone still doesn't respond, it's likely not a battery issue, and you should move on to the next solution.

Plug the iPhone into charger

Force Restart Your Device

If you're sure your iPhone has enough power, the black screen could be due to a software issue. A force restart can refresh the system and remove any bugs causing the black screen. This is a recommended Apple solution and won't cause data loss.

Here's how you can force restart your iPhone based on your model:

For iPhone 12, 11, X, XR, XS, 8 Plus, 8:

  1. Press the volume up button and release it quickly.
  2. Press the volume down button, and release it quickly.
  3. Press and hold the side button till you get the Apple logo.
  4. Once the Apple logo appears, release the side button.

Force Restart iPhone 12

For iPhone 7 or 7 Plus:

  1. Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button and volume down button together.
  2. Once the Apple logo appears, release both the volume down and Sleep/Wake buttons together.

Force Restart iPhone 7

For iPhone 6S and Older Models:

  1. Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button and the Home button together.
  2. Release both the Sleep/Wake button and the Home button once the Apple logo appears.

Force Restart iPhone 6S

Fix iPhone Black Screen with TinyFix System Repair Tool

If the force restart doesn't work, you may need a more in-depth system repair. External iOS system repair tools like TinyFix can help fix software issues without needing a trip to the repair shop. TinyFix is a reliable iOS repair and recovery tool that can fix black screens, iPhones stuck on the Apple logo, and even restart loops, all without data loss.

Let's see how to use TinyFix and solve the iPhone stuck on a black screen issue in just a few clicks:

Step 1. Download, and install the TinyFix tool on your laptop or PC.

Step 2. Then, launch the program and select the iOS System Repair > Standard Repair Mode option.

 main screen of TinyFix

Step 3. Now, connect your iPhone to your laptop or PC.

Standard Repair Mode

Step 4. Once TinyFix detects your iPhone, let the tool download the firmware.

get the appropriate firmware

Step 5. After that, TinyFix will start repairing your iPhone for a few minutes.

dd

Once done, you should see a "Done" message, and your iPhone should restart normally.

the repair procedure has been successfully completed

Restore Your iPhone with iTunes or Finder

If you prefer trying other solutions before using a repair tool, you can restore your iPhone with iTunes or Finder. Keep in mind that restoring your iPhone will erase all data and settings on your iPhone. So, only do this if you have a recent backup to avoid losing important data.

Important Notes:

  • This method will only work if your iPhone has previously been connected to your computer, and Find My iPhone is turned off. Otherwise, you won't be able to proceed because your iPhone will prompt you to trust the computer or turn off Find My iPhone — something you can't do with a black screen.
  • If these conditions aren't met, you can use software like TinyFix to restore your iPhone without needing to tap anything on the screen.

Here's how to restore your iPhone with iTunes or Finder:

  1. Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable.
  2. Open iTunes or Finder and select your iPhone from the sidebar.
  3. In the General tab, click Restore iPhone.
  4. You'll be asked if you want to back up your settings — choose to back up if needed.
  5. Confirm by clicking Restore again.

restore your iPhone with iTunes or Finder

Wait for the process to finish, which may take a few minutes. After that, you can restore your iPhone from a backup.

restore your iPhone from a backup

Perform a Recovery Mode Restore For Your iPhone

If you don't want to use the system repair tool to fix your issue, try out the Recovery Mode restore. It reloads the entire software and firmware of your iPhone and it's used to solve significant and fatal system errors only.

Note: This method can take longer and may result in data loss. So, only do this if you have a recent backup to avoid data loss.

Here's how you can perform a Recovery mode restore for your iPhone:

Step 1. Close all apps on your computer to avoid interruptions.

Step 2. Connect your iPhone to your computer using a Lightning cable.

Step 3: Open Finder on a Mac running macOS Catalina or later, For Macs with macOS Mojave or earlier, or for PCs, open iTunes.

Step 4. Enter Recovery Mode based on your iPhone model:

iPhone 6s, SE, and earlier: Press the Home and Sleep/Wake buttons together until you see the Recovery Mode screen on your iPhone.

iPhone 6s, SE, and earlier in recovery mode

iPhone 7 and 7 Plus: Press the volume down and Sleep/Wake buttons together until you see the Recovery Mode screen on your iPhone.

iPhone 7 and 7 Plus in recovery mode

iPhone 8 and later: Press the volume up button then the volume down button. After that, immediately press and hold the Side button until you see the Recovery Mode screen.

iPhone 8 and later in recovery mode

Step 5. iTunes will detect your iPhone and offer options to Update or Restore. Try Update first.

restore iPhone in recovery mode

Step 6. Then, click the Restore and Update button on the pop-up dialog box and your iPhone will start restoring.

Restore and Update

If that doesn't work, repeat the steps and choose Restore. If your iPhone exits recovery mode in the middle of the process, put your iPhone in recovery mode again and repeat the above steps.

Once the process completes, set up your iPhone. If you chose Update, your files should still be intact. If you chose Restore, the data on your iPhone will be wiped of you can restore your data from a backup.

Look Into a Hardware Issue

The above solutions are ideal for fixing software problems. However, if your iPhone was dropped or exposed to water and now has a black screen, the issue might be hardware-related.

In this case, contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store. Their technicians will assess the damage, and depending on the issue and availability of parts, they may be able to repair it on the same day.

Look Into a Hardware Issue

How to Avoid Future Black Screen Issues on iPhone

Uninstall, reinstall or update the apps

Certain apps may cause your system to crash if they're loading corrupted data or have issues affecting the display. To prevent further black screen errors from these apps, you can either uninstall and reinstall the app or update it.

Here's how to do that:

  1. First, exit and close the problematic app.
  2. Then, go to the App Store and tap on your profile icon.
  3. In your profile, scroll down to check for app updates.
  4. If there are pending updates for the app, tap Update.
  5. Finally, allow the app to update and then try using it again.

Install Pending Updates for Apps

If there are no updates available, try uninstalling suspicious apps:

  1. xit the app and return to the Home Screen.
  2. Locate the app on the Home Screen and hold it down.
  3. Tap the Remove App icon.
  4. Finally, tap Delete App, and confirm by tapping Delete again.

Delete App

Free Up Some Storage Space

If your iPhone is low on storage, it could affect the device's performance. To check your available storage, go to Settings > General > About, and scroll to see how much space is left.

If your storage is near or below 10%, you need to free up space. Start by deleting unnecessary photos, videos, and apps. You can also move large files to cloud storage to ensure your device runs smoothly.

Free Up Some Storage Space

Update Your iOS Regularly

In addition to third-party apps, your iPhone's own software might contain bugs or corrupted files that lead to a black screen. Keeping your iOS updated helps eliminate these issues. If an update is pending, you'll see a notification in the Settings app, so check for updates regularly.

To update your iOS:

  1. Plug in your device into a power supply as this process may take some time.
  2. Connect your device to the internet and make sure that you have a stable connection throughout the process.
  3. Next, launch the Settings app on your phone.
  4. Navigate to the General section and select Software Update.
  5. Finally, click Download and Install, and wait for the process to complete.

Update Your iPhone Software

Final Thoughts

There are many reasons why your iPhone may get stuck on a black screen. Sometimes, simply charging the device can resolve the issue. If the problem goes deeper, you can use one or more of the solutions above to fix it.

Follow the solutions carefully, and if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us through the comments section. We'll do our best to help you out!

Maggie Mueller
Meet Maggie Mueller, a seasoned technical writer whose passion for technology is matched only by her commitment to helping others navigate the digital landscape. With an infectious enthusiasm for unraveling the complexities of iOS, Android devices, and software, Maggie is your friendly guide in the world of tech, providing clear, concise, and accurate insights.
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