When an iPhone shows a black screen, start with a charge, then a force restart, and move to recovery only if needed.
If your iPhone looks dead but still buzzes or rings, the display may be unresponsive rather than the whole device failing. The steps below move from quick wins to deeper fixes. You’ll see plain instructions for every model, plus clear signs that point to a hardware issue. Work top to bottom; stop once the screen lights up.
Quick Triage Before You Dig In
First rule with a dark display: give the battery and cable a fair shot. A near-empty battery or a flaky cord can mimic bigger problems. Use a known-good USB-C or Lightning cable and a wall adapter. Let it charge for at least 30 minutes. If the display stays black after a honest charge, try a force restart for your model. Keep the phone connected to power while you test.
| Step | Why It Helps | What To Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Charge 30–60 minutes | Rules out a drained battery and bad cables | Charging icon or warmth near the port |
| Force restart | Clears a frozen display or crashed UI | Apple logo after the button combo |
| Try another cable/brick | Eliminates accessory faults | Reliable charging and data link |
| Inspect the port | Lint blocks power and data | Firm click when cable seats |
| Connect to a computer | Finder/iTunes can detect a stuck phone | Prompt to update or restore |
iPhone Display Not Waking — Common Causes
A black display can come from software, power, or physical damage. Software crashes often leave the phone on but unresponsive. Power issues come from weak batteries, bent pins, or worn cables. Physical damage includes drops, crushed corners, and liquid exposure. Each cause leaves clues you can spot.
Software Crash Clues
You feel haptics or hear alerts, but the panel stays dark. Calls still come through. A quick force restart usually fixes this. If it happens again and again, update iOS once the phone boots. Keep at least a few gigabytes free; low storage can trigger odd freezes during updates.
Power And Charging Clues
No vibration, no chime, no heat. Leave it on a wall charger for an hour. Try a different cable and adapter. If a computer doesn’t see it after that, move to recovery steps. Avoid cheap cords that fail data; many only carry power. A data-capable cable saves time later.
Physical Damage Clues
A fresh crack, bent frame, or wet history points to hardware. If the device got wet, don’t charge until it’s fully dry. Eject the SIM tray and check the Liquid Contact Indicator where present. If the indicator shows red, seek service; powering a wet board risks deeper damage.
Apple documents the force restart steps on its support site. Open the exact method for your model so you aren’t guessing during a tense moment.
Model-By-Model Force Restart Steps
Face ID Models (X And Later)
Press and quickly release Volume Up, then press and quickly release Volume Down. Press and hold the Side button. Keep holding until the Apple logo appears, even if it takes longer than 10 seconds.
iPhone 8 And Second/Third-Gen SE
Press and quickly release Volume Up, then press and quickly release Volume Down. Press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo.
iPhone 7 And 7 Plus
Press and hold the Side button and Volume Down together until the Apple logo appears.
iPhone 6s, 6s Plus, And First-Gen SE
Press and hold the Home button and the Side (or Top) button together until the Apple logo shows.
Clean The Charging Port And Check The Cable
Pocket lint compacts inside the port and stops the plug from seating. Shine a light. If you see fibers or dark fluff, power the phone down if you can and gently tease debris with a wooden toothpick. Don’t use metal. Test again with a known-good cable and a direct wall outlet. Skip multi-port chargers until the screen responds.
Try A Standard Restart Once The Screen Lights Up
After a forced boot restores the display, do a full restart so background services reload cleanly. Use Settings > General > Shut Down, then power on again. If the device freezes during boot, repeat the force steps, then update iOS when you reach the Home Screen.
Update iOS And Free Space
Software updates patch bugs that can trigger a black display. Once the phone is stable, install the latest iOS and free space for the next update cycle. Aim for at least 10–15% free capacity. Big point releases need room to unpack safely.
Enter Recovery Mode If The Display Stays Black
If a charge and force restart don’t help, connect the phone to a Mac or PC with Finder, Apple Devices, or iTunes. Enter recovery mode using the same button sequence as above, but keep holding the final button until you see the cable-to-computer screen. For full restore instructions, see Apple’s recovery mode guide. Your computer should offer Update first. Pick Update to reinstall iOS without erasing data. If Update fails more than once, pick Restore. That wipes the device and reloads the system. If you have a backup, you can bring your data back during setup.
Recovery Mode Tips That Save Time
- Use a data-capable cable and plug directly into the computer, not a hub.
- Keep the phone on charge while recovery runs.
- If the device exits recovery during download, repeat the button steps and try again.
- On Windows, install the Apple Devices app if the system asks for it.
Look For Water Or Overheating Warnings
If you see a liquid-detection alert when you attach a Lightning or USB-C cable, stop charging and let the phone dry. Charging while wet can damage contacts and chips. If the display went black during a hot day, move to shade and let it cool. A very hot or very cold phone can dim or shut the display until it returns to a safe range.
Rule Out Accessory Trouble
A bad case can press buttons and trigger odd combos. Remove the case and any screen protector. Unplug all accessories. Try the button steps again while the phone charges. If a certain cable causes liquid alerts or repeated disconnects, retire that cable.
When It’s Likely A Hardware Fault
If the screen shows lines or bleeds light after a drop, the display assembly may be cracked under the glass. If the phone chimes when you plug in but never shows an image, the backlight line or display connector may be loose or damaged. Water that reached internal layers can corrode parts over days. In these cases, data rescue and repair need pro tools. Book a visit or mail-in repair.
Restore Options And Data Paths
After a full restore fixes the black panel, you’ll want your data back. During setup, pick iCloud Backup, Mac/PC backup, or start fresh. If you erased without turning off Find My, you’ll need your Apple ID to proceed. That stops others from reusing a lost or stolen device and also protects your data during repair.
| Scenario | Best Next Step | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Update succeeds | Boot fully, check storage, install apps slowly | No data loss |
| Update fails twice | Run Restore from Finder or Apple Devices | Erases phone; reload iOS |
| No computer available | Use a nearby device to restore when supported | Wireless firmware transfer |
| Wet history or red LCI | Stop charging and seek service | Prevents board damage |
| Drop with lines on screen | Repair display assembly | Image returns with parts |
Safety Notes While You Troubleshoot
- Don’t heat the phone to dry it. Let air and time do the work.
- Don’t pry the screen open yourself; sealed gaskets tear easily.
- Do label your cables. Keep one known-good set only for recovery jobs.
- Do back up once the device returns to life.
Pro Checklist You Can Save
Fast Version
- Charge with a known-good cable and wall adapter for 30–60 minutes.
- Force restart with the right button combo for your model.
- Clean the port; swap in a different cable and brick.
- Connect to a computer and pick Update in recovery.
- If Update fails, run Restore and recover from backup.
Deeper Dives When Needed
- Check for liquid alerts and the SIM-tray indicator where present.
- Remove the case and accessories; retry the button sequence.
- Free 10–15% storage and apply the latest iOS once it boots.
- Watch for repeat freezes; if they return, collect video and seek repair.
When To Book Service
Book repair if the panel flickers, shows color bands, or lights briefly and dies. Do the same if recovery throws repeated errors on more than one computer and cable. Back up anything you can, then schedule a visit or mail-in. Keep Find My active until a technician asks for a special repair state or gives steps for hand-off.
What To Tell Support
Share the timeline: charge time, cables tried, button steps, alerts seen, and any drops or splashes. Add photos of the port and any cracks. These details speed triage and reduce back-and-forth. If you carry device insurance, open a claim with those notes ready.
Keep It From Happening Again
- Update iOS within a week of release to stay ahead of freeze bugs.
- Don’t let storage hit single digits.
- Replace worn cables at the first sign of fray or loose fit.
- Use a case with raised edges; a tiny lip saves screens.
- Avoid heat from cars and dashboards; shade helps the display.