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Fix iPhone Black Screen But Phone Still On

Updated: February 13, 2026

If your iPhone rings and vibrates but the screen is black, the display driver has likely crashed. Your screen is not broken. You can fix this immediately with a forced hardware restart.

Quick Fix (Try This First – 30 Seconds)

Force Restart Method (Works for iPhone 8, X, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16):

Press and quickly release Volume Up.
Press and quickly release Volume Down.
Press and hold the Side Button (Power) until you see the Apple Logo (approx. 10-20 seconds).

Ignore the "slide to power off" slider if it appears. Keep holding.

The Problem

The iPhone is running, but the display driver has crashed. It's like a TV that is turned on but showing a blank channel. This usually happens after an iOS update, a drop, or running too many apps at once.

The Short Answer

A Force Restart will wake up the screen driver. You need to interrupt the power cycle physically. Do not just hold the power button—that calls Siri. You need the specific button combo.

Quick Fixes

Listen Closely: If you hear sounds, the logic board is fine.
Charge It: Sometimes the battery is just too low to power the backlight.
Squeeze It: Gently press on the top connector area (screen cable might be loose).

Step-by-Step Fixes

1. The "Wake Up" Button Combo

CRITICAL TIMING The pattern is: Click, Click, HOLD. If you hold the volume buttons, it won't work. You must tap them instantly.

Do this exactly. Rhythm matters.

Tap Volume Up (click).
Tap Volume Down (click).
Hold the Side Power Button.
Count to 20. seriously, keep holding.
The screen will flash black, then the Apple Logo will appear. Let go.

2. The "Burp" Method

PRO TIP Gently messaging the back of the phone near the camera can sometimes reconnect a loose display cable connector.

If you dropped your phone recently, the display cable might be slightly loose. Gently massage the area to the right of the camera module on the back of the phone. Then try the restart again.

3. iTunes Recovery

IMPORTANT NOTE If your computer doesn't see the phone, try a different USB cable. The screen will stay black during this process—trust the computer's alerts.

Plug into a computer. If iTunes/Finder recognizes the phone, "Update" it. This reinstalls the display drivers without erasing your photos.

If Nothing Worked

If the force restart didn't light up the screen, your LCD or OLED panel might be physically cracked underneath the glass (even if the glass looks fine). You will need a screen replacement.

FAQ

Did I lose my photos?
No. If the phone vibrates, your data is safe inside.

Why does this happen randomly?
Software bugs. iOS sometimes "forgets" to send power to the screen.

How much is a screen repair?
Expect to pay $100-$300 depending on your iPhone model.