iPhone Black Screen of Death? 8 Easy Ways to Fix It!

Clare Phang
Last updated: Dec 12, 2023

One of the most frustrating iPhone issues is the black screen of death. In this article, we'll explore what causes the iPhone black screen of death, why it occurs, and how to fix it.

Have you ever experienced the iPhone black screen of death issue? It's not hard to imagine how frustrating it can be when you're unable to use your iPhone properly. So, what is the iPhone black screen of death, what causes this problem, and, more importantly, how can you fix it?

This guide has all the answers. Let's find out what they are.

How to Fix "iPhone Black Screen of Death"

What Is the iPhone Black Screen of Death?

The iPhone black screen of death occurs when your iPhone screen turns black and becomes unresponsive, despite the device being on. This situation can be troublesome as it doesn't display any error messages to guide you on what to do.

Curious about why the iPhone black screen of death happens and what you can do to fix it? Read on.

What Causes Your iPhone Black Screen of Death?

The iPhone black screen of death can be caused by various factors, including:

  • Hardware issues: such as drops, exposure to water, component damage, CPU overheating, etc.
  • Software issues: including iOS update failures, app crashes, jailbreak failures, system file corruption, etc.
  • Drained battery.
  • Issues with specific apps.

How to Fix the iPhone Black Screen of Death Issue - 8 Ways

Now that you know what causes your iPhone to go black, let's explore how to fix it.

1. Charge Your iPhone

The simplest troubleshooting tip is to charge your iPhone. When your iPhone battery drains, it may display a black screen and won't turn on. If you're unsure whether your iPhone's battery is drained, charge it for at least 30 minutes before attempting to turn it on.

If the problem persists, proceed with the steps below.

2. Force Restart iPhone

When your iPhone goes black or freezes, force restarting it might resolve the issue.

  • If your iPhone is iPhone 8 or later:

    Press and quickly release the Volume Up button, followed by the Volume Down button. Then, press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo.

  • If your iPhone is iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus:

    Press and hold the Side button and the Volume Down button simultaneously until the Apple logo appears.

  • If your iPhone is iPhone 6s or earlier:

    Press and hold both the Home button and the Side/Top button until the Apple logo appears.

3. Quickly Fix iPhone with BuhoRepair

BuhoRepair is a user-friendly iOS repair software designed to address more than 50 types of system issues, including the black screen of death, being stuck in recovery mode, freezing on the Apple logo, and more. With just a few clicks, you can resolve the iPhone black screen of death issue on your Mac without any risk of data loss.

DownloadRuns on Windows & Mac
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Here’s how it works:

  1. Download, install, and launch BuhoRepair on your computer.
  2. Click the Repair Now button under System Repair.
  3. Select Advanced Repair and click Repair Now.
  4. Connect your device to the computer and trust your computer on the device.
  5. Click the Download button. Once the download is complete, click Repair Now.
  6. When your iPhone restarts, you can set it up as new.
Fix iPhone with BuhoRepair

4. Close Problematic Apps

As we mentioned, problems with apps can also lead to the iPhone black screen of death. To resolve this:

  1. On the Home screen, swipe up from the bottom and stop in the middle of the screen.
  2. Find the app you want to close.
  3. Swipe up on the app's preview to close it.

To fix a problematic app, go to the App Store and update it to the latest version.

5. Update/Restore iPhone Software

If the black screen of death is due to iPhone software issues, updating or restoring your iPhone may solve the problem. Follow these steps:

  1. Connect your iPhone to your computer.
  2. If you're using a Mac, open Finder. If you're using a PC, open iTunes.
  3. Follow the instructions to update or restore your iPhone.
Update/Restore iPhone Software
Note
[Updating your iPhone will not cause data loss, but restoring it will. Therefore, be sure to back up your iPhone before restoring it.{notetype=Note}

6. Restore iPhone in Recovery Mode

If you're unable to connect your iPhone to your computer, put it into recovery mode and use Finder or iTunes to fix it.

  1. Connect your iPhone to your computer.
  2. Put your device into recovery mode.
  3. Launch Finder or iTunes, and follow the prompts to restore your iPhone.
Restore iPhone in Recovery Mode

7. Restore iPhone in DFU Mode

DFU mode is a more advanced mode than recovery mode, allowing for a deeper fix of iPhone issues. The steps are almost the same as in recovery mode, with the only difference being that you need to put your device into DFU mode first.

Restore iPhone in DFU Mode

Related Article: What Is DFU Mode and How to Put an iPhone in DFU Mode

8. Contact Apple Store

If the iPhone black screen of death issue persists despite trying all the above fixes, it indicates a hardware problem. Take your device to a nearby repair center or contact Apple Support for further assistance.

How to Prevent iPhone Black Screen of Death

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

  1. Regularly update your iOS.
  2. Keep your apps updated.
  3. Store your iPhone in a safe place to prevent drops or water damage.
  4. Charge your iPhone when the battery is low.
  5. Update or restore your iPhone when the Wi-Fi connection is stable.

Conclusion

Now that you have a better understanding of the iPhone black screen of death issue and how to fix it using 8 different methods, we hope that your iPhone is back to normal. However, if the problem persists, you can seek professional help.

It's important to note that restoring your iPhone can result in data loss. If you have never backed up your iPhone before, make sure to do so before proceeding with the restore steps.

Clare Phang has been captivated by the world of Apple products since the launch of the iconic iPhone in 2007. With a wealth of experience, Clare is your go-to source for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and all things Apple.