How to fix an iPhone X black screen issue [Troubleshooting Guide]

A phone that is suddenly stuck on blank or black screen is more likely encountering a more serious system error like major data corruption. The problem could be triggered by some bad apps or bad software updates on the phone. Other cases of blank or black screen problems are tied to power issues like when massive power draining from rogue apps and likewise bad battery. In worst case scenarios, the phone gets stuck on black or blank screen due to hardware damage. This is when your device needs service.

For stuck issues that are attributed to software problems, performing some workarounds can potentially fix them. In this post, I’ve lined up some of the applicable workarounds and standard procedures that are used to deal with the same issue on the iPhone X. Read on to find out what to do if all of a sudden, your iPhone X gets stuck on blank or black screen.

But before we actually move on to our troubleshooting, if you have other issues with your phone, then visit our troubleshooting page as we’ve already addressed some of the most common problems with this device. In case you need more help with your problem, fill up our iPhone issues questionnaire and hit submit to contact us.

iPhone X Black Screen

First solution: Force restart your iPhone X.

A force restart is a simulated battery removal process and an alternative method to reboot a frozen or unresponsive iPhone. It works similar with the usual reboot or soft reset but carried out in a different way and that’s using the hardware keys. A force restart also clears background apps including those that have been corrupted. And like a soft reset, a force restart does not affect personal information and other saved data on the phone’s internal memory. Here’s how it’s done:

1. Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
2. Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
3. Finally, press and hold the Side/Power button until the Apple logo appears and then release.

You may need to hold down the Side button for more than 10 seconds until you see the Apple logo and then release it.

If a force restart is able to fix the problem and your iPhone is responsive again, the next thing you should do is install pending app updates. Among of the possible reasons as to why your device gets stuck are errant apps, usually those that aren’t updated. Unless you’ve set your apps or phone to auto-install updates, you will need to manually check for and update your apps. Like iOS updates, app updates also offer bug fixes to clear the app from random bugs that are causing app problem. To manually check for and install pending app updates on your iPhone X, follow these steps:

1. Tap to open the App Store.
2. From the App Store main screen, navigate to Updates section by tapping on the Updates icon at the bottom-right. A list of apps with pending updates will then show up on the Updates screen.
3. To update individual apps, simply tap the Update button next to the name of the app.
4. Or you can also tap the Update All button to install all pending app updates at once.
5. Allow your apps to finish installing updates.

After updating apps, give your iPhone another reboot to apply the new changes and dumps junk files from its internal memory.

Aside from updating apps, installing the latest iOS update available for your iPhone X can also be considered a possible solution. Thus if your iPhone X gets back up and running properly after performing a force restart, consider checking for new software version for your device. Here’s how:

1. Tap Settings from the Home screen.
2. Tap General.
3. Scroll to and tap Software Update.

Your phone must have strong and stable Wi-Fi Internet access for you to download and install software update via OTA or over-the-air. Sufficient power (at least 50 percent battery) is also necessary. Also back up all critical information for safekeeping. Once you’ve got everything set, follow the onscreen instructions to download and install the latest iOS version on your iPhone.

Second solution: Reset and restore factory default settings on your iPhone X through iTunes.

If your iPhone remains stuck on blank or black screen after performing a force restart, then the next possible solution to try would be a factory reset through iTunes. To get this done, you will need to use either a Windows PC or Mac computer that has the latest version of iTunes app installed. Once you’ve secured a computer, connect your iPhone X via USB cable or use the Lightning cable that comes with it. Wait for iTunes to recognize your iPhone X, then follow these steps to carry out a factory reset through iTunes:

1. Open iTunes on your computer.
2. Connect your iPhone X to your computer using the Lightning cable.
3. Wait until your iPhone appears in iTunes then select it.
4. Navigate to the Summary section.
5. Then, click the Restore [iPhone] command.
6. If prompted, read the message then click Restore to confirm. Doing so will trigger iTunes to start erasing your device and install the latest iOS version.

Your iPhone should restart by itself after it restores to its factory settings. Allow it to finish booting up and then you can set it up as new.

Third solution: Restore your iPhone X in recovery mode.

Performing a recovery mode restore is usually the next potential solution to try if a factory reset fails to fix software-related problems on an iPhone. This will put your device in a recovery state, to repair and restore iOS without losing internal data or conduct a full system wipe out. To get this done, you will need to use either a Windows or Mac computer that has the latest iTunes software installed. Here’s how to put your iPhone X in recovery mode and restore iOS through iTunes:

1. Connect your iPhone X to your computer with the supplied Lightning cable then open iTunes.
2. Wait for iTunes to recognize your phone then perform a force restart but without releasing the Side button when the Apple logo appears. To do so, press and quickly release the Volume Up button. Then press and quickly release the Volume Down button. Finally, press and hold the Side/Power button until the Connect to iTunes screen appears. Again, do not release the Side button when you see the Apple logo since you need to put your device in recovery mode.

• Shortly after seeing the Connect to iTunes screen, you will be prompted with the option to Restore or Update. If you prefer to reinstall iOS without erasing your iPhone data, then select Update. Otherwise, choose Restore.

Wait for iTunes to finish downloading the software for your device. The download process usually takes 15 minutes. If the download takes longer than 15 minutes, your iPhone will exit the recovery mode (Connect to iTunes screen). Should that happens, let the download finish then go back to the previous steps to put your iPhone X in recovery mode again.

Once the Update or Restore is complete, you can set up your device so you can use it again.

Fourth solution: Restore your iPhone X in DFU mode.

Device Firmware Update or DFU mode restore is the deepest type of iOS restore you can do on your iPhone. It’s usually considered as the last resort to fix complicated system issues with your iOS device. Putting your iPhone in DFU mode allows it to reload both its software and firmware. Before doing so, it is recommended to back up your device to iCloud or iTunes. That said, back it up if possible or else you’re going to lose critical information. Once you’re all set, follow these steps to put your iPhone X in DFU mode and then restore it through iTunes:

1. Connect your iPhone X to your computer via USB cable/Lightning cable.
2. Then force restart your iPhone X by quickly pressing the Volume Up button, then quick-press the Volume Down button, and finally, press and hold down the Side button until the screen goes black.
3. As soon as the screen turns black, hold down both the Side button and Volume Down button for 5 seconds.
4. After 5 seconds, release the Side button but keep holding down the Volume Down button. If you see the Apple logo, it means you’ve held the button for too long and so you’ll have to start all over.

If the screen remains black and shows no logo or any display, it means you’ve successfully entered DFU mode and your device is all set for a system restore. iTunes will then prompt you with an alert message saying that it has detected your iPhone in recovery mode. To instigate iOS restore, click the option to Restore then follow the rest of the onscreen instructions.

If none of the prior methods is able to fix the problem and your iPhone X remains stuck on blank or black screen, then your device likely needs service. It may have obtained some sort of physical or liquid damage that caused damaged to any of the display components. In that case, hardware repair would be necessary.