Some iPhone SE users have reported their device going completely black after updating to iOS 11.3 — no Apple logo, no sign of life, just a dead screen. Don’t panic. If your iPhone SE is stuck on a black screen of death after a recent update, there’s a good chance the issue is software-related and can be fixed without a trip to the Apple Store.
Here’s what you can do.
1. Charge Your iPhone for at Least an Hour
The update may have drained your battery completely or frozen the system mid-install. If your phone died during the process, it may take a while to respond.
- Plug your iPhone into a wall charger (not your laptop).
- Leave it connected for at least 60 minutes.
- If there’s no charging indicator or Apple logo after an hour, try the next step.
2. Force Restart While Charging
This can sometimes revive a frozen iPhone after a system crash or corrupted update.
- Keep your phone connected to the charger.
- Press and hold Power (Side) + Volume Down at the same time.
- Keep holding for 20–30 seconds.
- Release both buttons only when the Apple logo appears.
If the screen stays black, move on to iTunes-based solutions.
3. Use iTunes to Update or Restore
You’ll need a computer with the latest version of iTunes.
- Connect your iPhone to the computer via USB.
- Open iTunes.
- If iTunes recognizes your device, it may prompt you to Update or Restore.
- Choose Update first — this reinstalls iOS without erasing your data.
- If that fails, repeat the process and choose Restore to reset your phone.
Still no luck? It’s time to try DFU Mode.
4. Restore Your iPhone SE Using DFU Mode (Deep Restore)
This is the most complete reset you can do and bypasses normal system boot-up.
How to enter DFU mode:
- Connect your iPhone SE to your computer with iTunes open.
- Press and hold Power + Home button for 8 seconds.
- Release the Power button, but keep holding Home for 5–10 more seconds.
- If the screen remains black and iTunes says it detected a device in recovery mode — success.
- Follow iTunes prompts to Restore your iPhone.
If you see the Apple logo, you held the buttons too long — try again. It may take several attempts.
5. Try a Third-Party iOS Repair Tool
There are iOS recovery tools like ReiBoot, Dr.Fone, or iMyFone Fixppo that can sometimes resolve stuck black screen issues without data loss.
- Download a trusted tool on your computer.
- Connect your iPhone SE.
- Follow the onscreen steps to initiate a repair or recovery.
These apps often offer a free scan, but repairs may require payment.
6. Still Not Working? Visit Apple Support
If your iPhone SE is still stuck on a black screen after all that, it’s time to get professional help. Visit your nearest Apple Store or authorized service provider.
If your device was recently dropped or exposed to water, hardware damage may be the real issue, and the update simply triggered the symptoms.
7. Consider Upgrading
If the repair costs more than the phone’s value, it might be time to upgrade. The iPhone SE is still a great device, but if you’re facing recurring issues, you may want to consider an upgrade path with your carrier or Apple Trade-In.