Android phone black screen but still on? 7 fixes
If the phone still buzzes or rings, it is on and the problem is the display or software. A force restart fixes many cases.
The fix
7 fixes, in order
- 1
Check if it is on.
Call it, or plug it in and listen for a sound or vibration.
- 2
Charge it for 30 minutes with a known good charger.
- 3
Force restart.
Hold Power and Volume Down for 15 to 20 seconds. Some phones use Power and Volume Up.
- 4
Raise the brightness.
Say Hey Google, turn brightness to 100 percent.
- 5
Boot into safe mode and remove recent apps.
- 6
Update or reset from recovery mode if it will not boot.
- 7
Get the screen checked if it still stays black.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if the screen is broken?
If the phone rings, vibrates and connects to a computer but the screen stays black after a force restart, the display or its cable is likely damaged.
Can I get my photos off a phone with a black screen?
If backup was on, they are at photos.google.com. Otherwise, connect it to a computer. A repair shop can also copy data before replacing the screen.
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