How to Fix iPhone 16/17 Black Screen of Death? - 6 Proven Fixes

One of the most frustrating situations when using an iPhone is when the screen suddenly goes black, the device won't turn on, and nothing responds, no matter how many times you press the buttons. This is what many users refer to as the iPhone black screen of death.

The screen is completely black, but the device may still be running, or it may have completely frozen. This situation causes concerns about data security, leaving users unsure where to start troubleshooting. This article will systematically introduce the common causes of the iPhone black screen of death and provide several proven solutions to help you restore your iPhone step by step.

Part 1. What Causes iPhone Black Screen of Death?

Before attempting to solve the problem, it's helpful to understand the possible causes of the iPhone black screen of death, as this can guide you in choosing the appropriate method. The following are some possible reasons:

• Battery Drain or Aging Battery: When the battery is too low or its performance has degraded, the screen may fail to turn on properly.
• iOS System Error or Update Failure: Corrupted system files or an interrupted update can often cause the device to go into a black screen state.
• App Crashes or System Resource Abnormalities: Certain unstable apps may cause the system to crash.
• Hardware Damage: Drops, water damage, or issues with the screen cable can all lead to a black screen.
• Unofficial Modifications: Jailbreaking or installing unofficial software can compromise the system's integrity and lead to issues like a black screen.

Part 2. How to Fix iPhone Black Screen of Death

After we know the iPhone black screen of death cause. Below, we will introduce several common and effective solutions, listed in order from easiest to most complex.

Fix 1. Charge the iPhone

Connect the iPhone to a charger and charge it for at least 30 minutes before attempting to turn it on. Sometimes, the iPhone black screen of death is simply caused by a low battery or a temporary battery failure.

Fix 2. Force Restart iPhone

When the iPhone's black screen of death is caused by a temporary system freeze or crash, a force restart is often enough to fix it. This method is safe and does not delete any data.

Here are the steps to force restart your iPhone:

iPhone 8 and later:

• Quickly press and release the "Volume Up" button.
• Quickly press and release the "Volume Down" button.
• Press and hold the "Side" button until the Apple logo appears.

iPhone 7 / 7 Plus:

• Press and hold the "Side" button and the "Volume Down" button together.
• Release when the Apple logo appears.

iPhone 6s and earlier:

• Press and hold the "Home" button and "Power" button.
• Release when the Apple logo shows up.

Fix 3. Restore iPhone with iTunes

If iPhone's black screen of death and hard reset are not working, the system may be seriously damaged. Restoring the iPhone using iTunes can reinstall iOS and resolve deeper software issues.

However, this method will erase all data on your iPhone, so it's best used if you have a backup.

Here is how to fix the iPhone black screen of death with iTunes:

Step 1. Install and open the latest version of iTunes on your computer.

Step 2. Connect your iPhone to the computer using a USB cable.

Step 3. Put the iPhone into Recovery Mode. (iPhone stuck in Recovery Mode?)

Step 4. You will then see a notice pop up in iTunes on your computer, asking you whether to restore or update your iPhone.

Step 5. Choose "Update, which will not erase your data.

Step 6. If "Update" doesn't work, you will need to select "Restore". After restoring, you can restore a backup from iTunes or iCloud if you have one.

Fix 4. Put the iPhone into DFU Mode

Performing a DFU restore may be useful if the above recovery mode doesn't work. DFU restore is the deepest system restore mode that fixes many system issues. However, note that using this method may turn your iPhone into a brick if your device is physically damaged or water damaged. If you don't want to take the risk, please opt for another solution. What's more, using DFU mode will likely result in data loss, as it restores your device to its factory settings.

Here is how to repair the iPhone black screen of death using DFU mode:

Step 1. Connect your iPhone to a computer and open iTunes.

Step 2. Follow the DFU key combination for your specific iPhone model.

Step 3. Keep the screen completely black (this confirms DFU Mode).

Step 4. When iTunes detects the device, choose "Restore".

Step 5. Wait for the firmware installation to complete.

Fix 5. Using iOS System Recovery Without Data Loss

Using the above methods, there is a possibility of losing your iPhone data. So it is suggested to fix the iPhone black screen of death issue with a professional third-party software - iOS System Recovery. It offers an easy and safe way to fix the iPhone black screen of death problem. With this powerful iPhone repair software, you can fix various system issues without data loss on iPhone/iPad/iPod, like iPhone stuck on the Apple logo, an iPhone black/white/blue/red screen of death, etc.

Key features of iOS System Recovery:

• Resolve the iPhone black screen of death without losing data.
• Fix various issues on iOS devices, such as being stuck in headphone mode, frozen on the Apple logo, or facing black/white/red/blue/green screens.
• It offers two repair modes: Standard Mode and Advanced Mode.
• You can also upgrade or downgrade your iOS version for free.
• The tool is easy to use and requires no technical expertise.
• Work well with the latest iPhone 17 series and iOS 26.

Free Download for PC

 

Free Download for Mac

How can I fix my iPhone black screen of death without losing data? Here are the steps:

Fix 6. Contact Apple Support

If none of the above methods work, it's likely a hardware issue, such as a damaged screen or motherboard problem. In this case, it's recommended to visit an official Apple repair center or an authorized service provider for diagnosis.

Part 3. How to Prevent the iPhone Black Screen of Death from Happening Again?

To avoid the iPhone black screen of death in the future, consider the following tips:

* Avoid installing apps from unknown sources.

* Ensure sufficient battery life and a stable network connection before performing system updates.

* Regularly back up your iPhone data.

* Prevent the phone from getting wet or experiencing heavy drops.

Final Words

The iPhone black screen of death may look alarming, but in most cases, it's completely fixable. If the iPhone black screen of death problem is due to software-related issues, iOS System Recovery would be the most recommended fix for you. With a few clicks, you can fix your iPhone to normal without data loss.

If the above instructions are not working, the problem is likely driven by faulty hardware. In this case, it is recommended that you contact a technical expert to solve the problem. If your iPhone is still under warranty or under an AppleCare plan, please take your phone to the local Apple store for help.

How do you fix the black screen of death on iPhone? Welcome to share your solutions in the comment section.

Related Articles:

How to Fix iPhone Black Screen But Still On Issue? [Tips and Tricks]

iPhone Died and Won't Turn On? 6 Quick Solutions to Fix the Issue

iPhone Screen Keeps Going Black | Useful Tricks Help You Fix It

[Can't Miss] 8 Effective Methods to Fix iPhone Grey Screen of Death