iPhone Troubleshooting Display Issues
Troubleshooting display and image issues
Troubleshooting Multi-Touch or Haptic Touch issues
Troubleshooting ambient light sensor, proximity sensor, or compass issues
Troubleshooting display and image issues
Identify issues
Read these articles if you notice any of the following issues:
No image or distorted images
All-white screen
Blank or black screen
Flickering image
Poor image quality, contrast, or light bleed
Brightness or backlight issues
Rainbow effect or non-uniform color
Incorrect white balance
True Tone setting is missing on models that support True Tone
If the screen isn’t working on your iPhone or iPad
Particles or debris under the glass
Pixel anomalies
Horizontal or vertical lines
About LCD display pixel anomalies
If the issue wasn’t resolved by following a support article, continue to the next section.
Try quick troubleshooting steps
Remove any cases or screen protectors. Touch the screen with your finger pads, not your fingernails.
Clean the display with a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth.
Important: Unplug all cables and turn off the iPhone first. Don't use products containing bleach or hydrogen peroxide. Avoid getting moisture in any openings, and don't submerge the iPhone in any cleaning agents. Don't use compressed air.
Refer to steps and support resources in Troubleshooting Quick Checks.
Run manual and diagnostic tests
If the issue wasn’t resolved by following a support article or checking for potential causes, run these diagnostic and manual tests to help isolate the cause of the issue:
For blank or black screen issues, try these steps:
Plug the device into a 10W or 12W Apple power adapter that's connected to AC power using a compatible charging cable.
Wait until an image appears on the screen or for up to 10 minutes, whichever comes first. If the device has no power and doesn't turn on after completing the previous steps, then the device may have a power issue. Follow troubleshooting steps in Troubleshooting power, battery, or charging issues.
If an image appears on the device display after charging, then the device may have a charging issue. Follow troubleshooting steps in Troubleshooting power, battery, or charging issues.
For image quality issues, try these steps:
Open and inspect the iPhone
If the issue wasn’t resolved or isolated by following support articles or running diagnostics tests, refer to the iPhone Repair Manual to open and inspect the iPhone. A damaged or out-of-place part may be causing one of the issues.
Note: This section requires ordering parts and tools. Replacing a part may not resolve the device’s issue. You can find other service options at support.apple.com/repair.
Replace the part
If the issue wasn’t resolved or isolated by following the previous steps, replace the display.
Note: This section requires ordering parts and tools. Replacing a part may not resolve the device’s issue. You can find other service options at support.apple.com/repair.
Troubleshooting Multi-Touch or Haptic Touch issues
Identify issues
Multi-Touch or Haptic Touch responds slowly or doesn’t respond
Specific areas aren’t responding to Multi-Touch or Haptic Touch
Erratic response to Multi-Touch or Haptic Touch
Unexpected Multi-Touch response
Overly sensitive Multi-Touch or Haptic Touch response
Low sensitivity to Multi-Touch or Haptic Touch
Try quick troubleshooting steps
Remove any cases or screen protectors. Touch the screen with your finger pads, not your fingernails.
Clean the display with a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth.
Important: Unplug all cables and turn off the iPhone first. Don't use products containing bleach or hydrogen peroxide. Avoid getting moisture in any openings, and don't submerge the iPhone in any cleaning agents. Don't use compressed air.
Refer to steps and support resources in Troubleshooting Quick Checks.
Run manual and diagnostic tests
If the issue wasn’t resolved by following a support article or checking for potential causes, run these diagnostic and manual tests to help isolate the cause of the issue:
Run the Multi-Touch diagnostic suite.
Open and inspect the iPhone
If the issue wasn’t resolved or isolated by following support articles or running diagnostics tests, refer to the iPhone Repair Manual to open and inspect the iPhone. A damaged or out-of-place part may be causing one of the issues.
Note: This section requires ordering parts and tools. Replacing a part may not resolve the device’s issue. You can find other service options at support.apple.com/repair.
Replace the part
If the issue wasn’t resolved or isolated by following the previous steps, replace the display.
Note: This section requires ordering parts and tools. Replacing a part may not resolve the device’s issue. You can find other service options at support.apple.com/repair.
Troubleshooting ambient light sensor, proximity sensor, or compass issues
Identify issues
Display doesn’t adjust to varying light environments while auto-brightness is on
Compass doesn’t function as expected
Screen stays on during a call when the iPhone is held to your ear
Screen immediately turns off when making a call
Try quick troubleshooting steps
Remove any cases or screen protectors. Touch the screen with your finger pads, not your fingernails.
Clean the display with a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth.
Important: Unplug all cables and turn off the iPhone first. Don't use products containing bleach or hydrogen peroxide. Avoid getting moisture in any openings, and don't submerge the iPhone in any cleaning agents. Don't use compressed air.
The accuracy of the compass may be affected by magnetic or environmental interference. Avoid proximity to sources of interference.
Refer to steps and support resources in Troubleshooting Quick Checks.
Run manual and diagnostic tests
If the issue wasn’t resolved by following a support article or checking for potential causes, run these diagnostic and manual tests to help isolate the cause of the issue:
The proximity sensor detects when the iPhone is held to your ear and immediately turns off the display to save power and prevent unintended touches. To check the proximity sensor, answer a call on the affected iPhone, then cover the top of the display. The display should turn off, and it should turn on again when you uncover the display. If it doesn’t turn off and on as expected, continue troubleshooting.
Open and inspect the iPhone
If the issue wasn’t resolved or isolated by following support articles or running diagnostics tests, refer to the iPhone Repair Manual to open and inspect the iPhone. A damaged or out-of-place part may be causing one of the issues.
Note: This section requires ordering parts and tools. Replacing a part may not resolve the device’s issue. You can find other service options at support.apple.com/repair.
Replace the part
If the issue wasn’t resolved or isolated by following the previous steps, replace the display.
Note: This section requires ordering parts and tools. Replacing a part may not resolve the device’s issue. You can find other service options at support.apple.com/repair.