Black screen on mobile phone after impact: causes, solutions, and tips

Who hasn't felt that immediate vertigo upon seeing that their mobile phone has fallen and, upon picking it up, the screen appears completely black? They are seconds of anguish as common as they are frustrating. When the screen stops showing an image after a hit, a thousand things can go through our heads.From fearing you've lost all your data to imagining that the device is beyond repair. But relax, because although this is one of the most feared problems, there are ways to identify the cause and, in many cases, attempt to fix it.

In this article you will find an extremely detailed and practical guide. which brings together all the knowledge and advice from the best experts and specialized websites to know Why your phone shows a black screen after a crash and what to do in each situationat Tricks From basic to advanced solutions, including when to call a service center. You'll also learn details about stains, types of damage, approximate repair prices, and preventative measures that can save you trouble in the future.

Why does my phone show a black screen after a hit?

The causes of a black screen after a fall or impact can be very varied.. Although the blow is the trigger, the damage can affect different internal or external components of your smartphone. In many cases, the device remains on, vibrates, even rings with notifications, but fails to display an image on the screen.This usually indicates that the system is working, but there is a specific problem with the display or its connections.

Common causes of a black screen after a crash are:

• Physical damage to the display: The glass may be intact, but the internal part of the panel (especially in OLED or LCD displays) has broken, preventing it from lighting up.
• Disconnecting the cables or flex from the screen: A sudden impact can loosen the connector that connects the screen to the motherboard.
• Motherboard damage: Although less frequent, a strong impact can affect key components of the mobile.
• Software failures as a result of the impact: Occasionally, a system bug causes the display to not activate. This is rarer, but possible.

It is not always easy to identify the exact cause without opening the device., but below we show you how to differentiate between a problem of hardware and one about software, and what measures to take in each case.

First steps: Identify the extent of the damage

Before proceeding with any repair attempt or panic, it is essential to run some tests to determine if the problem only affects the screen or if the phone itself is not responding.This will help you decide whether you are facing a relatively simple repair or major damage.

• Does your phone vibrate, make sounds, or respond when you plug in the charger? If the answer is yes, it's probably just the screen that's damaged. If it doesn't respond at all, it could be a more serious internal fault.
• Try calling yourself from another phone.If the phone receives the call (rings or vibrates), the system remains active, but the screen displays no image.
• Connect the device to a computer via cable USBIf the computer recognizes the phone, it's another good sign that the system is still working.
• Check if Bluetooth connects to another paired deviceIf you have headphones, a speaker, or a smartwatch paired, try playing audio; if you can hear it, your phone isn't completely dead.

These checks are crucial to know to what extent the smartphone is still operational.If you answer any of these questions, there is hope of saving your data and even restoring your screen.

Main symptoms of screen damage after a crash

Screen damage from impact can manifest itself in different ways, not just as total darkness.Pay attention to these symptoms to better identify the type of fault:

• Black spots (ink-like): They usually indicate internal breakage of the screen, with liquid spillage on LCD panels or dead pixels on OLEDs.
• Colored lines: They appear when the flex or the panel itself is damaged, and may be accompanied by loss of image on part (or all) of the screen.
• Colored spots (green, blue, purple, yellow, red): Each color can indicate a different type of damage, from moisture problems to burns or breakage of internal components.
• Completely black screen, but with functional touch: Sometimes the phone detects gestures on the touch screen even if nothing is visible, which usually indicates a fault in the visual part, but not in the digitizer.
• Brightness at minimum or screen unusable only outdoors: It could be a mistake with the brightness, so try turning it up in a dark place before assuming serious damage.

If the screen is physically cracked, the solution is almost always a complete screen replacement. But if there is no visible break, it is still possible that it is an internal connection problem.

What to do if the screen is black? Solutions based on the source of the problem

The solution will depend on whether the fault is in the software, the screen, the internal connectors, or even the battery. We explain, in order from least to most serious, what you can try in each case.

1. Software failures: reboot and recovery

Sometimes the operating system may get stuck after a severe crash.It's weird, but before you give up on your phone, do this:

• Forced restart: Press and hold the power button and the volume down button for at least 10-20 seconds, until the phone vibrates or displays a logo.
• If you have a Samsung Galaxy with a Bixby button: Press power, volume up and Bixby simultaneously until the recovery menu appears.

This method can 'wake up' the phone if it is just a temporary software glitch. If the screen remains black, try the following:

• Safe ModeSome phones allow you to boot into safe mode to rule out a problem with a conflicting app. Press and hold the power button and, when you see the logo, hold the volume down button until Boot (even if you don't see an image, it may work).
• Reset accessibility settingsA glitch in accessibility or color inversion modes can cause a black screen. If you have a USB mouse and an OTG adapter, you can connect it and try navigating to Settings to disable these modes.

If none of this works and you still have no image, the problem may be physical.

2. Flex problems or internal connections

One of the most common causes after a crash is the disconnection of the cable that connects the screen to the motherboard (known as flex). This can happen even if the glass is intact and everything else is working.

Can it be fixed at home? In theory, yes, but it's risky if you don't have experience opening cell phones. The process involves removing the back cover, locating the screen flex cable, and pressing it back in. If, after gently pressing the area (hold the phone firmly by the edges for a couple of seconds), the screen "wakes up," you've been in luck, and the best course of action is to take it to a repair shop for a permanent fix.

Please note that tampering with the interior without knowledge can cause irreparable damage.

3. Defective battery or charger

Sometimes the mobile phone may become inoperable if the battery has been damaged by the impact or was already in poor condition.. Try this:

• Connect the original charger for at least 15-30 minutes.
• Try to force a reboot while logged in.
• Look for lights (red, green) next to the USB port: red indicates a low battery; green indicates a full charge.
• If the charger or cable is damaged, replace both before ruling out a major fault.

Caution: If the battery has suffered a severe impact, it is also not recommended to attempt to fix it at home; it is better to consult a professional.

4. Check if the screen displays an image on an external monitor

Many current mobile phones allow, using an HDMI-USB type C adapter, to connect the mobile phone to a monitor or television.If you see the image on the external display, the motherboard is likely still working and the problem is only with the phone's back panel.

This technique is also useful for making backup copies before taking your phone in for repair.

Advanced solutions and data recovery methods

If you are unable to recover the image on the internal screen, it is still possible to save your photos, contacts and files before taking the phone to the technician.. Here you have some options:

• Connecting to PC via Smart Switch (for Samsung): Download the Smart Switch program on your computer, connect the device via USB and follow the instructions to backup or file recovery.
• Use programs like ReiBoot or DrFone: They allow access and repair of system failures Android, even if the screen is black (great for software problems, not hardware ones).
• If you can interact with the mobile phone using a USB mouse (using an OTG adapter), you can navigate menus blindly and make backups manually.

In all cases, the more information you have stored in the cloud or previous backups, the less dramatic a failure of this type will be.

Types of stains and colors: what does each one indicate?

Not all black screens are the same: sometimes they appear as patches of different colors, each with a specific meaning.Knowing how to interpret them will allow you to predict whether the damage is reversible or whether parts need to be replaced.

Black spots (ink-like)

The appearance of black spots, often looking like an oil stain, is usually due to internal breakage of the LCD panel or pixel death on OLED displays.If you see that the stain is expanding with There, the only realistic solution is a complete replacement of the screen.

These stains cannot be cleaned or fixed at home.. Don't try to apply pressure or heat; it will only make things worse.

White spots

White spots can appear due to excessive pressure in an area or because some internal component is pushing from the inside.If they are small and do not obscure vision, they can often be left alone, but if you notice them growing, seek technical service.

Green and blue spots

On AMOLED panels, green spots are usually associated with humidity, overheating, or software problems with the display.If they only appear under certain circumstances (a very hot phone, low brightness, or after an update), they may be resolved with a software update. If they persist, it's likely due to physical damage.

Blue stains are even more problematic and generally indicate internal breaks after impacts or water ingress.You can try drying your phone in a dry environment surrounded by silica gel bags, but if the stain doesn't disappear, you'll need to take it to a repair shop.

Purple and multicolored spots

Purple or multi-colored spots usually indicate serious damage to the AMOLED panel, usually after drops or twists.They require a complete screen replacement, as there is no viable home repair.

Red and yellow spots

Red spots may be due to dead pixels or, if they are moving, to a temporary software glitch.If the point is fixed and does not respond to photos or movements, the panel probably needs to be replaced.

Yellow spots are usually a symptom of excessive heating of internal components (in older phones)If they're small, you can try cooling your phone by turning it off and placing it in an airtight bag in a cool environment, but not in the refrigerator. If they don't disappear, see a technician.