White Screen on Smartphones

Have you ever picked up your smartphone to check a message or open an app, but instead of your home screen, your screen became blank or white? This problem is called the white screen of death, when your phone displays a blank white screen and becomes unresponsive. 

This usually happens due to software glitches, after a system update, low storage, viruses or corrupted apps, or hardware damage are which can cause a white screen in a smartphone.

In this blog, we explain what is white screen on an iPhone or Android is, what the causes are and how to fix it in detail. 

What is the White screen on Mobile?

A White screen problem is when your smartphone display shows a blank white screen. It usually happens due to system software error, failed update or app crash, viruses or corrupted apps, hardware damage, or loose screen connector.

 A white screen on a mobile is also called the white screen of death. It happens when your phone's display fails to load properly. You may notice:

• The phone turns on, but only shows a white screen. 
• White spot or patch on the screen.
• You hear a sound but see nothing, or a blank display.
• Touch does not respond.
• The screen turns white after opening an app.
• The phone freezes on a white screen.

White-Screen on iPhone 

Many Apple users experience an iPhone white screen, where the display becomes dull white or shows a faint Apple logo and stays stuck.iPhone restart but returns to the white screen. Sometimes you see one bright white spot on the screen, sometimes it looks like a round or oval spot on the screen.

It usually happens due to IOS system crash, pressure damage, Jailbreaking failure, Low storage, or Hardware flex cable damage.

Common causes of a White screen on an iPhone

There are common causes of a white screen on an iPhone, such as software glitches, jailbreaking or IOS issues, battery or power issues or hardware damage, such as screen damage, loose connectors or water damage. Here are details; 

Software glitches or IOS issues 

A failed iOS update or app crash can freeze the screen, showing it completely white. Corrupted system files or settings can also trigger this problem.

• Jailbreaking or corrupted firmware 

Modifying iOS or installing unofficial software can corrupt the system, leading to a white screen.

• Battery or Power issues 

If the battery is failing or unstable, it can affect the screen’s display, sometimes causing a white or blank screen.

Hardware Problems 

Some hardware problems, such as screen damage, loose connectors or moisture, can also cause a white screen or affect functionality.

• Screen damage: 

Dropping your iPhone can damage the LCD or display connectors, causing a white screen.

• Loose connectors: 

Internal cables connecting the screen to the motherboard may become loose.

Water damage:

           Moisture can damage internal components and affect display functionality.

How to Fix the White Screen on iPhone

This usually resolves minor software glitches causing the white screen. You can simply do by force restart or restart your iPhone, update or restore using a PC or Mac, use recovery mode or repair for hardware damage. Here are the details;

Force restart the iPhone 

• iPhone 8 or later: Press volume up, volume down,and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.
• Iphone 7/7plus: Hold volume down and power until the Apple logo.
• iPhone 6s or earlier: Hold home+power until Apple logo.

Update or restore using a computer 

• Connect your iPhone to a PC or Mac. 
• Open iTunes. 
• Choose to update first; this will reinstall iOS without erasing data.
• If that does not work, choose restore (this erases all data, so back up first).
• Check for hardware issues. 
• If the white screen appears after a drop or water exposure, it may be a screen or connection problem.
• Professional repair or screen replacement is often required.

Use Recovery Mode 

• If the iPhone does not respond to a restart or update:
• Enter recovery mode (similar button as sequences as force restart, hold until recovery screen appears.
• Connect to a computer and reinstall IOS.

Avoid DIY hardware fixes 

• Opening the iPhone yourself can void the warranty or cause more damage.
• Only attempt hardware repairs if you have professional tools and experience.

White Screen on Android phone 

This is similar but happens on Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, Huawei,realme and other Android devices. It usually happens due to a corrupted app, system file damage, factory firmware glitches or physical screen damage.

Common causes of a White Screen on Android 

A white screen in Android is a condition where your screen is blank and becomes unresponsive. It can happen due to software problems or hardware problems. Here are the details;

Software problems 

Software problems mean that the problem lies internally, such as a problem with the Android system, apps, or data, not the physical screen.

Software Glitches

Failed system updates or corrupted apps can freeze the display. Malfunctioning firmware errors can lead to a white screen.

Failed updates: 

When you get a notification of updates, and you decide to run them. One of the warnings you get is that you shouldn't turn off the device until updates are complete. Interrupted or corrupted software updates may prevent the system from loading correctly.

Low storage or RAM:

When your system storage is full. Android cannot load the graphics properly 

Malware or Untrusted apps:

It can be rare, but sometimes  Harmful apps can crash the system, causing the white screen.

Hardware problems

Hardware problem means any physical damage or problem with the screen itself or internal hardware, not the software. Here are the details;

Display Damage: 

Drops, impacts or pressure can damage the LCD or AMOLED screen, which can also cause a white screen.

Loose or Damaged connectors:

 Internal cables connecting the display may become loose or broken.

Battery or Motherboard issues:

If the battery or power IC cannot supply a stable voltage, the system or graphics controller glitches and causes a white screen. 

Over-Heating 

Sometimes your phone overheats due to heavy apps or updates, or sometimes the phone overheats due to an old, damaged battery, faulty processors or chips or a wrong charger may overheat your battery. So, overheating can cause your system to freeze and cause a white screen.

How to Fix White Screen Issues on Android

Here are the simple software fixes that can solve your white screen issue. You can simply force restart your phone, clear your cache, factory reset or repair for hardware damage. Here are the details;

Force Restart the Phone 

This clears the temporary glitches. Hold the power+volume down for 10-15 seconds.

• Boot into Safe Mode
• Hold the Power button 
• Tap to hold restart 
• Select a safe mode 
• If the white screen does not appear in safe mode, then an app is the problem. Uninstall the recently installed or suspicious apps from settings
• Then reboot normally.

Clear your Cache /Data

• Go to the settings 
• Select apps, then click on storage 
• Clear the cache. It will boost your phone memory.

 Wipe the system Cache partition

This clears the corrupted system cache. Here are the steps;

• Power off. Hold the volume button up.
• Enter recovery mode 
• Choose Wipe cace partition 
• Reboot the device.

Factory Reset  

• Only do this step if nothing else helps, and it's clearly software.

Backup first, then

• Go to the settings,System Reset, then click on factory reset.

Hardware Fix Options 

• Reseat the display flex cable or replace the LCD
• Clean or repair water-damaged components.
• Replace the battery or the power IC. 
• Repair the GPU motherboard. 
• Replace the full backlight. 
• Check and replace damaged connectors or ports.

How to Prevent a White Screen on Smartphones 

   Here are some precautions that can maximise your phone’s health;

• Keep your phone and apps updated to avoid software bugs
• Install apps only from trusted sources
• Close unnecessary background apps to reduce CPU overload 
• Handle your phone carefully to avoid water or drops
• Monitor battery health and use the correct charger.
• Restart your data regularly.

Conclusion 

The white Screen on a smartphone, often called the white screen of death(WSOD). It is mostly caused by software glitches, app malfunctioning, overheating or hardware changes and can be resolved with simple steps like restarting, clearing cache, using safe mode, updating the system or repairing hardware damages. Prevention and quick fixes can reduce the chances of encountering a white screen.