The phone fell and the screen just turned black. What to do if the screen on your smartphone or tablet does not work? (simple instructions)
Phone display repair. All repair products can be purchased on our website.
Let's consider a possible problem - for some reason the display on the cell phone has stopped showing. What could be causing this and how can I fix the problem?First of all, a little theory.
What is a display
In the specific case of a mobile phone Display- This is a phone component designed to display graphic information.The phone display consists of:
1. Glass with a layer of cells filled with liquid crystal is the main component of the display.
2. Backlight with several layers of diffusers.
3. Display housing - the plastic part in which the components are installed.
Display breakdowns
We distinguish two types of display failures:1. The picture is not displayed on the screen.
2. There is a picture, but it’s hard to see - the backlight has disappeared.
In most cases, it is the picture that is not visible, but the backlight remains. This display glows in white, blue or green - these are the most commonly used backlight colors. These breakdowns and methods for solving them will be discussed in the article.
The phone fell
As written above, glass is used in the production of displays for mobile devices. Very hard, but also very brittle material. If the glass breaks, the screen will stop showing. External signs of a broken display are a crack (cracks, “cobwebs”) or liquid crystal leakage. As a rule, leaks are black. In some phone models it may be bright red, yellow or orange. Sometimes in the form of a spectrum close to red. In some LG phones, cracks are not visible, but a “sun” appears in the center of the screen - this is also physical damage to the display.
If the display glass is broken, the display must be replaced.
A broken screen is statistically the most common breakdown of phones in general and the reason for display inoperability in particular.
Water got into the phone
If water or any other conductive liquid gets into your mobile phone, the display may stop working. The reason is the short circuit or “rotting” of the information tracks in the screen or motherboard of the phone.The malfunction can be eliminated by mandatory cleaning of the phone. If necessary, replace non-working components and restore “rotten” tracks.
In some cases, the display shows a picture after water gets into it, but spots are visible in the background. This display can be replaced, or you can try to restore it yourself.
To restore, remove the diffuser (part of the backlight) from the screen, peel off its layers and wash it in pure alcohol. After drying, we put it back together and connect it. Ideally, you can restore the display completely. However, it is worth considering the risk of damaging the fragile glass, after which the display will not show anything at all.
After water gets in, the backlight may disappear. This often happens, for example, with Nokia phones. Especially with their budget models - 1110, 1110i, 1112, 1600, 2600, 6030, etc. The reason for this failure is the failure of the microcircuit LM3500. The chip is installed at the bottom of the phone, next to the charging connector and microphone. It is there, through the holes in the housing, that water statistically most often gets in. Recoverable by replacing the microcircuit LM3500.
Clamshell and slider
A clamshell and a slider are two phone form factors that also have a display cable among their components.Plume- an elastic flexible element designed for electronic connection of two or more movable parts of a mobile phone.
The cable is made of a special polymer and metal (copper-based), which have a high bending life. An original cable from the phone manufacturer can work for several years. Cables from alternative manufacturers, as a rule, last up to six months. Very cheap cables can last from a few bends to a week or a month.
If the phone (slider or clamshell) did not fall, and the display stopped showing “by itself,” then this is most likely due to wear on the cable. The loop can be restored by identifying and duplicating the broken wire, but this is a maximum of several dozen bends. The materials and technologies used in production cannot be replicated in artisanal conditions. So the cable needs to be changed.
The material in this article, in whole or in part, can only be used with a hyperlink to the source.
Author - Pavel Ukrainian
Why is the display not working on my phone?
As Woland once said: “The trouble is not that a person is mortal, but that he is suddenly mortal.” The same can be said about our electronic friends - smartphones and tablets. Just half an hour ago it was mysteriously flickering on the screen and pumping bass in the headphones, but now it lies black, cold and does not react in any way to your attempts to revive it: it does not turn on, does not charge. The same problem can occur when purchasing a used device. And devices purchased at promotional prices on sales can unpleasantly surprise the owner. Why a smartphone goes into a deep coma and how to get it out of this state is the topic of our short instructions on providing emergency care.
Why doesn't the device turn on?
The problem of a device showing no signs of life is perhaps the most common problem in the world of digital gadgets. As with most emergency situations, a correct diagnosis is 99% successful.
Your smartphone or tablet may not turn on due to software problems, hardware failures, or battery problems. The reasons why the device does not turn on are a carriage and a small cart.
Charger fault
Chargers are compact, operate in severe thermal conditions and therefore often fail. The most correct way to check is to use a voltmeter to make sure that there is a constant voltage of 5 V at the output of the power supply. If this is not possible, you need to connect another working smartphone to this power supply and check if charging is taking place.
If the reason is a faulty charger, then it needs to be replaced with a new one.
USB cable damage
Cables fail much more often than power supplies. The wire becomes kinked and the charging plug becomes loose when connected/disconnected multiple times. At some point, the electrical contact is broken and current no longer flows through the cable. No current - no charging. The cable is tested by connecting it to a known-good power supply and a working smartphone.
The micro-USB plug is the weak point of the charging cable
Battery deep discharge
The problem of deep discharge is typical for devices that have been left for a long time without use/charging or have been in storage. The reason is that even when the smartphone is turned off, the battery is discharged due to self-discharge and current consumption by standby circuits. The operating voltage of a lithium-polymer battery is 3.6–3.7 V. If the battery voltage drops below 3.2 V, the smartphone charge controller will not be able to charge it due to the operating algorithm. To verify the problem of deep discharge, you need to remove the battery from the device and connect it to a voltmeter.
The lithium polymer battery label indicates the maximum operating voltage
Battery failure
The original battery is designed for approximately 500 charge/discharge cycles. During its service life, its capacity decreases. At one point, the battery capacity becomes so small that it can no longer be charged. Such a malfunction is easily monitored, since as the battery capacity decreases, the operating time of the device also decreases.
As a separate item, we will consider battery failure due to overheating. Most often, this affects unpackaged lithium-polymer batteries in tablets and some smartphones with a non-removable battery. Due to the high temperature, gas formation begins in a sealed battery and it swells. If it is not replaced in time, the consequences can be dire.
If the battery loses its seal, it will catch fire or explode; in addition, by increasing in size due to gases, the battery can damage the inside of the smartphone. Screens and sensors crushed from the inside are not uncommon.
In an advanced case of a swollen battery, the back cover of the phone sticks out or the screen cracks
Malfunction of the charge controller in a smartphone or tablet
Part of the smartphone's electronic circuitry is designed to charge the battery when connected to a network device. The charge controller monitors the remaining battery capacity, charges it when low and stops charging when it reaches 100%. If you connect a non-original charger, a short-circuited cable, or a power surge, the charge controller may be damaged. After this, the smartphone will not be able to charge the battery, although it will work fine from a charged battery or from a power supply.
Repairing the power controller on a tablet board is not a cheap pleasure. If your device is older, it would be more advisable to power it via a Micro-USB port using an external battery (PowerBank), since repairs may exceed the cost of your pet on the secondary market.
Repairing the power controller will not be cheap
Troubleshooting power issues
The mains charger and cable have been checked. Now we know for sure that the problem is in the device. Our first task is to try to charge the battery.
If the smartphone’s battery is removable, a charger, popularly called a “Frog,” will help us.
The universal charger “Frog” will help charge a removable battery
Connect the battery to the Frog and charge for 2-3 hours. Then install it back into your smartphone. If the smartphone starts up, connect its original charger and monitor the charge. Does not charge - the charge controller is faulty. You happily walk with the device to the service center.
If the battery is deeply discharged, the algorithm of actions will be somewhat more complicated. If you do not know how to hold a soldering iron in your hands, it is better to contact a service center or buy a new battery. Are you determined to do everything yourself? Let's get started:
Video: how to charge the battery using the Frog
The device starts to download, but does not finish
Your electronic friend turns on, displays the splash screen and even begins to boot. Then it goes out and everything repeats again. This malfunction can have two causes: software and hardware.
There can be many reasons for a software failure: viruses, a damaged file system of the user partition, and thoughtless use of serious system utilities. The fix algorithm is simple - boot the smartphone into Recovery mode and reset to factory settings:
A hardware failure could be that the battery controller has locked it at, say, 10-15% charge. When booting up, the smartphone sees a low charge level and turns off. The treatment recipe is the same as in the case of a deep battery discharge: remove the battery, unsolder the controller from the “can”, charge the can with a charger to 3.7–4 V. But this solution is palliative. A battery that has gone through a deep discharge has already irreversibly lost a fair portion of its capacity. The best solution would be to buy a new battery if possible.
The smartphone vibrates but does not turn on
If the smartphone vibrates but does not boot, this indicates that the battery is discharged to 0%. In this state, the smartphone will not be able to charge the battery on its own. It must be removed and charged using a universal charger, as described above. When removing the battery, assess its condition. If there are signs of swelling or loss of tightness, be sure to replace it.
In this article I will talk about the reasons why the screen/display on your phone does not work, and what to do in this situation.
Let's start in order.
First steps and theory
The development of the mobile industry has taken the direction of increasing the size of the display and minimizing the number of mechanical keys. The screen is the main way you control your device, and damage to it can turn your phone into a useless pile of metal. There are many options for the screen to malfunction: from the appearance of small spots and defects to its complete inoperability.
Each breakdown is unique and requires separate consideration. You must be sure of the reason for the inoperability, otherwise dishonest service workers may profit from you. First of all, you need to make sure that everything is in order with the software part of your device. To do this you need:
- Connect the charger to the device, let the battery charge a little
- Turn on your device. Connect your mobile phone to your computer
If synchronization is successful, but no changes occur on the screen, the problem is in the components. Let's look at the main causes of malfunctions in the operation of the mobile phone screen and explain them.
Phone screen not working due to mechanical/physical damage
Every smartphone crash is a kind of lottery; everyone is lucky differently. One mobile phone may be left without a single scratch if dropped from a great height, while another may be damaged if it accidentally collides with a hard surface.
Mechanical damage is easily diagnosed with the naked eye. A growing crack, and often a “cobweb,” appears on the phone screen. There can be several outcomes in such a situation:
- Damage to the protective glass and stable operation of the device
- Image display but sensor damage
- Complete screen failure
Replacing damaged protective glass depends on the device. Modern models are equipped with combined screens with a sensor and protective glass, which allows for minimal thickness. Replacing such components is expensive and requires replacing not only the protective glass, but also other components. The same principle applies to a damaged sensor.
If the protective glass is damaged, but the screen works, this is not a reason to continue using this device. It is recommended to urgently contact a service center, because your phone becomes vulnerable to moisture and liquid, which can cause more serious damage.
The phone did not fall, but the screen does not work. Causes of failure
Loss of functionality of a mobile phone screen can be associated not only with mechanical damage to the outer side of the display. Moisture, damage to the screen control chip, wear or disconnection of the cable, and other reasons depending on the specific model can cause the phone screen to become inoperable.
Moisture and liquid entering the phone body
Everyone knows from an early age that water has no place in electronics. If moisture or liquid gets into the phone, it can lead to the destruction of the contact board, short circuits and other critical phenomena that impair the functionality of the device.
Destruction of contacts on the board may require both routine cleaning and replacement of many components. If water gets into the device, it is recommended to immediately contact a service center for help. Water getting into the screen of a mobile phone can cause characteristic streaks and stains, which can be corrected by replacing the screen or modules.
Screen control chip failure
Failure of microcircuits in a device is not uncommon. The screen does not receive the necessary information from the device and does not display an image. It is impossible to identify this problem using standard means; it will be determined at the service center. Damage can only be corrected by replacing components.
Worn or disconnected cable
The cable connects the mobile phone screen to the device and is replaceable. This solution allows you to quickly replace the screen without interfering with the device board, but adds the possibility of detachment upon impact. Connecting the cable will not take much time and will not hurt your pocket.
Cable wear is typical for flip phones and sliders. In such devices, constant physical contact is created when opening and closing, which over time leads to a faulty state. In such cases, the cable is replaced at the service center and does not require the purchase of a screen module.
Dead pixels and spots on the screen
Not every person closely monitors their smartphone. Quite often, unexpected situations arise due to the fact that the device does not turn on or the screen on the Samsung does not work. This can happen for completely different reasons, ranging from ordinary mechanical damage to manufacturing defects. Let's look at the most common reasons why a smartphone stops functioning correctly.
Let's first look at some trivial problems that can cause the screen to stop working. Let's start with the difficulties that may be associated with the battery. Most often, the battery simply does not receive the required amount of energy from the charger. On Samsung, this can happen as a result of a faulty charger that stops working properly due to the burnout of the microcircuit inside the power supply.
Such cases are not rare and happen all the time, as a result of strong voltage surges. If the input voltage increases significantly, the board burns out. It’s good if the charger suffers, and not the device itself.
It is also worth mentioning that the battery may fail, but this happens quite rarely on devices from this company. This problem can be solved by simply replacing the battery with a new one. You can do this yourself, just select the right battery.
Screen damage
Service centers often receive questions about what to do if the screen does not work after the phone has been dropped. In fact, if the reason really lies in the fall, then you definitely won’t be able to solve this problem yourself. The phone can only be repaired by contacting a service center.
It is worth noting that if the device falls, several types of damage are possible:
- Damage to the display. Such situations can only be solved in one way - by replacing the display, but it is almost impossible to do this on your own. It is best to take a phone whose screen does not light up to a Samsung service center, where specialists will replace it with an original one.
- Damage to the screen control chip. If the screen of a Samsung device does not turn on, this does not mean that the display is to blame. It is not uncommon for people to replace the screen, but the problem is still not solved. Replacing a microcircuit is quite cheap, which allows you to solve the problem as quickly and efficiently as possible. It is not recommended to do this yourself, since you need specialized equipment for resoldering the boards.
- Damage to the connection between the connector and the printed circuit board. This situation is as simple as possible. To solve it, you only need to disassemble the smartphone whose screen has gone dark and insert the detached part in its place. 90% that this method will help your device.
It is worth mentioning that there are other rare problems. which can only be identified in service centers. Contact a specialist if the screen on your Samsung phone is not working. Samsung smartphones don't break down as often as they say.
Operating system errors
If the device freezes and does not turn on after that, then there is a high probability that the main problem lies in the operating system. The Android OS (this is especially true for older versions) is not famous for its stability, so sudden errors can occur, regardless of the brand and model of the smartphone.
In such situations, not everything is clear, because in most cases, when the screen does not turn on, and the problem arose after a freeze, you just need to remove the battery for a couple of minutes, after which, most likely, the device will start without problems. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to solve the problem in this way, because sometimes the phone does not start even after this, and some devices are equipped with a non-removable battery (use the reset button located on the smartphone body). Where to find it, read the instructions.
If all the tips given above could not help you, then you will have to reset the device settings to factory settings. Unfortunately, all your data will be deleted, but the good news is that the operating system will begin to function normally again. Follow the following instructions:
- Hold down the "Volume Up" and "Home" keys.
- Press the power button without releasing the pressed keys.
- In “Recovery Mode” you can roll back to factory settings. This process is individual for each smartphone, so you should look for instructions on the Internet.
Bottom line
Now you have learned what to do if the screen of a smartphone released by Samsung does not work, you can summarize. Do not disassemble the device yourself if you are not sure of the success of the actions. Entrust this to the professionals working in service centers. Only they can correctly diagnose the breakdown and replace the failed module.
Video
In modern phones, we can distinguish two types of screen breakdowns: the image is not displayed on the screen and the picture is visible, but very poorly, i.e. the display backlight has disappeared.
Glass is used in the production of mobile device screens. Quite hard, but at the same time fragile material. If the display breaks, the screen will no longer show. After mechanical damage, cracks or leaks of black liquid crystal may appear on the screen. On some models, leaks may be bright red, orange, or yellow. In some LG smartphones, cracks are not visible at all, but a “sun” appears in the center of the display - a kind of physical damage to the screen.
A broken screen is the most common breakdown of smartphones and tablets, which occurs due to falls, shocks and other mechanical impacts on the device.
After liquid gets into a mobile phone, the display may stop working, and sometimes rainbow stains appear on the phone. The reason for complete or partial inoperability lies in the short circuit or “rotting” of the information tracks in the display or system board.
The problem can usually be resolved by cleaning the phone. Less often it is necessary to replace water-damaged components and restore “rotten” paths.
In cases where the screen continues to show, but spots are visible on it, you can try to restore it. To restore the screen of a mobile phone or smartphone after water has entered it, remove the diffuser (part of the backlight) from it, unstick its layers and wash the whole thing in pure medical alcohol. After drying, we assemble everything in the reverse order and connect it. In most cases, you can restore the screen completely, but the risk of damaging the fragile glass, after which the display only needs to be replaced, is always present.
After contact with liquid, and may appear. A typical cause of such a breakdown in Nokia devices is the failure of the LM3500 chip.
A cable is an elastic flexible component in clamshell or slider phones, used to connect various moving parts of a mobile phone.
The cable is made of a special copper-based polymer that has a long service life when bending. A branded train can work for several years. Alternative options from Chinese manufacturers last from six months to a year.
If the phone (slider) did not fall and the screen stopped showing, then most likely this was due to wear on the cable. So the cable needs to be replaced.
First, you need to check the data bus that passes through the antistatic filters Z2402 and Z2403 to the X1500 display connector. If all signals are present, then check the data bus on the loop
In our case, it turned out that one of the signal circuits did not ring. I looked at the cable under a Chinese microscope and found a small chip on the paintwork of one of the tracks next to the connector, which is where the signal passed.
I replaced the damaged cable with a similar one, and the image appeared on the phone. If you happen to not have a spare cable, then considering that the damage site was not on its moving part, you can restore the damaged area by lap soldering of thin wires.
There was a patient with a broken display that was still partially working. The operation began according to the standard algorithm: we take out the SIM, battery and memory card. Then remove the back cover of the phone, under which there are two screws. We unscrew them.
We unclip the two latches on the right and left, and then disconnect the iron clip that holds the cracked display. Carefully disconnect the connector so as not to damage the connector. And then we simply change the display to a new one and repeat the entire procedure in reverse order.
