If your iPhone screen is black but it still rings, vibrates or shows sounds, the phone is working and the display has usually failed — a fixable fault, with a replacement screen from £18.66. First, though, force-restart it: a crashed screen looks identical to a broken one, and the restart is free. Here's exactly how to tell them apart.
Step 1: force restart your iPhone (free)
Direct answer: on any iPhone 8 or newer (all Face ID models included), press and release Volume Up, press and release Volume Down, then press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears (about 10 seconds). On an iPhone 7 hold Side + Volume Down; on iPhone 6s or SE (1st gen) hold Home + Side. If the display comes back, it was a software crash and nothing is broken.
Step 2: rule out a dead battery
Plug into a known-good charger for 30 minutes and watch for the charging screen. A fully drained battery can look like a black screen.
When it's the screen (and a replacement is needed)
| Situation | Most likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Black but rings/vibrates after a drop | Failed display assembly | Replacement screen |
| Coloured lines then went black | Damaged OLED/LCD panel | Replacement screen |
| Black, no restart, no charge sign | Battery or logic board | Battery / board check |
| Black after an iOS update | Software | Force restart, then update/restore |
If the phone reacts (rings, vibrates, makes sounds) but the display stays dark after a force restart and a charge, the screen assembly has failed and a replacement restores it.
What a replacement iPhone screen costs
Replacement iPhone screens start at £18.66 for an iPhone 15 incell display, with OLED options such as the iPhone 13/14 Pro hard-OLED range from £50.82. Not sure which grade you need? See our iPhone screen grades guide and the full iPhone screen cost guide.
Good to know: replacing the screen does not disable Face ID — the Face ID sensors sit in a separate flex you transfer to the new screen, so as long as that's moved across carefully, Face ID keeps working.
Why buy your iPhone screen from Supreme Phone Parts?
- UK stock, dispatched from the UK — no long overseas waits.
- eBay Top Rated seller — trusted by UK repairers and repair shops.
- Trade & bulk pricing available for repair businesses.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my iPhone black but still ringing?
The phone is working but the display has failed — usually after a drop. A force restart rules out a software crash; if the screen stays black, it needs replacing.
How do I force restart an iPhone with a black screen?
Press and release Volume Up, press and release Volume Down, then hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears (iPhone 8 and newer).
How much is an iPhone screen replacement in the UK?
From £18.66 for an incell display up to around £55 for OLED, depending on the model. Fitting it yourself is free; a repair shop adds labour.
Will replacing the screen break Face ID?
No — the Face ID sensors are on a separate flex that transfers to the new screen. Move it across carefully and Face ID keeps working.
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