Is your Google Pixel unresponsive and on black screen? This will go over several common occurrences when it comes to your Google Phone not responding and showing a blank screen. The problem can be caused by either software or hardware causes, so read on to determine the right solution for you!
The Basics
Before undertaking any of the more time-consuming solutions below, here are a few fundamentals to get you started.
- Force Restart your Pixel
- Press and hold power for 30 seconds to force restart for Pixel 5a and earlier.
- Press and hold the power button and volume up button for Pixel 6 and newer.
- Plug your Pixel in to a power source (charger). It could be dead or in low battery mode.
- Verify the display is black rather than too dim to see. Move to a darker space if needed. Issues with auto-brightness or inability to adjust brightness can point to fault in your Ambient Light Sensor.
Dirty or Obstructed Sensors
Along the top edge of the display, several sensors are positioned to report on light levels and distance to a surface (your face, the inside of a pocket, or other).
- Give your screen a good cleaning, especially along the top, where these sensors live. If the sensors are smudged, the phone might think it’s dark out and lower the brightness. To fix this, clean the entire phone screen with a damp microfiber cloth.
- Use screen cleaner for more stubborn grime.
Sensors in the Google Pixel 6 and sensor cutouts in the display
If you recently repaired your device, make sure the gasket around these sensors if there is one), is properly placed.
Sensor Fault
In addition to the ambient light sensor, the proximity sensor may also give you hassle. That's the one that tells the display to turn off when you but it up to your face to make or answer a call. Because these can both change screen behavior, they can also generate unwanted behavior.
- Check for liquid damage along the top edge of the phone. Despite the rated water resistance, the earpiece is a common location for liquid entry. Even a small drop can cause damage to these components and they are often near to the speaker opening.
- Unfortunately if this is the issue, the sensors may be mounted directly to the logic board. Other times it will likely be on another small flex cable with other small components.
Display Malfunction or Damage
Solution: Replace the display.
If your phone is still not responding and has a black screen, try plugging it into a computer. This will provide more insight to your phone’s condition as it will notify you if it detects the phone—letting you know that the phone may be functioning but the screen may not be.
- USB debugging is an optional setting that will give more feedback when the phone is connected to a computer. Unfortunately this setting can only be enabled when your screen is visible and usable.
- Your unresponsive black screen may be caused by a broken screen from a repair attempt or other accidental damage. Look into a replacement screen and follow the associated iFixit guide.
- Display damage may manifest as a visible crack in the glass, but other signs of display damage on an AMOLED display include black blotches, lines or general display anomalies.
Logic Board Malfunction
The logic board is the hub for most of a Pixel's functionality. Any number of the small components on the board may have failed or become damaged and is a safe assumption of cause if nothing else on this page has worked.
- Check for obvious signs of a board issue—burned or cracked components, liquid residue, corrosion, or bend. If there are signs of liquid, the iPhone Liquid Damage Guide might help.
- Replacing the logic board is often the most practical solution for a DIYer whose board has failed.
- Contrary to popular belief, the board itself can be repaired. However, it requires specialized tools and microsoldering know-how. If you’re curious and want to know more about getting into micro soldering, here’s some good reading and some good watching to get you started.
댓글 28개
Awesome that a broken screen means you cant factory reset the phone, because I have tried the steps here a dozen times with no success.
David Budd - 답글
Yes, very smart when you look up how to reset a phone with a broken screen the instructions say to select an option shown on the screen. Very helpful (sarcasm)
Adam -
Hi, please I have Google pixel 5a, the phone just went off by itself and won’t power back. I have charged the battery for more than an hour, press the power button for a minute and even tried hard reset but nothing is showing. It gets warm whilst on charge but nothing happens either.
Abu-Bonsrah Harrison - 답글
I had the exact same problem. My Pixel 5a simply shut off, and it will not turn back on, even if I charge it. Im not sure what to do.
Daniel Kobrinski -
I have Google pixel 7 Pro. The screen had some flickering green and black stripes for a few days and then turned all blank black. The phone is still on because I can feel the vibration haptics when I touch it. But the screen does not light up. It remains BLANK AND BLACK. The ALWAYS ON feature is not displaying anything on the screen.
I am unable to turn it off because I can't tell what's on the screen when I hold down the power button.
I can't do hard factory reset also because I can't see what on the screen when I hold down together the power button and volume down button.
The phone is still on because I can locate it and ring it with the Find My Device app on my other Android phone. It still charges ( I can see the battery % on the Find My Device site)
How do I reset the phone when I can't see the screen
Umz - 답글