This article explains how to troubleshoot iPhone 15 Pro Max black screen of death problem.
This guide apply to all newly-released iPhone 15 models: iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
When the iPhone 15 Pro Max black screen of death issue occur, the device’s screen goes blank and doesn’t respond to touch, but you can tell by vibrations or sounds that the phone is still functioning. This issue can be quite frustrating because, without screen visibility or touch responsiveness, your iPhone 15 Pro Max is not much more than a vibrating paperweight.
Are you experiencing this problem too? This troubleshooting guide will help you fix the issue.
What Causes an iPhone 15 Pro Max Black Screen?
The iPhone 15 Pro Max may experience black screen issue for various reasons, but the two most common culprits are:
- Failed software update or jailbreak — When you try to update the iPhone’s operating system and the update fails, sometimes you’ll see the black screen. This is even more common when trying to jailbreak your iPhone and the jailbreak fails.
- Hardware problem — If software isn’t the culprit, the other most common cause of the black screen is the cable that connects the iPhone’s motherboard to its screen coming loose or breaking. In some cases, this is simply the result of a hardware failure over time. In others, the connector comes loose after the phone has been dropped too often.
If the iPhone 15 Pro Max black screen problem is due to a hardware failure, you may have to take it to an Apple-authorized repair shop to have it repaired. If it’s due to a software glitch, you will be able to fix it by following the steps below.
How to Fix a Black Screen on an iPhone 15 Pro Max
Please try each step until you resolve this issue.
Try powering on your iPhone 15 Pro Max
It may sound silly, but your iPhone 15 Pro may be turned off. By the offset chance this is the issue, here’s how to turn your phone back on:
- Hold down the Side button on your iPhone 15 Pro Max until the Apple logo appears.
- Release the Side button.
If the screen stays black even after pressing the Side button for an extended time, your iPhone’s battery may be completely drained. Check the next step below.
Recharge the iPhone’s battery
If your iPhone 15 Pro Max looks completely dead, go ahead and charge your device. The iPhone 15 Pro Max comes with a USB-C charging cable designed for fast charging, capable of working seamlessly with USB-C power adapters and computer ports. Ensure that you use this cable. The box does not contain a power adapter, and please ensure to use any compatible USB‑C power adapter.
Here are various ways to charge your iPhone 15 Pro Max:
- You can attach the USB-C cable, like the one in the box, to the port on your iPhone and connect it to a power adapter that is compatible. Afterward, insert the power adapter into a wall socket.
- If you have a USB-C power adapter that is 20W or greater, such as the one included with your Mac laptop, you can use it to expedite the charging of your iPhone.
- You can charge your iPhone by plugging it into the USB-C port on your computer.
- You have the option to connect your iPhone to your iPad, Mac, or other computers in order to charge.
- You can charge it wirelessly.
If nothing happens and if you do not see the charging screen, try the following:
- Find a different cable or power adapter and try those.
- If you connect your iPhone to a computer to charge it, connect it to a power source directly. If it is still not working, try a different power source.
See also: How to Fix iPhone 15 Pro Max Plugged In But Not Charging Issue
Clean the charging port
If the iPhone 15 Pro Max screen is still black, there might be something wrong with the way your device is charging. Dust and debris could keep your phone from charging properly. Inspect and clean the charging port. If necessary you can gently blow into the charging port, or use a wooden toothpick to try to remove anything that’s stuck in the port. After cleaning the charging port, try Charging your iPhone again.
Force restart your iPhone
If your iPhone 15 Pro Max screen is still black, performing a force restart can fix your problem.
First Step: Quick-press the Volume up key and let go.
Second Step: Quick-press the Volume down key and let go.
Third Step: Hold down the Side button until the iPhone 15 display turns black.
If successful, iPhone 15 Pro Max will restart, and the Apple logo will appear. After a while, the phone should reboot back to the iOS Lock Screen.
Use Recovery Mode
If performing a force restart didn’t resolve the iPhone 15 Pro Max black screen of death issue, try putting your device into recovery mode.
Putting your iPhone 15 Pro Max into recovery mode is similar to the force restart steps outlined above, with a few differences. To enter recovery mode, you must connect your iPhone 15 Pro Max to your Mac with a USB-C to USB-C cable. You may use the USB-C cable that comes with your iPhone 15 Pro Max.
If this is the first time you’re connecting your iPhone 15 Pro Max to your Mac, you’ll need to tap the Trust button that appears and enter your iPhone’s passcode in order to establish the pairing. If you’re running a more recent version of macOS, you’ll also need to allow the device’s USB connection to your Mac by clicking the "Allow" prompt that appears on macOS. Next, you’ll need to open Finder, and click your iPhone under the Location heading in the Sidebar. Click the Trust button that appears in the Finder to complete the connection.
Once connected to your Mac, perform the following steps in quick succession:
First Step: Quick-press Volume up key and let go.
Second Step: Quick-press Volume down key and let go.
Third Step: Hold down the Side button until the connect-to-computer glyph appears on your iPhone 15 Pro Max display.
On your Mac you should see a Finder window stating that your iPhone has been placed into recovery mode. macOS will then provide options to either update to the latest version of iOS, keeping your data, or to restore iOS, which will perform a fresh install of the latest iOS version.
Try DFU mode
If your iPhone 15 Pro Max screen is still black, you may need to place your phone into Device Firmware Upgrade (DFU) mode to reinstall iOS. Like recovery mode, you’ll need to connect your iPhone 15 Pro Max to a computer using a USB-C to USB-C cable. If this is the first time connecting your iPhone 15 Pro Max to your Mac, you’ll need to go through the trust process explained in the recovery mode section above to establish a pairing with your Mac.
To enter DFU mode, do the following steps in quick succession:
First Step: Quick-press Volume up key and let go.
Second Step: Quick-press Volume down key and let go.
Third Step: Hold down the Side button for 10 seconds.
Fourth Step: While holding down the Side button, long-press the Volume down key for 5 seconds.
Fifth Step: Let go the Side button while continuing to hold down the Volume down key for an additional 10 seconds.
Sixth Step: Follow the onscreen instructions in Finder.
Unlike recovery mode, no connect-to-computer dialogue is displayed when entering DFU mode. After entering DFU mode, your iPhone 15 Pro Max display will remain black. If the Apple logo appears, the process was not performed correctly.
Contact Apple Support
If your iPhone 15 Pro Max black screen of death issue persist, your device could be having a hardware problem. Sometimes, your iPhone 15 Pro Max screen is black because the cable that connects the LCD to the logic board has become dislodged. Moreover, your iPhone LCD could be broken. Contact Apple Support for further help.
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