There Are Lines On My iPhone Screen! Here’s The Fix.

You’re seeing lines on your iPhone’s screen and you’re not sure why. This problem usually occurs when your iPhone’s LCD cable gets disconnected from its logic board, but it could also be a software problem. In this article, I’ll explain why there are lines on your iPhone screen and show you how to fix the problem for good!

Restart Your iPhone

First, let’s try and rule out a minor software glitch. Restarting your iPhone will let all of its programs shut down normally, which could fix a problem causing lines to appear on your iPhone’s display.

If you have an iPhone 8 or older model, press and hold the power button until slide to power off appears on the screen. On an iPhone X or newer model, simultaneously press and hold either volume button and the side button until slide to power off appears.

slide to power off iphone x

Swipe the white and red power icon from left to right to shut down your iPhone. Wait a few seconds, then press and hold the power button (iPhone 8 and earlier) or the side button (iPhone X and newer) until the Apple logo appears on the center of the display.

In some cases, the lines on your iPhone screen will be so obstructive that you can’t see anything on the screen. If  the lines on your iPhone screen are completely obstructing your view, you can restart it by doing a hard reset. A hard reset abruptly turns your iPhone off and back on.

The way to hard reset an iPhone depends on which iPhone you have:

  • iPhone 6s and earlier models: Simultaneously press and hold down the Home button and the power button until you see the Apple logo flash onto the screen.
  • iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus: Press and hold the volume down button and the power button simultaneously until the Apple logos appears on the center of the screen.
  • iPhone 8 and newer models: Quickly press and release the volume up button, then the volume down button, then press and hold the side button. When the Apple logo appears on the display, release the side button.

It can takes 25–30 seconds before the Apple logo appears, so be patient and don’t give up!

Backup Your iPhone

We recommend backing up your iPhone as soon as possible if there are still lines on the screen. This may be your last chance to back up if your iPhone is seriously damaged or suffering from liquid damage.

Backing up your iPhone saves a copy of all the information on it. This includes your photos, contacts, videos, and more!

You can use iTunes or iCloud to back up your iPhone. You’ll need a Lightning cable and a computer with iTunes to back up your iPhone to iTunes. If you want to backup your iPhone to iCloud, you don’t need a cable or a computer, but you will need enough iCloud storage space to save the backup.

Put Your iPhone In DFU Mode

The Device Firmware Update (DFU) restore is the deepest type of iPhone restore and it’s the last step we can take to rule out a software problem. This type of restore erases and reloads all the code on your iPhone, restoring it to its factory defaults.

We strongly recommend saving a backup of the information on your iPhone before putting it in DFU mode. Check out our step-by-step guide when you’re ready to put your iPhone in DFU mode!

Screen Repair Options

Most of the time, lines on your iPhone screen is the result of a hardware problem. It can occur when you drop your iPhone on a hard surface, or if your iPhone gets exposed to liquids. Vertical lines on the display of your iPhone is typically an indicator that the LCD cable is no longer connected to the logic board.

Set up an appointment at your local Apple Store to meet with a technician, especially if your iPhone is covered by an AppleCare+ Protection Plan. We also recommend Puls, an on-demand repair company that can send a certified technician directly your home or office. They can be there to help you fix the vertical lines problem on your iPhone within sixty minutes!

No More Lines!

I hope this article helped you fix your iPhone or find a repair option that will help you get its screen replaced as soon as possible. Now that you know why there are lines on your iPhone screen, make sure to share this article on social media with family and friends! Leave any other questions you have for us in the comments section below.

About Author

David Lynch is an expert on cell phones, cell phone plans, and other tech. After using a flip phone into his early 20s, he learned the ropes about iPhones and Androids from a former Apple employee. Today, his articles and videos are read and viewed by millions, and he has been cited by major publications including Reader's Digest, Wired, CMSWire, Consumers Advocate, and more.

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Sandra
3 years ago

i jist turned my phon on now this please help i’m crying

sadguy123
3 years ago

I dropped my iphone 6s on the front and the whole screen is black with lines that show some colour. The touch screen still works and i was able to type in my password and get into my phone using the phone sounds and vibrations but not being able to see anything . Would this be a expensive repair?

Liam Shotwell
3 years ago
Reply to  sadguy123

Getting a replacement screen for your iPhone 6s wouldn’t be expensive at all, but you may want to consider that the installation might be difficult. Paying a professional to install it for you will cost more. Since the iPhone 6s is about six years old now, it might be time to consider upgrading to a new device like the iPhone 12.

edward
3 years ago

my friend slapped it out of my hands it and had lines, I also cannot click anything

it was also spitting rain, and the screen was shattered a couple weeks before

Liam Shotwell
3 years ago
Reply to  edward

A combination of those two things is probably what did your phone in. It’s probably time to get an upgrade! Our other site has a great cell phone comparison tool where you can find a device that fits your needs without breaking the bank.

Harri knight
3 years ago

i dropped my iphone 11 in the bath and i was watching stuff on it and then i noticed some lines coming up on my iphone and theres like something black in the bottom right corner and i looks like liquid. What should i do?

Liam Shotwell
3 years ago
Reply to  Harri knight

It might be bad OLED pixels to blame. If the bad pixels aren’t too obtrusive it may not be that big of a deal. If the problem continues and more of your display becomes unusable, you may want to consider getting the screen replaced.

Brooke
3 years ago

I got my iPhone 5c wet when I was walking in the rain, and it has light yellow lines now. What do I do? Please help!

Liam Shotwell
3 years ago
Reply to  Brooke

You may have some water damage on your device. Although the iPhone 5c has some water resistance, it is an old device (nine years old!). Water resistance can become compromised over time. If you want to safeguard your device from water damage, it’s time to upgrade to a new device. The iPhone 12 is an excellent choice, and the iPhone SE 2 is also perfect. Both are very water resistant. I hope this helps! ?

Jerry
3 years ago

I dropped my phone( iPhone X) on the floor in my house, and at first there was a blackish spot in the bottom right of my phone. A couple hours later a purple line appeared on the right of my iPhone. I’m guessing its because of the drop. What should I do?

Liam Shotwell
3 years ago
Reply to  Jerry

There’s probably something wrong with your display. You can either seek out local repair options or Apple’s mail-in service, or you can consider upgrading to a new device with better software and hardware support like the iPhone 12. ?

Iva
3 years ago

So my phone is broken, but the lines never appeared before 30 minutes when I accidentally lost a tiny piece of screen and I tried to take it back and then my phone started to act weirdly color lines appeared and it’s turning in the orange color but when I close the phone screen and open it again everything disappears and then it’s slowly coming back. Do you know how much does it costs to repair it because I can’t buy new phone this is iPhone SE 2020 and I got it for Christmas. Please help me

Liam Shotwell
3 years ago
Reply to  Iva

It’s possible you are still under warranty. You should reach out to Apple to see if they may be able to help.

Rory
3 years ago

I was watching Netflix on my XR and then lines appeared on it. I already tried to restart it but it’s no use. The lines first appear light and then will gradually darken. What is wrong with my phone.

Madison
3 years ago

How much will it cost to get it repaired? I have an iphone 7 plus. It fell last night and now half the screen has the lines.

Liam Shotwell
3 years ago
Reply to  Madison

It may seem cheaper to get your phone repaired through Apple or through a third party, but it may be time to upgrade. Over time, repeated repairs can cost more than a new device. I highly reccomend the iPhone 12 or the new iPhone SE. These new phones have much better software and hardware support from Apple and will last you longer, meaning that you won’t have to pay as much for repairs and servicing. I hope this helps! ?

noah
3 years ago

i have an iphone xr that suddenly showing lines that slowly got brighter, taking over the screen. I dont know what is wrong.

xxxad
3 years ago
Reply to  noah

i have xr and has lines around the corners too! idk whats the problem as well

John
3 years ago

Hello.I took the front off of an iphone5 to replace the battery. I then noticed I had the wrong battery, and refitted the screen and pentalobe screws x2. Vetical lines appeared, mostly at left of screen which are purple and red. I don’t know electronics, I’m at a loss. Please advise. Best Regards

Liam Shotwell
3 years ago
Reply to  John

The iPhone 5 was released nine years ago! It’s a very old device, and I’m not surprised the battery started going bad. However, it really isn’t worth it to you to replace it. It no longer has the most recent software support, and other parts of the device may start to go bad, warranting more repairs. Plus, performing those repairs is very difficult. I highly recommend you upgrade to one of the newer iPhones like the iPhone 12 or the iPhone 11. Although they might have large price tags, it will cost you less in the long run and you’ll… Read more »

Skd
3 years ago

I have an iPhone XS Max which has several green lines towards 3/4 to the left of the screen. I cleaned with wet one and dropped lightly. No damage visibly .
Can this be the cause? does anyone have solutioN please.

Wendyrama
3 years ago

hi,

yes, suddenly lines on iPhone X. I restarted, I plugged directly into charger, I will try the hard restart you highlighted. But I still have the lines and worse I can’t get into the phone to back it up. It isn’t recognizing the zero needed for my passcode. Is there a way to override the locked screen? Thank you.

Liam Shotwell
3 years ago
Reply to  Wendyrama

Unfortunately, no, there is not. You’d have to DFU restore the device, and after that all the data on the phone would be deleted.

Imobhioh
3 years ago

I didn’t drop my iphone Xs max, I only clicked on software update and immediately there was vertical line on the screen and the screen is not functioning and i can’t turn off the phone too.

Bryan
3 years ago

It didn’t drop my iPhone 6s, but started having vertical colored lines with disappear when watch a bright video or photo. They get more intense on dark mode, I need advice on this please.

Liam Shotwell
3 years ago
Reply to  Bryan

The iPhone 6s is pretty old. It was released just about 6 years ago in 2015! It might be time for you to upgrade to a new device. If you are looking to stick around with the iPhone ecosystem, you should try going for the iPhone 12. If you want a more budget option, the latest version of the iPhone SE is great too!

Suhaa Rajesh
3 years ago
Reply to  Bryan

I had the same problem with my iPhone 6 and I had to replace the display. Now it works perfectly fine

Shivani
3 years ago

I dropped my iPhone and there is a thin vertical line on my scree. There is nor crack or trouble with touchscreen. Does the lines grow over time if I didn’t get it replaced?

Liam Shotwell
3 years ago
Reply to  Shivani

It’s possible. You should consider your repair options if a hard reset doesn’t work for you.

Lauren
3 years ago

My iphone is sorta old but I haven’t dropped it or anything and random lines started appearing. They get worse, for example, if I only use my phone for a minute it’s fine but if I use it for half an hour the lines get really bad and they’re horizontal and really close together.

Kacey
3 years ago

i got my phones lcd fixed last month i havent dropped it since, but now random lines appear on my screen, the screen still works but theres lines that flicker and glitch? can someone help please

Liam Shotwell
3 years ago
Reply to  Kacey

It’s possible that the new screen was not installed correctly. You should reach out to the technician who did the repair.

xinning
3 years ago

ohmygod i just keep knocking the top of the phone and it’s BACK TO NORMALLLL

tristan
3 years ago

my iphone 6 has 10 vertical lines and i can’t use the half of the screen where the lines is

Jason
3 years ago

How much does it usually cost to get this type of thing fixed?

emma
3 years ago

HELP!!!!!!!!!!
my iphone 8 plus have a very cracked screen and tons of lines all over it, if i get a new screen will it fix the lines. im going to the place today around 2:00 central time so please get back to me soon!

Karizma Mitchell
3 years ago

i dropped my phone a couple times last night it was perfetly fine , today i had my phone in the shower but it barely got wet a couple drizzles on it , and right now as we speak , my phone has lines in it , it can still use my screen,, its in rice

Karizma Mitchell
3 years ago

i dropped my phone a couple times last night it was perfetly fine , today i had my phone in the shower but it barely got wet a couple drizzles on it , and right now as we speak , my phone has lines in it , it can still use my screen,, its in rice n

Morgan
3 years ago

Is there a “time limit”? I can’t get my phone fixed until I get paid on friday

Akhil Gujrati
3 years ago

 has colorful lines on it its the 7.

AkhilG
3 years ago

 has colorful lines on it its the 7.

mariah
3 years ago

my phone has colorful lines on it its the 7 plus. and everytime i get onto my home screen and it presses random things.

Tee
3 years ago
Reply to  mariah

were you able to fix it?

Nicky
3 years ago

My mom’s iPhone 7plus screen is full of lines and it’s like freeze. What do we do?

Mr E
3 years ago

I dropped my IPhone XS Max and has a solid white vertical line. Screen is still intact. Do I need to replace the screen or it can be repaired? Heard it might be a cable unplugged..

Kunniy
3 years ago
Reply to  Mr E

Were u able to fix it

Hannah May
3 years ago

My brother’s phone got black lines and we can’t fix it need some help please!?

Nicole
3 years ago

I accidentally drop my iPhone 8 and now it has horizontal lines (they often change color like green, red and black) I’ve tried shutout down the phone but it doesn’t work. What do I do?

Anonymous
3 years ago
Reply to  Nicole

Take it to a repair shop

Akile Deborah
3 years ago

My iPhone 6 just went blank this morning while I was on call. It was on full charge and I don’t know what’s wrong and it refused to come up till now

Sophia Squires
3 years ago

I dropped my phone and it was working fine after but a few hours later the top of my phone screen was covered in lines and I could not get into my phone at all. what do I do

Emily
3 years ago

My iPhone 7 recently came up with a vertical line when i go onto the camera in any camera using app, camera insta snap etc. It’s only one line but how can I stop this before/if it progresses?

Tanvi Harish
3 years ago

My iPhone 6s has grey bars only at the bottom part and is unresponsive only at that part..apart from that it has ghost touch problem, whenever i would like to click on something, some else gets clicked on its own, and performs unnecessary tasks which i haven’t even asked for…please helpppp

Elias Kokar
3 years ago

I used my iPhone 5 in the rain for 1 minute and now there’s 4 lines on my screen

benedict
3 years ago

so i have an iphone 5s that i dropped from a small height and for some reason the lines cause the screen to change color or turn to a different color, some things i have noticed after a while of having it is it turns from normal to full of lines the screen turns to purple (maybe because of my purple background) the screen color goes from purple to white when i turn the brightness low for some reason its still useable, but only for a while until its all glitchy and has areas that cant be interacted with on… Read more »

sam
3 years ago

hi, I have an iphone 6 and all of a sudden the screen started showing horizontal lines across the whole screen but is still being responsive

Keke
3 years ago
Reply to  sam

Mine too, did you find a fix?

Kya Digney
3 years ago
Reply to  sam

Same

Syd
3 years ago

Help!

Photo on 7-2-20 at 12.57 AM.jpg
Liam Shotwell
3 years ago
Reply to  Syd

How colorful! That’s… not supposed to happen. If following the steps in this article didn’t work then I’d say there’s probably something wrong with the screen and you’ll have to check out your options for repair or replacement.

Angel-Mai
3 years ago

Can someone please help me last month I dropped my iphone 7 on my kitchen floor and rainbow lines cam on it and a massive black circle this is all at the top and a bit of the left side is there anything I can do about it without paying?
 

Liam Shotwell
3 years ago
Reply to  Angel-Mai

No, that’s a pretty good indicator that the screen has been damaged. Fortunately, you may not have to pay that much. Try exploring some of your options on this page. A third party like Puls might be able to help you at a lower rate than Apple will.

emma
3 years ago
Reply to  Liam Shotwell

if your screen has all the lines all over it if you get a new screen will it go away

Liam Shotwell
3 years ago
Reply to  emma

As long as a hardware issue is causing the lines to appear, yes, replacing the screen will make the lines go away.

luis
3 years ago
Reply to  emma

yea it will if you change the dashboard,the screen is perfectly fine its just cracked but the lines are bc the dashboard is damaged 🙂

zaufeshan
3 years ago

i have lines vertical and horizontal and with screen from right all black (just a small part vertically) i got this phone 1 year back, its an iphone7. what is supposed to be done?
 

Liam Shotwell
3 years ago
Reply to  zaufeshan

If you have tried all the steps in this article and there are still lines on your iPhone screen, you should consider exploring your options to get your phone repaired. It’s most likely hardware damage.

Ubaid
3 years ago

I have an iphone 7 with a screen i bought from amazon and when it turns on the screen is fine the after like 1 second the lines slowly show up but the screen is still responsive

Someone
3 years ago
Reply to  Ubaid

That’s what happened to my iPhone 7 but instead of buying the screen from amazon, it’s the one that came with the phone. I dropped my 7 in my bathroom on the tile and the screen is weird because it’s fine for like a second but then blue vertical lines start to show up.

Maria G
3 years ago

I have a big thick white line across my phone and a little think one next to it. What should I do?

lisa
3 years ago

hi, i got an iphone 6 last year and anytime i used to charge it the screen would go very blury and weird or it would just randomly happen, i got the phone in a bad condition. i found a solution to fix it by wiping the screen with my hands. Early this year, my iphone got worse, and it will show these grey lines, it got very weird. Even if i wipe it, it doesn’t work. Basically the screen (that’s how i got it). what can i do?

Liam Shotwell
3 years ago
Reply to  lisa

Sounds to me like there’s a bad screen connection. Wiping your hands across the screen probably helped regain that connection, but as the phone has aged, that probably won’t work anymore. Fortunately, fixing screen issues isn’t impossible. You should explore your repair options. If they aren’t able to fix it, I suggest you go and check out options for getting a new phone.

Randa
3 years ago

I restarted my I phone 5 s but no way ,I dropped alcohol on the display 2 month before it went like this

IMG-20200615-WA0000.jpeg
Liam Shotwell
3 years ago
Reply to  Randa

Looks like you’ve got a damaged screen. If there are lines on your iPhone screen and your phone is damaged, you should take it to get it serviced or replaced.

safaa
3 years ago

I have a iphone 8 plus and i woke up the next morning with faint lines on half of my screen and im scared and dont know what to do

Katie
3 years ago
Reply to  safaa

We have the same problem! The lines disappear for a few seconds when I press the power button and it comes back. T_T

Tess
3 years ago
Reply to  Katie

Me Too, Did You Guys Got Yours Fixed? And How?

Judy
4 years ago

My husband’s iphone X has a solid bright pink line with one fine line on each side of the solid line and they are on the left side of his phone going from top to bottom. No liquid contact or dropping of the phone. The phone is about two years old. The line appeared about two days ago.

ANALYN
3 years ago
Reply to  Judy

Did ur phone fix it? Cause same case with iphine x?

noel
4 years ago

my phone has the rainbow lines going through it and i can’t get on it

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