Sometimes vertical lines appear on your screen. This could indicate an LCD cable problem. This problem has happened to me before. It was a real hassle using my device when the screen looked like this.
There are solutions. Vertical lines can be fixed by restarting the device, updating iOS, cleaning your screen, or setting the device back at factory settings.
This is the place to go if you’re currently struggling with it and want to get it fixed quickly.
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Software fixes
Two reasons vertical lines could appear on your iPhone screen: a software glitch, or a hardware problem. If the problem is software-related, the following solutions are available.
1. Restart your device
If you have vertical lines on your screen, a quick restart is the best thing to do. By closing all open programs, you can effectively fix any issues on your device.
These steps can be used to quickly reboot your device, depending on the model.
For iPhone X 11, 12, or 13:
- To see the “Power On”slider, long-press the Volume or Side buttons.
- To turn off the device, drag the slider to the right.
- After waiting 30 seconds, hold down the Side button and wait for the Apple logo to appear on the screen. You should now be able fix vertical lines on your screen.
For iPhone 6,7, and 8:
- Hold the Side button down until the “Power off”slider appears on the iPhone screen.
- To turn off your device, swipe the slider to the left and wait for the screen to go blank.
- Long-press the side button until the Apple logo appears.
for iPhone 5 & earlier models:
- Hold the button at the top of the screen until you see the “Power Off” slider.
- To turn the device off, swipe the slider to the right. It will take 30 seconds.
- Continue pressing and holding the top button until you see the Apple logo.
2. iOS Update
If you’re a little behind, updating your iOS version can fix vertical lines in iPhone devices. If the problem is caused by an outdated firmware, this could be a solution. Apple releases iOS updates that include several bug fixes to quickly fix the problem.
These steps will help you update to the latest iOS version:
- Open Settings.
- Go to General.
- If there is a new version, tap on Software Update and select “Download & Install”.
- Before you hit the Download button, make sure your internet connection is stable.
- Allow the process to run until it is completed. Once the device has restarted, you should take care of the vertical lines.
4. Force restart your iPhone
If safe mode does not work, a force restart is required. This process is more complex than the previous one and refreshes all apps’ memory. This will also eliminate any software bugs that a simple restart might have missed.
This process does not result in data loss. Therefore, you don’t need to back up your device before starting. This process is different for different iPhone models.
These steps will force your device to restart.
To hard-reset iPhone 6s Plus and iPhone SE 1st Generation
- Hold the Sleep/Wake and Home buttons simultaneously. Continue holding the buttons down until you see the Apple logo on the screen.
- After you have seen the logo, press the buttons to complete the hard reset process. Once the phone is restarted, you should see no vertical lines.
To hard-reset iPhone 7 or 7 Plus:
- Hold the Volume down, and Wake/Sleepbuttons simultaneously. Continue holding the buttons until the Apple icon appears on the screen.
- To complete the process, let go of the buttons once you see the logo. To verify if vertical lines have disappeared, allow the device to be restarted.
To hard-reset the i Phone8 and higher
- Release the Volume up button by pressing and holding down quickly.
- Release the Volume Downbutton by pressing and holding down quickly.
- Hold the side button down. Continue pressing the side button until you see an Apple icon. Then release the button. Allow the device to restart for the final step.
This should fix vertical lines on the iPhone screen.
Similar Reading
- How to Reset iPhone 8 Plus [A Step-by-Step Guide]
5. Factory Reset
If a hard reset fails, a factory reset is required. This involves wiping the device clean and returning it to its factory state. You will lose all of your data. Backup your data before you go.
Factory erasing your device can be done in two ways: via the Settings App, or via iTunes via the computer.
These steps will allow you to return to factory settings by using the Setting App:
- Open Settings.
- Tap General.
- Click on “Reset” or the “Transfer or Repair iPhone” option and select “Erase all Content and Settings.” “
- At this point, you will be asked to back up your data. To begin the process, tap “Back up then erase”.
- To confirm factory reset, you will need to enter your passcode. After entering the passcode, hit OK to confirm the factory reset.
- Allow the device to reset for a while. Check to make sure the vertical lines are gone by restarting the device
These steps will allow you to factory reset your device using iTunes.
- Use a USB cable to connect your device and the computer.
- Start iTunes latest version from your computer.
- Once the device is detected, tap the iPhone icon located on the left-hand screen.
- A summary panel will appear with the option to “Restore iPhone.” Click that button.
- An iPhone screen prompt will appear asking you to backup your device.
- After the backup is complete, tap Restore iPhone to continue the process.
- After it’s done, you’ll see the “Slide To Set Up” welcome screen. Continue following the prompts until you get your phone set up. You should now be able fix vertical lines on your screen.
6. Mode DFU
If all other solutions fail, DFU mode will be the last resort. This mode is the most advanced form of iPhone restore and is designed to eliminate any bug or glitch that may be causing this problem.
Follow these steps to put iPhone 6 and 7 in DFU mode:
- Use an Apple USB cable to connect your iPhone to the computer
- If you have an iPhone 6 or lower, press and hold both the Sleep/Wake and the Homebuttons simultaneously. For iPhone 7 or higher, press and hold Volume Down.
- Do not release the Sleep/Wake but hold down the Home or Volume Down buttons until you see the message “iTunes detected an iPhone in Recovery Mode” message on your PC screen.
- Now, release the Home or Volume Downbutton. If the iPhone screen turns black, it means that the device is in DFU mode.
- Follow the iTunes prompts to restore your device. Once it restarts, verify that the vertical lines are gone.
These steps will put your iPhone X or above into DFU mode.
- Use a USB cable to connect your device to the computer.
- Release the Volume upbutton by pressing and holding down quickly.
- Next, press and release quickly the Volume Down button.
- Hold down the Side button and wait until your iPhone screen turns completely black.
- Hold the Side button down for a few seconds, but don’t let go of it.
- Continue pressing down on the Volume Down button while you release the Side buttons until your device appears on the iTunes screen.
- Now, release the Volume down button. Now your device is in DFU Mode. The vertical lines of iPhone issues should be resolved once the device restarts.
Similar Reading
- iPhone 8 Home Button Doesn’t Work 8 Simple Ways to Fix It
Hardware Fixes
You may have a hardware problem if the problem persists after trying all possible solutions. These are the solutions.
7. Clean your iPhone Screen
It’s absurd to say, but dirt and dust can cause serious damage to your screen. Screen protectors are often so relied upon that people neglect to clean their screens until they begin to see vertical lines.
You may notice lines on the screen from foreign agents such as water droplets or dust that get between the protector and the screen. This will continue until you properly clean them both.
Take off the screen protector. Wipe the iPhone screen gently with a fiber cloth until you remove any debris.
8. You can cycle charge the battery
The cycle charging of the battery involves charging the phone to 100% and then using it until it runs out to 0%. This could be used to reduce vertical lines after the phone has been charged to its maximum capacity.
9. Adjust the LCD Screen
The LCD cables could become disconnected from the logic board by sudden jolts, or even a fall. It doesn’t necessarily mean the iPhone screen has been damaged.
To check if the vertical lines disappear, gently push the iPhone’s touchscreen back in. To avoid further damage to the screen, use as little pressure as possible. These steps will help you do it:
- Two fingers should be placed on each side (the shorter ones) of the device. Press down with care, but firm.
- The vertical lines should disappear as soon as the pins connecting the LCD cables and the logic board screen are in place.
