Does your iPhone screen show vertical lines? It appears that this issue may occur on all iPhone models. 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 what you can do to fix the issue!
Why are there vertical lines on my iPhone screen?
Lines may appear on your iPhone screen after your device experiences an event. For example, if you drop your iPhone or get it wet, vertical lines may appear, indicating that the screen has hardware issues. The most likely cause of this problem is a hardware failure. This can include:
- Display connector issues. They may be loose, broken, etc.
- Screen damage as a result of a drop or water exposure.
Sometimes, you may experience this due to a manufacturing defect. In other words, your device was somehow produced or assembled poorly or bad parts were used in your device. Defects in materials or workmanship can cause this. If the issue started occurring for no apparent reason, this could be the cause. Do not panic, though. Apple will fix the issue or replace your iPhone if your iPhone is still under warranty. Apple’s standard warranty lasts one year.
However, there are also software-related reasons. A software glitch may also be to blame for lines appearing on an iPhone screen. Corrupted updates may cause issues like this one. If you only see the vertical lines in certain apps, it is obvious that the issue has to do with the app. This app may be incompatible or needs an update.
How to fix vertical lines on iPhone screen
As I stated above, the most likely cause is a hardware problem. If it is a hardware problem, you are limited in what you can do other than taking it for repair. However, it is always best to do the basic troubleshooting steps to address any possible software-related causes to see if it clears the problem. Try these first:
Restart your iPhone
First, we need to rule out any possibility of a minor software glitch. Restarting your iPhone will let all of its programs shut down normally, which could fix a problem causing vertical lines to appear on your iPhone’s display.
If you have an iPhone 8 or earlier model, press and hold the power button until slide to power off appears on the screen. On an iPhone X or later model, simultaneously press and hold either volume button and the side button until slide to power off appears.
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.
Hard reset your iPhone
In some cases, the vertical 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:
If you have an iPhones 6s or earlier model, simultaneously press and hold the Home button and the power button until the screen goes black and the Apple logo appears. You may have to hold both buttons for 25–30 seconds.
If you have an iPhone 7 or 7 Plus, simultaneously press and hold the volume down and power button. Keep pressing and holding until the screen goes black and the Apple logo appears.
If you have an iPhone 8 or newer model, quickly press and release the volume up button, then quickly press and release the volume down button, then press and hold the side button until the screen goes black and the Apple logo appears.
Update the iOS
Keeping your iPhone updated ensures any software-related display issues get corrected. Go to Settings and tap General > Software Update. Tap Update Now if an iOS update is available on your iPhone.
Update your apps
If vertical lines appear on your iPhone® screen while using a specific app, ensure that the app is up to date. If the problem continues, delete the app or contact its developer.
Check for water damage
You might have gotten your iPhone wet and it has caused vertical lines to appear on the screen.
You can tell if your iPhone has water damage by looking for a red color inside the charging port or SIM card slot. If it’s red, that means the Liquid Contact Indicator (LCI) has been activated and there is water damage. It should appear white or silver if there is no damage.
If your iPhone has suffered water damage, try to dry your device. To do this, tap your iPhone gently against your hand with the connector facing down to remove excess liquid. Leave your iPhone in a dry area with some airflow for up to a day.
Check for physical damage
If you’ve dropped the phone, it might have caused your iPhone’s LCD cable to get disconnected from its logic board. If this is the case, check out the section below to learn how to contact Apple to have your phone serviced or replaced.
Screen Repair Options
Most of the time, vertical 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.
If your iPhone is still under warranty, Apple may replace the screen for free if it has not been caused by accidental damage. For example, if this issue occurred after a drop, Apple’s standard warranty won’t cover it. However, if the vertical lines issue occurs due to a manufacturing defect, Apple will cover the costs. Apple will determine the cause. If your warranty has expired, Apple will charge a fee to fix it.
If you have AppleCare , your cost will be much less. For example, an iPhone 16 Pro Max screen will cost $379 without an AppleCare . But with AppleCare+, the cost will be $29.
Contact Apple via chat, or you can request them to call you. You can also schedule an appointment at your nearest Apple Store.
