When you notice a dark spot on phone screen for the first time, it becomes clear that it's a display issue. However, at times, it might be caused by software issues too, similar to the problem of white spot on Android screens. In many cases, you can fix the black spot issue by yourself. In this guide, I have explained why these dark spots appear on phones, how to identify what type of spot you are dealing with and all the fixes you can try before getting a screen replacement. On that note, let's begin.
What Causes a Dark Spot on Phone Screen
Before moving to fixes, you should know what is actually behind the dark spot on phone screen because the cause decides what kind of fix is needed. Here are the most common reasons.
- Dead pixels: A pixel that permanently stops working. It appears as a tiny black dot on the phone screen that stays black no matter what you are viewing.
- Stuck pixels: Unlike dead pixels, stuck pixels are still alive but frozen on a single colour. These can often be revived with software tricks.
- Physical damage: Drops and pressure are the biggest reasons behind display damage. Even if the glass looks fine, the panel underneath may have taken the hit.
- Liquid damage: Moisture seeping into the display layers can create dark patches that slowly spread across the panel.
- LCD bleeding: On phones with LCD panels, a crack in the display can make the liquid crystals leak and combine together. This shows up as a black blotch that grows over time like spilled ink.
- Overheating: Sustained high temperatures can damage pixels and the display's internal components, which leads to black spots and discolouration.
Note that a dark patch is different from screen burn, where a faded element of an app or status bar gets permanently burned onto the panel. If that sounds like your problem, go through our detailed explainer on what is screen burn on a phone instead.
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Identify the Black Spot on Your Mobile Screen
The shape and behaviour of the dark spot on phone screen tells you almost everything about the underlying problem. So before trying any fix, observe the spot on your Android phone. And if you are seeing a black spot on iPhone, check out our separate guide.
If you see a single black dot on your mobile screen that never changes, you are most likely looking at a dead or stuck pixel. Open a plain white image in full screen and check the dot. A dead pixel stays black, while a stuck pixel generally shows red, green or blue.
A black spot on your mobile screen that keeps growing is a different problem altogether. On LCD phones, it means the liquid crystals are leaking and on any phone, a spreading patch can also point to liquid damage. This problem is hard to fix and it's only going to get worse.
If you are wondering why are there black lines on your phone screen, the problem is related to the hardware. Black horizontal lines on the phone screen generally point to a damaged panel or a display driver issue. We have a dedicated guide on how to fix horizontal lines on an Android phone so go ahead and check that out too.
On the other hand, a vertical black line on your mobile screen often means the display connector has become loose inside after a drop. It also causes screen flickering on Samsung phones. While software glitches can draw lines on the display, it's pretty rare.
Samsung users can confirm pixel issues in seconds using the built-in diagnostic tool. Simply dial *#0*# in the Phone app and run the Red, Green and Blue tests. We have covered the entire process in our guide on how to check the display on Samsung phones.
For other brands like Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo, check out our full Android secret codes list to find the hardware test menu for your phone.
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Restart Your Phone and Update the Software
I know it sounds basic, but a restart resolves many display glitches, especially if you are seeing a dark spot on phone screen. To restart your Android phone, press and hold the Power and Volume Up buttons together until the power menu appears. On Samsung phones, you need to press Power + Volume Down buttons together.
Now, tap on Restart and your Android phone will reboot. After that, check if the black spot is gone or not. Next, head over to Settings > System > Software update and install any pending updates. Display driver bugs may arrive through software updates and manufacturers patch them in subsequent updates.
You can also reboot your phone in safe mode, which disables all third-party apps. If the spot or lines disappear in safe mode, a misbehaving app is the culprit. You should uninstall recently installed apps one by one and check if the problem is fixed or not.
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Clean the Screen to Rule Out a Fake Black Dot
Sometimes, what looks like a black dot on the phone screen is just oil residue or a bubble trapped under the screen protector. Simply turn off the display and wipe it with a microfibre cloth.
Apart from that, remove your case and screen protector for a couple of hours. A tight case or a poorly installed tempered glass can put constant pressure on the edges of the panel. As a result, black spots are developed on the screen. Once you take the pressure off, black spots also fade. By the way, some users also mention the pink screen problem on Samsung phones, which is developed due to pressure.
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Try JScreenFix for Stuck Pixels
If the diagnosis shows a stuck pixel, you can try an online tool before you consider a repair. These tools rapidly flash colours on the affected area to bring the stuck pixel back to life. I would recommend JScreenFix, which is a free browser-based tool that works on both LCD and OLED panels and you don't even need to install an app.
Open jscreenfix.com in Chrome, tap on Start Repair and position the patch right on top of the dark spot on your phone screen. Now, let it do its thing for 10 to 30 minutes and check the results. If nothing changes on the first attempt, give it another run the next day. Note that this only works on stuck pixels. A truly dead pixel is a hardware failure and no app can bring it back.
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Factory Reset Your Android Phone
If nothing has worked so far and you still think it's a software bug, a factory reset is the final solution to fix the dark spot on your phone screen. It wipes everything on your phone, so treat this option as your last resort. Also, back up your Android phone including photos and files before you proceed.
- Open the Settings app on your Android phone and select System.
- Now, tap on Reset options and choose Erase all data (factory reset).
- On Samsung phones, the path is Settings > General management > Reset. We have detailed it in our guide on how to reset a Samsung phone.
- Review the list of accounts that will be removed and tap on Erase all data.
- Enter your PIN or password to confirm and hit Erase all data once more.
- Your phone will restart and boot into the setup screen.
Note that the exact menu names vary slightly across Android skins, so go through our detailed guide on how to format Android phones for detailed steps. If the spot still appears after a full reset, it's a hardware fault and you need to visit a service centre.
When to Visit a Service Centre
If the above fixes didn't work, the dark spot on phone screen is certainly a hardware problem and a screen replacement is the only option. If the spot is spreading, stop experimenting and visit a service centre to get the screen replaced.
That said, before paying out of pocket, check the warranty status of your Android phone. If the spot appeared on its own without any drop or water exposure, it may qualify as a manufacturing defect. Brands generally cover that under the standard one-year warranty in India.
Physical and liquid damage, however, is not covered. As for the cost, LCD replacements on budget Android phones are relatively affordable, but AMOLED replacements on mid-range and flagship phones can be expensive.
How to Prevent Dark Spots on Your Phone Screen
Once your display is fixed, keep these points in mind to stop a dark spot on phone screen from coming back. Use a good case and tempered glass to absorb impact from drops and don't put your phone under heavy objects.
Next, keep it away from moisture and avoid leaving it under direct sunlight or a hot car. Finally, if you are buying a new phone and want a panel that lasts, go through our list of the best display phones in India before making the call.
And that wraps up this guide on fixing a dark spot on phone screen. Stuck pixels and software glitches are very much fixable at home, so run through the checks before replacing the panel. But if the dark spot is spreading, you should definitely visit a service centre right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Will a dark spot on my phone screen go away on its own?
If it's caused by a software glitch or pressure from a tight case, it can fade after a restart or once the pressure is removed. But spots caused by dead pixels, liquid damage or LCD bleeding don't heal on their own and usually get worse with time.
Q. Does a black spot spread on AMOLED screens?
Not like it does on LCDs. AMOLED pixels light up individually, so damage is limited to dead pixels instead of spreading like ink. A growing patch on an AMOLED phone usually points to liquid damage or panel damage and it needs a service centre visit.
Q. Is a black spot covered under warranty in India?
It depends on the cause. If the spot appeared without any drop or liquid exposure, it's likely a manufacturing defect and brands cover that under the standard one-year warranty. Spots caused by physical or liquid damage are not covered and you will have to pay for the panel replacement.
