Spotting some horizontal lines cutting across your iPhone display is never a good sight. It often signals some sort of screen damage that could either be caused due to an accidental fall or burn-in issues. It can even be a software problem that might be fixed with a quick restart. No matter the cause, if you are experiencing horizontal lines on your iPhone screen, then keep reading this guide to learn how to fix it.
What Causes Horizontal Lines on an iPhone Screen?
I collected multiple accounts of people reporting horizontal lines on their iPhone screen online, and based on that, here is a list of possible reasons causing the problem on your device.
- Software glitch: A temporary bug, often following an iOS update, that displays lines without any underlying hardware fault. This usually clears with a restart or update.
- Physical damage from a drop: Dropping the phone can damage the internal display cable or the panel itself, and horizontal lines are one of the most common symptoms.
- Loose display connector: Even without a visible crack, a jolt or drop can loosen the ribbon cable connecting the screen to the logic board, causing the lines.
- Screen burn-in: Your iPhone's display can imprint content you watch often. This is called screen burn-in, and it is common in OLED iPhones, ranging from the iPhone X to the iPhone 17 models.
- Water or moisture damage: Liquid getting past the seals can corrode display connectors, often showing up as lines that worsen over time.
- Manufacturing defect: Rare, but a small number of units can leave the factory with a display panel fault. It can be fixed for free if your device is under warranty.
- Bad screen replacement: A previous repair using a low-quality or improperly seated replacement screen is a common cause of lines appearing after a repair.
How to Fix Horizontal Lines on iPhone Screen
Similar to the white dot issue or black spot on the iPhone screen, the horizontal lines are most likely the result of a damaged display or a loose cable. But before you head to the Apple Store, try these fixes to rule out the possibility of a software-related bug causing horizontal lines on the iPhone screen.
Restart Your iPhone
The easiest way to rule out any software bugs causing horizontal lines is by restarting your iPhone. It resolves temporary glitches caused by any app or iOS itself.
- To restart your iPhone, long press the Volume Up + Side key together.
- Swipe left when the power menu appears to shut down your iPhone.
- After switching off the iPhone, press the Side key again to restart it.
On iPhones with a Home button, such as the iPhone SE (2020), quickly press and release the Volume Up and Volume Down buttons, then press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
Update iOS Version on iPhone
If the lines persist, check for a software update, since Apple frequently patches display-related bugs with the latest updates.
- To update your iPhone, head over to Settings > General.
- Here, tap on Software Update and check if any new update is available for your device.
- If there is a pending update, then tap on Download to install it.
Keep in mind that older devices like the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus stopped receiving iOS updates years ago, so this step mainly applies to iPhone SE (2020), iPhone 11 and newer models.
Toggle Display and Accessibility Settings
I found that some people in r/applehelp suggested playing around with the display and accessibility settings. This is not a confirmed fix, but you can give it a try.
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone and go to Appearance.
- Here, toggle between Light and Dark mode to see if it helps.
- Next, go to Accessibility > Display & Text Size.
- Turn on the Reduce White Point toggle and turn it off again.
Repeat the same process with other toggles in Display & Text Size to check whether any one of them helps to reduce horizontal lines on your iPhone screen.
Reset All Settings on iPhone
The final way to rule out any software-related issue causing horizontal lines on your iPhone screen is to reset all settings. This clears out any misconfigured toggles and also resets network settings without deleting any personal data.
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone and go to General.
- Here, tap on Transfer or Reset iPhone and then select Reset.
- Now, select Reset All Settings.
On older iOS versions, the same option is found directly under Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings.
Reach Out to Authorised Apple Service
If the lines remain after resetting all settings, then it almost confirms the issue is hardware-related and needs a professional to look at it.
Head to an Apple Store or an Apple Authorised Service Provider to get professional help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can horizontal lines go away on their own?
If the cause is a temporary software glitch, yes, a restart or update can clear it up entirely. If the lines are caused by a loose display cable or a failing touch controller chip, they typically get worse over time if not fixed.
Q. How much does it cost to fix horizontal lines on an iPhone?
For current models under warranty or AppleCare Plus, screen repairs are often free or available at a reduced cost. Out-of-warranty screen replacements through Apple range from roughly Rs 8,000 to Rs 35,000 in India.
Q. Can water damage cause horizontal lines on an iPhone?
Yes. Liquid that gets past the internal seals can corrode the display connector or the panel itself over time, and horizontal lines are one of the more common early symptoms.
That is everything we have for now on horizontal lines of the iPhone screen and how to fix it. Given these kinds of issues can occur all of a sudden and are tough to spot, it is best to try out a couple of fixes at first, but if those don't help, then take it to an Apple service centre near you.
