Fix Your Stuff Community Store

4-inch iPhone released in March 2016 with similar hardware specifications to the 6S. Available in Silver, Space Grey, Gold, or Rose Gold with 16/32/64/128 GB storage options. Model: A1662 and A1723

1049 Questions View all

Options

Backlight but no display after battery replacement

I have just replaced the battery in a stock IPhone SE for a client. This is the first repair for this particular phone, and the battery did not charge prior to repair.

During the repair, I used parts from iFixIt and followed the guideline exactly. Upon completion, phone worked as normal, so I returned the phone.

The next day, they brought it in to me and I see that the backlight works, but no display. I have disassembled the phone again and made sure all contacts for cables are secured and that nothing else is out of the ordinary, which it seems there isn’t. However, still no luck.

I can feel the phone vibrate when resetting (both soft and hard reset), so I know it is actually turning on. The backlight also works, just no image on the LCD display.

Any help is appreciated and any tricks will be used if available. Thank you in advance.

Answered! View the answer I have this problem too

Is this a good question?

Yes No
Score 1
1 Comment

I'm also having this problem, but with an SE 2nd generation. I did turn it off, and removed the battery before operating. After doing a screen replacement, the iphone worked perfectly, until I turned it off and turned it back on. The backlight was on, but was not displaying anything.

From what I know after someone else had worked on the phone from a shop, the owner ended dropping it again, and left it dormant buying a new iphone. Later he asked if I could fix it, and honestly I should have asked more before saying yes. When opening the phone it had no glue seal, dirt and grime built up, and the shelds that cover the connectors were gone for both the camera and button/display. I did clean up as much as I could, and everything was going well until the display stopped show properly.

I do have a digital microscope, and checked the pins on both the motherboard, and screen. I don't see any problems on them, and I have little to no knowledge on compactors, and resistors for this phone. :(

by

Add a comment

1 Answer

Filter by:
Most Helpful Newest Oldest
Chosen Solution

Options

It’s very important to always disconnect the battery before disconnecting/reconnecting the screen assembly. The issue is that the LCD connector has pins that have high voltages (i.e. the backlight is ~20V) and ground in very close proximity. When you fumble around trying to line up the connector plug to the receptacle, you can short out the voltage rail and cause damage to the components in the backlight or LCD circuit. If you’re lucky, then only a filter is damaged but other times, the entire circuit could be affected. Either way, this type of repair requires micro-soldering and isn’t really a DIY repair.

To test for this, plug your device into a charger or an iTunes enabled computer. Then shine a bright flashlight on the screen. If you can see a dim image, then the backlight circuit has been damaged. If you can’t see an image at all, then it may be the LCD circuit that is damaged.

You can connect the original, cracked screen to confirm this. If the original screen has the backlight on, then the replacement screen has an issue. If the original screen also doesn't show the backlight, then the backlight circuit is blown.

If iTunes doesn’t recognized the device than the problem is more than just a screen or backlight issue.

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 3

4 Comments:

The backlight works, so it's either a damaged LCD, long screw damage or needs restarting probably lol

by

@c9679 it could also be the LCD driver circuit. While less common a failure than the backlight when the battery is left connected, it does occur.

by

Thank you for taking the time to post your solution. I think that may be the case. However, I was sure to unplug the battery. I know this because the image came up fine after the repair, but only went out a day after I returned the phone to the owner. To give an example (not a practical one. Just to simulate the type of problem I am having with it): Imagine that issue occurred while the phone is closed and in the owners pocket a day after being opened and repaired. It left my shop fine, but came back with the "backlight but no image" problem.

Again, not very likely that is what happened. That is only the best way to describe the problem, even though it is not likely to be the actual cause.

by

Sounds like it's on a black screen lit up and when you apply pressure to the screen you see the pressure mark. A replacement screen should fix this problem.

by

Add a comment

Add your answer

Robert Moore will be eternally grateful.
View Statistics:

Past 24 Hours: 2

Past 7 Days: 12

Past 30 Days: 34

All Time: 1,580