Fix Your Stuff Community Store

Repair guides for feature cell phones manufactured by LG. This category is for phones not using an Android or Windows operating system.

207 Questions View all

Options

My LG-A380 powers on but has a white screen. Is it possible to fix?

I have an LG-A380 flip phone that has a completely white screen. It powers on, and you can hear the buttons registering when pressed, you just can’t see the screen. I’ve read that it’s possible the hinge is damaged. I am a little intimidated to attempt this repair because there are no guides for my specific model, and I’ve never done it before.

I’ve tried taking out the battery and soft resetting, but I do not want to do a hard reset. I have a lot of important sentimental information on there that I need. I also need my call logs, (the dialed, missed, etc…) because many numbers I lost will be there since I never saved contacts. I’m assuming there’s no way to retrieve this information, as I can’t navigate the system to see if there are any backup options. I tried plugging it into my PC, but didn’t want to blindly try as it may erase my stuff.

I guess this leaves me with the only option to replace the parts. Nobody will fix it as it is not a smartphone, I can’t find anyone.

I have been searching endlessly to find an answer on how to approach this. If anyone could lead me in the right direction. The end goal is to get the data off of it. Thank you so much!

Block Image
Block Image
Answered! View the answer I have this problem too

Is this a good question?

Yes No
Score 0
Add a comment

2 Answers

Filter by:
Most Helpful Newest Oldest
Chosen Solution

Options

If you really need the data off your phone it sounds like you're going to have to fix it yourself. I've done some work on a very similar flip phone and as a result I have two suggestions: 1) Replace the screen, or 2) Swap the motherboard into a working phone.

If I was in your position, first thing I'd do would be to spring $10 for another phone. You may pay more or less, but here's an example of the perfect candidate.

LG A380 AT&T Cellular Flip Phone - *PLEASE READ* - eBay

Once you've got the phone, it is going to serve two purposes. First, you need a sacrificial lamb so you can learn how to disassemble it without risking damaging your phone beyond repair. I did the same thing when I had to figure out how to repair the screen on my granddaughter's flip phone. Here's the guide I created as a result.

Alcatel Go Flip V Flip Phone Screen Replacement - iFixit Repair Guide

While that is certainly one option, as I mentioned before it's not the only one. You could also swap out the motherboard from your damaged phone into a working one. It depends on your phone, but in the case of the Alcatel, that motherboard swap would be a much simpler repair. Here's what it looks like on the Alcatel.

Alcatel Go Flip V Flip Phone Motherboard Replacement - iFixit Repair Guide

As you can see from the pictures, that phone looks an awful lot like yours, and I suspect the replacement procedures are going to be very similar. So spring for a $10 phone, get out your screwdriver and pry tool and let us know what happens! Take lots of pictures as you work and you can use them to create your own iFixit guide once you're done to help anyone who comes after you with the same problem. It's easy, fun and you'll earn the respect of the repair community.

Create a new Guide - iFixit

Good luck, and be sure to come on back and let us know how it all turns out. I'll be interested to find out myself.

Alcatel Go Flip V Flip Phone Motherboard Image

Guide

Alcatel Go Flip V Flip Phone Motherboard Replacement

Difficulty:

Moderate
Alcatel Go Flip V Flip Phone Screen Image

Guide

Alcatel Go Flip V Flip Phone Screen Replacement

Difficulty:

Moderate

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 2

2 Comments:

I agree, this will probably be the option I will go through.

Did you use any references when learning how to disassemble yours? For example, a video of the same process with perhaps a different type of phone?

Also, one more question, I’ve read online that swapping the motherboard is unlikely to work due to them being made specifically for that phone and everything being hooked up to it. I’m not sure how I’d learn from a different phone example if it’s entirely different. Did you replace the screen and was it hard?

by

@aghelprequest I don't recall finding any teardown information on the phone I had, but I've taken a lot of stuff apart over the years so I generally just used common sense knowing how things are assembled.

Swapping the motherboard will absolutely work in your case; the restrictions on doing so are for different models of phones so as long as you buy the same model it will swap over with no issue. In the case of the Alcatel, everything other than the display, vibrator and camera was included on the motherboard so there's nothing tied specifically to that one circuit board. I hope it's clear that I wasn't suggesting swapping your motherboard into an Alcatel phone; rather I was showing you how the Alcatel comes apart in hopes your LG is similar.

I did replace the screen. The repair itself wasn't all that difficult, but figuring out how to take it apart without breaking things was the hard part. Based on my experience with the two guides I wrote, I am guessing the motherboard replacement will probably be easier.

by

Add a comment

Options

Do you have a backup? OOPS, probably not, you wouldn't be asking the question, right?

Some of the info may be on your provider (ATT) server, so you won't loose that. Calls, messages, emails.

Do you have an µSD card on the phone? If so, remove it and plug it into your PC and read it.

Plug the USB port into your PC. You should be able to access internal memory files and µSD card files via the PC.

Some of that info is in your user manual around page 48.

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 0

2 Comments:

Thank you so much for your response!

I don’t have access to the provider server, as it was from a long time ago and also paid by someone else who isn’t around anymore.

Will removing the SD card erase the info? I also tried plugging it into my computer but it doesn’t even recognize the device.

I also thought of buying a working model and switching SD card into it, but I’m not sure it would transfer all the info I need.

by

I did check the phone, I don’t believe it has an SD card.

by

Add a comment

Add your answer

Aghelprequest will be eternally grateful.
View Statistics:

Past 24 Hours: 0

Past 7 Days: 1

Past 30 Days: 30

All Time: 30