Lines, a green line or spots on the screen: what it is and can it be fixed

Suddenly there are lines across the screen, a green line, or a black spot that keeps growing. Here's what it might be and what to do.

First, rule out a software glitch

1. Restart the phone. Sometimes lines are a system or app glitch.
2. Take a screenshot. If the lines aren't in the screenshot but are on the screen, the problem is hardware: the display or its cable.
3. Update the system if you haven't in a while.

If nothing changes after a restart, it's almost certainly the screen.

Common causes

A green or pink vertical line. A classic OLED issue on some Samsung and iPhone models. Usually damaged panel contacts after a drop, overheating, or with age. Software can't fix it; the screen needs replacing.

Black spots and spreading blots. Panel damage after an impact or pressure. The spot grows over time.

Horizontal lines and noise. Possibly a damaged display cable or connector, after a drop or moisture. Sometimes reseating the cable or cleaning the contacts is enough, but more often it's a replacement.

Flicker at low brightness. On OLED screens this can be a feature of the technology (PWM). If flicker appeared suddenly or is getting worse, have it checked.

Burn-in ("ghosts" of the keyboard or bars). OLED burn-in after long use at high brightness. Not fixable except by replacement, but it doesn't affect function if it doesn't bother you.

After water

If lines or spots appeared after the phone got wet, the screen may be fine and the problem is oxidised contacts on the board. Then it needs cleaning first, not a new screen. See what to do if your phone fell in water.

What to do

• Back up your data while the screen still shows.
• Don't press on the spot or push hard on the screen.
• Show the phone to a technician: on inspection it's clear whether it's the screen, the cable or the board.

Our phone inspection is free, and you get the price before the repair. More: screen replacement. Send a photo or video of the screen on Telegram; often we can tell the cause right away.

Read also

• Phone fell in water: what to do in the first 10 minutes (and why not rice)
• Phone dropped in the sea: why salt water is worse than fresh water
• IP68 water resistance: can you swim with your phone?
• Cracked glass but the screen works: can you replace just the glass?