If your iPhone screen keeps going black while you’re in the middle of a call, you’re far from alone. It’s one of the most reported frustrations among iPhone users in 2025, and it can feel disruptive—especially if you’re trying to tap numbers on a keypad, check notes, or quickly look up something important mid‑conversation. The good news is that this issue is usually tied to settings, software quirks, or the proximity sensor, and most users can fix it themselves without a repair appointment.
Below, you’ll find a deep dive into why this happens, what’s changed in recent iOS updates, and step‑by‑step solutions to get your screen behaving normally again.
📱 Why Does the iPhone Screen Go Black During Calls in 2025?
Apple designed iPhones with a proximity sensor near the earpiece that turns off the screen whenever it detects your face close by. This prevents accidental taps during a call. However, several things can cause the sensor or software to behave incorrectly:
- Proximity sensor misfires:
Dust, skin oils, or a misaligned screen protector can block the sensor. Even premium glass protectors can interfere if they’re not cut out properly around the top edge. Moisture and bulky cases are also common culprits. - Recent iOS bugs:
iOS 17 and early builds of iOS 18 introduced intermittent proximity sensor glitches for some users after updates. Apple has patched many of these in point releases, but not everyone updates promptly. - Accessibility setting conflicts:
Features like Reduce Motion, Tap to Wake, and Prevent Lock to End Call can interact with call behavior. If these are off (or on) in certain combinations, the screen may stay dark longer than intended. - Hardware wear or damage:
Less common but still possible—if your iPhone’s front panel or internal connectors were damaged by a drop or repair, the proximity sensor might not work properly.
🛠️ How to Fix It
You can often fix the problem in minutes. Start with the quick checks, then move into software tweaks, and only consider hardware service as a last resort.
✅ Quick Wins
- Clean the top edge of your iPhone with a microfiber cloth. Make sure nothing is blocking the sensor near the front camera.
- Remove your screen protector or case temporarily to see if the issue disappears.
- Force restart your iPhone:
- On iPhone 8 or newer: press Volume Up, then Volume Down, then hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo.
🔧 Adjust Your Software & Settings
- Update iOS: Go to Settings → General → Software Update. Apple regularly includes proximity sensor fixes in updates.
- Turn off Reduce Motion: Go to Settings → Accessibility → Motion → Reduce Motion → Off.
- Enable Tap to Wake: Settings → Accessibility → Touch → Tap to Wake → On.
- Turn on Prevent Lock to End Call: In the same Touch menu, make sure this is enabled.
- Reset All Settings: This won’t erase your data but will reset system preferences. Go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset → Reset All Settings.
🔄 If Nothing Works
If the problem persists:
- Try a Recovery Mode Update or full restore: Connect your iPhone to a Mac or PC, open Finder/iTunes, and choose Update or Restore. This can repair deep software issues.
- Contact Apple Support or visit a Genius Bar: If you’ve cleaned and updated and the issue remains, the proximity sensor itself may need service.
🔍 The Bottom Line
Most cases of an iPhone screen going black during calls are not hardware failures—they’re caused by small things like a misaligned protector, a dusty sensor, or outdated software. By following the steps above, many users restore normal screen behavior without spending a dime.
✅ Quick Step‑By‑Step Action Plan
- Clean sensor area & remove case/protector
- Force restart your iPhone
- Update iOS to the latest version
- Adjust proximity-related settings (Reduce Motion, Tap to Wake, Prevent Lock to End Call)
- Reset All Settings
- If unresolved, perform a recovery‑mode update or contact Apple
With a few minutes of troubleshooting, you can stop missing important prompts during calls and get back to a smooth iPhone experience. If you’d like, tell me your iPhone model and current iOS version—I can give you more model‑specific tips!
Key Takeaways
- iPhone 11 screens going black during calls is a common issue.
- Adjusting settings or restarting the device can fix the problem.
- This article offers clear steps to resolve the issue.
Diagnosing the Black Screen Issue During Calls
When the iPhone 11 screen goes black during calls, it may be due to errors with the proximity sensor, software, or hardware. Each potential cause has specific fixes you can try.
Understanding the Proximity Sensor
The proximity sensor is near the front camera. It detects when the phone is close to your face. This turns off the screen to save battery.
Check if dirt or a screen protector is blocking the sensor. Clean the screen and check that nothing covers the sensor. Ensure that the proximity sensor is working right. You can test this by making a call and moving your hand over the sensor. The screen should go black when the sensor is covered and turn on when it’s uncovered.
If the screen stays off, there may be problems with the sensor.
Evaluating Common Software Issues
Software problems often cause the screen to stay black. Restarting the phone can fix minor bugs. Follow these steps:
- Press and release the Volume Up button.
- Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
- Hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo.
Sometimes, accessibility settings affect the screen. Go to Settings, tap Accessibility, then Touch. Make sure Prevent Lock to End Call is on.
Resetting all settings can also help. Go to Settings, then General, then Reset, and choose Reset All Settings. This will not erase your data but will restore some default settings.
Identifying Potential Hardware Complications
If the steps above do not work, there may be hardware problems. Physical damage to the phone could affect the sensor or screen. Battery issues also could cause the screen to go black.
A technician should check for serious problems. You can visit an Apple Store or authorized service provider. They can run diagnostics on the device. They also can suggest repairs or replacements if needed.
Make sure to back up your data before seeking hardware repairs. This can protect your information in case of extensive repairs.
