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5 Ways to Fix Android Phone Screen Goes Black During a Call

Quick Tips
  • Check if the case or the screen protector is blocking the proximity sensor.
  • Avoid using third-party phone or dialer apps.
  • Clear the cache from the Phone app on your device.

Before you begin, try restarting your Android device and update it to the latest available software version.

Fix 1: Check Proximity Sensor

During a phone call, the proximity sensor turns the display off when your face covers it and turns it on when you move your phone away from your face. This prevents any accidental taps on the touchscreen.

Here’s how you can check if the sensor is activating even when you move the device away from your face:

  • Check screen protector: If the screen protector is misapplied or blocks the proximity sensor, the sensor may not function correctly.
  • Remove case: Try answering the phone call without your case – if all works well, the case is the culprit. It may have been blocking the sensor.
  • Clean the front of your phone: If there’s any dust blocking the sensor, clean the front surface of your phone.

You can also use an app called Proximity Sensor Test to check if it is working without problems. If not, you can contact the customer service team for your device.

Fix 2: Press the Side Button to Turn on the Screen

The proximity sensor should automatically turn on the screen when you are on a call and want to use any call function. If the sensor fails to do so, you can press the side button and manually turn on the display to use call features.

Fix 3: Don’t Use Third-Party Phone Apps

If you use another phone app, it’s time to ditch it and use the default, inbuilt app to manage calls. A bug in a third-party phone app may give you issues like the screen going black during a call.

Step 1: Open the Settings app, and go to Apps > Default Apps.

Step 2: Select the Phone app and tap the radio button beside the default app.

Fix 4: Fix Issues With Phone App

If the Phone app malfunctions on your Android phone, here’s how you can try getting rid of bugs.

Tap and hold the Phone app icon, and select app info.

  • You can Force Stop the app, and restart it to resolve temporary glitches.
  • You can also try clearing the cache to remove junk files that may cause issues.
  • A recent update to the app may be causing issues – tap on the three-dots icon, and select Uninstall Updates.

Fix 5: Reset Android Device

If none of the above methods work, reset all settings on your Android device. This can help fix any misconfiguration causing the issue.

However, this will reset all the preferences and settings on your device – and it will remove any saved Bluetooth devices, Wi-Fi passwords, and so on.

Go to Settings > Back up and reset > Reset Phone and reset all the settings.

Also Read: How to fix Android not showing contact names for incoming calls.

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Last updated on 09 July, 2024

8 Comments

  1. I’ve been searching for a fix to this issue since last week- off and on of course, but no luck. Today I typed in more specifically the issue but not the phone type and VOILA, this article popped up 1st!!! I bought an Ulefone off Amazon and I’ve had 2 in the past and none of them ever blacked out during a phone call- and this newer phone didn’t either until the 2nd week of using the phone. I normally use speaker phone to talk to friends- I don’t like using the receiver against my ear or using ear buds. Out of nowhere the screen would go black shortly after a phone call would connect leaving me no access to speaker or dial pad! I was about to give up and return the phone, but decided to make one more search to try to fix this issue- lucky I found you, force stop fixed this issue! Thanks so much!

  2. I have struggled with the issue for over 8 months now. Found the solution..dumb as it is..I press my finger over the camera hole on the screen. I am assuming this is where the sensor is…and voila..the screen pops on again and I can access my keyboard, answer the phone, and put on my speaker …thought I would lose my mind. Apparently the sensor for the camera just needs to be reawakened.

  3. My Pixel 5 has been factory reset but still has the issue. I have to turn the phone virtually upside-down to get the call screen to show. Pressing the volume buttons don’t help. All the apps are Play Store only, or what came on the phone and I am using the Google phone app. So, I’m at a loss why this is happening.

  4. Funny that there’s another Pixel 5 owner here with this issue. I absolutely detest the Pixel 5 not just for this supremely annoying issue – which in my case is the fact that the screen goes black every few seconds during Phonecalls preventing me from accessing any other apps, and I am unable to paste numbers into the call window etc etc HATE THIS PHONE

  5. It is a nightmare when you need to select an extension number. THIS SHOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM ON A PHONE!!!! I need a working phone before I need ANY FEATURE! DO NOT GO DARK!!!

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