Symptoms
- Screen goes fully black instead of showing always-on info
- Feature toggle appears on but does nothing
- Worked before and stopped after an update or setting change
- Only fails at certain times of day
Likely causes
- CommonBattery saver mode disabling always-on displayMost phones automatically turn off this feature to save power when battery saver is active.
- CommonAlways-on display scheduled to specific hoursSome phones let you schedule when it's active, which can look like it's broken outside those hours.
- PossibleFeature setting turned off after a software updateUpdates occasionally reset display preferences.
- Less commonScreen protector or case blocking a required sensorOn some models, a sensor for adaptive brightness/proximity is needed for this feature to activate.
What to do
- Turn off battery saver / low power mode and see if always-on display returns.
- Check display settings for an always-on schedule and confirm it covers the current time.
- Toggle the feature off and back on.
- Restart the phone after changing settings.
- Check for a software update.
- Remove case or protector near sensors temporarily to rule out interference.
When to call a pro
This is a software setting; a repair shop isn't needed unless the display itself has an unrelated hardware fault.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.