Symptoms
- Horizontal or vertical lines across the display
- Screen flickers or flashes intermittently
- Colors look wrong in part of the screen
- Started right after a drop
Likely causes
- CommonLoose or damaged display connectorThe ribbon cable linking the screen to the logic board can partially disconnect on impact.
- CommonCracked display panel beneath intact glassThe glass can look fine while the LCD/OLED layer underneath is damaged.
- PossiblePressure on the screen from a bent frameA bent frame can put ongoing pressure on the display, worsening symptoms over time.
What to do
- Avoid pressing on the screen, which can worsen the connection or crack the panel further.
- Restart the phone to rule out a temporary software display glitch.
- Note whether the lines are always in the same place or move/change, which helps a technician diagnose it.
- Back up your data promptly, since a failing display can progress to no display at all.
- Treat this as a hardware issue needing a screen replacement rather than a fixable software problem.
Tools and parts
Replacement screen assemblySearch: “screen replacement for your model”
When to call a pro
This almost always requires a full screen replacement — a repair shop can confirm whether the connector alone needs reseating or the panel itself is damaged.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.