Top 10 Solutions to Fix White Line on iPhone Screen [2026 Guide]

"My mother has an iPhone 11 Pro Max, and roughly two weeks ago, a white line unexpectedly appeared on the screen. We're uncertain if the phone was dropped, but if it was, it couldn't have been too severe since there's no visible damage to the screen aside from the white line." --From Apple Community

A white line on your iPhone screen is alarming, but it doesn't always mean permanent damage. Millions face this issue, which is frequently just a simple software glitch. This guide breaks down the most effective steps to diagnose and resolve your display errors today.

Why Is There a White Line on My iPhone Screen?

Many iPhone users have flocked to Apple forums asking, "why does my iPhone have white lines on the screen". Well, for your info, there is no one particular cause for the white lines problem. Instead, the issue is fueled by a variety of causes.

• Software Glitches: A temporary conflict within iOS or a corrupted application can easily cause graphical anomalies, including horizontal or vertical white lines.
• Physical Impacts: Dropping your device can dislodge the internal LCD flex cables that connect the screen to the logic board.
• Moisture and ESD: Exposure to liquid or excessive electro-static discharge (ESD) can interfere with the display's delicate electrical pathways.

The Quick Diagnostic Step by Yourself [The Screenshot Test]

Before spending time on complex repairs, you should quickly determine if the issue is software or hardware-related. Taking a screenshot captures the digital image being rendered by your operating system.

• Step 1. Quickly press and release the Side button and the Volume Up button at the same time to take a screenshot.
• Step 2. Open your Photos app and zoom in on the captured image, or send the image to a different device.
• Step 3. Check if the white lines are visible in the digital photo; if they are, you are dealing with a software bug.

[Video Tutorial] How to Fix White Lines on iPhone Screen?

To better assist you to fix the issue, the detailed video tutorial is posted as follows. Watch the steps in the video carefully so that you can successfully remove white line on iPhone screen.

7 Solutions to Fix White Lines on iPhone Screen [Software-Related]

If your device is suffering from software bugs or minor connection issues, these progressive troubleshooting methods will help restore your display to normal.

Fix 1. Force Restart iPhone

A hard reboot is the fastest way to clear out temporary cache files and resolve minor app conflicts causing display errors. It gives your operating system a completely fresh start.

• Step 1. For iPhone 8 and newer, press and quickly release Volume Up, then Volume Down.
• Step 2. Press and hold the Side power button until the screen goes black and the Apple logo reappears.

Fix 2. Uninstall Recently Added or Crashing Apps

If the white lines appeared right after you downloaded a new application, it might be conflicting with the iOS rendering engine. Completely removing the suspected app is the fastest way to resolve this software conflict.

• Step 1. Long-press the icon of the recently installed app on your home screen or App Library.
• Step 2. Tap Remove App, then select Delete App to completely erase it from your device.
• Step 3. Restart your iPhone normally to clear the system cache and see if the display lines disappear.

Fix 3. Update Your iOS Version

Besides launching new iOS versions, Apple provides regular update batches to help fix occurring bugs and improve performance. Older iOS versions are vulnerable to developing software glitches, which may cause display issues such as the iPhone screen white lines problem. Therefore, you should consider updating your iOS to the latest version, and here is how you do it.

• Step 1. Go to Settings → General → Software Updates to access the updates screen.
• Step 2. Tap the Update Now option to download software updates to your iPhone. Please make sure your iPhone has enough space to hold the updates.
• Step 3. Now, enter your passcode to confirm the action, and wait for the software update process to end.

Fix 4. Reset All Settings

Sometimes, deeply buried custom display settings or network configurations can corrupt how your screen renders information. Resetting your settings clears these out without deleting your photos, messages, or apps.

• Step 1. Go to Settings → General.
• Step 2. Scroll down to find the Transfer or Reset iPhone option.
• Step 3. Tap Reset → Reset All Settings and enter your passcode to confirm the action.

Fix 5. Use an Advanced Repair Tool (No Data Loss)

When basic restarts and updates fail to eliminate the white lines, you likely have a deeply rooted iOS system error. Restoring the device through traditional methods usually results in data loss, which is highly frustrating.

To bypass this risk, utilize a dedicated recovery tool like TunesKit iOS System Recovery. This software is engineered to safely repair over 150 different operating system errors, from boot loops to display glitches, without erasing your personal files. It features an incredibly intuitive interface that guides you through downloading the correct firmware and repairing the system automatically.

• Step 1. Launch TunesKit on your computer, connect your iPhone via USB, and select the iOS System Repair module.
• Step 2. Choose the Standard Repair option to ensure your data remains intact, then follow the on-screen prompts to enter DFU or recovery mode.
• Step 3. Download the matched firmware package, and click Repair to let the software automatically fix the display glitches.

Fix 6. Factory Reset Your iPhone

According to many tech gurus and iPhone users, resetting the iPhone to factory settings has proven to be an excellent fix for the white line on iPhone screen issue. Usually, performing a factory reset returns your iPhone to its original state, and therefore all your installed apps, data, and setting will be lost. So, kindly consider backing up your data before proceeding with the instructions below.

• Step 1. Navigate to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
• Step 2. Select the Erase All Content and Settings option.
• Step 3. You will be prompted to enter your lock screen passcode. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the factory reset iPhone process.
• Step 4. After the process is complete, your iPhone will automatically restart. Check to see if the iPhone white line on screen problem is resolved.

Fix 7. DFU Restore Mode

If you prefer not to use third-party software and have a recent backup of your data, a Device Firmware Update (DFU) restore is the ultimate native software fix. This process completely wipes the device and rewrites the underlying code.

• Step 1. Download and install iTunes software on your PC or Finder on your Mac.
• Step 2. Using a genuine Apple USB cable, connect your iPhone to the computer and launch the app.
• Step 3. Perform a force restart on your iPhone (refer to Fix 1) for a few seconds, and keep holding the Home/Volume Down button until "iTunes has detected an iPhone in recovery mode" iTunes notification shows on your computer screen.
• Step 4. Now, release the button, and your iPhone will go dark. Then, on the small window on your computer, select the "Restore" option to restore your iPhone in iTunes/Finder.

3 Solutions to Fix White Line on iPhone Screen [Hardware-Related]

If all software solutions have failed, the problem is likely hardware-based. Next, let's look at the following 3 possible ways to fix this hardware-related issue.

Fix 8. Apply Gentle Screen Pressure

In some cases, a minor drop may have simply loosened the LCD or OLED cable connectors inside the casing. Place your thumbs firmly but carefully on the screen where the lines are appearing. Apply gentle, consistent pressure to see if you can manually re-establish the connection with the logic board.

Fix 9. Perform a Battery Cycle

Excessive static electricity trapped within the device can occasionally manifest as visual lines on the display. Cycling the battery is a simple way to help ground the device. Although it may seem relatively simple, it works wonders!

Allow your iPhone to drain completely until it powers off on its own. Now, charge your iPhone to 100% and allow it to drain to 0% before recharging again. This helps to neutralize the excessive Electro Static Discharge (ESD).

Fix 10. Repair LCD/OLED Display

If none of the above-mentioned solutions work, then the only explanation for your display problem is that your screen is faulty. Hence, you need to replace it with a new one.

If your warranty is still valid, we highly recommend that you find the nearest Apple store for screen replacement service. Equally, if your warranty does not stand, you can always purchase a genuine Apple screen from the Amazon store and find a professional iPhone repairer to replace it for you.

FAQs About White Lines on iPhone Screen

Conclusion

Now, you have 10 workable tips to fix the white lines on iPhone screen problem. The list consists of both software and hardware fixes. Your job is to try each fix and find out which one works to resolve your problem.

For stubborn system errors, utilizing specialized software like TunesKit iOS System Recovery offers a highly effective way to repair the operating system without sacrificing your precious data. If the display issue ultimately proves to be physical hardware damage, always rely on certified professionals to restore your device safely.