My buttons and screen work, but I can't activate the screen to see what I'm doing. Any idea what is wrong?

Question

My buttons and screen work, but I can't activate the screen to see what I'm doing. Any idea what is wrong?

My buttons and screen work, but I can't activate the screen to see what I'm doing. This is after water damage. Any idea what is wrong? I'm not sure what to fix..

I know the screen works because when it first turned on I saw the apple logo and then the screen. If I hold the home and power button, I see the apple logo when it resets. Then it goes blank again.

I can hear when I get a call and pick up, and I can stop the sound and/or decline the call with the power button and side buttons. It also still vibrates. I'm confused - if the screen works, the buttons work, it vibrates, makes sound, and the touchscreen feature also works... what is wrong for me to fix? Why can't I see anything?!

I appreciate any help anybody has to offer!!!

iPhone 4, iOS 7

Posted on Nov 1, 2014 7:41 PM

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Answer 1

Nov 1, 2014 7:48 PM in response to mahaparipirhana

mahaparipirhana wrote:

My buttons and screen work, but I can't activate the screen to see what I'm doing. This is after water damage. Any idea what is wrong?

Yes, your phone is water damaged. Given that you've been turning the phone on, the damage is most likely done. Apple will sell you an out-of-warranty replacement for, I believe, $99 USD.

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Answer 2

Nov 1, 2014 8:02 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

Thank you but this is not an answer to my question. I'm trying to figure out what hardware was damaged, specifically.

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Answer 3

Nov 1, 2014 10:38 PM in response to mahaparipirhana

There are no user serviceable parts in an iPhone. That puts it beyond the scope of this form.

Try here:

Ifixit.com

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Answer 4

Nov 7, 2014 5:48 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

So I'm only allowed to ask how to have Apple replace my phone? Perhaps this isn't even a hardware issue. I need Apple to help me to find anything out!!!!! And given that my screen is limited and I don't have the serial number if I can't see my screen I'm pretty limited! The screen sometimes works now... never at high brightness (disappears) and sometimes (right now) it will only flicker on for a half second regardless of the brightness settings. It's very frustrating. I'm trying to figure out what is wrong, not asking how to open up my phone and change something. I'm not spending a dollar on this glitchy phone.

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Answer 5

Nov 7, 2014 8:06 PM in response to mahaparipirhana

mahaparipirhana wrote:

So I'm only allowed to ask how to have Apple replace my phone? Perhaps this isn't even a hardware issue. I need Apple to help me to find anything out!!!!!

If you need Apple to help you find out something, you'll need to contact them. They are not here. Make an appointment at the Genius Bar at your local Apple Store or use the Contact Us link at the bottom right of every page. However, what Apple will tell you when you take it in is that the phone got wet and the liquid has damaged it. They will most likely offer you an out of warranty replacement. If you're not trying to open it up, does it really matter which particular bit is now corroded?

And it's not a "glitchy phone". It's a phone that got damaged by its owner.

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Answer 6

Nov 7, 2014 8:45 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

I apologize for the confusion. This was literally the only option on Apple's "Contact Us" section that I was able to access. I assumed that Apple's clear intent to have me go here instead of speaking with someone in live time, and the fact this is on the Apple website, meant I could get some advice... Both over the phone and online they require information I need to see my screen to provide so those are not options. I tried to bypass this when calling through Skype. Some lady who didn't know what was going on, who I waited a good while to speak with, put me on hold; I gave up after 30minutes of waiting to speak to somebody again.

I've stumbled upon a few tricks to help me get through this problem, but I'm at a loss. I need this phone to work until late December. I need more tricks. So yes, it's worth understanding. Knowing what is going on will let me Google it and work with it, if nobody here is willing to help...

And yes, it IS a glitchy phone. It has been a glitchy phone for a long time. Long before this. But completely unrelated issues. I was assuming this wasn't just a glitch but something maybe somebody could help me understand.

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