Screenshots are black

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Level 1

17 points

Screenshots are black

Taking screenshots with my iPhone 7 keeps failing, by this I mean it captures a totally blank black image rather than the actual screen display.

When this condition occurs, the only way to correct it is to restart the device, which is a pain because the situation arises way too regular and is very inconvenient being at the very time I’d like to capture the screen!

My device is currently running iOS 11.2.6 but this issue has been around for several earlier releases of iOS 11 and I had hoped the bug would have been corrected by now.

Anyone know why this issue occurs and is there anything to avoid that may help prevent it raising its ugly head?

Posted on Mar 21, 2018 2:49 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

MoonJ.

Community Specialist

Mar 22, 2018 11:08 AM in response to JoeKing69

Hello JoeKing69,

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities!

I understand from your post that when you take a screenshot the image comes out black even after restarting your iPhone. With the screenshot feature being built into the software you will want to create a backup file and then reinstall the software. The following article has the steps on how to backup your iPhone:

How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

By using the steps as listed from the following article you can reinstall the software on your iPhone:
If you can't update or restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

Put your device in recovery mode and set it up again

Make sure that you're using the latest version of iTunes.

If iTunes is already open, close it. Connect your device to your computer and open iTunes. If you don't have a computer, borrow one from a friend or go to an Apple Retail Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider for help.

While your device is connected, force restart it with these steps:

On an iPhone 6s and earlier, iPad, or iPod touch: Press and hold the Sleep/Wake and Home buttons at the same time. Don't release the buttons when you see the Apple logo. Keep holding both buttons until you see the recovery mode screen.

On an iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus: Press and hold the Sleep/Wake and Volume Down buttons at the same time. Don't release the buttons when you see the Apple logo. Keep holding both buttons until you see the recovery mode screen.

When you see the option to Restore or Update, choose Update. iTunes will try to reinstall iOS without erasing your data. Wait while iTunes downloads the software for your device. If the download takes more than 15 minutes and your device exits recovery mode, let the download finish, then repeat these steps.

After the Update or Restore completes, set up your device.

Best Regards.

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Answer 2

JoeKing69 Author

Level 1

17 points

Mar 22, 2018 2:33 PM in response to MoonJ.

Hey MoonJ, thanks for the reply.

Actually, after I restart my phone, the screen shot feature does work correctly. It is only after some period of time that the it will once again capture nothing other than the black image!

Whether this has something to do with a particular app that I have installed or something else, I haven’t been able to pinpoint a cause.

All I know is that once the screen shot feature decides to not behave correctly, it requires a phone restart before returning back to normal.

I can’t see how your suggested solution will resolve this phenomenon and will therefore refrain from doing so for now.

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Screenshots are black

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