iPhone Landscape Mode Causes Screen to Go Black

This was driving me nuts. Actually it is not related to landscape. At least for me it happens if I place my finger near the front camera ambient Light sensor. When you rotate to landscape your hands will often make the sensor go dark and therefore it seems to be caused by landscape. But as said, I can also replicate issue in portrait mode with 6S and 11.4.

Workaround: avoid blocking front ambient light detector (near camera) to not have this issue.

Same here, since the latest ios update I’ve been having his problem. Which means I can’t use features that need landscape mode and videos on YouTube only play in the top quarter of the screen in portrait mode, which is terrible.

Good morning CastIronMoose!

It sounds like you’re having some issues with your iPhone’s rotation. When going to landscape mode, the screen goes black until you rotate it back to portrait. I can help with this.

When you say that you reset your iPhone, do you mean that you restarted? If you meant something else, try restarting now: Restart your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

If the issue persists, I recommend that you reinstall iOS on your device. Before you proceed, please back up your data using the steps below. This process does not remove data from the device, but it’s always a good idea to have a known good backup:

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

Once you've verified that your backup is current, follow the steps below to reinstall iOS on your iPhone. Keep in mind that this article was written for a different issue, but these steps will still be helpful:

1. Connect your device to a computer and open iTunes. If you don't have a computer, try to borrow one, or go to an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider for help.
2. While your device is connected, force it to restart.
   • On an iPhone X, iPhone 8, or iPhone 8 Plus: Press and quickly release the Volume Up button. Press and quickly release the Volume Down button. Then, press and hold the Side button until you see the recovery-mode screen.
   • On an iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus: Press and hold the Side and Volume Down buttons at the same time. Keep holding them until you see the recovery-mode screen.
   • On an iPhone 6s and earlier, iPad, or iPod touch: Press and hold both the Home and the Top (or Side) buttons at the same time. Keep holding them until you see the recovery-mode screen.
3. Don't release the buttons when you see the Apple logo. Keep holding until you see the recovery mode screen.
   
4. When you get the option to restore or update, choose Update. iTunes will try to reinstall iOS without erasing your data.
   

iTunes will download the software for your device. If it takes more than 15 minutes, your device will exit recovery mode and you'll need to repeat steps 2 and 3.

If your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch won't turn on or is frozen - Apple Support

Did that resolve the issue for you? Let us know.

Cheers!

Any ideas if this issue is fixed in the latest update 11.4.1 coz ideally the sensor is there to dim the brightness not completely switch off the screen!!! Seems some developers removed those lines of code from the last iOS.

Having the same issue since last update. It’s the front lens sensor that’s the issue. Not landscape. Not sure what they screwed up but if you put your finger over the lens the screen blacks out. Portrait or landscape modes.

FIXED: Just updated to iOS 11.4.1 and the problem is gone. (ittru mentioned that this resolved it as well)

I was having the exact same issue on my iPhone 7. It was definitely the light sensor. It didn't matter if it was in landscape or portrait mode, no apps open or apps open...covering the light sensor caused the screen to go black.

I'll post back if this bug returns!

This just started happening to me lately. Only when I’m in the dark, the screen will go black if it does not get enough light, or I turn my screen sideways to landscape. I believe I just recently did an update and it’s been happening ever since. Hopefully Apple reads this and gets a move on fixing. I hate how every time you call customer service their first answer is to factory reset your phone.

Seriously, you do need to get over yourself if you’re going to get through the 21st century. Your dealing with trillions of zeros and ones (0 & 1) not to mention the myriad of different combination of apps on everyone’s phones with different OS systems installed.

So, try a soft reset first, if that doesn’t work doing a hard or factory reset is the only way to be sure the error or fault is not a one off.

Yes, it does get frustrating, and hopefully it’s a problem that’s been clearly I dentified and accepted by the app developer. If not go back to basics, remember we’re dealing with electronic devices operating on a foundation of on and off (electrical currents) or as per the symbol you now see on many power switches 0 or

1.

In landscape mode the ambient sensor should not trigger a blank screen since the purpose of the screen blanking is when a person holds the phone to their ear. It becomes impossible to fly my $1000 DJI drone with my phone in landscape mode required by the remote controller because the brackets cover the ambient sensor causing my phone to go dark in the middle of flight.

Hi John, if by ‘miight occur’ you’re saying the fault hasn’t returned in your case then a factory reset (which I think you mean) has fixed the problem for you. If it has returned then I’d advise to follow it up with Apple support.

Yes it’s a nuisance but it’s the only way to have the matter addressed by the developer, which of course is Apple. Remember, there are so many applications out there and everyone of them can interact with each other and / or interact with the Apple operating system. It’s a human man made, zeros and ones dancing for their life. And fortunately, occasionally, **** happens just like in real life.

Hi loriawilli, if after resetting your phone, soft and factory reset, our only options are two-fold. Putting up with it or seeking Apple support assistance. Yes it may be a nuisance but ultimately if you want to improve your chances of resolving the fault you personally need to contact Apple.

Here is a link to assist with resetting your phone if you haven’t already done it.

http://www.ubergizmo.com/how-to/how-to-reset-the-iphone/

Yes FreedomKeepsMe, I understand your problem, but first and foremost have you reset your phone? http://www.ubergizmo.com/how-to/how-to-reset-the-iphone/

Secondly, have you contacted Apple support. Ultimately, Apple are the only ones that can fix our problems. This is simply a meeting place we’re we can find out the latest goss.

It’s important that we all understand that we’re talking about faults in an appliance and computer applications that relies on trillions of electrical signals, ultimately zeros and one. Bow add to that myriads of different app combinations in each users phones. And you’ll hopefully begin to appreciate the challenge that faces us all.

Thank you!!

I have intermittently been having this problem for the last several months - thinking it was related to screen rotation.

But you are correct, it occurs when I block the light sensor ( I will say, however, on my device, it does seem to only occur when I am in landscape mode. If I am in portrait mode and block a sensor, it does not seem to affect it)

Thank you!

Hi Dougfunk1, regardless of whether its effected when in landscape mode or not, what is required next is crucial and that is resetting your phone.

So, first try a soft reset and if that doesn’t fix it try a factual reset. http://www.ubergizmo.com/how-to/how-to-reset-the-iphone/

Mdubya74, have you done a soft restart. If that doesn’t work please do a factory reset. Yes, if necessary that may be a nuisance but we’re dealing with electronics and trouble shooting always commenced with a reboot (or reset) of some description.

Follow this guide and let me know what happens.

Apple iPhone reset instructions

http://www.ubergizmo.com/how-to/how-to-reset-the-iphone/