Phone Screen Goes Black During Calls? How to Fix the Proximity Sensor in 2026

You answer a call, put the phone to your ear, and the screen goes black. That's normal. But then you pull it away to hang up or dial the keypad... and it stays black. You're left shaking your phone, frantically pressing the power button, hoping the screen comes back to life before the other person hangs up. It's a bizarre and frustrating glitch that makes simple phone calls a nightmare. This black screen during calls problem is almost always a faulty or confused proximity sensor. The good news? You don't need a new phone. This 2026 guide will walk you through all the fixes, from simple cleaning to advanced software resets.

🧠 Why Your Screen Turns Black and Won't Come Back

That little black dot near your front-facing camera? That's your proximity sensor. Its job is simple: detect when something is close (like your head) to turn off the screen and prevent accidental cheek-presses. When it malfunctions—because of dirt, a buggy app, or corrupted software—it gets "stuck" thinking something is always near it, keeping your screen off. It's not a major hardware failure; it's usually just a minor thing throwing a major wrench in your day.

The 5-Second Fixes: What to Try Immediately

Before you panic, try these solutions. They work more often than you'd think.

1. Check for a Screen Protector or Case. Is your screen protector poorly aligned? Does your case have a thick lip that encroaches on the sensor? A third-party accessory is the #1 physical cause of this issue. Remove the case and see if the problem persists.

2. Clean the Sensor Area. Your sensor can't see through grime. Take a soft, slightly damp microfiber cloth and gently wipe the entire top bezel of your phone, paying special attention to the area directly next to the earpiece. Oil, lotion, and pocket lint are the invisible enemies here.

3. Manually Wake the Screen. Sometimes the sensor is just slow. Try quickly pressing the power button twice. Or, if your phone has one, press the home button. This can sometimes snap it out of its confused state.

Diving Deeper: Software and App-Related Fixes

If a simple wipe didn't work, the problem might be lurking in your phone's software.

1. Test the Proximity Sensor Directly

Most phones have a hidden "secret menu" to test hardware components.

· Open your Phone dialer.

· Dial *#*#2486#*#* or *#0*#. If these don't work, search online for "[Your Phone Model] service menu code".

· This should open a hardware test menu. Look for an option like "Proximity Sensor" or "Sensor."

· Run the test. It will usually ask you to cover and then uncover the sensor. If it fails the test, you have a hardware issue. If it passes, the problem is software.

2. Boot Into Safe Mode (The App Detective)

A recently installed app could be interfering with the sensor's operation. Safe Mode boots your phone without any third-party apps.

· Press and hold the power button until the power menu appears.

· Press and hold the "Power off" option on the screen.

· You'll be prompted to reboot into Safe Mode. Tap "OK."

· Once booted (you'll see "Safe Mode" in the corner), make a test call. If the screen works perfectly, you know a downloaded app is the culprit. Start uninstalling recent apps one by one until you find the bad one.

3. Check for System Updates

Google and manufacturers release patches for bugs like this all the time.

· Go to Settings > System > System update and check for any available updates. Install it and see if it resolves the sensor glitch.

The "Why Did That Work?" Fix & A Personal Story

My friend's phone had this exact issue. We cleaned it, booted to safe mode—nothing worked. The sensor test even failed. We were convinced it was a hardware fault.

As a last-ditch effort before a repair shop, I found a weird tip on a forum: Clear the cache partition. This doesn't delete any personal data but clears temporary system files that can become corrupted.

· Power off the phone completely.

· Press and hold the Volume Up button + the Power button simultaneously until the phone logo appears (the key combo can vary by model; look yours up).

· Use the volume keys to navigate to Recovery Mode and select it with the power button.

· You'll see an Android robot with an exclamation mark. Press and hold Power + Volume Up to see the menu.

· Use the volume keys to highlight Wipe Cache Partition and select it with the power button.

· Reboot the system.

And just like that, it worked. The sensor wasn't broken; its operating instructions were just stuck in a corrupted file. This fix is a lifesaver.

Advanced Troubleshooting: The Final Options

If you're still having issues, these are your last steps before considering a repair.

1. Check App-Specific Permissions

Some apps, like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger, have their own call screens and proximity sensor controls.

· Go to Settings > Apps.

· Select the app you use for calls (e.g., Phone, WhatsApp).

· Tap Permissions.

· Ensure the Proximity sensor or "Body sensors" permission is enabled. Try toggling it off and on again.

2. Perform a Factory Reset (The Nuclear Option)

This will erase everything on your phone and return it to its out-of-the-box state. BACK UP YOUR DATA FIRST.

· Go to Settings > System > Reset options > Erase all data (factory reset).

· If the problem is software-based, this will fix it. If it persists after a reset, it's almost certainly a hardware failure.

FAQ: Your Proximity Sensor Problems Answered

Q: Why does my screen go black during calls and never come back?

A:This is the classic symptom of a stuck proximity sensor. It's either physically blocked (dirt/case), suffering from a software glitch, or, less commonly, has a hardware failure.

Q: How much does it cost to fix a proximity sensor?

A:If it's a hardware issue, a repair shop will typically need to replace the entire front assembly (screen and sensor together). Costs can range from $80 to $200+ depending on your phone model. Always try the free software fixes first.

Q: I have a Samsung Galaxy. Are the steps different?

A:The principles are identical. The path to certain menus might be slightly different (e.g., Settings might be organized differently). The hardware test code for Samsung is often *#0*#. Use your phone's settings search bar to find "Reset" or "Safe Mode."

Q: Can I just disable the proximity sensor?

A:On some Android phones, you can with root access or via Developer Options, but it's not recommended. You'd lose the useful feature of the screen turning off during calls, leading to accidental hangs-ups or mute button presses with your face.

Conclusion: Take Back Control of Your Calls

A phone that won't wake up during a call can make you feel powerless. But as we've seen, you have a powerful arsenal of fixes at your disposal. Start with the physical clean, investigate with Safe Mode, and don't be afraid to use the deeper system tools like clearing the cache partition. Your phone is smarter than it's acting, and you now have the knowledge to snap it out of its confusion.

📝 What You Can Take Away

· First Step: Clean the sensor area and remove your case.

· Key Diagnostic: Use Safe Mode to determine if a third-party app is to blame.

· Secret Weapon: Wiping the cache partition can fix stubborn software glitches without a full reset.

· Final Test: A factory reset is the ultimate test for a software vs. hardware problem.

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Sources & Further Reading:

· iFixit: Proximity Sensor Replacement Guides

· Android Central: Understanding Phone Sensors

· XDA Developers: How to Use Android's Secret Menus