Ever wondered why your Android phone’s screen goes completely dark during calls?
Well, that’s a question that’s been bugging many users. In this guide, we’re going to explain to you why that happens.
Android Phone Screen Turning Off During Calls
Your phone screen goes off during calls because the proximity sensor detected an obstruction. This is intended behavior to prevent you from accidentally pressing any buttons when you hold the phone against your ear.
Check your screen protection and the proximity sensor
If the screen blacks out randomly, you may want to check your screen protector if you’re using one. If you placed the screen protector on the proximity sensor, it will interfere with it.
Some users suggested that briefly touching the proximity sensor should help the screen come back to life.
Also, if the sensor glass is covered in smudges, skin oil or makeup that could also cause the phone screen to go black. Clearing the screen and the sensor with a soft cloth should solve the problem.
Use AndroSensor
Some users were able to work their way around this issue by installing AndroSensor. This app is a versatile diagnostic tool that constantly monitors your device’s status.
You can also use it to control your phone’s sensors. Set the proximity sensor to off and you should be able to control your screen during calls.
Update your device
While for some users, updating their phone to a newer Android version was the element that caused this problem in the first place, for other users, updating their device actually solved the problem.
Go to Settings → About Phone → Check for Updates.
If there’s any known proximity sensor glitch, chances are the problem has already been fixed in newer Android versions.
Backup your data and reset the phone
If this glitch becomes really annoying, you can reset your Android phone to factory settings. If the issue is caused by corrupted system files or other operating system glitches, resetting your device should fix them.
Just make sure to backup your data first as this action will wipe out absolutely all the data stored on your device.
Go to Settings → System → Reset options → Erase all data (also known as a factory reset).
If you own a Samsung device, go to Settings → General Management → Reset → Factory data reset.
Disable the proximity sensor to solve the issue once and for all
Of course, you can also turn off the proximity sensor by going to Settings → System or System apps → Call settings → Disable the proximity sensor.
⇒ Note: These steps might be slightly different depending on your Android version and phone model.
If you can’t find the proximity sensor settings, you can use AndroSensor to disable the sensor.
However, we don’t recommend disabling the sensor because you may accidentally touch different buttons with your ear or cheek while holding the phone against your ear.
Of course, that won’t be a problem if you use your phone’s speaker to answer incoming calls.
Valentine says
This was very much helpful.
William says
Proximity sensor is not rhe iasue. As many people have said, the screen goes blank during the call, even if it is sitting on desk, using speaker. This is really frustrating as it seems to be designed only for the phone. My phone can sit on a webpage or a game, with no activity, and stay open for 10 minutes. I make a call, and it blanks out before I am done dailing.
P J Adams says
I had to buy a new phone this past month! Ive always had a cricket phone! This time I ended up having to buy a phone from Walmart! A Samsung Galaxy A13 5g! I hate it! Screen goes dark all the time, whether I am talking or not! The
only time it stays on is when it is charging and full! Ive done everything I know to keep the light on when using it! Unfortunately, I am handicapped and need this phone to work at all times! I do have a screen saver placed on it, as I drop my phone a lot, and have a have a screen case for the same reasons! And why is the cord so short? Its only about a foot long! Geez! I feel really gipped with this phone!!! Right at $200??? Never again! Any suggestions! An angry cell phone owner!!! Thanks!!!
Jade says
Why does my Samsung Motorola Z2 play screen go black when someone calls have to keep resetting my phone bs fix this problem version shouldn’t have to do this never did this when I got my phone
Voke says
My infinix smart 5 goes off while making call and Whatsapp call also.its soooo annoying and it’s making dislike infinix.please help oo
mokgadi portia says
My phone goes dark wen i make call nd wen i listen t whatsupp record
Ranjan says
Go to setting and search “proximity” and click on proximity sensor
“Disable” option under proximity sensor as “Turn off the screen automatically when your are holding the devices to your ear during a call”
Now dial number and see its not getting turn off.
Jess says
Annoying and extremely inconvenient and that I cannot access screen or apps during calls. Sure being able to lock a screen during a call IF I choose to is great but this forced black screen is pointless and frustrating. Who ever came up with that idea needs to be fired and sued as I’m sure it’s lost phone companies plenty of customers AKA Money!… BYE! BYE! Android phones, won’t miss you.
Danny Hagan says
My LG a10 phone screen goes dark before I can even get it unlocked and have to start over why how. Can I fix it
Paulla says
This is *NOTHING* to do with the proximity sensor, your screen protector, your screen-timeout setting, a dirty screen, nor holding the phone to your ear, nor face recognition, etc.
Samsung wants your phone to quickly go dark during a call. Period. Can’t be changed. Ever.
While your phone is dark, you can’t see the phone number that called, you can’t see your call duration, you can’t hit additional keypad buttons for voice-menus, you can’t turn bluetooth off/on, you can’t turn the speakerphone on/off, you can’t mute/unmute. Ugh. It’s another (of many) terrible Samsung features.
CarolC says
Many Samsung phones (like the S22 and many others) automatically blank the screen during a call. It has *NOTHING* to do with your settings, nor a bug, nor a phone case, nor a proximity sensor, nor a dirty phone, nor holding the phone to your head.
It’s just the way Samsung wants it. You can *NOT* see who you are calling, their number, the call duration, you can’t hit any voice-menu keys, you can’t turn speakerphone on nor off, nor switch to a different app, etc. It makes the phone useless during a call.
David t says
Fix but wished. Hauwei still avaiable
David t says
Samsung screen going blank on phone call
Only cure for my A13
Settings…advanced features
Motions and gestures
Keep screen on while viewing tick box
Screen blanked by ear
Stayed full brightness when in font of face
Sarah F says
When i hit the numbers on my screen to make a call, it goes black. i have to start the phone again and continue hitting the chain of numbers to continue my call………and it goes black again.
I remember in the 60s-70s a $10 present on Christmas Day was amazing…now we give our brats a $500+ PHONE and its shit.
We know you love to be in love with money….but stop selling us crap.
pissed off grandma
Faith Alabi says
I am fed up with Android and their problems. I am afraid of making calls because of my phone screen that is always go dark while making calls,but immediately I took off my screen protector my phone call became normal pls try it
Nettie says
Sorry…. but the app does not work on newer phones…. including the S21 ultra 5G. A warning popup disclaimer stated so, the very moment I installed and then opened it, to fix my prox sensor :((
Ronda B says
I don’t actually know ere the sensor is located on my Samsung Galaxy S10e, but I cleaned my screen as suggested above and also blew into the microphone area and near the power button as someone suggested it might be lint. One of those two things worked. Before, it was driving me crazy. Thanks to those who offered suggestions in the comments.as well.
R Taylor says
Have an Android and when talking on the phone the people I’m talking to ask me to enter a number, my screen goes black, so I can’t respond. It is so aggravating!
Chandrasekar says
My leeco Le2 mob having same issue. I got this problem just after replacing display of the mob..since then I am getting this issue..Enabling proximity sensors makes of no use as moboeep displays don’t tough top of the screen
Jack says
I have a Motorola moto E7 power, I can’t find the right setting to fix it, someone help plz
Habeeb says
Problem solved!
Blow the proximity near ur front camera
And it should work
Akologo Karim hudu says
My phone always go off during a call until the the call end it will never come I don’t understand it I just want to stop it please help
GERE AMBROSE says
My Tecno spark 5 screen always turns black when never am on call and I don’t want it to appear in to my phone anymore. What should I do
Rod Hadrian says
CAN OF AIR
Finally fixed mine. It ended up being pocket lint Over the proximity sensor inside the phone. Took a can of air and sprayed it in the earpiece speaker next to the camera at the top without having to take the phone apart. I spent over three days trying everything else. This only took 30 seconds to fix. You can pick up a can of air at any electronic shop.
Deborah Powell says
I am fustrstrated with the phone It is the worst. I would like to get with one news station that solves problems with them selling this phone and they know it’s not working going black on the phone cutting people off you can hear people vice versa and with my last little money on fixed income. Ripping us off things are hard enough Come on Metro this is just getty to be too much can’t even buy a phone that does the normal things
Ugbada Dominic says
I am fed up with Android and their problems. I am afraid of making calls because of my phone screen that is always go dark while making calls
clint smith says
Why don’t I just give us the information we came here for instead of trying to give us a big song and dance of why it does this and it does that we don’t care why it does it we just want to find the reason it does it and then fix it we don’t care why it does it just fix it tell us how to fix it not that hard plus it’ll save you a whole lot more time
Joji Paulose says
FIX FOUND.
YOUR PROXIMITY SENSOR WHICH IS LOCATED NEXT TO THE FRONT CAMERA MIGHT BE BLOCKED WITH DIRT AND DEBRIS. I USED A PIN ON THE EAR PIECE SPEAKER TO SLOWLY LIFT UP THE SCREEN AND CLEAN THE BACKSIDE OF THE SCREEN SO THAT THE SENSORS ARE NOT BLOCKED AND MY BLACK SCREEN ISSUE GOT FIXED.
PLEASE MAKE AURE TO PRESS THE SCREEN BACK INTO POSITION THOROUGHLY.
THANK YOU.
Ezik says
Please fix these issue, front of setting in screen lock. Please troubleshooting issue with setting with all the app is perk curved to end is quit it by it itself. Not work at all this phone destroy it self by cause some phone , tcl support it call out with them , please check through the system issue. The check is the problem system base data . Please thank you the ways help my dad learn english to stick my dad phone as , child speak to you . Please dad isn’t available to do to talk because it different family issue with talk. Thank you understand , please guide the fix
Lori says
This is BS!!! My phone now has no protector, I just took it off, My husband calls my phone that is on the desk with the screen light. When the call comes in my phones screen goes black. I have to pick up the phone and push the on button three times and then the screen lights up. It has been bad enough that I have to push the side button twice to make the screen light up to do anything on it. But when one cannot answer a call because one cannot see the buttons, I am beyond PISSSED!!!!!! HELP ME PLEASE!!!! Oh I forgot. it is also difficult to call someone and the screen goes black so that on cannot check to make sure that we dialed the right person or that it is even connecting. Sometimes one cannot hear the ringing so one does not know if anything is happening at all.
Ted Burton says
I’ve got a Motorola One Ace 5g. AVOID THIS PHONE AT ALL COSTS. DO NOT BUY. IT SUCKS.
Raja says
I’m using androSensor app for this issue. Just install it and turn off the proximity sensor.
But while attending or making a call and place it near ears the screen will always in ON condition.
Blessing says
Jarret chizik, thank you for that comment, it helped.
Michele says
My screen is dark and the only thing I can see on this android is the time and the battery time along with what looks like 3 messages could be updates and to the right there are 2 other icons of which I don’t exactly know might one might be the internet signal how can we clear this up if I can’t even shut the phone off or do anything else
William Weitzel says
Thanks for this article. My screen is going dark when my hand gets near the top regardless of whether the telephone is being used or not. I searched for the word “proximity” in the settings department and could not find anything.
What I would like to have is an app that shows the settings department as a tree with all of the branches and all of the titles of different things that are going on in there. That would make it a lot easier to find stuff than to have to peck and poke at it incessantly or try to find things with the search box and then discover that they’re in there but the search just isn’t finding them. Is there such an app? That will show a tree of all the branches inside the settings department? Also for a files manager. Windows used to do that in a column format. Another thing that’s needed is a key code combination that will poke the date and time into a text file that you’re typing. That is so annoying, not to have and so easy to do, for example Excel has an easy key code I forget what it is you just press it and there’s your date and time any format you want, right in the line of text that you’re creating.
Also a genuinely bold front, a lot of cell phones have very faint, pale gray, very thin line text characters. I’d like to see something that has real contrast. The settings menu allows some adjustment to find and contrast but it’s very lame. This is the case on all the cell phones I’ve used.
Thanks again.
JB says
Yeah this is annoying. I’m on conference calls all day. The phone is charging on a wireless stand. I need that screen on always to quickly mute/unmute. Having to unlock the phone adds delay that other participants notice.
Pam says
My screen goes dark constantly! The caller is asking me to use the number dialpad to answer questions, and its3 impossible!! Why would anyone want this feature????
Tenson says
My infinix hot 9 is going dark when making calls,how I can fix this problem
Chayanika says
Same problem with me… But is your issue fixed
Bright says
Everyone wants their phone screens to stop going dark during calls, mine wouldn’t even go dark at all! I’ve changed my screen protector twice now still nothing. It’s annoying.
Jarett Chizick says
Making sure the sensor is not obstructed, plastic screen cover (the one you take off as soon as you get the phone), cleaning the area, etc… Should fix this issue. Had some issues from the android os 11 update that’s effecting a few apps & wondered why my screen was going black during calls without being able to ‘unlock’ the black screen. Removing the plastic screen cover solved this issue, but not other issues from the os11 update.
Dave V says
It didn’t.
I use a bluetooth device. like millions of people, and lay the phone on the desk, while I’m on a call.
habib says
that was helpful thankyouuuu so muchhhh
Paul McKee says
I don’t mind that the phone goes dark while it’s up against my ear while takling; but…. why won’t the screen come back to life once I pull the phone away from my ear? I have to use the “Power” button side key to get my display to turn on again.