Have you noticed a horizontal line appearing on your phone screen ? It might be light or dark, steady or flashing, and always horizontal. This problem can be very annoying, as it can affect display quality and content readability. What can you do about it? What are the possible causes of this phenomenon? How can you fix it or prevent it? Here are some answers.

Possible causes of a horizontal line appearing on the phone screen

A horizontal line on the phone screen can have several causes. It could be due to:

• A shock or a fall: the screen may be cracked or broken.
• A manufacturing defect: the screen may have a problem with soldering , connectors, or components.
• Improper handling: the screen may have been cleaned with an unsuitable product which damaged the protective layer or the anti-reflective coating.

Possible solutions to solve the problem

If you notice a horizontal line appearing on your phone screen, there are a few possible solutions , including repairing your smartphone yourself .

Here are some suggestions.

Restart your phone 

This is the simplest and quickest solution to try. The horizontal line might be due to a software bug or a malfunctioning application . Restarting your phone can reset the system and correct any errors.

To restart your phone, press and hold the power supply and select the " Restart " or " Power off " option, then turn it back on.

Take a screenshot 

To take a screenshot, press and hold the power supply and volume down buttons simultaneously for a few seconds, then release them. Open the screenshot and zoom in.

If the horizontal line moves with the screenshot, it indicates a software issue. If the horizontal line remains fixed, it indicates a hardware issue.

Another solution is to display your Android screen on a PC via USB and compare the images. This would allow you to determine if the problem originates from the touchscreen or the display system.

Update the system or applications

This is a solution that helps resolve any compatibility or performance issues that may affect the display.

• To update the system , go to your phone's settings, then to the "System" or "About phone" section.
• System Update " or "Software Update" option
• To update your apps , go to the Play Store or the App Store, then to the "My apps" or "Updates" section.
• Next, select the applications you wish to update and press the "Update" button.

Reset your phone

This is a radical solution that allows you to restore your phone to its factory settings and erase all personal data.

This solution may be useful if the problem persists after trying other solutions. Warning: this operation is irreversible, and you must back up your data before performing it.

• To reset your phone, go to your phone's settings, then to the "System" or "Backup and reset" section.
• Reset phone " or "Restore factory settings" option

Tips for preventing the problem

If you want to prevent this problem from happening again, there are a few your phone's screen

Protect your screen with a case or a film 

This is an effective way to prevent your screen from breaking or scratching in case of impact or a fall. You can choose a hard or soft case, transparent or colored, according to your preferences.

You can also opt for a protective film , made of tempered glass or plastic, which covers the surface of the screen and can be easily replaced.

Clean your screen with a suitable product 

This is an important step to prevent your screen from getting damaged or dirty. You should use a product specifically designed to clean touchscreens , such as a cleaning spray or a damp cloth.

You should also use a soft , dry cloth or a slightly damp cloth to wipe the screen without scratching it.

Avoid sources of heat or humidity

This is an essential precaution to prevent your screen from warping or short-circuiting. You must keep your phone away from sources of intense heat, such as sunlight, a radiator, or an oven, and from sources of significant humidity, such as rain, steam, or condensation.

You should also avoid leaving your phone in a place that is too hot or too cold, such as a car in summer or winter.

This article might also interest you : How to fix vertical lines on your phone screen?

FAQ on: A horizontal line on the phone screen: what to do?

What causes the horizontal line on the phone screen?

The horizontal line on the phone screen is caused by a problem with the LCD panel or the touch screen. This could be a crack, a break, a detachment, a short circuit, or a bad connection.

These anomalies can be caused by shock, a fall, excessive pressure, overheating, humidity, or a manufacturing defect.

What is the impact of the horizontal line on the phone's operation?

The horizontal line on the phone screen can negatively impact the phone's operation. It can cause:

• A loss of display quality, which can make the content blurry, distorted, or unreadable.
• A loss of touch sensitivity, which can prevent the phone from responding to commands or gestures.
• A loss of phone performance, which can slow down the system or applications, or cause bugs or crashes.
• A loss of phone security, which can expose the phone to viruses or malware, or compromise personal data.

How can I test whether the horizontal line is due to the touchscreen or the display system?

There are several methods to test whether the horizontal line is due to the touchscreen or the display system. For example, you can:

• Take a screenshot by simultaneously pressing the power supply and volume down buttons for a few seconds. If a horizontal line appears in the screenshot, it indicates a display issue. If no horizontal line appears, it indicates a touchscreen issue.
• Connect your phone to an external screen using an HDMI adapter or USB cable. If the horizontal line appears on the external screen, it means it's due to the display system.

How to fix the horizontal line if it's caused by the touchscreen?

• Replace the touchscreen with a new part.

• This is the most effective solution, but also the most expensive. You can hire a professional or do it yourself if you have the necessary tools and skills.
• Sticking clear tape over the crack or break is a simple and inexpensive solution, but also unreliable. You can use regular tape or tape specifically designed for touchscreens.
• Applying toothpaste or nail polish to the crack or break is a clever and economical solution, but not very long-lasting. You can use any type of toothpaste or clear nail polish.

How to fix the horizontal line if it is due to the display system?

If the horizontal line is due to the display system, there are several possible solutions to fix it. For example, you can:

• Replacing the LCD panel with a new one is the most effective solution, but also the most expensive. You can hire a professional or do it yourself if you have the necessary tools and skills.
• Repairing the solder joint, connector, or faulty component is a complex and risky solution, but also the cheapest. You can use a soldering iron, a multimeter, or an electronic repair kit.
• Resetting your phone's display settings is a quick and easy solution, but also not very safe. You can go to your phone's settings, then to the "Display" or "Screen" section. There you can adjust the brightness, contrast, resolution, or display mode.