Help Screen stays blank

[HTC D]

Hey,

I was wondering if anyone can help me out with the following issue that I am facing with my HTC Desire.

The thing is that time to time my device does not respond to screen touch. For instance: then there is an incoming call it stays blank and I can not see who is calling and at the same time not able to answer it. Touching the screen does nothing, only after pushing hard buttons, I am able to terminate the call. Also, when I am trying to access the OS from sleep mode by pressing the power button--there is no home screen--it stays blank. The only thing it does---the lights go on the home, menu, back and search buttons.

I did contact ot HTC help service and they told me to try to use the device in safe mode for two days. (this should terminate all 3rd party applications, that might cause the issue). Its my first day that I am use is in the safe mode and so far I do not experience any problems.

I do suspect that the reason of my problem could be the task killer that I am using in order to eliminator some programs running in background. But I did try out several task killers so far, however the issue remains the same

Any tips how to handle the issue?

 

[Phenomenological]

You don't need a task killer on the Desire. Uninstall them.

Also, make sure you aren't covering the proximity sensor on the top (left?) of the phone. It's in the black section above the screen. That cuts the screen off during calls.

 

[HTC D]

You don't need a task killer on the Desire. Uninstall them.

Also, make sure you aren't covering the proximity sensor on the top (left?) of the phone. It's in the black section above the screen. That cuts the screen off during calls.

Would do that, but I will ran short with the battery life
Sensor is not covered. However, the screen still stays blank

 

[Phenomenological]

Would do that, but I will ran short with the battery life
Sensor is not covered. However, the screen still stays blank

Do you have a case or screen protector on? Both of those are known to mess around with the proximity sensor sometimes.

 

[HTC D]

Do you have a case or screen protector on? Both of those are known to mess around with the proximity sensor sometimes.

I do use a case, but the most of the times the device is uncovered. Although, I should mention that my screen blankness issue is getting more intense after having it in the case. But today I have not used the case and uninstalled all task killer applications as well. However, the issue still remains.

I was wondering is it due to 3rd party applications? (I am using few GPS applications and a world war game app)

Any guess?

 

[nx1977]

Screen protector covering the sensor?

 

[HTC D]

Screen protector covering the sensor?

Nope, I do not use any screen protectors.

 

[nx1977]

You have this issue when the phone isn't in any case at all?

Sounds like the sensor is being blocked. I assume you know where the sensor is?

 

[HTC D]

You have this issue when the phone isn't in any case at all?

Sounds like the sensor is being blocked. I assume you know where the sensor is?

yeap, the phone is not in the case and it has no screen protection when the screen blank issue occurs. Right now I am using it in the safe mode and so far no problem with the blank screen.
Did try to run some 3rd party applications (while in the safe mode) some work and some do not. I am uninstalling the ones that do not work. Will observer if it has any affect on the blank screen issue.

PS I believe the sensor is somewhere on the upper part of the phone, but as I have mentioned that part of the device is not covered.

 

[HTC D]

UPDATE:

While in the safe mode the phone had not any issues. But then I decided to do factory reset and some point I faced the same problem.

 

[grainysand]

Would do that, but I will ran short with the battery life
Sensor is not covered. However, the screen still stays blank

Task killers shorten your battery life. The only thing they are good for is killing a specific badly coded app (which isn't that common anyway) that drains battery by staying active and/or trying to sync constantly. Otherwise, you pressing the "kill all" button constantly? That's what is killing your battery.

 

[HTC D]

Task killers shorten your battery life. The only thing they are good for is killing a specific badly coded app (which isn't that common anyway) that drains battery by staying active and/or trying to sync constantly. Otherwise, you pressing the "kill all" button constantly? That's what is killing your battery.

Thanks for the info. As I have discovered yesterday, my previous assumption that task killer might cause the screen blank issue was wrong. I did factory reset and got rid off all 3rd party applications, however that did not help to solve my problem.

PS with a task killer I am able to get 2 days plus some hours (general usage)

 

[adjei7]

I'm having the same problem with my replacement HTC desire. My first desire had reboot problems when using gps and network, and some issues with the charger. It seems I have swapped that problem with this one. The screen problem has happened twice now. The first time was when the phone went to sleep by itself. I tried waking it, then I got the blank screen with a white line on top. After taking the battery out and restarting it everything was fine. The second time was when the phone was already off. On turning it on, i got the same blank screen issue. Simply restarting did not solve the problem. I had to leave the battery out for a while before the screen worked. I really do hope this is a software issue, but I have a feeling it's hardware. HTC D, how do you get it in safe mode?

 

[grainysand]

PS with a task killer I am able to get 2 days plus some hours (general usage)

Tried going without a task killer?

Some people can milk 30-40 hours out of their phones without task killers. I could tell you how many hours of battery life I can get, but it's not very fair since my N1's modded and running Froyo (which has its own way of auto-killing processes).

 

[PsychoMania]

I had this blank screen issue and I believe it was caused by messing around with various auto task killers. Even after uninstalling them the issue remained.

To solve the issue I made a selective backup using mybackup pro, hard reset the phone, restored the backup but didn't install any form of auto task killer.

Since doing that i've not had a single blank screen in the last two weeks.

Whilst using the task killers I didn't notice any significant difference in battery life and the phone actually felt more sluggish whilst using them.

 

[HTC D]

I'm having the same problem with my replacement HTC desire. My first desire had reboot problems when using gps and network, and some issues with the charger. It seems I have swapped that problem with this one. The screen problem has happened twice now. The first time was when the phone went to sleep by itself. I tried waking it, then I got the blank screen with a white line on top. After taking the battery out and restarting it everything was fine. The second time was when the phone was already off. On turning it on, i got the same blank screen issue. Simply restarting did not solve the problem. I had to leave the battery out for a while before the screen worked. I really do hope this is a software issue, but I have a feeling it's hardware. HTC D, how do you get it in safe mode?

SAFE MODE

Turn off your device and power it again, meanwhile press MENU button. It should get you in to safe mode. Take into consideration that some 3 rd party applications will not work.

 

[HTC D]

I had this blank screen issue and I believe it was caused by messing around with various auto task killers. Even after uninstalling them the issue remained.

To solve the issue I made a selective backup using mybackup pro, hard reset the phone, restored the backup but didn't install any form of auto task killer.

Since doing that i've not had a single blank screen in the last two weeks.

Whilst using the task killers I didn't notice any significant difference in battery life and the phone actually felt more sluggish whilst using them.

Indeed, I used several auto killers, which I would assume messed up proximity sensors, but for the moment I do not use any killers. However, that did not solve my issue ;(
Did factory reset few times and used safe mode as well----nothing helps.
Did contact to HTC help services and explained my problem. They took from me my IMEI number hope solution is on its way.

ps auto killers are useless, they do not have any drastic effect on battery life. The only good from them is to eliminate a specific task.

 

[PsychoMania]

Out of curiosity do you have an app called beebplayer installed?

A while after i'd made that post I used beebplayer after not using it for over a month and the problem returned. Had to reset again but never used that app again and the problem has gone. I've since updated to froyo and the problem has yet to return.

 

[HTC D]

Out of curiosity do you have an app called beebplayer installed?

A while after i'd made that post I used beebplayer after not using it for over a month and the problem returned. Had to reset again but never used that app again and the problem has gone. I've since updated to froyo and the problem has yet to return.

Nope, I have never used that app. and as far as I know it is gone from the market as well.

SOME UPDATES

Initially I was thinking, that my problem could be connected to the proximity sensor. However, yesterday did some tests using Sensor Dump, Proxy Light Test and Z-Device Test (available on market) also during the call covered the proximity sensor. All tests were positive. Hence, at this stage sensors should not be the reason of the blank screen.

Just some elaboration of my blank screen issue:

During the incoming call the screen does not go on. Only hard buttons flash.
By pressing the power button (in order to wake up from the sleeping mode) the screen stays blank, but the hard buttons flash. Some times have to push the power button 15-20 times in order to activate the screen.

All that is very annoying and the solution or the reason causing it is unknown.

Anyone any useful tips?

 

[HTC D]

By sending my IMEI I was hoping that HTC would assist with some useful tips, but instead of that this is what I got so far:

Thank you for contacting HTC. Kindly contact the service centers below to send your device for repair: MMM AGRAM SERVIS d.o.o. Croatia, Bosnia, and Herzegovina Žitnjak bb (Poslovni centar Žitnjak) 10000 Zagreb - CROATIA Tel:+38598385759 OR GSMobile Czech Republic GSMobile SERVICE,Veselska 699 – GREEN PARK,199 00 Prague 9,Czech Republic Tel:+420242440222 or +420242440223 OR Cirma Romania SC CIRMA ELECTRONICS SRL Spataru Preda Street 12, Sector 5, Bucharest, ROMANIA ' Tel:+40213009905 Please follow the steps below before sending the device to the service center: 1.Backup the device& remove all personal data. 2.Remove all accessories and send the bare unit. (SIM card, Memory card, Stylus, backcover, headset ..etc.) or even the battery along with the faulty device (unless it is a power issue). 3.A copy of the POP if available. 4.Do send the device in a safe& sealed package (e.g. from the Post Office) but NOT the original box. Please note that our engineers at the repair center would conduct a full diagnosis. If the device turned out to be OOW (Out Of Warranty), a quotation would then be sent out to you to provide with the exact repair fees. If you do not wish to proceed with the repair, please note that you would bear the cost for device shipment as well as inspection fees. If you have any other inquiries, don’t hesitate to contact us again. Please note that you can contact us via support line. For further details ...

 

[MacNeil]

Hey,
So I am having a similar problem. HTC and Telus are no help. I get a black screen once i sign in. However, the OS is still running in the background. It seems like the UI isn't running.
I took a video of my desire.
YouTube - HTC Desire-small.m4v

Thanks for the help

 

[nx1977]

Are you using a task killer by chance?

 

[HTC D]

Hey,
So I am having a similar problem. HTC and Telus are no help. I get a black screen once i sign in. However, the OS is still running in the background. It seems like the UI isn't running.
I took a video of my desire.
YouTube - HTC Desire-small.m4v

Thanks for the help

Mine got even worse. After updating the firmware to 2.1 I am not able to turn screen on at all. Here is the video as well.
YouTube - HTC Desire: BLANK SCREEN

I was just wondering if I do the rooting of the device, will it help?
PS my Desire is unlocked.