What to Do When Your Phone Screen Turns Purple and Spreads

If you notice a purple tint appearing on your mobile phone screen, especially if it's spreading over time, it may indicate a hardware issue. This could be due to a failing display or a problem with the screen connection. Let's break down the steps you can take to troubleshoot the situation, and when professional help is warranted.

Steps to Troubleshoot Your Phone Screen Issue

1. Restart Your Device

The simplest and most common solution is to restart your device. Sometimes, a basic reset can resolve display issues caused by software glitches or memory management problems. If the issue persists after a restart, there may be a deeper problem at play.

2. Check for Physical Damage

Inspect your phone for any signs of physical damage such as cracks or dents. These can affect the functionality of your screen. Even if you don't see any obvious damage, it's worth checking for any internal stress that could be causing the issue.

3. Update Software

Ensure that your operating system and apps are up to date. Outdated software can sometimes cause display issues. Update your phone to the latest version to see if this resolves the problem.

4. Test with Safe Mode

Boot your phone into safe mode to see if the issue persists. This can help determine if a third-party app is the cause. By disabling all third-party apps, you can test if one of them is causing the display issue.

5. Reset Settings or Perform a Factory Reset

If possible, reset your display settings or perform a factory reset. Keep in mind that this will erase your phone's data. Make sure to back up your important files beforehand. Sometimes, resetting can solve display issues that are caused by system-wide malfunctions.

6. Check for External Factors

Consider whether you are using a screen protector or case. Try removing them to see if they may be causing the issue. Some screen protectors or cases can interfere with the screen's functionality.

When to Seek Professional Help

If restarting, updating, and resetting don't resolve the issue, it's best to seek professional help. Here are some circumstances where professional assistance might be necessary:

7. Screen Substitution or Repair

If the issue is due to a damaged screen, it will need to be replaced. For an OLED display, this can be particularly expensive. Samsung, for example, offers a 1-year manufacturer warranty that covers defects or malfunctions, but not wear and tear or physical and accidental damage beyond the warranty period. Check your warranty status to see if you can have it repaired for free or at a reduced cost.

Unfortunately, in most cases, screen replacement is the only solution. This is because OLED display panels, particularly if there is a line failure, cannot be fixed. Replacement is the only way to resolve the issue.

Bringing the device to a repair shop is the recommended course of action. They can assess the extent of the damage and provide you with a detailed estimate. For a device like the Samsung S20, which is still within its warranty period, it might be worth contacting Samsung for a free repair. They might even provide a shipping label to return your phone for inspection.

For devices past the 1-year warranty, the cost of screen replacement can often exceed the value of the phone itself. In such cases, you might want to consider selling the phone to recover some of the value.

Conclusion

In summary, if you notice a purple tint on your mobile screen, it could be a hardware issue. By following the steps outlined above, you can diagnose and potentially resolve the issue yourself. However, in most cases, professional repair or replacement will be the only solution. If your device is still under warranty, you may be able to get it repaired for free. If not, evaluating the cost of repair versus the value of your phone can help you make an informed decision.