A black screen on your Motorola Moto G Power (2025) can feel like a major problem, but it's often something you can fix yourself. The phone might be frozen, the battery could be completely dead, or a software glitch has taken the display offline. Let's go through the steps to get your screen back on.
Force Restart Your Phone
This is almost always the first thing I'd try. Simply press and hold the Power button for at least 10 seconds. Keep holding it until you feel a vibration or see the Motorola logo appear on the screen. This works even if the display is completely black and unresponsive, as it cuts power and reboots the system.
Charge Your Phone Properly
Since the Moto G Power (2025) doesn't come with a charger in the box, you need to use a good one. Plug it into a wall outlet using a USB-C cable and a compatible 30W USB-PD charger for the fastest results. Let it charge undisturbed for at least 30 minutes. A fully drained battery can take several minutes before any sign of life appears on the screen.
If you don't see the charging animation after a while, try a different cable and power adapter. A faulty cable is a common culprit, especially if you've been using the same one for a long time.
Check the Screen for Physical Issues
Take a close look at the display under good light. Look for any cracks, deep scratches, or unusual dark spots. The MIL-STD-810H rating means it can handle drops well, but the screen itself can still break.
If the phone still vibrates for notifications, makes sounds, or responds to the "Hey Google" hotword, then the device is on but the display hardware is likely damaged. In that case, a screen replacement is needed.
Adjust the Brightness in the Dark
It's possible the brightness was accidentally turned all the way down. Even with the screen seemingly black, you can try asking Google Assistant for help. Say "Hey Google, turn up the brightness" and see if the screen becomes visible. If you have Always-On Display enabled, you might see the time faintly, which is a clue the screen is just very dim.
Connect to a Computer for Recovery
If a force restart doesn't work, you can try using a computer. Connect your Moto G Power to a Windows PC or Mac using a USB-C cable. On your computer, you might get a prompt to access files, which is a good sign the phone is on.
For a deeper fix, you can use the Android Flash Tool online or Motorola's Rescue and Smart Assistant tool on a PC. These can reinstall the device software. An Update option will try to fix the system without erasing your data, while a Restore will wipe the phone clean.
Boot into Recovery Mode
If the computer doesn't see the phone normally, you need to force it into recovery mode. First, power the phone off completely if you can. Then, press and hold the Power button and the Volume Down button together.
Hold them until you see the Motorola logo, then release. You should boot into a menu with an Android robot and "No command" text. Press and hold the Power button, then tap the Volume Up button once to enter the recovery menu. From here, you can use the volume keys to navigate and the power button to select "Wipe cache partition" or "Reboot system now."
Look for Signs of Water Exposure
While the phone has a water-repellent design, it's not waterproof. If it was recently exposed to moisture, liquid could have gotten into the display connector. Power the phone off immediately and let it dry completely in a warm, dry place for at least 48 hours.
Avoid using a hair dryer or putting it in rice, as both can cause further damage. If the screen doesn't return after a thorough drying period, the liquid damage may require professional service.
Consider a Software Glitch or Storage Issue
The Dimensity 6300 processor is a budget chip, and sometimes heavy tasks or a full storage can cause system freezes. If you were running many apps or the 128GB internal storage was nearly full, a crash is more likely. Using the recovery mode to wipe the cache partition can help clear temporary files causing issues.
If you use a microSD card to expand storage, try removing it (you'll need a SIM tool) and then restarting the phone. A corrupted SD card can sometimes cause the system to hang on a black screen during boot.
Seek Professional Repair
If none of these steps bring the display back, the problem is almost certainly hardware. This could be a failed display, a loose internal ribbon cable, or a deeper issue with the main board. Since this is a 2025 model, check if it's still under Motorola's standard warranty for a repair or replacement.
