A black screen on your Motorola Razr Plus (2024) is a scary sight, but it doesn't always mean a catastrophic failure. The phone could be on but the display is unresponsive, or a software glitch has frozen everything. I'd start with the simplest fix first, which often gets it going again.
Force Restart Your Razr Plus
This is the universal first step for any unresponsive Android phone. Press and hold the Power button on the right side for 10 to 15 seconds. Keep holding it even if the screen stays black. You should feel a vibration and see the Motorola logo appear as the phone reboots. This works even if the touchscreen isn't responding at all.
Charge Your Phone Properly
A fully drained battery will show nothing. Plug your Razr Plus into a charger using a known-good USB-C cable and a power adapter. For the fastest charge, use a 45W TurboPower charger. Wait at least 20 minutes before trying to turn it on. A completely dead battery needs a few minutes to get enough power to show any sign of life. If you see no charging indicator on the cover screen after 30 minutes, try a different cable and wall plug.
With this phone, it's best to charge it while it's unfolded. Closing the phone while plugged in can crimp the cable against the hinge, which might prevent a good connection. Also, close any apps running on the cover screen before charging to reduce heat buildup.
Check the External Cover Screen
One unique aspect of a flip phone is that the main screen can be off while the smaller outer display is still working. Tap or wake the cover screen to see if it lights up. If the cover screen is responsive and shows notifications or the time, then the phone itself is on and the issue is isolated to the main internal display or its connection.
Adjust the Screen Brightness
If the screen seems completely black but you can faintly see your icons, the brightness might be set to the absolute minimum. Try asking Google Assistant by saying "Hey Google, set brightness to 50 percent." You can also try blindly swiping down from the top of the screen twice to open the Quick Settings panel, then feel for the brightness slider to drag it up.
Inspect for Physical Damage
Look carefully at both the main flexible screen and the hinge area. Check for any cracks, deep scratches, or unusual lines. Listen closely if you get a call or notification. If the phone vibrates, plays sounds, or responds to "Hey Google," the device is functioning but the display hardware is likely damaged. Given the folding mechanism, a loose internal ribbon cable is also a possibility.
Boot into Safe Mode
A recently installed app could be causing a system crash that blacks out the screen. To check, you need to boot into Safe Mode. First, force restart the phone as described earlier. As soon as you see the Motorola logo appear, press and hold the Volume Down button. Keep holding it until the animation finishes and you see "Safe Mode" in the bottom corner.
If the screen works in Safe Mode, a third-party app is the culprit. You'll need to uninstall recently added apps one by one from Settings > Apps until the problem stops.
Check for Overheating
The Razr Plus's compact design can make it prone to getting warm, especially while fast charging or running intensive apps. If the phone overheats, it will shut down the display to protect itself. Let it cool down completely in a well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight. Once it's cool, try turning it on again.
Perform a Factory Reset (Last Resort)
Warning, this will erase all data on your phone. Only try this if you have a recent backup. Since the screen is black, you'll need to use the hardware keys. First, power the phone off completely. Then, press and hold the Volume Down button and the Power button together.
When you feel a vibration, release the Power button but keep holding Volume Down. This should boot you into the recovery menu. Use the Volume buttons to navigate to Wipe data/factory reset and select it with the Power button. Confirm the reset. This will erase everything and reinstall a clean version of Android.
Consider Hardware Repair
If the force restart, Safe Mode, and a full charge do nothing, the problem is likely physical. The flexible OLED screen is complex, and the repeated folding can stress internal connections over time. The next step is to contact Motorola Support or visit an authorized repair center for a professional diagnosis. If your phone is still under its one-year warranty, this repair may be covered.
