A black or unresponsive screen on your OnePlus Open is frustrating, especially on a foldable where you have two displays to worry about. The issue could be with the inner screen, the outer screen, or a software crash affecting both. Before you assume the worst, there are several things you can try to get it working again.
Force Restart Your OnePlus Open
This is almost always the first step. Press and hold the Power button on the right side of the phone for at least 10 seconds. Keep holding it until you feel the device vibrate and see the OnePlus logo appear. This works even if the screen is completely black and unresponsive, as it forces a hard reboot of the system.
Charge Your Phone Thoroughly
A completely dead battery will show nothing. Use the included 67W SUPERVOOC charger and cable for the fastest results. Plug it in and wait for at least 20 minutes. If the battery was fully depleted, it might take a few minutes before any charging indicator or LED light appears. If you see no sign of life after 30 minutes, try a different USB-C cable and power adapter.
Check Both Displays Separately
Since you have two screens, test them individually. Open the phone to see if the large inner display turns on. Then, close it and see if the cover screen activates. If one screen works but the other stays black, the problem is likely isolated to that specific display or its connecting cable. I've seen this happen more often with the inner screen on foldables.
Inspect for Physical Damage
Look closely at both screens. For the inner display, check along the crease for any new lines, dark spots, or bubbling. Avoid pressing on it with fingernails or sharp objects, as the screen protector and display are delicate. On the cover screen, look for cracks or impact marks. If the phone still vibrates for notifications or you can hear sounds, the device is on but the display hardware may be damaged.
Adjust the Screen Brightness
If the screen seems faint or completely dark, the brightness might be turned all the way down. Try using Google Assistant by saying "Hey Google, turn up the brightness." You can also try blindly swiping down from the top of the screen (on either display) to pull down the Quick Settings panel, then drag your finger where the brightness slider should be.
Boot into Safe Mode
A third-party app could be causing the screen to freeze. To boot into Safe Mode, first force restart the phone as described above. As soon as you see the OnePlus 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 recently installed app is the culprit.
Perform a Local Update or Factory Reset
If you can see the screen but it's frozen or glitching, a software refresh might help. Go to Settings > About device > Up to date > tap the top-right menu icon > Local install to manually update with a downloaded OS package. As a last resort, you can factory reset. Back up your data first if possible, then hold the Power and Volume Up buttons together to access the recovery menu and select Wipe data and cache.
Check the Hinge and Connections
Dust and debris accumulation in the hinge over time can potentially interfere with the internal ribbon cables that connect the displays. Gently open and close the phone a few times. Listen for any unusual sounds and check if the screen flickers to life during movement. Regularly cleaning the hinge with a soft, dry brush can help prevent this kind of issue.
Consider a Software Crash or Hardware Fault
If none of the software fixes work, the problem is likely hardware. This could be a failed display component, a loose internal cable connection (more common after a drop), or a fault with the main board. Given the complexity of the foldable mechanism, professional diagnosis is usually needed. Contact OnePlus support or visit an authorized service center for an assessment.
