Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Faces Strange Black/White Screen Bug – Here’s What’s Causing It and How to Fix It
Samsung's newly released Galaxy Z Fold 7 has wowed users with its advanced foldable technology, sleek design, and powerful performance. As the latest addition to the Galaxy Z series, it promises a seamless foldable experience. However, some early adopters are now encountering a concerning bug — when unfolding the device, the screen turns entirely black or white, and in many cases, the lock screen becomes unresponsive.
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| Galaxy Z Fold 7 Screen Bug Caused by Developer Options – Easy Fix Inside |
This issue has sparked confusion among users, especially those unfamiliar with the developer settings on Android. Samsung, however, has acknowledged the issue and provided both the cause and an easy fix. If you're facing this bug or want to avoid it, read on as we break down everything you need to know.
What’s Happening With the Galaxy Z Fold 7 Screen?
The Bug: Screen Turns Black or White
Some Galaxy Z Fold 7 users are reporting that their screen turns completely black or white when they unfold the phone. Even worse, the lock screen doesn’t respond to touch, which makes unlocking or using the phone impossible unless the device is restarted or folded again.
This kind of display malfunction can be incredibly frustrating, especially for users who rely on their phones for productivity or multitasking.
The Root Cause: Developer Options and Minimum Width Setting
According to Samsung’s community moderators and support team, the screen issue is linked to the Developer Options menu, a hidden section of Android settings primarily intended for app developers and advanced users.
The "Minimum Width" setting under Developer Options controls how content scales across the screen. Adjusting this setting changes the density (DPI) of UI elements — essentially modifying how big or small things appear on screen.
Why This Causes the Bug
If users accidentally or intentionally change the Minimum Width value to a number that the Galaxy Z Fold 7 doesn’t support, it can disrupt the display rendering system, especially after the device is unfolded. The result: the screen may turn black or white, and the lock screen may become unresponsive to touch.
This happens because the foldable display on the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is highly dynamic, adapting its layout based on screen resolution and folding state. An unsupported DPI setting can cause the OS to fail in recalibrating the UI between folded and unfolded modes.
Samsung’s Official Acknowledgment
Fortunately, Samsung is aware of the issue and has confirmed its cause in community forums. A Samsung Community Moderator stated:
“The black/white screen issue on the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is triggered when users change the minimum width value in Developer Options to an unsupported number. This causes display misbehavior after unfolding, such as a black or white screen with an unresponsive lock screen.”
Samsung recommends not changing Developer Options settings unless you're absolutely sure about what each function does. While these settings offer great tools for developers, they can unintentionally cause issues on devices if misused.
How to Fix the Galaxy Z Fold 7 Black/White Screen Issue
If you're affected by this issue, don’t worry — the fix is quite simple and doesn’t require any factory reset or complex troubleshooting.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to fixing the black or white screen on your Galaxy Z Fold 7:
✅ Step 1: Wake the Display
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Press the power button once to wake the screen.
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If the screen remains black or white, wait a few seconds.
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Eventually, the lock screen should appear.
Note: You may need to try pressing the power button multiple times or folding and unfolding the phone to get a response.
✅ Step 2: Unlock the Phone
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Once the lock screen appears, unlock your phone using your PIN, fingerprint, or pattern.
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Make sure the device is in fully unfolded mode while doing this.
✅ Step 3: Reset Screen Layout Settings
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Open the Settings app.
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Navigate to Display.
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Tap on Screen layout and size.
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Change the screen size setting once:
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If it was set to “+”, change it to “-”.
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If it was “-”, switch it to “+”.
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After this change, your phone’s screen layout will refresh.
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You can now return the setting to your preferred value if needed.
This small tweak forces the device to reset its layout configuration, which can fix any screen abnormalities caused by incorrect DPI settings.
⚠️ Important Warning
Avoid making changes to Developer Options if:
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You don’t fully understand what the setting does.
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You’re not a developer or advanced user.
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You’ve recently updated your phone and aren’t sure how settings interact with the new software.
Many users trigger problems like screen bugs, battery drain, or app crashes by experimenting with hidden features they don’t fully understand.
Still Facing the Issue? Here’s What to Do
If the issue persists after following the steps above, try these additional tips:
🔄 Restart the Device
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Press and hold the power button and tap Restart.
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Let the phone reboot and check if the screen works normally.
👨💼 Contact Samsung Support
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Use the Samsung Members app to report the issue.
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Visit a Samsung service center or call customer support for expert assistance.
🛡️ Use Safe Mode
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Boot your device in Safe Mode to test if the problem is caused by a third-party app.
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Press and hold the Power button, then tap and hold Power Off until you see Safe Mode.
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If the issue doesn’t appear in Safe Mode, an app may be interfering with display rendering.
How to Access Developer Options (For Reference Only)
If you're wondering how Developer Options got enabled in the first place:
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Open Settings.
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Go to About phone.
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Tap Software information.
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Tap Build number seven times to enable Developer Options.
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Go back to Settings, and you'll see Developer Options at the bottom.
From here, users can find the Minimum Width setting and other advanced tools. If unsure, reset Developer Options to default.
Preventive Tips to Avoid Screen Bugs in Foldables
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is a premium foldable device, but like all high-end tech, it’s sensitive to software configurations. Here's how you can avoid issues like this in the future:
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✅ Avoid tweaking Developer Options unless necessary.
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✅ Update your phone regularly with Samsung’s official firmware.
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✅ Use default screen scaling and layout settings.
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✅ Backup settings and data before experimenting.
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✅ Join Samsung forums to stay updated on bugs and official fixes.
Final Thoughts
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is a revolutionary device that combines innovation and performance in a foldable format. While this black/white screen bug can be alarming, it’s comforting to know that it’s not a hardware defect — it’s simply caused by incorrect settings in Developer Options.
Samsung has been quick to acknowledge the issue, and the fix is straightforward for most users. Whether you’ve already faced this bug or are just being cautious, understanding how these settings work can save you from future frustrations.
If in doubt, avoid messing with Developer Options — and let your foldable phone shine the way it was designed to.
Have you experienced the black/white screen bug on your Galaxy Z Fold 7? Let us know in the comments on Ask Anything – and stay tuned for more Samsung tips, updates, and hidden features!
