Dash cams do not display a lot of notifications on the screen, which is why you have to read the manual and follow the cam’s behavior to determine the issue. I skipped some manual parts, which led me to wonder why is my dash cam screen black.
It might be anything, especially if you have purchased a dash cam from an untrusted supplier. In the worst case, a black screen might mean the cam is dead. But if you purchase it from a trusted seller who gave you a warranty and support for any issue, feel free to call them.
Anyway, the dash cam might turn black when it is performing other functions, or it gets disabled because of an unexpected car move, like a sharp turning or bumping a pothole.
Why Is My Dash Cam Screen Black?
The reasons why the dash cam screen turns black might be incorrect wiring, full storage, a power supply issue, or an internal software defect. Depending on the camera model and brand, the screen might go black, white, or flicker. In this case, read the manual or contact the seller before “fixing” something on your own.
If you want to fix the dash cam yourself, try to find the manual or open the manufacturer’s website. You might find a solution for the most common issues related to your dash cam model in the support or FAQ section.
Anyway, it might not be a big deal, so here is what to check before reporting a problem or damaging the cam by trying to fix something else than the thing that has actually caused the problem.
Also read: Why Does My Dash Cam Freeze?
Common Dash Cam Issues That Turn the Screen Black
Released cables
Plugging and unplugging the dash cam might release the cables and make an unstable wired connection. If you have recently moved the cord, check if it is properly connected because it might be the reason for the black or blank dash cam screen.
Re-plug the cable and wait a few seconds until the dash cam receives electricity. It should turn the screen on if the loose cables were the cause of the issue.
Also, it is good to check if you use the original cable from the dash cam. The cable is similar to those for charging phones, so check if you have messed up the cables. Using a different than the original cable might also cause a black screen on your dash cam.
Power source issues
Dash cams are usually connected to the 12V socket splitter. The splitter might not allow enough electricity to flow into the dash cam cord, which might be the reason why the cam’s screen is black.
In this case, use a single USB port directly in the 12V cigarette lighter socket. A single power outlet will focus on stable electricity transfer to the device that is connected to the power outlet in your car.
Full storage
A black or blank screen on your dash cam might also mean an error because of full storage or an improperly placed SD card. Check the card and ensure it has no damages on the code. If it has scratches or holes, the dash cam SD card slot might not read the card’s code accurately.
In this case, remove and put the SD card back and see if it makes any change. Always keep a spare memory card in your car because you might need it in this kind of situation.
Put the spare memory card in the dash cam and see if the screen shows up.
Rebooting
Another reason for seeing a black screen might be a rebooting process. If you turn off the dash cam when the car is parked, it might start rebooting when you power on the vehicle. Wait a while and see if the screen shows up.
If not, call the seller.
Conclusion
I was wondering why is my dash cam screen black because I did not know that it works best only with the original cable.
Now I know, and I believe you know too!