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May 19, 2011

BlackBerry PlayBook - Black Screen Of Death Fix (system on while scren is off)


Gear: BlackBerry PlayBook, Slate Tablets.

So... I ran into an interesting situation after I tried to restart the PlayBook. Basically the system is on, but the screen is off. I confirmed that the system was on because I could hear the snapshots when you press volume down and up buttons. It kind of freaked me out, but I found the solution.


How to fix the BlackBerry PlayBook? Force a system boot up.
  • Press Power and Volume Up buttons.
  • Hold for a few seconds
  • Release the buttons
  • Press the power button

You might have to press the power button twice as you can see on the video above.  That power button is tiny!   Anyways, I hope that helps at least a few of you who run into this issue.

If that does not help try the following:
  • Make sure the system is charged (connect the power adapter)
  • Reboot system (Press power and volume up buttons until the system restarts)
  • If that fails try to install new firmware through the desktop software. (this fixes charging issues with previous firmware versions)
  • If firmware update fails contact support.
  • Return the system for repairs or a replacement.

Hope that helps!


Reply to a message:
You are right on this. Based on the amount of views that one of my videos has this is a problem, and people are trying to find solutions. The funny thing is that in early firmware versions if the battery drained down to 0% you could NOT charge the device again. If the battery had 1% charge it could be recharged.

RIM tried to fix this problem with the introduction of new firmware. I am not entirely sure how the firmware worked, but I bet it tried to turn off the system to conserve battery as to prevent it from draining completely.

If you take it to the shop they might give you a replacement, and the unit you gave them would probably just get the battery replaced. Anyways good luck!

Jesse
Labels:

45 comments:

  1. Hi Jesse, Appreciate all your reviews, they are really helpful. I found you thru YouTube and I think you are the one can help me out for Blackberry Playbook. I bought mine a week ago in order to replace Samsung Galaxy Tab. I read your articles and I think you know how sucks it is. Anyway, the Playbook never charged since the 1st day I buy. I don't know what's the problem and I have found many solution on web and there ain't one can fix my problem. I have tried different charger such as the original one that came with the box and another alternative charge for my Galaxy Tab which is output 2A and they still don't get the Playbook charged. I have tried to press the power, volume up/down and play button for many times, it still don't work. I guess the battery is complete flat and can't boost even the charger is plugged to the wall. Do you have any clue about how to fix that?

    ReplyDelete

  2. @Fiji
    On earlier firmware the system could not charge the battery unless the system was on... but if the battery is dead then it cannot be charged. So I recommend that you exchange the system for another one.

    ReplyDelete

  3. Thank you for your reply. The firmware that I am using is 1.0.6 which is the latest version for playbook. I am going to give it a last chance by getting a rapid charger and see if it can boot it up again.

    ReplyDelete

  4. Let me know if that works. If the rapid charger works it might indicate a faulty USB port.

    ReplyDelete

  5. Yea, I will let you know after i got the rapid charger. I will report to Blackberry if there's a channel. The support forum doesn't help at all.

    ReplyDelete

  6. There no need to press all the four buttons, only the power button pressed for 10 secs will shutdown the system. to start again press the power button only once. This is the typical problem with Linux systems. had same prob with my Desktop

    ReplyDelete

  7. @Dre
    I'm very sorry for my mistake. I do appreciate the correction and I'm glad you brought it up. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete

  8. My Playbook screen went blank last night and I tried everything to restart it. Tried power and volume up/down and nothing happened. Googled the problem and this answer (all four buttons) resolved it. Thank you very much.

    ReplyDelete

  10. jesse....i tried everything and all four buttons bjt did not work. i can heat camera taking pictures by pressing up and down bjtton. i even get red light sfter pressing power button. but nothing more. do you knlw any other way to resolve ghis black screen issue.

    ReplyDelete

  11. Raj,
    Press the most left button and the most right button. I made a mistake when I recorded the video saying that you had to press all buttons.

    ReplyDelete

  12. Hi Jessie i have a question would you know why my playbook is flashing red light twice but not turning n any advice ?

    ReplyDelete

  13. I bet the battery is drained, so plug into to power and charge it up. I'm sure that on the Troubleshooting part of the manual it will state what that may actually mean.

    ReplyDelete

  14. Hi Jesse,
    I have tried your suggestion of pressing down the up and down volume, no noise or click sound.
    I then tried up and down volume and power for 15 to 20 seconds I get a red light then a flashing green ligh for five flashes and the screen remains black. Any suggestions?

    ReplyDelete

  15. To me it sounds like the PlayBook's battery needs to be recharged.
    Maybe this can help - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yFaio6d6Ow

    I also recommend reading the PlayBook's manuals. The troubleshooting section should have fixes for issues like these.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. hi jesse i have front cemre error.4003 pic how can i remove it plz help me

      Delete

  16. How long should i charge my playbook for before i try to reboot the playbook

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Charge it for a few hours and then try again. (-1m)

      Delete

  17. thanx. atv first i had two red blinking lights. now when i pug it in it shows the red light first then five blinking green and yellow lights. what does that mean?

    ReplyDelete

  18. There are different variants on the blinking light. I recommend reading some of the different sources on google. http://goo.gl/SVRah (-3m)

    ReplyDelete
  19. Replies

    1. No. (you wish, hahaha). Sometimes there's no fix, and sometimes there is. You may have to install the latest firmware update through the desktop software. You can view the how to and get the files at http://us.blackberry.com/support/playbook-support/software.jsp

      If there's no software fix then the PlayBook may be defective hardware wise and may need repairs. (-2m)

      Delete

  20. it says it is charing but it still is not coming on. my playbook has been like this for two weeks. i am running out of options. once i let it charge should i take it to a shop r return it?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. If there's no software fix then it's a hardware issue which needs repairs from the BlackBerry company. (-1m)

      Delete

  21. Hi Jesse my playbook turns on and off all day will not work

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Scroll through the comments to view my suggestions regarding this problem. (1m)

      Delete

  22. hi there..

    my playbook doesn't want to work !!!! it's loading and loading with the color screen and that's it>> please advise>>

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Attempt to reset it, then if that doesn't work try a firmware update, and if that doesn't work then send it for repairs. (1m)

      Delete

  23. hi
    jesse B
    my bbtab showes only red light just for few sec when charging its dead not working
    plz tell me what to do
    my email is [email protected]
    tell me somthing

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    2. Screen tablet does not work I think she died and you download a new Software but when it starts operating stands at the language selection screen does not work How do I choose the language without screen

      Delete

  24. my pb doesnt show any light and it is blank when i pressed all the buttons nothing is happening or any click sound is heard pls help me

    ReplyDelete

  25. Hi jesse why my black berry play is not charging .....?????? But my charger is original and good

    ReplyDelete

  26. hi jesse
    Screen tablet does not work I think she died and you download a new Software but when it starts operating stands at the language selection
    s creen does not work How do I choose the language without screen

    ReplyDelete

  27. Hello Jesse,

    Please help me out, I am getting this error.4003 pic on my 64GB playbook. Do you have a solution for it..? I have swipe twice and the problem persist..!!

    What Can I do.?

    Best regards,

    Segundo

    ReplyDelete

  28. Sir, is my blackberry(playbook) usb wire can help charging?

    ReplyDelete

  29. it happened that the light of my Blackberry playbook is blinking(Red) is that charging Sir? Thank You!

    ReplyDelete

  30. My playbook was blank Α̲̅πϑ refused to on, then I google for help Α̲̅πϑ I saw your page Α̲̅πϑ I jst did the power Α̲̅πϑ the volume thing, lo Α̲̅πϑ behold It really works! Thank Ɣΰ Α̲̅πϑ God bless.

    ReplyDelete

  31. hello Jesse
    When I connect the power the red charging screen comes on for a few seconds, then a red flash and a green flash. After a little while the red light starts flashing in a series of 4 flashes,stop, then 4 flashed again.
    Do you know what can be happening?
    TIA

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Consult forums. http://supportforums.blackberry.com/t5/BlackBerry-PlayBook/bd-p/playbook

      Delete

  32. Hello Jesse
    I have quite similiar situation in your video. My PB stuck in black screen. I hear shapshot voice when I press the volume up and down butons together. I tried to reset it via pushing 3 butons and 4 butons but it didn't solve my issue. I still have black screen.
    I tried to update it via desktop manager. It's starting to update. I see green light during installation. then Light goes off. Desktop manager is trying to connect PB. when installation bar complete desktop manager says there are some warnings, the setup didn't complete. finish the installation from PB. But it's not possible because of black screen. I tried it couple times but it's always same.
    any advice?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. If you had your settings turned to On you could hook up an HDMI cable and watch what's going on in your TV. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_t5CExwI_wM

      You should also check the official forums for these types of errors: http://supportforums.blackberry.com/t5/BlackBerry-PlayBook/bd-p/playbook

      Delete

  33. thank you jesse. I connected my PB to TV with hdmi cable and I finished the upgrade. After upgrade I lost the connection with TV.
    Now I have blackscreen and no hdmi connection. My PB is working. I can get screenshot with volume up&down buttons. I can see screenshots when I connect my PB to PC with usb cable.

    Does blackscreen and no hdmi connection mean a hardware problem?

    ReplyDelete

  34. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete

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