How do I fix or remove lines in different colors and shapes that appear on the display screen?

Try the following troubleshooting steps if lines in different colors and shapes appear on the screen of your Xperia® device. Verify the problem was solved after each method before trying the next one.

• If there are lines framing areas or objects on the display screen, make sure that the Developer options feature isn't enabled. If the lines on the display don't resemble the ones in the screenshot, try the following method.

• Restart your device.
• Use safe mode to check if any downloaded applications are causing the problem. Downloaded applications can cause your device to behave unexpectedly or affect its performance. In safe mode, your device only starts with software and applications already installed when you purchased your device. If the device's performance improves in safe mode, one or more of your post-purchase downloaded applications are likely affecting the device negatively. You can exit safe mode and restart the device to uninstall the application or applications you suspect are causing the problem. If the problem is recent and you need to figure out which application is causing the problem, you can start by uninstalling the most recently downloaded application.
• Using Xperia Companion, check if a software update is available for your device. When you update your device, you ensure that the device has optimal performance and the latest enhancements.
• Perform a factory data reset.
  Note: Always back up all personal data before performing a factory data reset. All data in the internal memory is overwritten during a factory data reset. Content on an external SD™ card is kept.

• If there still are lines on the display, contact us.

Disable Developer options

Android™ 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, or 14

1. Find and tap Settings → System → Advanced → Developer options.
2. Drag the slider beside On to the left.

Android 8.0

1. Find and tap Settings → System → Developer options.
2. Drag the slider beside On to the left.

Android 5.0, 5.1, 6.0, 7.0, 7.1, or 7.1.1

1. From your Home screen, tap the Application screen icon.
2. Find and tap Settings → Developer options.
3. Drag the slider beside On to the left.

Enable safe mode

Android 11, 12, 13, or 14

1. While the device is powered on, press and hold down the Power key.
2. In the pop-up menu, touch Power → Power Off until the Reboot to safe mode message appears.
3. Tap OK to restart in Safe mode.
   For Xperia® 1 IV, Xperia 10 IV and Xperia 5 IV, Xpera 1 V, and Xperia 10 V
   1. While the device is powered on, press the power and volume up buttons simultaneously.
   2. In the pop-up menu, touch and hold Power off until the Reboot to safe mode message appears.
   3. Tap OK to restart in safe mode.

Android 9 or 10

1. While the device is powered on, press and hold down the Power key.
2. Touch and hold Power Off in the pop-up menu until the Reboot to safe mode message appears.
3. Tap OK to restart in Safe mode.

Android 8.0

1. While the device is powered on, press and hold down the Power key.
2. Touch and hold Power off until the device starts to power off.
3. Wait for the device to restart in Safe mode.

Tip: Watch a video of how to enable and exit Safe mode.

Android 5.0, 5.1, 6.0, 7.0, 7.1, or 7.1.1

1. While the phone is on, press and hold down the Power key.
2. In the pop-up window, touch and hold Power off until the Reboot to safe mode message appears.
3. Tap OK and let your device restart in safe mode.

Exit safe mode

• When in safe mode, restart the phone.

Perform a factory data reset

Android 10, 11, 12, or 13

1. Find and tap Settings → System → Advanced → Reset options → Erase all data (factory reset) → Delete all data.
2. If required, draw your screen unlock pattern or enter your screen unlock password or PIN to continue.
3. Tap Delete all data.

Android 9

1. Find and tap Settings → System → Advanced → Reset options → Erase all data (factory reset) → RESET PHONE.
2. If required, draw your screen unlock pattern or enter your screen unlock password or PIN to continue.
3. Tap ERASE EVERYTHING.

Android 8.x

1. Back up any important data saved on your device's internal memory to a memory card or non-internal memory. If you have any encrypted files stored on an SD card, you should remove the encryption to ensure you can still access them after the reset.
2. Find and tap Settings → System → Reset.
3. Tap Factory data reset → Reset phone.
4. If required, draw your screen unlock pattern or enter your screen unlock password or PIN to continue.
5. To confirm, tap Erase everything.

Tip: Watch a video of how to do a factory data reset.

Android 5.0, 5.1, 6.0, 7.0, 7.1, or 7.1.1

1. Back up any important data saved on your device's internal memory to a memory card or non-internal memory. If you have any encrypted files stored on an SD card, you should remove the encryption to ensure you can still access them after the reset.
2. From your Home screen, tap the Application screen icon.
3. Find and tap Settings → Backup & reset → Factory data reset.
4. Android 5.0/5.1: If you want to erase data such as pictures and music saved to your device's internal storage, mark the Erase internal storage checkbox (it doesn't affect the SD card).
5. Tap Reset phone/tablet or Erase everything.
6. If required, draw your screen unlock pattern or enter your screen unlock password or PIN to continue.
7. To confirm, tap Erase everything.