[jinghuang318]

First of all, I like my white Lumia 920, which i ordered from ATT four days ago. I have been using it. Everything is excellent: browsing internet, camera, nokia drive, etc. until today when I was making a phone call, the screen turned dark. The call was still on, but I just could not get the screen back on. After five minutes, the other end hanged up and my screen re-appeared. It happened several times this afternoon and was very frustrating. So, I decided to exchange to another one--tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I want to make phone call!

Before I went to ATT store to change my phone, I checked my phone again at home. The problem remained. However, when the sale rep asked me to show him what was the problem in store. Everything is fine--the screen did NOT turn dark. I tried several times, no problem at all. Very embarrassing!! During the way back, I started to suspect that the problem is about the light or sensor because the light in ATT store is very stong while the light at my home was dark. After I got home and browsed the internet, I found many people had the same problem and they traced the problem to the Proximity sensor, the lense at the upper position of Nokia sign.

So, I did some research: when the light is dark or when I use the hand to cover the senor, the screen turns dark. This senor is supposed to turn the screen dark when you make the phone call--your face will cover the senor. I suppose it can save battery of your phone--an smart idea. But this is exactly where the problem is. My wife and I even make a movie about it and were ready to show the sale rep at ATT next time. Accidently, I used the function of camera once.  After the use of the camera, the screen did NOT turn dark anymore when I made the phone calls. Please note that the front camera uses the Proximity senor.

Now, everything is fine. My guess is that the Proximity senor needs to be re-set to solve the problem. One of the ways--at least worked for me--is to use the front camera once or twice to re-set the Proximity camera. I am not sure whether this sensor thing is necessary at. At least Nokia should give us option to turn this function off. Nonetheless, Lumia 920 is a great phone and I want to see more good phones from Nokia in the future.

I hope you find this post useful and enjoy your Lumia 920.

[TheBrent]

I noticed the exact same problem just a few hours ago. But I have noticed that if you put the "brightness" on automatic the screen is extraordinarily low lit, and makes it more susceptible to the screen going dark; whereas, if the "brightness" is set to high all the time, it corrects the call problem 85% of the time, instead of automatic "brightness" (way too low), the problem was present 100% of the time. But, again, it does help if there is a bright light within close range of the phone. So, yes, reiterates the proximity/light sensor being the culprit for both problems. Took it back to the store, but sold out. Have to wait til Black Friday to return it, when I get my $50 price discount refund, even though the sales representative promised me there would not be a sale a week after I bought my phone; he lied to my face of course.

Aside from all that, the phone is the ABSOLUTE BEST. Low light pictures are unbelievable. Phenomenal phone.

[stupidpanda]

This did not work for me as the proximity sensor appears to have been defective.  I love this phone but after having it for just under two weeks and having to take it back, I'm concerned about the future quality of it.

[hthuang05]

I have the same problem and using camera did not work for me.

I put it under strong light, it works.
Then, while it is under strong light and still working, if I block light sensor (right next to front camera) using finger, it went dark.

I think it is wrong calibration or sw did not correctly use light intensity difference between blocked and normal.

This drives me crazy and really makes me rethink if Nokia is doing their part seriously on testing. I saw so many complains on web already

[adrianhughes]

I have had no such issues with my unbranded GB variant of the 920. Have left mine on Automatic and I find it works great in direct sunlight, interior light etc. Tried it on High brighntess and found it was too bright for me actually. Remember if there is dust covering the proximity sensor this might affect its operation, so would pay to blow the dust out of it using your breath, and operation would be improved.

[jimsebring]

I've had this problem for a while and tried various methods of fixing it (up to and including a complete phone wipe). The camera trick didn't work for me. Putting the phone under bright light did not work either.

The best I can tell this is a software issue with the light sensor you describe (as opposed to a hardware problem or faulty sensor).

Temporary fix:

Go into Settings -> Brightness and toggle auto brightness on then off (I keep mine off and leave the phone set to high).

Hope this worksfor others having this problem.

[rasputinreborn]

This is a calibration issue that can most likely be tweaked with a minor software update; nothing at all to do with the fit and finish of the phone, and in fact, the phone itself is very solid and seems very durable - hence the omg so heavy! comments from folks used to **bleep** phones

[ale2999]

This is a problem nonetheless. None of the suggested hints help and I am not able to use the screen when on a phone call.

[ale2999]

airblowing the speaking worked.... Try that guys. I love the phone, but I am at a loss for words.

[snapes]

My phone just developed this problem yesterday (12/5/12). None of the above "fixes" have worked for me. This is extremely frustrating! I used to love this phone, now I want to throw it...

[adrianhughes]

Hi Snapes,

if you have performed all manner of resets mentioned on this thread and these forums, then you will have no choice but to take your phone back to your point of purchase for a replacement. If they are being less than helpful, you can visit your local Nokia Care point instead: http://nokia.com/support

[Vemuri]

I just developed this problem since 06Dec2012. I had made a recent update to the phone. If I  remember it right one of them was touch and display update.  Wonder if it is the cause..

Well any ways, I had a chat with nokia rep. They said they will take note of the feed back.  May be we all can chat and let them know this is not an isolated issue.

For the moment, when the screen is dark, rub it numerous times to your shirt esp.. The light sensor area. It seems to solve mine.

[Fenderr]

Yeah...I had this issue for a few weeks and was about to return the phone when I used one final Nintendo cartridge style vigorous air blow in the speaker slot (being careful not to get too much moisture into it). Worked like a charm... Nokia fail, but the device is like new again. This has become the best device I have owned once again.

Note, the air blow didn't work the first time, but maybe I was being too careful. It wasnt until I comitted to returning the device and stopped caring so much about protecting it that it finally worked. Take the mindset of the average highschool girl and blow away.

[jimsebring]

Following up to my previous post. The toggle of auto brightness is not always reliable.

Someone else recommended bright light pointed at the light sensor. When I did this originally it didn't work for me. I've been having this problem a lot so I have been trying all sort of things. I revisited the light recommendation by grabbing a VERY bright 200 lumen flashlight. Apparently I was just not using a strong enough light source before because this does work to get my screen up long enough to touch a button.

[kjn311]

Hold the Volume Down button, Power button and Camera button in together until the phone vibrates, then let them go. It will reset your date and time but everything else seems ok.

[thammara]

Yeah, shining light..blowing dust..toggle screen brightness all does not work for me. I used to leave people incredibly long voice mails if they don't pick up their phone. Just recently, I figured out how to end calls, and select numerics. When your screen is off during calls press the power button (maybe have to double press) and the screen will illuminate for a split second for you to press end call or a digit to erase voice mail. You have to be fast and know where the button is, but it's not too difficult since you can try multiple times. Yes, thus does not fix the issue though.

[TheFridge1262]

I was experiencing the same issue, where the screen would go dark on a call and never light up again. This happened less than a week after I got the phone. I did a phone update which fixed the problem, but only for a couple days. Than it started acting up again. I did everything too: made sure sensor was clear, did a phone reset, popped the sim out and back in, tried the camera trick, everything. Nothing worked so I took it back to AT&T where I bought it and got it exchanged for another. Haven't experience this issue yet, but a new issue has come up and it has been this way since out of the box. I was hoping the update that came would fix it but no. When using the phone, the top of the touch does not work, it will not let me touch anything or press anything at the top of the screen. Also, when using the keyboard, I can not press any of the buttons at the bottom to send a text message, post a mesage to facebook, etc. I get the keyboard off the screen in order to use those buttons. I will be going back to see what is going on and to get another one. I understand phones have issues and all, but this is beyond annoying and this needs to be fixed. Hopefully the new one I get, the 3rd one, won't have this issue and I'll be able to have functionality of the my phone.

[maikyvenger]

I got the same problem today, the problem is the SCREEN PROTECTOR FILM, I installed today and got the same issue, then I took it out and no more problem.

[steve2000]

blow the **bleep** out of the ear speaker and the headphone jack .. apparently it's not sealed well enough. i can see my front facing camera len has dust in it for some reason, only make sense that Proximity sensor would have dust as well. 

[cippe]

I had same problem and problem is now solved. The reason it turned black when calling and not close to my head was that I used a screen protector which was not perfectly clean and it trapped some dirt which probably covered somewhat the sensor. Even if you do not have a screen protector is good to wipe clean the screen oiver the sensor (just before Nokia logo).