Replacement process went smoothly. I reattached the screen after seating the connector. No sign its working. Just black blank screen. However text and notification sounds still coming through. Even receiving calls. etc on que. I know the phone works, just not the screen.

I figure maybe I didnt seat the connector all the way so I break the adhesive liner (figuring I'll buy another and apply again) and this time I clip in the connector for sure. Still nothing on the screen.

What can I do? Is the screen defective? 

If phone is working should I see the display after the connector is seated but the phone still open? Or does the screen need to be seated all the way in the case to turn on? The screen does not display anything in either state by the way...

As an aside, your instructions are so detailed until the point where the screen needs to connect and seat. It would helpful to get more pointers for this final step...