In dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), the back transfer of photo-generated electrons from FTO glass to triiodide ions in an electrolyte is an important loss mechanism, which leads to low cell efficiency. Recently, this back electron transfer was greatly suppressed by the introduction of a compact $TiO_2$ blocking layer, which was prepared by the treatment of $TiCl_4$ solution. In the present work, more detailed $TiCl_4$ treated surface conditions on FTO substrate were investigated and DSSC performances were correlated with the surface morphology as well as dark current behavior.