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Published on: 17.02.2024 | updated on: 02.04.2024
Imagine you take your iPhone out to dial a call or respond to a text, and the screen immediately freezes up. It can be quite frustrating and annoying, but luckily, a screen freeze is just a temporary glitch (unless caused by damage) and can be easily fixed by following simple troubleshooting steps. In this guide, we will discuss why an iPhone may freeze and what you can do to fix the issue, so stay tuned and keep reading to find out how to solve this problem the next time it happens to you.
An iPhone screen that is freezing or not responding to any touch is a common issue that can be caused by reasons such as temporary software glitches, overloaded storage space, water damage, buggy apps, or outdated iOS versions. A frozen iPhone screen can hinder your interactions, preventing you from using any app or answering any call or message. Typically, these issues can be addressed through simple troubleshooting steps such as force restarting, updating the iOS, and cleaning the dirt from the screen, to name a few. However, if these steps fail to unfreeze the screen, it might indicate a serious hardware issue, needing a visit to a professional repair store.
Your iPhone screen may freeze or stop to respond to touch due to the following reasons:
Software bugs or glitches in the iOS operating system can cause the screen to freeze temporarily.
If your iPhone has low storage space, it can slow down and become unresponsive, leading to a frozen screen.
Your iPhone screen can freeze due to overheating, which may be caused by exposure to extreme temperatures.
Physical damage from impact or drop can affect internal components, leading to a frozen screen, among other issues.
Water damage is also one of the reasons why your iPhone screen is frozen.
Here are some easy-to-follow steps to fix the frozen iPhone screen:
Force restart your iPhone by following this process:
For iPhone 8 and later (including iPhone SE 2nd and 3rd generation): Press and Quickly release the Volume Up button, and then the Volume Down button, and then press and hold the Side button until the logo appears.
For iPhone 7 or 7 Plus: Press and hold both Volume Down Button and Side Button for around 10 seconds until the logo appears.
For iPhone 6s and earlier: Press and hold the Home button and the Side button / top button for a few seconds until you see the Apple logo on the screen.
Free up storage space by going to Settings > General > iPhone Storage and clicking on the app you want to delete. Similarly, you can delete unnecessary data and files from your device.
If you notice that the freezing is happening due to a specific application, consider deleting it.
If force restart doesn’t work, restore your device: Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings.
If none of the above steps work, the issue may be due to damaged components and may need a professional phone repair service.
Here is why your iPhone screen is frozen and can’t turn off and how you can fix it:
There might be a software glitch that is causing the issue.
A buggy app can cause the iPhone screen to freeze and can’t turn off.
Full storage space can also cause this issue.
Rarely, damaged components can lead to a frozen iPhone screen, and it can refuse to turn off.
Force restart your device by quickly pressing and releasing the Volume Button Up and Volume Button Down. Then, press and hold the side button for about ten seconds until the logo appears.
Update your iPhone and its apps to the latest version to fix any bugs.
Clear up the storage space by deleting unnecessary data and files.
In case of damaged components, consider visiting a reliable repair store.
Here is why your iPhone is frozen on the lock screen and how you can fix it:
Temporary software glitches can cause the lock screen to freeze.
A poorly fitted screen protector or dirt stuck under it can impact the touch functionality, making the iPhone freeze on the lock screen.
Try force restarting your iPhone by following the method mentioned above.
Remove the screen protector and clean the dirt off the screen to see if the lock functionality works.
Here is why your iPhone screen is frozen and can’t swipe:
Bugs in the iOS system can cause the screen to become unresponsive to touch, leading to swiping issues.
Too many apps running in the background can freeze the screen and prevent you from swiping.
Physical damage to the screen from drops or water exposure can affect its responsiveness, resulting in failure to swipe.
Firstly, force restart your iPhone by following the above-mentioned procedure.
Update the iOS to the latest version if possible.
Close any unnecessary apps that you are not using and then restart your iPhone.
In case of physical damage to the screen, get a screen replacement from a reliable repair store.
Here is why your iPhone screen freezes and won’t respond to touch:
Dirt or debris on the screen can impact the touch functionality.
Water damage can cause the screen to freeze and stop responding to the touch.
Extreme temperatures can overheat your iPhone, leading to a frozen screen that won’t respond to any touch.
Temporary software bugs can also lead to this issue.
Clean the screen with a soft cloth and see if it responds to touch. If the screen has a protector on, remove it and then clean gently.
In case of water damage, turn the iPhone off immediately and let it dry down completely. Once the device is dried, restart it and see if the issue is resolved.
If the iPhone is overheating, try to cool it down by putting it at a normal temperature.
As a last resort, hard reset/force restart your iPhone.
A frozen screen on your iPhone 11, where the display is unresponsive or stuck on one screen, can occur for multiple reasons. The most common reasons include:
Application glitching
Software bug
Extreme temperature
Internal hardware damage
Insufficient space
To resolve the problem, first try restarting your iPhone. If the screen or touch remains unresponsive, try to force restart the device. After restarting, delete the application that is causing the screen to freeze and look for software updates in the settings in case it's a system software bug that's been patched. Check to see how much storage space has been occupied. In case the storage space is full, consider removing data you no longer require.
If your iPhone 11 screen is frozen and cannot be turned off, it might most likely be happening due to a software glitch, insufficient storage, or an application that has frozen or corrupted. Other than that, the most common reasons include extreme temperatures or, in rare cases, damage to the internal components. In such cases, the best solution is to force restart the device. After the device restarts, it's advisable to delete the application that may have caused the freeze.
Your iPhone 11 screen may freeze on the lock screen if there is internal damage from impacts and drops. In some cases, insufficient storage, software glitches, or extreme heat/cold may also affect the screen and force it to freeze. This can severely hinder the functionality of the device and become quite frustrating.
Luckily, there are several solutions that can help fix the issue. This includes charging the iPhone, performing a restart, and force restarting the device if the touchscreen becomes unresponsive. Moreover, other methods, such as restoring the iPhone to recovery mode, reinstalling iOS, and contacting Apple for support, can fix the problem.
The iPhone 12, like any advanced tech device, can occasionally encounter a frozen screen, which can be a significant inconvenience for users. One common reason is when an application becomes unresponsive or crashes. Another possible cause is a software glitch, which can occur due to bugs in the operating system. In some cases, the iPhone 12 screen might freeze due to hardware damage. Additionally, insufficient storage space or exposing the iPhone 12 to extreme temperatures, either too hot or too cold, can also lead to a frozen screen.
Force restart can usually resolve the frozen screen issue in iPhone 12. If the issue persists, consider resetting all settings on the iPhone, including a complete reset of the device. If the problem continues even after these steps, it's best to contact a reliable local repair store.
You might encounter a frozen screen on your iPhone 13 due to an application bug or a software bug. In some cases, if insufficient storage space or exposure to high heat or cold temperatures, the screen may also malfunction and freeze. The best solution is to force restart your device and delete the application that was causing the issue in the first place.
Clear storage space and then update to the latest iOS if available. If the problem persists, consider resetting your device to square one to fix any bug or glitch. If you are still experiencing a frozen screen, then there is a possibility that there might be damage to the internal components. In that case, take your device to the Apple-certified technicians.
Although not common, some users may experience their iPhone to get frozen on the lock screen. The most common reasons for this include a bug in the iOS or an insufficient storage space. In some cases, damage to the internal components from drops and impacts may also result in a frozen screen.
If you are experiencing this issue in your iPhone 13, you can fix it by taking some troubleshooting steps, such as force restarting your device, updating it to the latest iOS, and clearing storage space.
Your iPhone 13 screen might freeze if there is damage to the device, a buggy application, exposure to extreme temperatures, insufficient memory, or software glitches. The best solution is to restart your device, as it will get rid of any minor software bugs that may be causing the screen to freeze.
However, if the touch screen is not responding, consider force restarting your device. Hopefully, this will solve the problem, but in case the issue exists, take your device to the Apple technician. As a precaution, delete the application causing the issue and update your device to the latest iOS version.
While not a widespread occurrence, some iPhone 14 owners may encounter instances where their screen freezes on the lock screen and becomes unresponsive. This may happen due to iOS software glitches or hardware damage from impact.
If your iPhone 14 display freezes and stops accepting touch inputs, first try to force restart the device by pressing and quickly releasing the volume up/down buttons before holding the side button down until the Apple logo appears. Next, check and install iOS updates and assess available storage space.
In rare cases where display freeze problems continue even after force restarting, schedule a Genius Bar appointment for examination by Apple technicians or visit your nearby repair store.
Some iPhone 14 owners may encounter frustrating instances of their screen freezing unexpectedly on the lock screen. The most likely reasons include iOS glitches, maxed-out storage causing system crashes, or, in rare cases, internal damage from impacts.
To fix this issue, firstly, attempt a force restart, as it often resolves temporary software freezes. If the frozen screen persists across reboots, check for pending iOS updates to install, clear space by removing unused apps and media, and restart once more. In case the problem still exists, take your device to a repair store in your area.
The screen of your iPhone 14 might occasionally become unresponsive or freeze, particularly on the lock screen, due to several reasons. Internal damage, running out of storage, software bugs, or exposing the phone to extremely high temperatures can lead to screen freezing.
You can solve the issue by following simple steps such as restarting your iPhone or force restarting it (especially if the touchscreen is not responding). In more complex cases, restoring the iPhone in recovery mode may fix this issue.
iPhone 14 Pro Max is a relatively new device; however, since its launch, users have complained about iPhone 14 Pro Max facing issues with the frozen screen. You may experience this issue if there is a software bug or insufficient memory storage. Similarly, in some cases, the iPhone 14 Pro Max screen may freeze simply due to damage to internal components. Although this is not common, it cannot be ruled out as a reason. Moreover, if you expose your device to extreme temperatures, your iPhone will likely suffer and cause a screen to freeze.
There are certain measures you can take to fix the issue, with the first being force restarting your device. This should help unfreeze the screen and bring the iPhone to full function. Next, check for updates and clear storage space to give iPhone processors breathing space. If the issue persists, take your iPhone to a repair store.
If your iPhone 14 Pro Max screen is frozen on the lock screen, worry not; you can fix this issue by following some easy steps. First, shut down your device, and if the touch screen is not responsive, try a force restart. After the device turns on, check out the storage space and the software updates. Hopefully, the problem will be solved and no longer exist, but in case it happens again, consult Apple for professional assistance.
As Apple’s latest and greatest model series, the iPhone 15 surely ought to be problem-free. However, that’s not the case. Several iPhone users have shared their complaints on the Apple community forum, highlighting the issue of the device crashing and freezing while using applications or simply swiping the screen.
These issues generally arise either due to a software bug or an application bug. Other reasons could include insufficient storage space or internal hardware damage. You can fix the issue by force restarting your device and clearing memory (in case it is full). Look for iOS updates and consider resetting your device if the issue persists. In case your iPhone 15 continues freezing, take it to the Apple technicians, as it may be repaired under warranty.
Follow these steps to restart an iPhone when the screen is frozen:
Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
Press and hold the power button and release it upon seeing the Apple logo display.
Usually, a force restart will solve the issue, but in case if it’s not, you should reset your device. Here is how you can do it:
Connect your iPhone to a computer and open iTunes.
On your computer, you’ll see an option to Restore or Update your iPhone. Choose Restore. This will download the software for your device and completely erase it. After this process, you can set up your iPhone as new.
Log in with your Apple ID and password, which is the same account used on the frozen iPhone.
Once logged in, click on "Find iPhone" or "Find My iPhone".
At the top of the screen, click on “All Devices.”
Select the frozen iPhone from the list of devices associated with your Apple ID.
After selecting your iPhone, you’ll see the option to “Erase iPhone.”
Click on this option. This will remotely wipe all content and settings from your iPhone.
After the reset, you can set up your iPhone as a new device.
Here is how you can turn off the iPhone if the screen is frozen;
Quickly press and release both the volume buttons.
Press and hold the power button until you see the Apple logo, then release the button.
Follow these measures to prevent the issue of a frozen screen on your iPhone in the future:
Regularly update your iPhone as new iOS can fix bugs and improve the device’s performance.
Keep an eye on your iPhone's storage. Low storage space can lead to a frozen screen. Delete the unnecessary data and files from time to time.
Don’t expose your iPhone to extremely hot temperatures. Excessive heat can cause your iPhone to slow down or freeze.
Always download apps from the official App Store.
If your iPhone is facing a frozen screen issue and is not restoring its functionality even after following the above-mentioned steps, it’s time to seek professional help to prevent further damage. Here are the iPhone repair service providers and their average repair costs:
|
Simply Fixable |
Apple |
Repair warranty |
90 days minimum |
90 dates from the date of service |
Avg iPhone repair cost |
$110.88 |
$261.85 |
Table 1. iPhone repair providers
*Data in the given table is based on Simply Fixable's market research and the official Apple website
Like any technical device, an iPhone is also prone to glitches and problems. The most common reasons behind this issue include damage to internal components, insufficient storage, and others, as mentioned above. Luckily, all of these glitches can be easily solved by mostly forcing the device to start or update the iOS version, but in case the issue remains, get help from a repair store such as Simply Fixable.
Tech Writer | Photographer
LinkedIn: Madiha Khadim
Madi is a dynamic tech writer with a passion for simplifying complex concepts. Her expertise lies in creating clear and concise guides, blogs, manuals, and tutorials that empower users to navigate the technological landscape with ease. Throughout her career, Madi has worked with numerous leading tech companies, collaborating with engineers, developers, designers and marketers to create user manuals, FAQs, troubleshooting guides, and tech articles, on the websites such as "Technology Castle" and "Bilzimo". She can transform intricate technical jargon into user-friendly language, empowering users to understand and utilize products effectively.
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