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Published on: 04.02.2024 | updated on: 04.03.2024
The iPhone is a leading player in the mobile industry. With its advanced features and premium quality, the iPhone is truly a pioneer of smartphones. However, despite its prominence, the iPhone is still an electronic gadget, and many users have experienced an unresponsive touchscreen. This can be a problem as a malfunctioning touchscreen leaves you unable to use your phone’s apps, camera, contacts, and more, severely crippling your iPhone’s functionality. But worry not; in this guide, we’ll share why your iPhone touchscreen may not be working and what you can do to fix it.
In this guide, we’ll talk about why your iPhone touchscreen is not working properly. One of the most common reasons is software bugs that can prevent your touchscreen from functioning. Other causes may include software bugs, water damage, faulty internal components, or overheating. We’ll also talk about possible solutions to tackle a non-functioning touchscreen, such as updating to the latest iOS, letting your iPhone cool down in case of overheating, forcing a restart, and clearing the storage space.
If you rely on your iPhone for daily productivity and entertainment, a touchscreen that has instantly gone unresponsive can be a troubling experience. There can be multiple reasons why it happens. Listed below are some of the most common reasons why your iPhone touchscreen may not be working properly:
If your iPhone has been dropped, the touchscreen might have been damaged. This can include cracks in the screen that are visible, as well as internal damage that is not immediately apparent.
There might be water damage, causing the internal components or the touchscreen to malfunction.
If the protector is not properly applied, is of low quality, or has air bubbles, it could cause touchscreen issues.
A dirty or wet iPhone screen can also cause the iPhone to not identify touch.
Software issues, such as bugs or glitches in the operating system (iOS), can cause the touchscreen to become unresponsive.
In some cases, your iPhone touchscreen may become unresponsive due to overheating. iPhone screen may also not respond in extremely cold temperatures.
Luckily, there are some troubleshooting steps that you can take to fix the problem and go about your day without your iPhone bailing out on you. Here are some steps to fix the iPhone touchscreen that is not working:
Restart your iPhone by pressing and holding the lock button and the volume up button. If that does not work, force restart your iPhone by pressing and quickly releasing the volume up button and volume down button and pressing and holding the lock button until the Apple logo appears, then release it.
In some cases, connecting your iPhone to iTunes and resetting your device may work. However, there is a possibility of losing data.
If you suspect water damage, turn off your iPhone immediately and don't plug it in. Keep it in a dry, well-ventilated place and contact Apple support or visit a local repair store for professional assistance.
Carefully remove the screen protector to see if touch sensitivity improves. If it does, consider replacing it with a high-quality screen protector.
Clean the screen with a soft, lint-free cloth. If the screen is wet, gently wipe away moisture without pressing too hard.
Try updating your device to the latest version of iOS and see if the touchscreen works.
In case the problem is with the application, close the application or uninstall it.
If the screen or an internal component is damaged, take your iPhone to a repair store and get it replaced.
Here are some possible reasons why your iPhone touchscreen is not working even after a hard reset and how you can fix it:
If water has gotten into the phone and damaged components, a hard reset will not solve the problem.
There might be a bug in the iOS that a hard reset has not fixed.
Dirt or debris on the screen can affect the touch functionality and prevent it from functioning even after a hard reset.
If hard reset didn’t work, try factory reset using iTunes. You can do this by opening the iTunes on your computer. Then click on “Summary,” and then click on “Restore iPhone.” Make sure to take a backup of your data before performing a factory reset.
Take your device to a repair store and get it checked by skilled technicians. They will be able to diagnose the problem and repair or replace the broken components.
Although this issue is very common, you can follow some steps to fix it yourself before taking it to a repair store:
The screen is cracked or damaged in some areas, causing the touch to not work in those particular spots.
Poorly applied or damaged screen protectors can affect touch sensitivity in certain areas.
Dirt or grime on the screen can cause the device not to detect touch in certain areas.
There might be exposure to liquid or water damage.
Bugs or glitches in the iOS can sometimes result in partial touchscreen unresponsiveness.
Clean the screen with a soft cloth to remove any dirt.
Temporarily remove any screen protector to test if it's causing the issue.
Restart the iPhone to resolve temporary software glitches.
Update iOS to the latest version, as it can fix the issue sometimes.
If water damage is suspected, let the iPhone dry out completely in a well-ventilated area.
Inspect for any visible signs of damage and seek professional repair if necessary.
As a last resort, perform a factory reset (after backing up your data).
Is not iPhone touchscreen not working properly? Don’t worry. Here are some causes behind it and what steps you can take immediately to fix it:
The iPhone has been dropped or impacted, due to which the touchscreen and unlock has stopped responding.
There is a glitch in the iOS, causing the touchscreen to become unresponsive.
A poorly fitted or damaged screen protector is affecting the touchscreen.
Exposure to extreme temperatures has temporarily disabled touchscreen functionality.
Remove the current protector and replace it with a new one, ensuring it's properly aligned and free of bubbles.
Clean the touchscreen with a soft, lint-free cloth.
Perform a force restart by pressing and quickly releasing the Volume Up button, then repeat the same with the Volume Down button, and then hold the Power Button until the logo appears.
You can unlock your iPhone remotely using iCloud. To do this, go to iCloud.com, sign in with your Apple ID, select your iPhone, and choose "Erase iPhone."
If the above steps don’t work, you can conduct a factory reset. To do this, connect your iPhone to a computer, open iTunes and then perform a factory reset by selecting "Restore iPhone” under the Summary tab.
In case of a damaged screen or components, get the touchscreen replaced by a professional technician.
Here is why the touchscreen on your iPhone is not working and what you can do to fix it:
The new screen may not have been installed correctly, leading to poor connections or misalignment.
The replacement screen may be defective, or the internal components like ribbons and cables might have gotten damaged during the replacement process.
The only solution is to redo the replacement and ensure everything is done the right way this time. It is recommended to only get the screen fixed by a reliable repair store.
iPhone touchscreen not working after a drop is a very common issue. But luckily, this issue can be fixed if you take measures immediately:
The touchscreen digitizer or other components might have been damaged due to the drop.
The touchscreen itself is cracked and not responding to touch.
Perform a force restart or hard reset if the touchscreen is not working after a drop.
If the issue isn’t resolved, then it’s recommended to visit a repair store for correct diagnosis and repair.
The iPhone touchscreen may stop working after an update in some cases. Here is why it could happen and what steps you can take to fix it:
There might be a glitch in the software that is causing the touchscreen to not work after the update.
The update process might have been interrupted and impacted the touchscreen functionality.
Force restart your iPhone by pressing and releasing both the volume buttons and then pressing and holding the lock button until the Apple logo appears and then release.
If the problem persists, you can try restoring your iPhone using iTunes. Be sure to back up your data first, as this process will erase everything on your iPhone.
Sometimes, the lower part of the touchscreen on the iPhone may stop working. Here are some possible reasons behind this issue:
Physical damage to the lower part of the screen, such as from a drop or impact, can affect touch sensitivity in that area.
A poorly applied or damaged screen protector can also lead to this issue.
Dirt or oil on the lower part of the screen can affect touch responsiveness.
There might be a bug in the iOS.
Gently clean the screen and remove any dirt or residue.
Replace the damaged screen protector and check if the issue is resolved.
Ensure your iPhone is updated to the latest version of iOS.
Inspect the screen for visible signs of damage. If you identify anything, visit a repair professional who will be able to diagnose any internal damages.
The iPhone 11 touchscreen may stop responding due to many common reasons such as software bugs, physical or water damage, or as simple as a damaged screen protector.
If your iPhone 11 touchscreen is not working even after a hard reset, then the problem may run deeper than just a software bug. There is a possibility that the screen digitizer or the internal connectors/ribbons might be damaged. This may happen due to water damage or physical damage. Try taking your device to a repair service center to diagnose and fix the issue.
If your iPhone 11 touchscreen is not working and you are unable to unlock the screen, it may happen if the iPhone is dropped or there is a glitch in iOS. Check for a faulty screen protector and grease on the skin. Similarly, extreme temperatures and damaged internal components can also affect the touchscreen functionality.
iPhone 12 touch screen may malfunction due to software glitches or cracks in the screen. But the good news is, it’s easy to fix this issue through force restart, updating iOS, or screen replacement.
There can be several reasons why an iPhone 12 Pro Max touchscreen may not work, such as a cracked screen or damaged internals. A bug in iOS or a dirty screen can also cause the issue. Similarly, if an app has crashed or if the screen protector applied is broken, the iPhone may not respond to touch.
iPhone 13 is a reliable device, but sometimes users may face touchscreen issues with their device. This can happen mainly due to a faulty screen protector or bugs in the operating system.
The iPhone 13 Pro Max touchscreen may not work if the screen or internal components are damaged, especially if the phone has been dropped. Water damage or a dirty screen could also affect touchscreen functionality. A damaged screen protector might be another factor, as it can affect touch sensitivity if it's cracked or improperly fitted. Additionally, the problem could be software-related, such as a bug in iOS that might require an update or reset.
iPhone 14 is one of the most powerful phones out there, but even then, it may encounter some issues, such as the touchscreen not working properly. It can be mainly due to a damaged screen or dirt on the screen.
If the touchscreen of your iPhone 14 Pro is not working, several factors could be at play. The issue might be due to a damaged screen or internal components. Water damage or a dirty screen can also cause touchscreen problems. Moreover, the problem could also be software-related, such as a bug in the iOS.
A cracked screen or damaged internal components, faulty screen protector, bug in iOS, water damage, or dirt on the screen can be some of the culprits behind your iPhone 14 Pro Max touchscreen not working.
Several factors might be causing your iPhone 15's touchscreen to malfunction. It could be due to a faulty or damaged screen protector. Software bugs can also lead to the touchscreen not responding correctly. Similarly, physical damage to the screen or internal components can also affect the touchscreen functionality.
Dropping your iPhone X or exposing it to water or extreme temperature can cause touchscreen issues.
If your iPhone X touchscreen is not working even after a hard reset, there might be damage to the internal compacts due to impact or exposure to liquid. Dirt or oil on the screen may also lead to this issue.
If you have recently dropped your iPhone XR and the screen is damaged, the touchscreen won’t work. Similarly, water damage, iOS bugs, frozen applications, faulty screen protectors, or exposure to extreme temperatures can also cause the touchscreen not to work.
Like other iPhone models, if your iPhone SE's touchscreen isn't working, it could be due to physical damage, or maybe the screen got wet or dirty, affecting its touch sensitivity. Sometimes, a poorly fitted screen protector can affect touch functionality, too.
There are two ways you can restart your iPhone:
Soft Reset
Press and hold the lock button and the volume up/home button at the same time. Keep holding both buttons. The screen will eventually turn off, and then the Apple logo will appear. Once the Apple logo appears, release both buttons.
Hard Reset
Quickly press and release the volume up button and then the volume down button. Press and hold the lock button until the Apple logo appears, then release it.
Here are a few methods to turn off an iPhone if the touchscreen is not responding:
If “Hey Siri" is activated, then say, "Turn off iPhone". Siri will give a verbal confirmation and shut the phone down.
As a last resort, you can wait for the iPhone battery to fully drain. Once drained, it will power down.
Here is how you can prevent the issue from happening in the future:
Keep your iPhone screen clean of dirt or debris.
Avoid exposing your iPhone to any liquid bodies.
Install a high-quality screen protector and a phone case. It will save your iPhone from damage by dropping.
Keep your iPhone away from extreme temperatures.
The iPhone is undoubtedly a powerful device, but like any electronic gadget, it can run into issues if it is not handled with care. A non-responsive iPhone touchscreen is problematic but is often fixable through proper troubleshooting steps such as installing a screen protector, avoiding physical/water damage, keeping the device clean, maintaining moderate temperatures, and updating iOS regularly. And if the issue still remains, then it might be a smart decision to take your device to a skilled technician.
Author: Madiha Khadim
LinkedIn: Madiha Khadim
Tech Writer | Photographer
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.
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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