iPhone Touch Screen Not Working? How to Fix

We have seen many complaints by iPhone users that sometimes the touch screen on their devices can stop working. Based on the number of complaints that we receive, this seems to be a very common problem with a wide range of causes.

In this article, we will share with you some of the things you can do if you find that the iPhone touch screen is not working properly. But before we get to the solutions, let’s begin by looking at the main causes of this issue.

Why Is My iPhone Screen Not Responding to Touch?

This problem can occur when there is damage to the part of the iPhone that processes touch. This part is known as the digitizer, and when it is not working properly, your iPhone’s software can fail to communicate with the hardware as it should, causing the touchscreen to become unresponsive.

So, this problem could be caused by both hardware and software issues, and we will provide a solution in both cases.

Troubleshooting software issues don’t cost much time or money, and it is easier than trying to figure out how to fix the hardware. While a software problem is to blame more often than not, you may be dealing with a hardware issue if you recently dropped the device or suffered liquid damage.

Also, keep in mind that some screen protectors can interfere with the function of the touchscreen. If you recently applied a new screen protector to the device, try removing it to see if this addresses the issue. If not, keep reading for the most effective solutions.

How Do I Fix an Unresponsive iPhone Touch Screen?

The following are some of the best solutions you can try when you can’t get your iPhone’s screen responding to touch;

1. Clean iPhone Screen and Your Fingers

Before we get to more invasive solutions, you might want to try something more straightforward and one that most people often overlook; clean the screen and your fingers.

Dirt, oil residues, moisture and crusted over bits of food can seriously interfere with the sensitive touchscreen on your iPhone. If there is any dirt on the screen, take the time to clean it off. You can use a soft cloth that you can dampen lightly if the dirt is stubborn.

Be sure to wash your hands before trying to touching the screen if they are dirty. The dirt on your hands can easily be transferred to the screen, causing all kinds of issues with the touchscreen.

2. Remove iPhone Cases or Screen Protectors

We’ve already mentioned this solution, but it is worth repeating. Most screen protectors are thin enough that they don’t interfere with the function of the screen in any way. But when they are misapplied, they can affect the touchscreen, causing it to be unresponsive.

In this case, the best thing to do is to remove and then reapply the protector or consider changing it to a new protector.

Even if the protector is appropriately applied, removing it may be an excellent way to check if it is interfering with the function of the screen. If the iPhone’s touchscreen works without the protector, you may want to consider forgoing the protector altogether or buying a thinner one.

3. Adjust 3D Touch Sensitivity

Adjusting the 3D Touch Sensitivity on your iPhone may also be an excellent way to fix this touchscreen issue. If you can access the device’s settings, here’s how to do it;

• Open the Settings.
• Go to General > Accessibility.
• Scroll down to tap on “3D Touch.”

You can then choose to toggle it off completely or adjust the sensitivity to “Light”, “Medium” or “Firm.”

4. Restart or Force Restart Your iPhone

Restarting your iPhone is also a good solution if software problems cause touchscreen unresponsiveness. Since the device is entirely unresponsive, a forced restart may work better than a simple reboot; although you can try to reboot it first,

To force restart iPhone 8, 8 plus and later models;

• Press and quickly release the Volume Up Button.
• Press and release the Volume Down button.
• Then press and hold the Side button and release it only when you see the Apple logo appear on the screen.

To Force Restart iPhone 7 and 7 Plus;

• Press and hold the Volume Down button and the Power button simultaneously until the Apple Logo appears on the screen.

To Force Restart Older Versions of iPhone;

• Press and hold both the Power and the Home button at the same time and release both buttons when the Apple Logo appears on the screen.

5. Delete and Reinstall Problematic Apps

Sometimes the screen may become unresponsive when you are using a particular app. In this case, the problem is with the app and not the touchscreen.

For example, if an app freezes when using it, it may appear like the touchscreen is faulty. But you can press the home button to exit the app and go back to the home screen.

If the touchscreen fails for a particular app, try updating the app to the latest version. Just open the App Store to check if updates for the app are available.

If the problem persists even after updating the app, then we recommend deleting and reinstalling the app in question. If it still fails, there could be a bug with the app that needs to be addressed.

6. Update Apps and iPhone Software

If you suspect that more than one app may be causing the issue, updating all apps along with the device’s software may be an excellent way to fix this problem. To update the apps on your device, follow these simple steps;

• Open the App Store on the iPhone.
• Scroll down to the bottom of the screen and tap on “Updates.” You should see a list of all apps that have pending updates.
• Tap on the “Update” button next to the app to update the apps individually, or tap on the “Update All” button to update all apps at the same time.

Once all the apps are updated, restart the iPhone and check if the issue has been resolved.

7. Restore iPhone in iTunes

If updating the apps and the software doesn’t fix the problem, you should consider performing a restore in iTunes. Restoring your iPhone might help to fix the touch screen not working problem.

Please back up your iPhone data before restoring it. Then follow these simple steps to do it;

• Connect the iPhone to the computer.
• Click on the “Device” tab and go to Summary. Ensure that “This Computer” is selected and then click “Back up Now.” (If you can back up the device.)
• Then click on “Restore iPhone.”

8. Fix iPhone Touch Screen Not Working without Data Loss

Restoring your iPhone in iTunes can be a good way to fix this problem if it is software related, but if the device is completely unresponsive, you may not back up your device, meaning that you could lose all the data on the device. To avoid losing data on the device, we recommend using Fucosoft iOS System Recovery to repair all software issues causing the problem. It works well with all iOS versions and iOS devices, even the latest iOS 16 and iPhone 14/13.

This iOS repair tool is very easy to use; follow these simple steps;

Step 1: Install Fucosoft iOS System Recovery on your computer. Run it and then click “Start” to begin the repair process.

Step 2: Connect your iPhone to the computer using USB cable and click on the “Standard Repair” button.

Step 3: If the program cannot detect the connected device, you may be prompted to put it in recovery mode. Just follow the instructions on the screen to do it.

Step 4: You will then need to download the latest firmware for the device. Just click on “Download”, the firmware package will be downloaded automatically.

Step 5: When the download is complete, click on “Start Standard Repair” to start the process. In a few minutes, your iPhone will restart, and the touchscreen unresponsiveness will be resolved.

9. Contact Apple to Get Screen Replaced

If none of the solutions above work to fix the problem, it is likely a hardware problem. Therefore, we advise against trying to fix or replace the screen yourself. Instead, contact Apple Support and ask for assistance to replace the screen. But note that replacing the screen can be costly if your iPhone is not under warranty.

Conclusion

When you find that your iPhone’s touchscreen is unresponsive, the solutions above should be able to help you quickly repair the device. Let us know in the comments section below if they worked for you. Any questions you may have on this topic are also welcome, and we’ll do our best to find more solutions.