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How to fix an unresponsive iPhone touchscreen

calender

December 6, 2023

clock

5 mins read

author

viabletree

unresponsive iPhone touchscreen

Your iPhone's touchscreen is your gateway to a world of information, communication, and entertainment. When it starts acting up, it can be a real inconvenience. However, fear not; before rushing to the Apple Store, let's explore some troubleshooting steps that can potentially bring your iPhone touchscreen back to life. We've broken down each solution for you in detail.

1. Restart Your iPhone

Restarting your iPhone is the first line of defense against an unresponsive touchscreen. It's like hitting the refresh button on your computer. Here's how to do it, depending on your iPhone model:

For iPhones with Face ID:

  1. Press and hold the right-side button and either volume button simultaneously until the "Slide to power off" control appears.
  2. Slide the slider from left to right.
  3. Wait for at least 30 seconds to ensure your device powers down completely.
  4. Press and hold the right-side button until the Apple logo appears.
  5. Your device will reboot, and you can unlock it.

For iPhones with a home button:

  1. Press and hold the right-side button until the "Slide to power off" control appears.
  2. Slide the slider from left to right.
  3. Wait for at least 30 seconds to ensure your device powers down completely.
  4. Press and hold the right-side button until the Apple logo appears.
  5. Your device will reboot, and you can unlock it.

2. Force Restart Your iPhone

If your touchscreen is acting up to the point where you can't perform a regular restart, a forced restart is the next step. It's like giving your iPhone a firm but gentle wake-up call. The process varies depending on your iPhone model:

For iPhone 8, iPhone SE, or iPhones with Face ID:

  1. Quickly press and release the volume up button.
  2. Quickly press and release the volume down button.
  3. Press and hold the right-side button until the Apple logo appears.
  4. Release the side button.
  5. Your device should continue booting up, and you can unlock it.

For iPhone 7:

  1. Press and hold the volume down button and the right-side button simultaneously until the Apple logo appears.
  2. Release both buttons.
  3. Your device should continue booting up, and you can unlock it.

For iPhone SE (2016) or iPhone 6s and earlier models:

  1. Press and hold the home button and the right-side or top-corner button at the same time until the Apple logo appears.
  2. Release both buttons.
  3. Your device should continue booting up, and you can unlock it.

3. Check Your Screen Protector and Clean Your Screen

Sometimes, the culprit behind touchscreen issues can be as simple as a misaligned screen protector or a dirty screen. Here's what you should do:

  1. If you have a screen protector, check if it's properly applied. If not, reapply it carefully, or consider using a different one.
  2. If your screen protector seems fine, remove it temporarily to see if it's causing the problem. You may want to switch to a thinner protector from a reputable brand.
  3. Clean your screen using a dry microfiber cloth, especially if you've removed the protector. Ensure it's spotless.

4. Disconnect Lightning Accessories

It's rare but not unheard of for connected accessories to interfere with touchscreen interactions. Try this:

  1. Disconnect any wired accessories like headphones or chargers.
  2. Restart your iPhone.
  3. Check if your touchscreen is functioning correctly without the accessory.
  4. If the touchscreen works without the accessory, consider replacing it with an alternative.

5. Update Your iPhone

Keeping your iPhone's software up to date can resolve many issues. If your touchscreen isn't entirely unresponsive, navigate to Settings > General > Software Update to check for updates. Otherwise, connect your iPhone to a computer and follow these steps:

For macOS Catalina (10.15) or higher:

  1. Launch Finder.
  2. Select your iPhone from the sidebar.
  3. Click the "Update" button.
  4. For macOS Mojave (10.14) or earlier, or Windows users:
  5. Launch iTunes.
  6. Select your iPhone from the sidebar.
  7. Click the "Update" button.
  8. If your touchscreen doesn't respond to confirm a "Trust" prompt, put your iPhone in "Recovery" mode and follow the outlined steps in the guide.

6. Factory Reset Your iPhone (as a Last Resort)

A factory reset is a drastic measure, but it can resolve deep-seated issues. However, it wipes your data, so be sure to have a backup. Follow the steps mentioned earlier and choose "Restore" instead of "Update."

7. Contact Apple Support

If all else fails and you're uncomfortable with a factory reset, reaching out to Apple Support is a safer bet. They might resolve the issue without erasing your data. It's a more reliable option than attempting drastic measures.

Conclusion & Recap

Your iPhone's touchscreen is your window to a world of possibilities, but when it becomes unresponsive, it can be a major inconvenience. Before you consider a visit to the Apple Store, arm yourself with this comprehensive guide to bring your iPhone touchscreen back to life.

We've walked you through each solution with clarity and detail, making the troubleshooting process as accessible as possible. Here's a quick recap:

1. Restart Your iPhone: Sometimes, a simple restart can work wonders, like hitting the refresh button on your computer.

2. Force Restart Your iPhone: If your touchscreen is seriously acting up, a force restart might be the key to revival.

3. Check Your Screen Protector and Clean Your Screen: A misaligned screen protector or a dirty screen could be the cause; make sure to inspect and clean.

4. Disconnect Lightning Accessories: Occasionally, connected accessories can interfere with your touchscreen; try unplugging them.

5. Update Your iPhone: Keeping your software up-to-date can resolve many issues, but if your touchscreen is unresponsive, follow the guide for an alternative update method.

6. Factory Reset Your iPhone (as a Last Resort): A factory reset is a drastic measure, but it can be effective. Remember to back up your data first.

7. Contact Apple Support: If all else fails or you're wary of a factory reset, reaching out to Apple Support is a reliable option.

Remember, most touchscreen issues can be resolved without professional help. Patience is your ally in this process, so work through these steps methodically, and your iPhone might just come back to life. Happy troubleshooting!

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