What to Do If Your iPhone Touchscreen Is Not Responding Properly

It can be incredibly frustrating when your iPhone touchscreen stops responding properly. Whether it’s lagging, registering incorrect touches, or not responding at all, an unresponsive touchscreen can make your phone nearly impossible to use. While iPhone touchscreen repairs can seem daunting, many issues can be resolved quickly without needing to visit a repair shop. In this blog post, we will walk you through some simple steps you can take to fix your iPhone screen and get it working properly again.

If these steps don’t work, it might be time to look into professional iPhone repairs. Understanding the cause of the issue is key to deciding whether a quick fix will suffice or if you need expert help.

Common Reasons Why Your iPhone Touchscreen Might Not Be Responding

Before diving into troubleshooting steps, it’s important to understand the common causes of an unresponsive touchscreen. These can range from software glitches to physical damage. Let’s look at some possible reasons:

• Software Issues: Sometimes, the problem may lie in a software glitch. Whether it’s a bug in a recent update or an app malfunctioning, a software issue could cause your touchscreen to stop responding.
• Physical Damage: If your iPhone has recently dropped or taken a blow, the screen might have suffered physical damage. Cracks or scratches on the touchscreen could affect its sensitivity.
• Dirt or Moisture: Dirt, water, or oil on your iPhone’s screen can interfere with its responsiveness. Even the slightest bit of moisture or grime can make your touchscreen hard to operate.
• Touchscreen Calibration: On rare occasions, your iPhone may need a screen recalibration to recognize your touches accurately.

Step 1: Restart Your iPhone

One of the simplest solutions to an unresponsive touchscreen is restarting your iPhone. This might seem basic, but restarting your device can help fix software glitches and clear up any processes that may be slowing down your phone. To restart an iPhone with Face ID:

• Press and hold the side button along with the volume up or down button until you see the slider on your screen.
• Drag the slider to turn off your iPhone.
• After the device powers off completely, press and hold the side button again until you see the Apple logo to turn it back on.

If you have an iPhone with a Home button, press and hold the side or top button until the slider appears. Turn off the iPhone, wait a few seconds, then turn it back on.

Step 2: Clean the Screen

Another simple fix for touchscreen issues is cleaning your iPhone’s screen. Sometimes, dirt, oils from your fingers, or even water droplets can interfere with the screen’s sensitivity. Here’s how to clean your iPhone properly:

• Turn off your iPhone to avoid accidental touches while cleaning.
• Use a soft, lint-free cloth. Microfiber cloths are ideal for this purpose.
• Lightly dampen the cloth with water (avoid using harsh cleaning solutions), and gently wipe the screen in a circular motion.
• Be cautious not to get moisture into any of the device’s ports or buttons.

This quick cleaning can remove any debris or oils that may be affecting the touchscreen’s performance.

Step 3: Update Your iPhone’s Software

If you haven’t updated your iPhone in a while, it’s a good idea to check if any software updates are available. Apple frequently releases updates that fix bugs and improve overall device performance. An outdated iOS could be the culprit behind your unresponsive touchscreen. To check for updates:

• Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
• If an update is available, tap Download and Install.

Keep your device updated regularly to prevent performance issues and ensure your iPhone works as smoothly as possible.

Step 4: Force Quit Apps

Another common reason for touchscreen issues can be related to an app running in the background. If an app is malfunctioning or consuming too many resources, it might cause the touchscreen to behave erratically. Force quitting any apps that are open may help restore your iPhone’s responsiveness. To force quit apps:

• On iPhones with Face ID, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause to bring up the app switcher.
• On iPhones with a Home button, double-click the Home button to see all open apps.
• Swipe up on the app windows to close them.

After closing apps, check if your touchscreen starts responding properly.

Step 5: Check for iPhone Screen Damage

If the above steps didn’t work, it might be time to inspect your iPhone for physical damage. Cracked or broken screens are often the cause of touchscreen issues, and these will require professional iphone repairs.

If your iPhone has suffered a fall, a visible crack might be present on the screen. In some cases, the touchscreen might stop responding in areas where the screen is damaged. If this is the case, it’s best to take your iPhone to an expert for repairs.

Step 6: Reset All Settings

If the issue persists and none of the previous steps resolved it, you might need to reset your iPhone’s settings. Keep in mind that this will return all settings to their default state, but it won’t delete your data like photos, contacts, and apps. To reset settings:

• Go to Settings > General > Reset.
• Tap on Reset All Settings.

This can often fix issues related to software or settings misconfiguration that might be causing your touchscreen to malfunction.

Step 7: Restore Your iPhone via iTunes

If you suspect that the issue is related to a software problem that can’t be resolved by a simple restart or reset, restoring your iPhone using iTunes may be the solution. Restoring your iPhone erases everything and reinstalls a fresh copy of iOS, which can help eliminate any corrupted files causing touchscreen issues. To restore your iPhone:

• Connect your iPhone to your computer and open iTunes (or Finder on macOS Catalina and later).
• Select your device and click Restore iPhone.
• Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the restoration process.

Be sure to back up your iPhone before restoring it, as this process will erase all data on the device.

When to Seek Professional iPhone Repairs

If your iPhone touchscreen still isn’t responding after trying all of these solutions, it may be time to consult a professional for iPhone repairs. Sometimes, the issue is more complex than a simple fix and requires expert intervention. For example, issues with the touchscreen’s internal components, like the digitizer or motherboard, may need to be addressed by a technician.

Professional repair services can inspect your device and replace any broken parts if necessary. Getting your iPhone screen repaired by experts ensures that the job is done properly and your device remains in top working condition.

At Same Day Mac Repairs, we offer expert iPhone repairs, including fixing touchscreen issues, cracked screens, and more. Our experienced technicians can diagnose and fix your device quickly, ensuring minimal downtime.

Conclusion

An unresponsive iPhone touchscreen can be frustrating, but the good news is that most issues can be resolved with a few simple troubleshooting steps. Start with basic solutions like restarting your phone or cleaning the screen. If these steps don’t help, check for software updates or try resetting your iPhone settings. If all else fails, it may be time to seek professional iPhone repairs.

Whether you’re dealing with a minor glitch or a major screen issue, getting your iPhone repaired promptly can help restore its functionality and improve your overall user experience. Don’t hesitate to reach out to a trusted repair service by Same Day Mac Repairs to get your iPhone working properly again.