iPhone Touch Screen Not Working: 10 Quick Fixes That Actually Work
Introduction: What to do when your iPhone touch screen is not working
If your iPhone touch screen not working, stay calm. This is usually either a hardware issue, like a cracked screen or water exposure, or a software problem, like a frozen app or iOS bug. It can also be a bad screen protector, dirt on the glass, or ghost touch where the phone registers taps you never made.
Here is the plan, step by step. Start with the quick, low risk fixes: clean the screen, remove the case and protector, then restart or force restart. If that fails, update or restore iOS, check for hardware damage, and back up your data before seeking repair. Each fix below is short and easy to follow.
Quick checklist to try first
If your iPhone touch screen not working, try this rapid checklist, in order, to rule out simple causes before deeper fixes.
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Clean the glass. Use a microfiber cloth and a small amount of 70 percent isopropyl alcohol on stubborn grime. Oil and dirt kill responsiveness.
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Remove case and screen protector. Tempered glass or a misaligned protector often blocks touch, especially at edges.
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Check for moisture or extreme cold. Wipe dry, warm the phone in your pocket for a few minutes, then retry.
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Force restart. iPhone 8 and later: press volume up, press volume down, then hold side button until the Apple logo. iPhone 7: hold volume down and side. iPhone 6s and earlier: hold home and top or side.
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Try while charging. Use an original cable; some chargers cause interference that makes the touchscreen act odd.
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Test in Emergency Call or lock screen. If parts work there, the issue is likely software, not hardware.
If none of these restore touch, move to the deeper fixes below.
Check for physical damage and clean the screen
Before you chase software fixes, rule out simple physical causes. Look closely for cracks, chips, and gaps around the glass, and lift or remove any screen protector; tiny debris under a protector can make an iPhone touch screen not working or act erratically. Shine a flashlight along the edges to spot liquid staining or corrosion, and check for a bulging case which can signal a swollen battery pushing the display up.
Power the phone off, then clean the glass with a lint free microfiber cloth. For stubborn grime, lightly dampen the cloth with 70 percent isopropyl alcohol, and wipe once along the surface. Use a dry cotton swab to clear debris from the frame and charging port. If you see corrosion, deep cracks, or liquid inside, stop and get professional repair.
Restart and force restart methods that fix many issues
If your iPhone touch screen not working, start with a normal restart. On iPhone X and later, press and hold the side button and either volume button until the power off slider appears, then slide to power off. You can also go to Settings, General, Shut Down. For older iPhones, hold the top or side button until the slider shows.
Use a force restart when the screen is completely unresponsive or frozen. iPhone 8 and later, press and release Volume Up, press and release Volume Down, then press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears. For iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, hold Volume Down and Side together until the logo. For iPhone 6s and earlier, hold Home and Side or Top together until the logo.
Why it helps: restarting clears RAM, kills hung processes, and reloads touchscreen drivers, often fixing touch input glitches without data loss. If problems persist, move to other fixes.
Update iOS and apps to eliminate software causes
Start with iOS updates, because many "iphone touch screen not working" issues are fixed in software. Plug your iPhone into power, connect to Wi Fi, then go to Settings, General, Software Update. If an update is available, install it; if not, note the current build number and move on. Back up first if you prefer extra safety.
Next update problem apps, or reinstall the ones that misbehave. Open the App Store, tap your profile, then scroll to available updates. If a single app lags or ignores taps, delete it and reinstall. For persistent issues, check the app’s compatibility notes in the App Store.
Why this helps: outdated iOS or apps can have touch input bugs, memory leaks, or compatibility conflicts that make the screen unresponsive; updates often include fixes for touch drivers and stability.
Test the screen, and check accessibility settings
Open Notes, create a new note, switch to the drawing tool, then scribble across the entire display. Pay attention to edges and corners, swipe slowly and quickly, and try the keyboard by typing every key left to right. If parts of the screen ignore touch, you have a dead zone.
For a multi touch check, install a free app such as MultiTouch Tester or TouchTest and count how many points register across the display.
Now check accessibility settings, Settings, Accessibility, Touch, Touch Accommodations. Toggle Touch Accommodations off then on, test Hold Duration and Ignore Repeat, and switch Tap Assistance between Use Initial Touch Location and Use Final Touch Location to see which feels right. If needed enable AssistiveTouch as a temporary workaround while you troubleshoot the iphone touch screen not working.
Reset settings and restore as last-resort software fixes
If smaller software glitches are the cause, try Reset All Settings first. That resets Wi Fi, Bluetooth, keyboard dictionary, home screen layout, and privacy settings, without deleting photos, messages, or apps. Use it when your iPhone touch screen not working after a recent settings change or update, for example when taps register inconsistently but the device boots normally.
Backup before you do anything that erases data. Quick method, iCloud: Settings, tap your name, iCloud, iCloud Backup, Back Up Now, then confirm the timestamp. Desktop method: connect to Finder on Mac or iTunes on Windows, choose Backup to this computer, click Back Up Now.
If Reset All Settings fails, do a full restore. Steps, 1) put the iPhone into recovery mode using the button sequence for your model, 2) connect to Finder or iTunes, 3) choose Restore iPhone and follow prompts. This reinstalls iOS cleanly. After the restore, choose Restore from iCloud Backup or Restore from Mac to recover your data. Use a full restore when touch remains nonresponsive and every other fix has failed.
When to repair, DIY parts, or contact Apple support
If your iPhone touch screen not working and the device is under warranty or AppleCare+, contact Apple first, especially if there is water damage or Face ID or Touch ID issues. Apple repairs cost more, expect roughly $129 to $329 for screen repairs depending on model, but you get genuine parts and preserved warranty protections.
Choose a local repair shop when you want a cheaper, faster fix and the phone is out of warranty. Expect $50 to $150 for many models, ask about parts sourcing, and request a short warranty on the repair. Avoid shops that use unknown parts or refuse to seal the phone against moisture.
DIY parts are cheapest, screens often sell for $20 to $100, but you need steady hands and the right tools. Risks include losing Touch ID functionality, damaging the logic board, and voiding any remaining warranty. Before any repair, back up your iPhone and document existing damage.
- Warranty or AppleCare+ active, or biometric systems affected: go to Apple.
- Out of warranty, cheap turnaround needed: pick a reputable local shop.
- Comfortable with fine repairs and accept risk: DIY parts.
Preventive tips to keep your iPhone touch screen responsive
Small daily habits stop most touch problems before they start. If you want to avoid iphone touch screen not working incidents, start with protective gear and cleaning.
Buy a high quality tempered glass screen protector with an oleophobic coating, and replace it when it peels. Clean the screen daily with a microfiber cloth and 70 percent isopropyl alcohol for greasy fingerprints; avoid household cleaners. Pick a case that does not press the edges of the glass, and remove the case if the screen starts to misbehave.
Keep iOS updated, restart your phone weekly, uninstall sketchy apps, and watch for battery swelling. These simple steps prevent most responsiveness issues.
Conclusion and quick action plan
Quick action plan: first, remove case and screen protector, clean the screen, then force restart your iPhone. If iphone touch screen not working after that, update iOS or restore from a backup. Check for water damage or cracked glass. If the touch remains unresponsive, make an appointment at an Apple Store or authorized repair center, especially for hardware replacement soon.
