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If your iPhone screen is not responding to touch, first figure out whether the entire touchscreen is frozen, only one app has stopped responding, or just one part of the screen will not register taps.
Those symptoms can point to very different causes. A completely frozen iPhone may only need a force restart, while a dead area that remains in exactly the same place after restarting can indicate a display problem. Moisture, a screen protector, a case, or even a connected charger can also interfere with touch response.
Quick answer: Restart or force restart the iPhone, make sure the screen is clean and dry, disconnect charging cables and other accessories, and temporarily remove the case and screen protector. If only one app is frozen, troubleshoot that app instead of the entire phone. If the same area of the screen still does not respond—or the problem began after a drop or display replacement—the iPhone may need service.
First: What Kind of Touchscreen Problem Do You Have?
Before changing settings, test several areas of the screen and notice exactly what fails.
| Symptom | What to Check First |
|---|---|
| Entire iPhone is frozen | Force restart |
| Only one app will not respond | Close and reopen the app |
| Only one part of the screen is dead | Protector, case, display damage or repair history |
| Touches are delayed or ignored | Touch Accommodations, protector and software |
| Screen taps or swipes by itself | Moisture, accessories, protector or display problem |
| Touch becomes strange only while charging | Charging cable, charger or outlet |
| Problem started after a drop | Display or internal damage |
| Problem started after screen replacement | Display repair and Parts and Service History |
This distinction is important because a frozen app is not the same thing as a failing touchscreen.
Force Restart an iPhone With a Frozen Screen
If the touchscreen is completely frozen and you cannot swipe the power-off slider, perform a force restart using the physical buttons.
A force restart is different from erasing or factory-resetting the iPhone.
iPhone 8 or later, including newer iPhone SE models
- Press and quickly release Volume Up.
- Press and quickly release Volume Down.
- Press and hold the Side button.
- Keep holding until the Apple logo appears.
The Apple logo may take longer than ten seconds to appear, so do not release the Side button too early.
iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus
- Press and hold the Side button and Volume Down button together.
- Keep holding until the Apple logo appears.
iPhone 6s, iPhone SE (1st generation) and earlier models
- Press and hold the Home button and the Side or Top button together.
- Release them when the Apple logo appears.
If the iPhone restarts and touch works normally again, the problem may have been a temporary software freeze.
You can verify the current button combinations in Apple's official unresponsive iPhone guide.
Clean and Dry the Screen
If the iPhone responds to some touches but misses others, check the physical screen before changing software settings.
Apple recommends making sure the display is clean and free of debris or water.
- Disconnect the iPhone from charging accessories.
- Use a soft, clean cloth to remove fingerprints, grease and debris.
- Make sure the screen is completely dry.
- Dry your hands as well.
- Test several areas of the screen again.
Water droplets or debris on the display can interfere with accurate touch input and may make the screen behave unpredictably.
Apple lists cleaning and drying the screen as one of its main troubleshooting steps when touch response is intermittent.
Disconnect the Charger and Other Accessories
If your iPhone touchscreen behaves strangely while the phone is plugged in, unplug it and test the screen again.
Apple specifically recommends disconnecting USB-C or Lightning accessories when diagnosing intermittent touchscreen problems.
If touch immediately returns to normal after unplugging an accessory:
- Try a different charging cable.
- Try a different power adapter.
- Try another wall outlet.
- Stop using an obviously damaged cable or connector.
The important clue is whether the touchscreen problem appears only while that accessory is connected.
If the iPhone also has trouble charging normally, see our iPhone not charging troubleshooting guide.
Remove the Case and Screen Protector
A screen protector or case can sometimes interfere with touch response, particularly if it is cracked, lifting, incorrectly fitted or pressing against the display.
Apple recommends removing cases and screen protectors when testing an intermittently responsive touchscreen.
Temporarily remove:
- The phone case.
- The screen protector.
- Any accessory attached around the screen or edges.
Then restart the iPhone and test the touchscreen without them.
If the problem disappears, reinstall the case by itself first. If touch still works, the screen protector becomes the more likely source.
If Touch Stops Working in Only One App
If the Home Screen, Settings and other apps respond normally but one app appears frozen, the touchscreen itself may be working correctly.
Apple recommends closing an app when it becomes unresponsive and then opening it again.
Close the frozen app
On an iPhone without a Home button:
- Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause in the middle.
- Find the frozen app.
- Swipe up on its preview to close it.
- Open the app again.
On an iPhone with a Home button, double-click the Home button to open the app switcher and swipe the affected app away.
Do not routinely force-close every app. Apple recommends closing apps when they are actually unresponsive rather than constantly clearing the app switcher.
If the same app keeps freezing
Check for an app update in the App Store.
If no app update is available, also check for an iOS update.
Deleting and reinstalling the app can be considered later, but deleting an app can remove locally stored app data. Make sure important drafts, files, messages or other content are backed up or synced before deleting it.
See Apple's official guide for apps that stop responding.
If Only Part of the iPhone Screen Does Not Respond
A consistent dead zone is more concerning than an occasional system freeze.
For example, you might notice that:
- The top portion never registers taps.
- One side of the keyboard does not work.
- A vertical strip of the display ignores touch.
- The same area fails in every app.
First remove the case and screen protector, clean and dry the display, disconnect accessories, and restart the iPhone.
Then test the same area in several places, such as:
- The Home Screen.
- Settings.
- The keyboard.
- Safari.
If the same physical part of the display fails everywhere, an individual app is unlikely to be the cause.
At that point, especially if the phone was dropped or repaired previously, professional display inspection becomes more appropriate than repeatedly reinstalling apps or resetting settings.
If the iPhone Screen Is Touching Things by Itself
Sometimes the opposite problem happens: the screen registers taps, swipes or typing even when you are not touching it. This is commonly called ghost touch or phantom touch.
Start with the same physical checks Apple recommends for intermittent touch:
- Clean and completely dry the screen.
- Disconnect the charger and other wired accessories.
- Remove the screen protector.
- Remove the case.
- Restart the iPhone.
If the problem appears only while charging, test another cable, power adapter and wall outlet.
If random touches continue in the same areas after a restart—particularly after a screen repair or physical impact—the display itself deserves inspection.
Check Touch Accommodations
If the touchscreen technically works but taps feel delayed, swipes are ignored, or repeated touches do not behave normally, check whether an accessibility feature is changing touch behavior.
Open:
Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Touch Accommodations
Touch Accommodations can intentionally change how the iPhone responds to input.
For example:
- Hold Duration can require you to touch the screen for a certain amount of time before the touch is recognized.
- Ignore Repeat can treat several nearby touches as one touch.
- Tap Assistance changes which touch location the iPhone uses.
If the touchscreen problem began after changing accessibility settings, review these options and return them to your preferred configuration.
Do not disable accessibility features that you intentionally rely on just because the screen feels different—the feature may be working exactly as configured.
Apple explains these controls in its Touch Accommodations guide.
Check Storage if the Whole iPhone Is Freezing
Low storage does not normally create one permanent dead area on a touchscreen. However, an iPhone that is extremely low on available storage can become slow or freeze, which can feel like the screen is not responding.
This section is most relevant if you also notice:
- Apps taking a long time to open.
- The keyboard lagging.
- Frequent system freezes.
- Apps repeatedly closing.
- The entire interface responding slowly rather than one fixed dead area.
Check:
Settings > General > iPhone Storage
Apple recommends maintaining at least 1 GB of available storage to help avoid slowdowns.
If storage is nearly full, review large videos, downloads, message attachments and apps you no longer need.
Our phone storage cleanup guide can help you identify large items before deleting anything important.
Update iOS
If the touchscreen still works well enough to navigate Settings, check whether an iOS update is available.
Open:
Settings > General > Software Update
Apple recommends backing up the iPhone before installing an update.
If an update is available, install it and test the touchscreen again after the iPhone restarts.
If touch is too unreliable to update normally
You can also update an iPhone using a computer.
On a current Mac, connect the iPhone and select it in Finder. Apple also documents computer-based update options for supported Windows configurations.
The goal here is to update iOS without immediately erasing the iPhone.
A full restore should not be treated as an early fix for a screen with a consistent dead zone, cracks, impact damage or obvious hardware symptoms.
See Apple's current iPhone software update guide.
Check Whether the Display Was Replaced
If touchscreen problems began after a screen replacement, repair history matters.
Apple says a non-genuine or improperly functioning display can cause Multi-Touch problems, including:
- Touches not registering in parts of the screen.
- Missed touches.
- Touches registering in the wrong place.
- Unexpected touches.
On supported iPhones that have been repaired, you may be able to check:
Settings > General > About > Parts and Service History
Apple currently provides Parts and Service History on iPhone 11 models and later, excluding iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation), for supported repair information.
If the display has been replaced and touchscreen problems started afterward, contact the repair provider rather than repeatedly resetting the phone.
Apple explains display repair information in its genuine iPhone display guide.
Touchscreen Not Working After a Drop or Liquid Exposure
If the problem began immediately after the iPhone was dropped, crushed or exposed to liquid, hardware damage becomes more likely.
Warning signs include:
- Cracked glass.
- Black or colored lines on the display.
- Flickering.
- A permanent dead zone.
- Random touch input.
- A screen that is separating from the frame.
- Touch failure that began immediately after impact.
A force restart can still rule out a temporary software freeze, but repeated software resets cannot repair a physically damaged display.
If the screen is lifting away from the frame, stop pressing it back into place and arrange service. A raised display can have causes that require professional inspection.
When the iPhone Probably Needs Screen Service
Apple's touchscreen guidance recommends service when the basic troubleshooting steps do not restore normal operation.
Service becomes particularly reasonable when:
- The same part of the display never responds.
- Touch remains completely unavailable after a force restart.
- The screen registers random touches continuously.
- The problem began after a significant drop or impact.
- The display is cracked, lifting or visibly damaged.
- The issue started after a display replacement.
- The iPhone works normally except for a persistent touchscreen fault.
Back up the iPhone if you still have enough control to do so before repair.
You can check Apple's current iPhone screen service options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my iPhone screen not responding to touch?
Possible causes include a temporary software freeze, moisture or debris on the screen, an interfering case or screen protector, a connected accessory, an accessibility touch setting, or a display hardware problem.
What should I do if my iPhone screen is completely frozen?
Force restart the iPhone using its physical buttons. On iPhone 8 or later, quickly press Volume Up, quickly press Volume Down, then hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
Will a force restart erase my iPhone?
No. A force restart restarts the device; it is not the same as Erase All Content and Settings or a factory restore.
Why is only part of my iPhone touchscreen not working?
Remove the case and screen protector, clean and dry the display, restart the iPhone and test the same area in several apps. If the same physical section always fails, the display may need service.
Can a screen protector make an iPhone touchscreen unresponsive?
Yes. Apple recommends removing cases and screen protectors when troubleshooting intermittent touchscreen response.
Why does my iPhone screen act weird while charging?
Apple recommends disconnecting USB-C or Lightning accessories when diagnosing touchscreen problems. If touch works normally after unplugging the charger, test another cable, adapter or outlet.
Why is my iPhone screen clicking things by itself?
Random or phantom touches can occur when the screen is not registering input correctly. Clean and dry the screen, disconnect accessories, remove the protector and case, restart the iPhone and check whether the display has been repaired or damaged.
Why does my iPhone screen respond slowly to taps?
If the phone is otherwise working, check Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Touch Accommodations. Features such as Hold Duration and Ignore Repeat intentionally change how taps are recognized.
Can low storage cause an iPhone to freeze?
Very low storage can contribute to overall slow performance and system freezes. Apple recommends maintaining at least 1 GB of free storage to help prevent slowdowns. A fixed dead area on the display, however, is more suggestive of a touchscreen problem than ordinary storage pressure.
Should I delete apps if my touchscreen stops working?
Only if the problem occurs inside one specific app and simpler app troubleshooting has failed. Deleting an app can remove locally stored data, so check backups and syncing first.
Should I factory-reset my iPhone for touchscreen problems?
Not as an early step. Start with Apple's basic screen troubleshooting and a force restart. A factory restore is unlikely to repair a physically damaged display or a permanent dead zone.
Why did my touchscreen stop working after a screen replacement?
The replacement display or repair may be involved. Apple says non-genuine displays can experience Multi-Touch issues such as missed touches, incorrect touch locations or unexpected input. Check Parts and Service History on supported iPhones and contact the repair provider.
How do I know whether it is software or hardware?
If a force restart fixes the problem permanently, software was more likely involved. Hardware becomes more likely when the same section of the screen consistently fails, the issue began after physical damage or repair, or touch remains broken after Apple's basic troubleshooting.
What if only one app is frozen?
Close and reopen that app first. If the rest of iOS responds normally, troubleshoot the app rather than assuming the touchscreen has failed.
When should I contact Apple?
Arrange support or service when the touchscreen still does not work after restarting, cleaning and drying the display, disconnecting accessories and removing the case or screen protector—especially if there are persistent dead zones or physical damage.
Final Thoughts
If your iPhone screen is not responding to touch, start by identifying whether the entire phone is frozen, one app is stuck, or the same area of the touchscreen consistently fails.
For a completely frozen iPhone, perform the correct force restart. For intermittent touch, clean and dry the screen, disconnect charging accessories and remove the case and screen protector.
If only one app is affected, troubleshoot that app. If taps feel intentionally delayed or ignored, review Touch Accommodations. And if the problem began after a screen replacement, check Parts and Service History on a supported iPhone.
A persistent dead zone, repeated ghost touches, visible damage or touch failure after an impact is a stronger sign that the display needs professional inspection. In those cases, avoid unnecessary factory resets and back up the iPhone before arranging service if possible.