Stuck with a Frozen Screen? The Complete Troubleshooting Guide for iPhone Touch Issues
A non-responsive iPhone screen can be incredibly frustrating. Whether your screen is completely frozen, reacting slowly, or only responding in certain spots, a faulty touchscreen makes your phone practically useless. The good news is that most touch issues are caused by **software glitches** or **simple environmental factors**, not permanent hardware damage.
This guide walks you through every effective method to restore functionality when your iPhone touchscreen is not responding, covering both easy checks and complex fixes.
Table of Contents
- Phase 1: Quick External Checks
- Phase 2: Software Solutions (Force Restart)
- Phase 3: Deep System Checks
- Phase 4: Advanced Troubleshooting & Last Resorts
1. Phase 1: Quick External Checks
Start with the simplest factors. These external culprits frequently cause temporary touch failure.
| Action | How to Check/Fix | Why It Causes Issues |
|---|---|---|
| Clean the Screen | Use a microfiber cloth to wipe the screen, removing dirt, moisture, and oils. | Moisture or excessive smudges can interfere with the screen's capacitive sensors. |
| Remove Screen Protector/Case | Temporarily remove any thick screen protector or bulky case. | Some low-quality or damaged screen protectors (especially glass ones) can block touch input. |
| Disconnect Accessories | Unplug the phone from any lightning cable, charger, or external device. | Faulty chargers or cables can introduce electrical interference, causing "ghost touches" or unresponsiveness. |
| Temperature Check | If your phone is extremely hot or cold, let it return to a moderate temperature. | Extreme temperatures can cause iOS to restrict functionality, including touch input, to protect internal components. |
2. Phase 2: Software Solutions (Force Restart)
A system crash or software glitch is the most common reason for a frozen screen. A Force Restart clears the device's temporary memory without erasing data.
How to Force Restart Your iPhone (Varies by Model)
For iPhone 8, SE (2nd/3rd Gen), X, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15, 16, 17:
- Press and quickly release the **Volume Up** button.
- Press and quickly release the **Volume Down** button.
- Press and hold the **Side button** (Power button).
- Continue holding the Side button until the Apple logo appears, then release.
For iPhone 7 or 7 Plus:
- Press and hold both the **Volume Down** button and the **Sleep/Wake** (Side) button simultaneously.
- Continue holding until the Apple logo appears, then release both buttons.
For iPhone 6s, 6s Plus, or SE (1st Gen):
- Press and hold both the **Home button** and the **Sleep/Wake** (Side/Top) button simultaneously.
- Continue holding until the Apple logo appears, then release both buttons.
3. Phase 3: Deep System Checks
If the Force Restart didn't work, we need to address potential software conflicts.
A. Update iOS
Bugs in an older iOS version frequently cause performance issues. If your screen is partially responsive, try this:
- Go to **Settings**.
- Tap **General**.
- Tap **Software Update**.
- Install any pending updates.
B. Check Storage Space
If your iPhone is almost full, the operating system struggles to operate, leading to unresponsiveness.
- Go to **Settings > General > iPhone Storage**.
- If you have less than **2GB free**, delete large photos, videos, or unused apps.
C. Reset All Settings
This reverts all network, keyboard, location, privacy, and system settings to their defaults without deleting your data (photos, messages, apps).
- Go to **Settings**.
- Tap **General**.
- Tap **Transfer or Reset iPhone**.
- Tap **Reset > Reset All Settings**.
4. Phase 4: Advanced Troubleshooting & Last Resorts
These final, most powerful steps address deeper operating system issues or prepare you for professional service.
A. Restore iPhone via Finder/iTunes (DFU Mode)
If your screen is completely unresponsive, you must restore the device using a computer. This performs a complete reinstallation of the iOS software, which may fix deep software corruption.
- Connect your iPhone to a computer (Mac or PC running iTunes/Finder).
- Place your iPhone into **Recovery Mode** (the specific button sequence is the same as the Force Restart, but you continue holding until the Recovery Mode screen appears).
- On the computer, you will see a prompt to **Restore** or **Update**. Choose **Restore**.
B. Contact Apple Support
If your **iPhone touchscreen is still not responding** after a full software restore, the problem is highly likely a **hardware failure** related to the screen digitizer or the internal connection cable.
- Your next step is to visit an **Apple Store** or **Authorized Service Provider**.
- If your iPhone is covered by **AppleCare+**, the repair or replacement will be significantly cheaper.
Did the Force Restart bring your screen back to life? Let us know which fix worked for you in the comments below!