How to Fix an Unresponsive iPhone Touchscreen (Step-by-Step Guide)

When your iPhone suddenly stops responding to touch, it can feel frustrating—but in most cases, the problem is minor. Touchscreen issues are usually caused by temporary software glitches rather than hardware failure. Before rushing to a service centre, you can try a few simple fixes at home.

This guide explains easy, safe methods to bring your touchscreen back to normal.

Also read: How to Transfer Songs from Your iPod to Your Computer (Simple Guide)

1. Restart or Force Restart Your iPhone

A normal restart is often enough to fix a frozen screen. Restarting clears small system errors that might be stopping the display from responding.

To restart most iPhones:
Press and hold the side button and one volume button → slide to power off → wait around 30 seconds → turn it back on.

If the screen does not respond at all, you’ll need a force restart:

• iPhone 8 and newer (including Face ID models):
  Press and release Volume Up → press and release Volume Down → hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.
• iPhone 7/7 Plus:
  Hold the Volume Down button + Side button together until the Apple logo shows.
• Older models (with a Home button):
  Hold the Home button + Side/Top button until the Apple logo appears.

A force restart doesn’t delete your data and often fixes touch issues instantly.

2. Clean the Screen and Remove Accessories

Sometimes the issue isn’t software at all. Dust, fingerprints, moisture, or a thick screen protector can affect touch sensitivity.

Try the following:

• Remove your screen protector temporarily.
• Wipe the screen with a clean microfiber cloth.
• Make sure your hands are dry.

Cases, chargers, and cables—especially older or damaged ones—can also interfere with touch signals. Disconnect accessories and test the screen again to rule out external causes.

3. Update iOS Through a Computer or Recovery Mode

If your touchscreen still doesn’t respond, updating the software may help. Updates often fix bugs that affect touch controls.

You can normally update through Settings → General → Software Update.
But if you can’t use the screen:

1. Connect your iPhone to a Mac or Windows PC.
2. Open Finder (macOS 10.15+) or iTunes (older macOS/Windows).
3. Choose Update when your device appears.

If your iPhone is completely unresponsive, enter Recovery Mode:

• Connect your iPhone → perform the force restart steps for your model → keep holding the last button until the Recovery Mode screen appears.
• Select Update (not Restore) on your computer.

Recovery Mode reinstalls the latest iOS without erasing your data.

4. Free Up Storage and Let the iPhone Cool Down

An iPhone with almost no free storage may lag or stop responding. If you can access the device even a little:

• Remove unused apps.
• Shift large photos or videos to iCloud or a computer.
• Restart after freeing space.

Overheating can also affect touch sensitivity. If your phone feels hot:

• Switch it off for 15–30 minutes.
• Avoid charging and gaming until it cools.
• Enable Airplane Mode or Low Power Mode if you cannot shut it down.

Touchscreens may stop responding when temperatures rise too high, but return to normal after cooling.

5. Update Apps and Check for App-Specific Issues

Sometimes the touchscreen freezes only inside certain apps. Outdated apps or poorly coded updates can become incompatible with iOS.

Try this:

• Update all apps from the App Store.
• Remove and reinstall any app that repeatedly causes hangs.
• If the issue continues, report it to the developer.

Keeping apps updated ensures smoother performance and reduces touch-related glitches.

6. Perform a Factory Reset (Use Only as a Last Option)

If nothing helps, you may need to reset your iPhone. This step removes software errors by restoring the device to its default state.

Before resetting, always back up your data through iCloud or a computer.

To reset using a computer:

1. Connect your iPhone to Finder or iTunes.
2. Put the device in Recovery Mode using the force restart steps.
3. Choose Restore.

After the reset, set up the iPhone as new and test the touchscreen. If it works properly, restore your backup.

If the issue still remains, the problem might be hardware-related, and contacting Apple Support is the safest next step.

Extra Things You Can Try

• Replace thick or misaligned screen protectors.
• Keep your iPhone clean and dry.
• Avoid multitasking or heavy apps when the device is hot.
• Install both iOS and app updates regularly.

These simple habits can prevent touchscreen issues in the future.

Also read: How to Fix iPhone or Android Volume Increasing on Its Own in 2025

Final Thoughts

Fixing an unresponsive iPhone touchscreen is usually simple. Restarting, force restarting, cleaning the screen, and removing accessories often solve the problem quickly. Updating iOS, clearing storage, and managing heat can also improve responsiveness.

If all else fails, a factory reset or Apple Support may be required. Following these steps helps ensure your touchscreen works smoothly and reliably again.