Why Is My iPhone Touchscreen Not Working? Causes and Solutions

Published: 27 Jul 2026

Is your iPhone touchscreen not working, responding slowly, or ignoring your taps? A faulty touchscreen can make it difficult to unlock your device, answer calls, type messages, open apps, or access important files.

But don’t worry—many touchscreen issues are caused by simple problems like dirt, moisture, software glitches, overheating, or faulty accessories. In many cases, you can fix the problem yourself before considering a repair.

In this guide, you will discover why your iPhone touchscreen is not working, 10 easy ways to fix it, and the situations where you should contact Apple Support or visit a repair professional.

Table of Content

Why Is My iPhone Touchscreen Not Working?

The touchscreen on the iPhone can stop functioning due to software or hardware issues.

Software issues are usually temporary. They can be related to frozen apps, bugs in iOS, limited storage space, or incorrect accessibility settings.

Hardware issues can be related to damage, contact with water, a malfunctioning display, a loose connection between the screen and body of the phone, or a swollen battery.

Common causes include:

Dirt, oil, or moisture on the screen
Damaged screen protector
Tight or poorly fitted phone case
Faulty charger or charging cable
iPhone overheating
Frozen application
Outdated iOS version
Problematic app
Low internal storage
Cracked display
Water damage
Loose display connector
Low-quality replacement screen
Swollen battery

To Test Your iPhone Touchscreen Online, Click Here!

Test Screen

Common iPhone Touchscreen Problems

An iPhone touchscreen problem can appear in several ways.

1. The Entire Screen Is Not Responding

Your iPhone may continue to ring, receive notifications, or display content on the screen, but it won’t respond to your touch. This can happen because of an iOS freeze, a loose display connector, or a damaged touchscreen layer.

2. Part of the Screen Is Not Working

Only the top, bottom, left, or right side of the display may stop responding. A permanently unresponsive area usually indicates damage to the touchscreen or digitizer.

3. The Screen Is Responding Slowly

The touchscreen works, but taps and swipes feel delayed. This can happen because of overheating, low storage, a heavy app, or a temporary software problem.

4. The Screen Freezes Randomly

The iPhone may work normally for a while and then suddenly stop responding. A frozen app, iOS bug, or memory issue may be responsible.

5. Touchscreen Stops Working While Charging

The touchscreen may become less responsive or behave unexpectedly while the iPhone is charging. This is often caused by a faulty charger, damaged charging cable, or incompatible accessories.

How to Fix iPhone Touchscreen Not Working

Try the following 10 solutions one by one. Test the touchscreen after each step to see whether the problem is resolved.

1. Clean and Dry the Screen

Dust, oil, sweat, and moisture can stop the iPhone screen from detecting your fingers correctly.
Turn off the iPhone and wipe the display with a clean microfiber cloth.
Make sure:

The screen is completely dry
Your hands are clean and dry
There is no oil or lotion on your fingers
No water is trapped around the screen edges
The display is free from dust

If the screen is oily, slightly dampen the cloth with clean water. Do not pour water or cleaning liquid directly onto the iPhone.
Avoid using:

Rough fabric
Household cleaning sprays
Strong chemicals
Sharp objects
Excessive water

If the iPhone was recently exposed to rain, steam, or water, switch it off and allow it to dry before using or charging it.

2. Remove the Screen Protector and Case

A cracked, thick, or poorly installed screen protector can reduce touchscreen sensitivity.
It may cause problems if:

It is cracked
It has air bubbles
Dust is trapped underneath
It is lifting from the corners
It is too thick
It is not aligned correctly
It is made for another iPhone model

Carefully remove the screen protector and test the display.
You should also remove the phone case. A tight or damaged case may press against the screen edges or side buttons.
If the touchscreen starts working again, replace the screen protector or case with a high-quality one designed specifically for your iPhone model.

3. Disconnect the Charger and Accessories

If the touchscreen stops working while charging, unplug the iPhone. A damaged, low-quality, or uncertified charger can cause electrical interference that affects touchscreen performance.

Try the following:

Use an original or certified charger
Change the charging cable
Test another wall socket
Check the charging port for dirt
Remove connected adapters
Disconnect wired headphones or other accessories
Avoid using the phone while charging

4. Force Restart the iPhone

A temporary software problem can freeze the touchscreen. When the screen does not respond, a force restart is usually more useful than a normal restart.

For iPhone 8 and Later

Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
Press and hold the Side button.
Release it when the Apple logo appears.

For iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus

Press and hold the Side button and Volume Down button together.
Release both buttons when the Apple logo appears.

For iPhone 6s and Earlier

Press and hold the Home button and Power button together.
Release both buttons when the Apple logo appears.

A force restart does not normally delete your apps, photos, videos, or other personal files.

5. Let the iPhone Cool Down

Overheating can make the touchscreen slow, laggy, or completely unresponsive.

The iPhone may become hot while:

Playing heavy games
Recording long videos
Charging
Using GPS
Running many apps
Using the camera for a long time
Sitting in direct sunlight

Move your iPhone to a cool, shaded place and remove the case if it traps heat. Avoid placing the device in a refrigerator or using cold water to cool it down, as sudden temperature changes can cause internal damage.
Once the iPhone returns to a normal temperature, check whether the touchscreen responds properly.

6. Update iOS and Installed Apps

An iOS bug may affect touchscreen performance. Software updates can fix system errors, improve stability, and resolve compatibility issues.

To update iOS, go to:

Settings > General > Software Update

Update your iPhone to the latest version. Make sure it has enough battery power and available storage before installing the update.

It’s also a good idea to update all installed apps.

If the touchscreen freezes only when using a specific app, try the following:

Close the app
Update it
Restart your iPhone
Uninstall and reinstall the app
Use an alternative app

7. Check Touch Accessibility Settings

Some accessibility settings can change how your iPhone responds to taps, swipes, and gestures. Incorrect settings may make the touchscreen feel slow, delayed, or behave differently than expected.

Go to:

Settings > Accessibility > Touch

Temporarily check or turn off the following features.

Touch Accommodations

Touch Accommodations controls how the iPhone responds to touch duration and repeated taps. Turn it off temporarily and test the touchscreen.

AssistiveTouch

AssistiveTouch adds a floating button and allows alternative control methods. It does not usually cause a true touchscreen failure, but disabling it can help identify unusual behavior.

Back Tap

Back Tap performs actions when you tap the back of your iPhone.

Go to:

Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Back Tap

Set Double Tap and Triple Tap to None while testing.

8. Free Up Internal Storage

A nearly full iPhone can become slow, freeze, or struggle to complete system tasks.

Check your available storage by opening:

Settings > General > iPhone Storage

Try to keep at least 10% to 20% of the storage free.

You can create more space by removing:

Unused apps
Large games
Old videos
Duplicate photos
Downloaded files
Offline movies
Podcast downloads
Large message attachments
Unnecessary app data

9. Reset All Settings

If an incorrect system setting is affecting touchscreen performance, resetting all settings may help fix the issue.

Go to:

Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings

This does not normally remove your photos, videos, apps, or personal files.

However, it may reset:

Wi-Fi passwords
Network settings
Keyboard settings
Display preferences
Privacy settings
Location settings
Apple Pay cards

The iPhone will restart after the reset. After the reset is complete, test the touchscreen before restoring your preferred settings.

10. Back Up and Restore the iPhone

Restoring your iPhone should be the last software solution you try. It removes the phone’s data and installs a clean version of iOS.

Before restoring, back up:

Photos and videos
Contacts
Messages
Documents
App data
Account information
Important passwords

You can back up the iPhone using iCloud or a computer.

After creating a backup, you can erase the device through:

Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings

After the restore is complete, set up your iPhone and check whether the touchscreen works normally.

iPhone Touchscreen Not Working After a Drop

A drop can damage the touchscreen even if the front glass does not look badly cracked.

The impact may damage:

Touch digitizer
Display connector
Internal flex cable
Screen frame
Battery
Logic board components

If the touchscreen stopped working immediately after a drop, software troubleshooting may not solve the issue.

Back up your data if possible and take the iPhone to a qualified technician.

To Test Your iPhone Touchscreen Online, Click Here!

Test Screen

iPhone Touchscreen Not Working After Water Damage

Water can affect touchscreen responsiveness and damage your iPhone’s internal components.

If your iPhone gets wet:

Turn it off.
Disconnect all cables.
Remove the phone case.
Wipe it with a soft, dry cloth.
Keep it in a dry, well-ventilated place.
Do not charge it until it is completely dry.

Do not use a hair dryer because too much heat can harm your iPhone. Also, avoid putting it in rice because it won’t remove moisture from inside the device and may leave dust in the charging port.

If the touchscreen still doesn’t respond after your iPhone has dried, contact Apple Support or visit a qualified repair technician.

iPhone Touchscreen Not Working After Screen Replacement

If the problem started after screen replacement, the new display may be faulty or incorrectly installed.

Possible causes include:

Low-quality replacement screen
Loose display connector
Damaged flex cable
Incorrect screen model
Excessive adhesive
Pressure from the phone frame
Installation error

Return to the repair shop and ask them to inspect the screen.

A newly installed display should respond correctly across the entire screen.

Can a Swollen Battery Stop the Touchscreen From Working?

Yes. A swollen battery can press against the display from inside your iPhone.

This pressure can cause:

Touchscreen failure
Random touches
Screen lifting
Back panel separation
Display discoloration
Unusual heat
Rapid battery drain

A swollen battery is a serious safety risk. Turn off your iPhone and stop charging it immediately. Do not press the screen back into place or try to open the device yourself.

Take the iPhone to an authorised service provider or qualified repair technician.

How to Use an iPhone When Touch Is Not Working

If the touchscreen works only partially, you may still be able to use Siri to perform basic tasks without touching the screen.

You can ask Siri to:

Make a call
Send a message
Set an alarm
Turn on Voice Control
Open an app
Check notifications
Enable Bluetooth

When Should You Visit a Repair Center?

You should seek professional repair if:

The screen is badly cracked
Only part of the display responds to touch
The device was exposed to water
The problem started after a hard drop
The screen is lifting from the frame
The battery appears swollen
The display shows black spots or lines
The touchscreen still doesn’t work after a restore
The issue started after a screen replacement
The iPhone becomes unusually hot

Back up your important data before taking your iPhone for repair whenever possible.

Contact Apple Support, an authorized service provider, or a trusted repair technician who offers a warranty on their work.

Tips to Prevent iPhone Touchscreen Problems

You can reduce the risk of touchscreen problems by following these tips:

Keep the screen clean and dry
Use an original or certified charger
Install a compatible screen protector
Use a properly fitted phone case
Keep iOS and apps updated
Avoid excessive heat
Do not use your iPhone with wet hands
Keep enough free storage available
Protect your device from drops
Repair cracked screens as soon as possible
Avoid low-quality replacement screens
Never charge a wet iPhone

Conclusion

So guys, in this article, we’ve covered why your iPhone touchscreen is not working and how to fix it in detail. We discussed the common causes, effective fixes, and situations where professional help may be needed. I recommend trying the simple troubleshooting steps first, such as cleaning the screen, restarting your iPhone, and checking software settings before considering a repair.

However, if the issue continues after these fixes, it is better to get your device inspected by a qualified technician.

Try these solutions today to restore your iPhone touchscreen and keep your device working smoothly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are the answers to some common questions about the iPhone touchscreen not working :

Why is my iPhone 13 touchscreen not working and I can’t unlock it?

Your iPhone 13 touchscreen may stop responding because of a software glitch, frozen system, or display issue. Try a force restart first, and if it still does not work, the screen may need professional inspection.

Why is my iPhone not responding to touch when it is locked?

This can happen due to software problems, moisture, screen damage, or faulty accessories. Clean the screen, disconnect accessories, and force restart your iPhone to check if the issue is resolved.

Why is only part of my iPhone screen not working?

If only one area of your iPhone screen is not responding, the touchscreen layer or digitizer may be damaged. Try restarting your iPhone and removing the screen protector to check if it fixes the issue. If the same area remains unresponsive, the display may need professional repair.

Can water damage stop an iPhone touchscreen from working?

Yes, water can interfere with touchscreen performance and damage internal components. Turn off your iPhone, disconnect cables, and allow it to dry before using it again. If the touchscreen still does not work, seek professional help.