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iPhone Screen Unresponsive to Touch? Simple Methods to Try

One of the most unexpected situations when using an iPhone daily is when the screen suddenly becomes unresponsive. Whether you are replying to messages, handling work emails, or preparing to make a payment, a screen failure can disrupt your flow and even raise concerns about whether the device has a serious malfunction. In fact, in most cases, the problem isn't as complicated as it seems; by mastering some effective methods, you can quickly restore touch functionality and avoid delaying important tasks. Next, we will introduce you to the common causes of iPhone screen unresponsive and provide various feasible solutions.

iPhone Screen Unresponsive

Part 1. Why Is My iPhone Screen Unresponsive

In daily use, many users encounter situations where the iPhone screen is unresponsive: the phone can be powered on, but it cannot slide or click the screen. This type of issue does not necessarily indicate that the device is completely damaged; rather, it may be caused by the following reasons:

  • System abnormalities: When iOS experiences temporary stuttering or glitches, it can lead to the iPhone screen being unresponsive to touch, regardless of how the user clicks.
  • Insufficient storage: When the storage space is full, the overall speed of the device decreases, and screen touch can easily experience delays or failures.
  • External influences: A thick tempered glass or an inappropriate protective case may obstruct the screen from recognizing touch signals, resulting in unresponsive clicks.
  • Hardware damage: Dropping, water damage, or long-term wear and tear can damage the screen or touch chip, ultimately leading to a situation where the device is completely unresponsive.

Understanding these possible causes can help us quickly find corresponding solutions before proceeding to solve the problem. Next, we will provide practical repair solutions for different situations.

Part 2. How to Fix Unresponsive iPhone Screen

By following some simple steps, you can quickly diagnose the reasons for the iPhone screen being unresponsive and resolve the issue. The following methods cover common causes, such as system, hardware, and storage, which can help you restore touch functionality step by step.

Force Restart iPhone

If the screen becomes unresponsive due to system lag, a forced restart can terminate all running processes, effectively performing a complete refresh. This process may resolve many minor issues, though the steps may vary slightly across different iPhone models.

Step 1

Press once, then quickly release the volume up button.

Step 2

Operate the volume down button as in the first step.

Step 3

Press and hold the power button until the Apple logo appears.

Force Restart iPhone

Remove Accessories

Sometimes the issue is not with the screen itself, but rather with external accessories interfering with the touch controls. Overly thick screen protectors, closely fitting cases, and even certain external devices can cause touch responsiveness to become slow or ineffective. Removing these accessories can help confirm if the issue is due to external interference.

Step 1

Remove the iPhone's case and screen protector.

Step 2

Unplug all Lightning or USB-C external devices.

Step 3

Retry the touch controls to see if normal function returns.

Remove iPhone Accessories

Update iOS

Apple will fix some known touch issues in system updates. If you are using an outdated version of iOS, you may encounter vulnerabilities that have not yet been fixed. Sometimes, it is also possible to get stuck on update Apple ID settings, but don't worry, this is also a situation that can be resolved.

Step 1

Open Settings > General.

Step 2

Click Software Update to check for new versions. If an update is available, click Download and Install.

Update IOS

Free Up Storage

When the iPhone's storage space is full, the system operation becomes unusually slow, causing the screen to respond sluggishly or even completely fail. By freeing up storage, the device can return to normal operating speed, thereby improving the touch experience.

Step 1

Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage.

Step 2

Delete rarely used apps or clear large files like videos and photos. Ensure at least 2GB of available space is kept.

Free Up Storage

Restore iPhone

If the above methods do not work, it indicates that the problem may be more complex. At this point, restoring the iPhone can reset the system environment and eliminate software interference. This operation will erase all data, so it is recommended to back up in advance for easier restore from iCloud backup later.

Step 1

Connect your device to the computer and open iTunes.

Step 2

Click on the Device button and select Restore iPhone.

Step 3

Follow the prompts to complete the operation, and the system will be reinstalled.

Restore iPhone

Part 3. How to Unlock iPhone with Unresponsive Screen

If the iPhone screen is still unresponsive and does not recover after trying various methods, you need to use professional tools. Among the many tools, imyPass iPassGo is a recommended choice to help you easily bypass the lock screen.

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Step 1

Download and install imyPass iPassGo on your computer. Open the program and select the Wipe Passcode function.

Choose Wipe Passcode Mode
Step 2

Connect your iPhone to your computer with a cable. After confirming the device information, click Start to obtain the corresponding firmware.

Download Firmware Package
Step 3

Once the firmware download is complete, click Next and wait for a few minutes to complete.

Unlock iPhone Passcode

This way, you can quickly regain access to the device even if you can't touch the screen.

Conclusion

So, when you encounter an iPhone screen unresponsive to touch, you don't have to worry that the device has been completely damaged immediately. Most problems can be solved with some simple system manipulations. If you can't, you can use imyPass iPassGo to unlock it, even if you can't enter the password.

Samuel Spenser
Samuel Spenser

Samuel is a senior editor from imyPass. He is an expert on password unlocking. He has over five years of experience writing tutorials on phone unlocking.

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