Fix an iPhone screen that won't respond to touch

Step by step

1. 30 sec

   Check for physical damage or moisture

   Examine the screen for cracks, dents, or visible liquid. If your iPhone is wet, power it off immediately and let it air dry for at least 24 hours in a warm room. Do not charge it during this time. Moisture behind the screen prevents touch detection even if the display looks intact.

   Note: If your iPhone was recently exposed to liquid, wait before proceeding—premature charging or use may cause permanent damage.
2. 1 min

   Force restart your iPhone

   A force restart clears temporary software glitches affecting touch response. On iPhone 8 and later, quickly press and release the Volume Up button, then quickly press and release the Volume Down button. Press and hold the Side button until the power-off slider appears, then drag it to power off. Wait 10 seconds, then press and hold the Side button again until the Apple logo appears.

   Note: On iPhone 7 and earlier, hold the Top (or Side) button and Volume Down button together until the power-off slider appears.
3. 1 min

   Test touch response in Safe Mode

   Safe Mode disables third-party apps to isolate software problems. After restarting, immediately press and hold the Volume Down button until you see the power-off slider. Release the button. When the iPhone shuts down and restarts, you'll see 'Safe Mode' in the lower left corner of the lock screen. If the screen responds in Safe Mode, a third-party app is causing the issue.

   Note: To exit Safe Mode, restart your iPhone normally.
4. 2 min

   Clean the screen and disable screen protection features

   Wipe the screen gently with a soft, lint-free cloth. Remove any screen protector if installed—defective protectors block touch signals. Then open Settings > Accessibility and check if Interaction Difficulty or Guided Access is enabled. Disable any active accessibility shortcuts that might restrict touch input.

   Note: A screen protector, even a quality one, occasionally interferes with touch sensing. If you suspect this, remove it temporarily to test.
5. 15 min

   Update to the latest iOS version

   Open Settings > General > Software Update. If an update is available, tap Download and Install. Connect your iPhone to power and Wi-Fi, then follow the on-screen prompts. iOS updates frequently include touch driver fixes and performance improvements.

   Note: Ensure you have at least 50% battery before updating.
6. 30 min

   Erase all settings without losing data

   Open Settings > General > Reset and tap Reset All Settings. Enter your passcode and confirm. This removes all custom settings but preserves your photos, messages, and apps. It often resolves touch issues caused by misconfigured system settings. After the reset completes, your iPhone will restart and you can reconfigure preferences.

   Note: Do not tap 'Erase All Content and Settings'—that removes everything. Use only 'Reset All Settings.'
7. 1 min

   Verify touch sensitivity in Diagnostics

   If you have access to Apple Diagnostics (available through Apple Support), run the touch screen test. Open the Apple Support app or visit an Apple Store to access this tool. It will identify if the touch controller hardware is defective, which cannot be fixed at home.

   Note: If Diagnostics confirms a hardware fault, your iPhone requires professional service—the touch controller cannot be repaired without replacing components.