iPhone Screen Not Working? Here's the Fix

Is your iPhone screen not working or responding to touch? You may tap, swipe, or press the screen repeatedly, but nothing happens. An unresponsive iPhone touch screen can happen because of software glitches, a frozen app, a dirty screen, faulty accessories, or physical damage.

Whether your iPhone screen is frozen, delayed, showing ghost touches, or completely unresponsive, this guide provides effective solutions to help you fix the iPhone screen not working issue and restore normal touch functionality.

iPhone Screen Not Working

How to Fix iPhone/iPad Screen Not Working

1. Force Restart Your iPhone

When your iPhone screen is frozen or not responding, a force restart is usually the first solution you should try. It can fix temporary system crashes without deleting your data.


The restart method depends on your iPhone model.


For iPhone 8 and Later (Including iPhone 15/16)

Step 1.
Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
Step 2.
Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
Step 3.
Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
Step 4.
Wait for your iPhone to restart and check whether the touch screen works normally.

For iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus

Step 1.
Press and hold the Volume Down button and Side button at the same time.
Step 2.
Release both buttons when the Apple logo appears.

For iPhone 6s and Earlier

Step 1.
Press and hold the Home button and Power button together.
Step 2.
Release them when the Apple logo appears.

2. Clean Your iPhone/iPad Screen

If the problem of iPhone/iPad touch screen not working is caused by the dirty screen, you can attempt to clean your iPhone/iPad screen. The screen can get the accumulation of grease, dirt and other physical materials. Here are some tips for iPhone/iPad touch screen cleaning.

Clean iPhone
  • You'd better power off your iPhone/iPad in case of a permanent damage.
  • Use a microfiber cloth or a lint-free cloth. Never use a towel or something that can damage the screen.
  • You can spray the cleaner on the soft cloth and clean the screen then. Don't spray the iPhone/iPad screen.
  • Never press the screen too hard.

3. Remove the Screen Protector and Case

Sometimes, a damaged or poor-quality screen protector can cause iPhone touch screen problems. A thick case or improperly installed tempered glass may also affect touch sensitivity.

Try removing:

  • Screen protectors with cracks or bubbles.
  • Thick protective cases.
  • Accessories covering the edge of the screen.

After removing them, test whether your iPhone screen responds normally.

If the touch screen works again, replace the protector or case with a compatible one.

4. Check Your Charger and Accessories

If your iPhone touch screen is not working only while charging, the problem may be caused by a faulty charger, cable, or other accessories.

Some low-quality or uncertified charging accessories may interfere with the touchscreen and cause inaccurate touch responses.

Try these solutions:

  • Disconnect your iPhone from the charger and check whether the screen works normally.
  • Use an original Apple charger or an MFi-certified accessory.
  • Replace damaged charging cables.
  • Avoid using damaged power adapters.

After changing the charging accessories, test your iPhone screen again.

5. Update or Restore Your iPhone

This way might be your last choice if you've tried the previous methods. Before you want to get your iPhone restored, you'd better back up your iPhone to iCloud or computer. Then you can hard reset iPhone via iTunes, device settings or a reputable iPhone reset software.


Restore iPhone via iTunes

Restore iPhone with iTunes
Step 1.
Launch the latest iTunes and connect your iPhone with computer.
Step 2.
Click your iPhone icon and then click "Restore iPhone...". Make sure you've turned off "Find My iPhone" feature.
Step 3.
Choose a proper iTunes backup file and click "Restore".

Reset your iPhone to factory settings

Reset iPhone to Factory Settings
Step 1.
Unlock your iPhone/iPad, and navigate to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Contents and Settings.
Step 2.
Hit "OK" and confirm to hard reset iPhone to factory settings.

Restore iPhone with FoneEraser


FoneEraser is a reputable and reliable iOS data erasing tool. Within several clicks, your iPhone/iPad is going to be renewed to factory settings securely.

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Step 1.
Launch FoneEraser and plug your iPhone to computer via USB cable.
Reset iPhone to Factory Settings
Step 2.
Three erasing level (Low, Medium and High) are available to choose from.
Reset iPhone to Factory Settings
Step 3.
Click the button of "Start" and prepare to erase everything from your iPhone.
Reset iPhone to Factory Settings

6. Fix iPhone Screen Not Working Due to iOS System Issues

Last but not least, if the unresponsive iPhone/iPad screen is caused by iOS system issue, you are able to use iOS System Recovery to help you. With clicks, you can let your iPhone/iPad turn to normal.

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Step 1.
Launch iOS System Recovery

Launch iOS System Recovery and connect your iPhone to it with USB cable. Click "More tools" from left and then choose the "iOS System Recovery" on the preview window. Click "Start" button.

launch Fonelab
Step 2.
Lead iPhone into Recovery or DFU mode

Click "Question" button and follow the guide to turn your iPhone into Recovery or DFU mode. Here we put disabled iPhone into DFU mode.

Led iPhone into DFU
Step 3.
Fix disabled iPhone

Select the iPhone model and then click "Download" to download the repaired device plug-in. Finally, iOS System Recovery can automatically fix your iPhone and bring it back to normal.

Fix iPhone Blue Screen to Normal

You can watch the video to learn more about iOS System Recovery:


Video Fix Disabled Frozen-iPhone to Normal play-button

In this article, we mainly show you several solutions if you encounter the issue of iPhone screen not working. If you have any better methods, welcome to tell us.

FAQs About iPhone Screen Not Working

Why is my iPhone touch screen not responding?

An iPhone touch screen may stop responding because of temporary iOS glitches, frozen apps, dirt or moisture on the screen, faulty screen protectors, charging accessories, software bugs, or physical damage. You can try restarting your iPhone, cleaning the screen, removing the screen protector, updating iOS, or using an iOS system repair tool if the issue is caused by software problems.

Why can't I touch my iPhone after an iOS update?

If your iPhone touch screen stops working after an iOS update, the problem may be caused by temporary software bugs or system compatibility issues. Try restarting your iPhone, checking for another iOS update, resetting settings, or using a professional iOS system repair tool to fix system errors without manually troubleshooting complex issues.

What is iPhone ghost touch and how do I fix it?

iPhone ghost touch happens when your screen responds to touches that you did not make, such as opening apps, typing automatically, or moving around the screen by itself. This issue can be caused by a damaged display, faulty screen protector, moisture, or iOS problems. Remove the screen protector, clean the screen, restart your iPhone, and check whether the issue disappears.

How do I fix an iPhone screen that is not responding after getting wet?

Water or moisture can interfere with the iPhone touchscreen and cause it to stop responding. Turn off your iPhone immediately, dry the device with a soft cloth, and avoid charging it until it is completely dry. If the screen still does not work after drying, the internal components may be damaged and require professional repair.

Conclusion

When your iPhone screen is not working, the problem can be caused by various reasons, including software glitches, dirty screens, faulty accessories, iOS system errors, or physical damage. Before seeking professional help, you can try simple solutions such as force restarting your iPhone, cleaning the screen, removing the screen protector, and checking your charging accessories.

If your iPhone touch screen is still unresponsive because of an iOS system issue, Aiseesoft iOS System Recovery can help repair common iOS problems and restore your device to normal without complicated troubleshooting.

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However, if your iPhone screen has physical damage, such as cracks or internal hardware issues, professional repair may be required.

By following the methods in this guide, you can identify the cause of your iPhone screen not working issue and choose the right solution to get your iPhone touchscreen working properly again.

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