There’s nothing more frustrating than picking up your iPhone, tapping the screen… and nothing happens. You swipe, press harder, lock and unlock it — still no response. Maybe part of the screen works, or maybe it’s completely frozen. When your iPhone touch screen is not working, it feels like your entire digital life just hit pause.

I’ve dealt with this more times than I’d like to admit. I think almost every iPhone user runs into this at some point — whether it’s after a software update, a random freeze, or an accidental drop. In my opinion, the good news is that most touch screen problems are fixable without rushing to a repair shop. I’ll walk you through exactly what to do, step by step.

If your iPhone screen has stopped responding, don’t panic. This guide will help you quickly figure out what’s causing the issue and show you the safest, smartest fixes you can try right now.

Quick Fix: What To Do Immediately

If your iPhone touch screen is not responding, start here.

Most touch screen issues are caused by temporary software glitches, screen protectors, or minor system bugs — and can be fixed in minutes.

Do This Now:

Force restart your iPhone
Remove your screen protector or case
Clean the screen with a dry microfiber cloth
Make sure your hands are dry and clean
Update to the latest iOS version
Check for physical damage
Reset all settings (if necessary)

Immediate action: If the phone is frozen and won’t respond at all, perform a force restart. This fixes the majority of temporary glitches.

Now let’s go deeper.

Why Is My iPhone Touch Screen Not Working?

Before fixing the issue, it helps to understand what might be causing it.

Common Causes

Software glitches
Frozen apps
iOS update bugs
Low storage space
Faulty screen protectors
Water exposure
Physical damage from drops
Battery issues
Internal hardware failure

Sometimes it’s minor. Sometimes it’s more serious. The key is to diagnose before assuming the worst.

Step 1: Force Restart Your iPhone

This is the first thing you should try.

A force restart shuts down background processes and clears temporary system errors. It does not delete your data.

How to Force Restart (Newer Models – Face ID)

Quickly press and release Volume Up
Quickly press and release Volume Down
Press and hold the Side Button
Keep holding until the Apple logo appears

For iPhone 7 / 7 Plus

Press and hold Volume Down + Power Button
Hold until the Apple logo appears

For iPhone 6s and Older

Press and hold Home Button + Power Button
Hold until you see the Apple logo

If the issue was a temporary glitch, this usually fixes it.

Step 2: Remove Screen Protector and Case

This one surprises people.

Some cheap or thick screen protectors interfere with touch sensitivity. If your iPhone only responds when you press hard, that’s a red flag.

Take off:

Screen protector
Phone case
Any magnetic accessories

Then test the screen again.

IMO, this is one of the most overlooked fixes.

Step 3: Clean Your Screen Properly

Dirt, oil, and moisture can interfere with capacitive touch sensors.

How to Clean It Safely

Turn off your iPhone
Use a dry microfiber cloth
Avoid using household cleaners
If necessary, slightly dampen the cloth with water

Never spray liquid directly on the phone.

Also make sure your hands are dry. Wet fingers can cause erratic touch behavior.

Step 4: Check Storage Space

Low storage can cause apps to freeze and the system to lag.

Go to:

Settings → General → iPhone Storage

If your storage is nearly full:

Delete unused apps
Remove old photos/videos
Clear Safari cache
Offload large apps

When storage drops below 1GB, system performance suffers badly.

Step 5: Update iOS

Sometimes the issue appears right after an update — but sometimes updates fix the problem too.

Go to:

Settings → General → Software Update

If an update is available, install it.

Apple often patches touchscreen bugs through software updates.

Step 6: Check for App-Specific Issues

Is the entire screen unresponsive, or just one app?

If only one app is frozen:

Swipe up to open the app switcher
Close the problematic app
Reopen it

If the issue continues, delete and reinstall the app.

Step 7: Reset All Settings

If nothing has worked so far, try resetting your settings.

This does NOT erase your data. It resets:

Wi-Fi passwords
Display settings
Network settings
System preferences

Go to:

Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset → Reset All Settings

This often resolves deeper configuration glitches.

What If Only Part of the Screen Works?

This usually indicates digitizer damage.

Common signs:

Dead zones on the screen
Ghost touches
Random screen movements
Vertical lines

If part of the screen doesn’t respond at all, it may be a hardware issue.

Ask yourself:

Did you drop it recently?
Is there a crack?
Has it been exposed to water?

If yes, you likely need a repair.

Water Damage: What To Do

If your iPhone got wet and now the screen isn’t working:

Do NOT:

Put it in rice
Charge it immediately
Shake it aggressively

Instead:

Power it off
Let it air dry in a ventilated space
Wait at least 24 hours before turning it back on

Water damage can affect internal touch connectors.

FYI, even small moisture exposure can cause delayed touch issues.

When It’s a Hardware Problem

If none of the software fixes work, the problem may be:

A damaged digitizer
Loose internal connector
Failing display assembly
Battery swelling pressing on the screen

Signs of hardware failure:

Screen flickering
Touch not responding at all
Black spots or lines
Random screen taps (ghost touch)

At this point, you’ll likely need professional repair.

Should You Repair or Replace?

This depends on your iPhone model and repair cost.

Repair Makes Sense If:

The phone is less than 3–4 years old
Only the screen is damaged
Everything else works perfectly

Replace Makes Sense If:

The phone is very old
Multiple components are failing
Repair cost is high

If your iPhone is under warranty or covered by AppleCare+, check with Apple support first.

Prevent This From Happening Again

Once your screen works again, protect it.

Here’s what helps:

Use a high-quality tempered glass protector
Avoid cheap magnetic cases
Keep storage below 90%
Update iOS regularly
Avoid extreme heat
Don’t use the phone while charging with faulty cables

Heat and battery stress can indirectly affect screen responsiveness.

Advanced Fix: Restore Using Recovery Mode

If your screen partially works but the system is unstable, you can restore via a computer.

Warning: This erases your data unless you have a backup.

Connect your iPhone to a computer
Open Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows)
Put iPhone in Recovery Mode
Choose “Restore”

This reinstalls iOS completely.

Use this only if basic troubleshooting fails.

Final Thoughts

When your iPhone touch screen is not working, it feels urgent — and honestly, it is. Your phone handles everything from calls to payments.

But here’s the reassuring part: most touch issues are software-related and fixable at home. Start with a force restart, remove accessories, clean the screen, and update iOS. Only move to repairs if those fail.

In my experience, 7 out of 10 cases are resolved without opening the phone.

Stay calm. Work step by step. You’ve got this.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why is my iPhone screen not responding to touch but it turns on?

This usually indicates a software freeze or digitizer issue. If the display shows visuals but doesn’t register touch, perform a force restart first. If the problem persists, it may involve hardware damage to the touch layer beneath the glass.

2. Can a screen protector cause touch problems?

Yes. Poor-quality or thick screen protectors can reduce touch sensitivity. Removing the protector often restores responsiveness. Always use certified tempered glass designed for your specific iPhone model.

3. Will resetting my iPhone delete everything?

A full factory reset erases data. However, Reset All Settings does not delete personal data. It only restores system settings. Always back up your device before performing major resets.

4. How do I know if it’s water damage?

Signs include erratic touch behavior, delayed response, or random ghost touches after moisture exposure. Internal corrosion can cause progressive failure. Immediate powering off and air drying are critical first steps.

5. When should I take my iPhone to a repair technician?

Seek professional repair if:

Force restart doesn’t work
Only part of the screen responds
There are visible cracks
Ghost touches continue
The phone overheats

Persistent touch failure after software troubleshooting usually indicates hardware damage.