There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to unlock your phone or scroll through an app—and discovering that the touchscreen isn’t responding. A malfunctioning touchscreen can make your phone almost unusable, disrupting work, communication, and daily tasks.
Before assuming your phone is broken, there are multiple reasons why touchscreens stop working, many of which can be fixed at home. In this guide, we’ll explore common causes and proven fixes to get your touchscreen working again.
1. Remove Screen Protectors and Cases
A poorly fitted screen protector or bulky phone case can interfere with touchscreen sensitivity. Some protectors, especially thick glass or plastic films, can reduce responsiveness, and dirt trapped underneath may also cause issues.
How to fix:
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Remove the screen protector carefully
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Wipe the screen with a soft, lint-free cloth
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Try using your phone without a case to see if the touchscreen improves
If the touchscreen works after removing the protector, consider replacing it with a high-quality, thin protector.
2. Clean Your Screen Properly
Oils, dust, and moisture on the screen can prevent touch sensors from detecting input.
How to clean safely:
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Power off the phone
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Use a microfiber cloth slightly dampened with water
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Avoid using harsh chemicals or excessive liquid
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Dry the screen completely before turning it back on
Keeping your screen clean can restore responsiveness instantly.
3. Restart Your Phone
Sometimes, touchscreen issues are caused by temporary software glitches. Restarting the device can refresh system processes and fix unresponsive screens.
Steps:
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Press and hold the power button
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Choose “Restart” if available, or turn off and back on manually
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Test the touchscreen after reboot
For minor freezes or lags, a simple restart is often enough.
4. Remove External Interference
Touchscreens may stop responding if your fingers are wet, greasy, or using gloves not compatible with capacitive screens.
Fix tips:
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Use dry, clean fingers
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Remove gloves or use touchscreen-compatible gloves
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Avoid using pens or other non-conductive tools
Proper finger contact is essential for capacitive touchscreen function.
5. Check for App Conflicts
Sometimes, a newly installed or updated app can interfere with touchscreen functionality. Apps running in the background may cause lags or freezing.
Solutions:
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Boot your phone into Safe Mode
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Android: Hold the Power button → Press and hold “Power Off” → Tap “Safe Mode”
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iPhone: Not directly available, but you can uninstall suspect apps
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Observe if the touchscreen works in Safe Mode
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Uninstall or update apps causing conflicts
This helps determine whether a software issue is behind the problem.
6. Update Your Phone Software
Outdated operating systems may contain bugs that affect touchscreen performance. Manufacturers release updates to fix glitches and improve hardware compatibility.
Steps:
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Go to Settings → System → Software Update
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Download and install any available updates
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Restart your phone and test the touchscreen
Keeping your software up-to-date is essential for smooth performance.
7. Adjust Touchscreen Sensitivity (If Available)
Some phones allow you to adjust touchscreen sensitivity in settings. This is especially useful if you recently added a screen protector.
How to adjust:
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Android: Settings → Display → Touch Sensitivity
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iPhone: Sensitivity is generally automatic, but removing the case or protector may help
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Increase sensitivity slightly if your touches feel delayed
This small adjustment can fix minor responsiveness issues.
8. Free Up Storage and Close Background Apps
Overloaded storage or too many running apps can slow down your phone, making the touchscreen feel laggy.
Solutions:
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Delete unused apps and files
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Clear app caches
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Close unnecessary apps running in the background
Optimizing storage and RAM can make your touchscreen respond smoothly.
9. Perform a Factory Reset (Last Resort)
If none of the above solutions work, a factory reset can fix deep software problems.
Important:
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Backup your data before resetting
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Go to Settings → System → Reset → Factory Data Reset
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Follow prompts to erase and restore your phone to default settings
A factory reset usually resolves software-related touchscreen issues but should be done cautiously.
10. Seek Professional Repair
If your touchscreen still doesn’t respond after all fixes, the problem may be hardware-related. Possible issues include:
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Damaged digitizer or touchscreen layer
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Loose internal connections after drops
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Water or moisture damage
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Physical cracks or defects
At this point, visiting a certified technician or authorized service center is the safest option. Professional repair ensures your phone is diagnosed accurately and fixed without causing additional damage.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Can water damage cause touchscreen issues?
Yes. Even small amounts of moisture can disrupt the touchscreen sensor. Let the phone dry completely or consult a technician.
Q2: Why does my touchscreen respond slowly sometimes?
Slow responses are often caused by too many background apps, full storage, or software glitches.
Q3: Can dropping my phone damage the touchscreen internally?
Yes. Even if the screen looks fine, the digitizer underneath may be damaged.
Q4: Is a screen protector always safe?
Most high-quality, thin protectors are safe. Thick or poorly fitted ones may reduce sensitivity.
Q5: How do I know if it’s software or hardware?
Try Safe Mode, reboot, or factory reset. If the issue persists, it’s likely hardware-related.
Final Thoughts
A touchscreen that won’t respond doesn’t always mean your phone is broken. Most issues are caused by software glitches, dirt, apps, or settings, which can often be fixed at home. By following these 10 proven fixes, you can restore your touchscreen and avoid unnecessary stress or repair costs.
If none of the solutions work, professional repair is the safest way to address hardware issues. Remember, maintaining a clean screen, updated software, and careful usage can prevent most touchscreen problems in the future.