When a phone stops responding to touch, it is not always a broken screen. An app may have frozen, the phone may be struggling, or a charger or screen protector may be interfering. The useful clue is how the problem appears: does the whole screen ignore you, does one area fail, or does the phone tap things by itself?
Work through the checks below in order. If the phone is badly cracked, swollen, or recently exposed to water, skip to the safety and repair advice instead of repeatedly trying to use it.
Identify the symptom first
- The screen is on, but nothing responds: the app or operating system may be frozen, though a faulty touch sensor is also possible.
- Only one strip or area fails: a damaged display, a poorly fitted protector, or pressure from the case may be responsible.
- The phone taps or scrolls by itself: this is often called ghost touch. Moisture, a damaged screen, a protector, or electrical interference while charging can cause it.
- The screen is black, but the phone rings or vibrates: the phone may still be running while its display has failed. See our guide to fixing a phone that won't turn on if you cannot tell whether the device is powered on.
Try these quick checks first
- Clean the screen and dry your hands. Wipe the display with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth. Water, oil, and dirt can interfere with touch input. Do not spray cleaner directly onto the phone.
- Remove the case and screen protector temporarily. A case pressing against the edges or a cracked, lifting, or badly fitted protector can make parts of the screen difficult to use. Test the phone without them before assuming the display is damaged.
- Unplug the charger. If ghost touches happen only while charging, stop using that charger and cable for the test. A faulty or low-quality accessory can cause erratic input. If the problem disappears, try a reputable replacement. For related charging checks, see how to troubleshoot slow phone charging.
- Check for moisture and gloves. Dry your hands and remove gloves that may not work with the display. If the phone has become wet, switch it off if you can and do not charge it while it may still be wet. Avoid using heat to dry it.
- Give a busy phone a moment. If it is installing an update or has just become very slow, wait briefly. If the screen remains frozen, move on to a restart.
Force-restart the phone
A force restart can clear a temporary freeze and does not normally erase personal data. The button sequence depends on the model, so use the instructions for your device.
- iPhone 8 or later, including iPhone SE (2nd or 3rd generation): quickly press and release Volume Up, quickly press and release Volume Down, then hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.
- iPhone 7 or 7 Plus: hold Volume Down and the side button together until the Apple logo appears.
- iPhone 6s or earlier, including iPhone SE (1st generation): hold the Home button and the side or top button together until the Apple logo appears.
- Android: on many models, holding the power button for around 10–30 seconds forces a restart. Others require Power and Volume Down together. If that does not work, check the phone maker's instructions for your exact model.
Keep holding the buttons until the phone responds; a brief press may only lock the screen. If the phone still will not restart, connect it to a known-good charger only if the device is dry and shows no signs of battery swelling or physical damage.
If touch still does not work after restarting
Install available updates
If you can control the phone, check for a system update and update your apps. On iPhone, open Settings > General > Software Update to check for iOS updates; update apps through the App Store. On Android, look for System or Software Update in Settings and update apps through Google Play. Menu names vary by manufacturer. Updates sometimes fix bugs that cause freezes or unusual touch behavior. If the screen is too unreliable to navigate, do not struggle through settings just to complete this step.
Check whether an app is the problem
On iPhone: if only one app freezes while the rest of the screen still works, close and reopen that app, then check for an update in the App Store. If the whole phone is frozen, use the force-restart instructions above instead.
On Android: Safe Mode temporarily disables downloaded apps. The method for entering it varies by manufacturer, so follow the instructions for your model. If touch works normally in Safe Mode, a recently installed or updated app may be involved. Restart normally and remove recent apps one at a time. If the same areas remain unresponsive in Safe Mode, the cause may be the system or hardware; this test alone cannot prove which one.
Check whether the phone is overheating or running out of space
A very hot phone or one with almost no free storage can become sluggish, making touch input feel delayed. Stop demanding tasks, close heavy apps if you can, and let the phone cool naturally out of direct sunlight. Do not put it in a refrigerator or freezer. Once it is responsive again, free up space by removing files or apps you no longer need.
Use an accessibility feature if only part of the screen works
If you can still reach Settings, an accessibility tool may help you control the phone long enough to save important data. On iPhone, AssistiveTouch is under Settings > Accessibility > Touch. Android offers accessibility options too, but the names and available features vary by model. These features may help with some controls, but they cannot make a physically damaged touch sensor work. This is a workaround, not a repair.
Back up your data before a reset
If the screen is usable enough, back up your phone to iCloud, Google, or a computer before trying anything destructive. A factory reset erases data, and it will not repair a damaged touch sensor or display. Treat it as a last resort when the evidence points to a software problem and you have a verified backup—not as the next automatic step after a restart.
A reset of settings is different from a factory reset, but its effects vary by device and can still change saved preferences or connections. Check the exact reset option and what it removes before confirming it.
When the screen likely needs repair
- The display is cracked, lifting, has lines, or contains a persistent dead zone.
- The problem began after a drop or liquid exposure.
- Ghost touches continue after removing the case and protector and unplugging the charger.
- The same touch failure remains after a force restart and, on Android, a Safe Mode test.
- The screen stays black while the phone still rings or vibrates.
These signs make a hardware fault more likely. Arrange a diagnostic check with the manufacturer or a reputable repair shop. If the phone is under warranty or insured, review that coverage before authorizing an independent repair. Ask for a quote and whether the repair will preserve the phone's water resistance. If the battery looks swollen or the phone becomes unusually hot, stop using and charging it and seek professional service.
What to do next
Start by cleaning the screen, removing the case and protector, and testing without the charger. Then force-restart the phone using the correct button sequence. On iPhone, check iOS and app updates and reopen an app if only that app freezes; on Android, Safe Mode can help identify a downloaded app as the cause. Back up your data before any reset. Persistent dead zones, damage, liquid exposure, or a black display with signs of life are reasons to get the phone inspected rather than keep repeating software fixes.