A Banner Showing A Hand Touching  An iPhone 15 Screen

How To Fix Your Unresponsive iPhone 15 Touchscreen?

Written by: Joanavi Fernan

|

|

Time to read 10 min

Is Your iPhone 15 Touchscreen Not Responding?

Are you frustrated with your iPhone 15 unresponsive touch screen? Do you find yourself constantly tapping and swiping but getting no response? We've all been there, and having an essential part of our daily lives suddenly stop working properly can be a major inconvenience. But fear not, as we've got some solutions that will help fix the iPhone 15 touchscreen issue. 


In this blog post, we'll discuss the potential causes of an unresponsive touch screen on iPhone 15 and provide step-by-step instructions for troubleshooting and resolving the problem.

Components of an iPhone 15 Screen

Your iPhone 15 screen has two main parts:


1. Display: The display is like the window to your phone. It shows you all the apps, photos, and messages on your screen.


2. Digitizer:  Think of the digitizer as the magic behind touch functionality. When you tap, swipe, or pinch on your screen, the digitizer registers these actions and translates them into commands for your device. It's what allows you to interact with your iPhone 15 seamlessly.

Common Causes of an Unresponsive iPhone 15 Touchscreen

A man holding a phone with a text that says common causes iPhone  15 screen unresponsive

If your iPhone 15 does not respond to touch, it might be due to a problem with the digitizer, which can be caused by a software or hardware issue.


1. Hardware Problems: This could include a cracked screen or a faulty digitizer.


2. Software Problems: Software issues or conflicts can sometimes lead to iPhone 15 touchscreen troubles.


3. Physical Damage or Moisture Exposure: If your phone has taken a tumble or encountered moisture, it might affect the touchscreen's responsiveness.

Easy Ways To Fix iPhone 15 Unresponsive Touchscreen

An image of a phone screen with a text about how to fix iPhone 15 touchscreen issue

Fix #1: Clean Your Screen Protector and Screen

When your iPhone 15 touch screen isn't responding, the screen protector could be a possible culprit. Here's how to address it in simple terms:


  • Check Your Screen Protector: Make sure your screen protector is correctly applied. If not, try removing and reapplying it, or consider using a new one.
  • Test Without the Protector: Even if applied correctly, remove the screen protector temporarily to ensure it's not causing issues. If the touch screen works better without it, you might opt for a thinner protector or go without one.
  • Clean Your Screen: Dust or moisture trapped under the screen protector can hinder touch sensitivity. Clean your screen with a dry microfiber cloth, then reapply the protector if needed.

Fix #2: Remove Wired Accessories

When your iPhone 15 touch screen isn't responding, connected accessories could be causing the trouble. Here's a simple approach to address this:


  • Disconnect Accessories: Wireless accessories like headphones or chargers can disrupt your touch screen. Try unplugging them and restarting your iPhone 15 to test if the touch screen works properly without them.
  • Accessory Considerations: While older Lightning accessories are more prone to cause issues, even standard USB-C accessories on iPhone 15 models can sometimes interfere with touchscreen functionality. Disconnecting any accessory to troubleshoot potential problems is worth it.
  • Identifying the Issue: If removing an accessory resolves the touch screen problem, consider replacing it with a different one to see if it persists. 

Fix #3: Keep Your iPhone Cool

Ensuring your iPhone 15 stays cool is essential to preventing iPhone 15 touchscreen problems. When your iPhone 15 overheats, the device's internal components work harder to regulate temperature, impacting touchscreen responsiveness. This increased heat can lead to sluggish touch responses or unresponsiveness.


Preventing Overheating:


  • Avoid exposing your iPhone 15 to direct sunlight or hot environments for prolonged periods.
  • Use a thin phone case as it helps dissipate heat from your phone. Thin cases generally allow for better airflow around the device than thicker, more enclosed cases, which can aid in cooling to some extent. 
  • Close heavy apps and shut them down for 15-30 minutes. If you can't shut it down, use Airplane or Low Power Mode to give it a break.Turn it off or using power-saving modes can help reset its temperature. After this break, turning it back on may resolve any touch screen issues caused by overheating.

Learn more here about the iPhone 15 Thin Phone Case and discover its value .

Fix #4: Manage Your Storage

Managing your iPhone 15's storage space is crucial for ensuring optimal touchscreen responsiveness. Insufficient storage, including iPhone 15 touchscreen responsiveness, can slow down your iPhone's overall performance. When storage space is low, the device may struggle to process touch inputs efficiently, leading to delays or unresponsiveness.


Checking and Managing Storage:


  • Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage to check your iPhone's storage status. Here, you can see a breakdown of how much space different apps and data are using.
  • Manage storage by deleting unused apps, clearing out old photos and videos, and removing unnecessary files or downloads to free up space for smoother iPhone 15 touchscreen operation.


Deleting Unnecessary Items:


  • Start by reviewing and deleting apps you no longer use. Tap and hold an app icon until it wiggles, then tap the X icon to delete it. For photos and videos, consider transferring them to a computer or cloud storage and deleting them from your device to create more space.
  • Regularly clear out cached data, old messages, and other temporary files that may be taking up valuable storage capacity.

Fix #5: Hard Restart Your iPhone 15

When your iPhone 15 stops responding to touch due to a software crash, a hard reset can often help.


Quickly press the volume up button, then the volume down button, and finally, press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.


After performing a hard reset, it's essential to back up your iPhone 15 immediately, as this doesn't fix the underlying software issue that caused the crash.

Fix #6: Deal with App-Specific Issues

If you encounter issues with a particular app causing your iPhone 15 to crash or impacting touchscreen responsiveness, here's how you can address the situation:


  • Update Your Apps: Ensure all your apps are up to date, especially the ones causing trouble. An outdated version may lead to performance issues. Check for updates in the App Store and install any available updates to keep your apps running smoothly.
  • Try Deleting and Reinstalling: If updating doesn't resolve the issue, consider deleting and reinstalling the problematic app. This can help eliminate any corrupted files that are causing the problem.Re-downloading the app from the App Store after deletion may refresh its functionality and resolve iPhone 15 touchscreen unresponsiveness.
  • Further Steps: If touchscreen problems persist even after these steps, contacting the app developer through the App Store can effectively provide additional support and insight into resolving the app-related issues.

Fix #7: Check for iOS Updates

Occasionally, iOS updates can introduce display-related problems on your iPhone 15. Here's how you can ensure a stable display by checking for and managing iOS updates effectively:

Checking for Updates:


  • Navigate to Settings on your iPhone 15.
  • Select General, then tap on Software Update to check for any available iOS updates.
  • Follow the on-screen instructions to download and install updates if updates are available.

iOS updates often include bug fixes and enhancements that can resolve display issues and improve overall performance. Keeping the operating system of your iPhone 15 up to date prevents or addresses display-related glitches caused by outdated software.

A screen showing iOs Updates options in iPhone 15

Fix #8: Perform Factory Reset

If updating your iPhone 15 fails to fix software-related issues causing iPhone 15 touchscreen problems, restoring your device to factory settings becomes a viable solution. 


Before resetting, ensure you have a recent backup to restore your data afterward.Use iCloud for automatic backups within the last 24 hours or iTunes for manual backups.


Performing a Factory Reset:


  • Access Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings to initiate the reset.
  • Confirm the reset process to erase all data and settings on your iPhone 15.
  • After the reset, set up the device as new or restore it from the earlier backup to retrieve your data and settings.

Initiating the Restore:


  • Follow the steps outlined above, but select "Restore" instead of "Update" at the end of the process.
  • Complete the initial setup without restoring data to verify touch screen functionality.
  • Once confirmed, restore your data by factory resetting the phone and opting to restore from the backup during setup.

Fix #9: Consider DFU Restore

Consider performing a DFU (Device Firmware Update) Restore if the touchscreen issues persist. This deep-level restore can address low-level code problems affecting the digitizer.
DFU stands for Device Firmware Update and is an advanced restoration method for iPhones. It involves wiping the device clean and reinstalling all software components from scratch, which is crucial in pinpointing the root cause of iPhone 15 touchscreen malfunctions.
Before initiating a DFU Restore, backup your iPhone 15 data via iCloud or iTunes. This precaution safeguards your personal information as the restore will erase all content on your device.



Step-by-Step Procedure:


  • Press and release the volume up button quickly.
  • Followed by pressing and releasing the volume down button swiftly.
  • Hold down the side button until the screen goes black.
  • While maintaining the side button, press and hold the volume down button.
  • After a few seconds, release the side button while holding the volume down button.
  • Connect your iPhone 15 to your computer via a Lightning cable to proceed with the restoration process.
  •  To confirm that your iPhone 15 is in DFU mode, ensure the screen remains black. If any content appears, the device has not entered DFU mode successfully.
  •  Following the DFU Restore, your iPhone 15 will reboot to the setup screen. From here, you can restore from an iCloud backup or continue with the setup process, depending on your backup preference.


Troubleshooting Tips:


  • When encountering issues during the DFU process, consider trying different USB ports and cables and cleaning the iPhone's charging port to ensure a stable connection.
  • For PC users, turning off antivirus software can prevent interruptions during restoration.


If your iPhone 15 fails to enter DFU mode after repeated attempts and shows no response on the computer, it may indicate severe hardware damage, such as water exposure or extensive physical trauma.

Fix #10: Do The MacGyver Solution

If your iPhone 15 touchscreen continues to pose challenges, exploring alternative solutions like the MacGyver method can be considered.


Research and Preparation:


  • Search for "iFixit display replacement" along with your specific iPhone model.
  • Navigate to the relevant iFixit guide (non-ad results). 
  • Look for the section mentioning "display connector" or "digitizer" to locate the component responsible for touch functionality.
  • Gently press on the screen where the digitizer is located, avoiding excessive force to prevent damage. This action aims to reestablish internal connections that possibly affect touch responsiveness.

While this method has worked for some, it's not a guaranteed fix. Results may vary, so exercise care and manage expectations accordingly.

Fix #11: Seek Professional Help

When DIY attempts fail to resolve your iPhone 15 touchscreen issues, seeking professional help from Apple experts can be the next step towards a solution.  Visiting an Apple Store and scheduling a Genius Bar appointment ensures that trained professionals address your device issues. 


Expert assistance reduces the risk of causing further damage to your iPhone 15 while providing a thorough and accurate diagnosis of the problem. During the appointment, explain the issues you're facing with your iPhone 15 in detail so you can receive tailored assistance from Apple technicians.

Fix #12: Consider Screen Repair

If your iPhone 15’s screen is still not responding, looking into repair services should be your final resort. Here are your options available and key considerations to keep in mind:


  • Apple Store Repair: It's an optimal choice for devices under warranty or covered by AppleCare Plus. Apple Stores provides authorized and reliable repairs using genuine Apple parts, ensuring quality and compatibility.
  • Third-Party Repair Shops: It is ideal for older devices or out-of-warranty repairs, particularly screen replacements. Third-party shops can offer cost-effective solutions, but caution is advised due to potential risks associated with non-Apple repairs.


Key Considerations


When opting for screen repairs, ensure genuine Apple parts are used to avoid compatibility issues and maintain device integrity. Be cautious when opting for screen replacements, as past incidents like the iOS 11.3 issue have shown potential risks associated with third-party repair.

Final Thoughts

An iPhone 15 with an unresponsive touch screen can cause immense frustration and inconvenience daily. However, by following the above steps, we can easily fix this issue and get back to using our iPhone 15 seamlessly. It is essential to always try basic troubleshooting methods before resorting to more complicated solutions like resetting or restoring the device.


Moreover, regular maintenance of our phones is crucial in ensuring a responsive touch screen. This includes keeping it clean from dirt and grime, updating the software regularly, and being cautious while handling it. Taking care of our devices extends their lifespan and enhances our overall user experience. 


So next time your iPhone's touch screen acts up, don't panic! Instead, take a deep breath and follow these simple solutions.

📺 Check out this YouTube video detailing  how to force restart, access recovery mode, DFU mode, and more! 

Products Featured In This Blog

Related Readings

Author: Joan F.

General manager of Thinborne - The super thin phone case made of aramid fiber.


"I am a tech nerd who's obsessed with everything Apple. With plenty of experience in the tech world, I enjoy sharing tips and tricks to help folks get the most out of their devices. When I'm not glued to my screen, you can find me hiking or cooking up a storm in the kitchen."

Comments

Helpful advice! Restarting and updating my iPhone 15 resolved the touch screen issue. Also, making sure the screen is clean can prevent responsiveness problems. Thanks for the tips!

Samrat Rajput

Leave a comment