Touchscreen not working? You don't have to make pleas to Odin. Relax! Problems with your smartphone's touchscreen are not the end of the world. We've gathered the most common reasons why a touchscreen might not be working. We also provide solutions to help you restore your device's functionality.
Touchscreen not working – mechanical damage
As you can probably guess, a touchscreen is a relatively delicate component. Malfunctions are the most frequently reported smartphone problems. We all know how easy it is to damage a smartphone – it’s rare for a touchscreen to survive a fall unscathed. Naturally, there’s not much you can do with a cracked screen. You check your account balance, take your phone to a service center to replace the display, or buy a new phone. But don't worry! If your smartphone's screen isn't working, you're not alone – strength in numbers, after all! We'll try to answer the question: why isn't the touchscreen working, and what are the chances of saving it.
See also: Hydrogel film or tempered glass
Let's start with a basic reason why part or all of your touchscreen might not be working. Sometimes, after a fall, the display glass might not be physically damaged, yet it no longer functions as it should. This indicates mechanical damage. Unfortunately, in such a situation, you can't fix the display yourself. You'll likely need to replace the component. The cost – depending on your smartphone model – can be up to PLN 1000.
Touchscreen not working after water damage
The era of completely waterproof phones ended a few years ago. Besides, let's be honest, none of them were unsinkable, unlike a Viking longship, of course. Smartphones were only equipped with flaps covering the charging port. However, if a flap was ajar, water could get inside the submerged phone. The casings were glued, so they weren't designed for repair. This led to a return to the standard – you can splash it, but you shouldn't "drown" your phone.
If your touchscreen isn't working after water damage, you can try to save it. You can usually turn such a smartphone on, but it's better to remove the battery (if possible) and try to dry the wet components. A hairdryer or other methods are not a good solution. Water must evaporate at room temperature. Overheating electronics can cause permanent damage. If your phone is disassembled and you know how to put it back together, wipe the motherboard with IPA (isopropyl) technical spirit.
See also: How to save a water-damaged phone?
Faulty operating system
Both Android and iOS can generate errors. The display may stop working if there's a problem during an update installation. A similar situation can occur when the phone's storage is overloaded and the operating system struggles to function correctly. If the screen is intact, hasn't been water-damaged, and still doesn't respond to touch, it's likely a software issue.
There's a simple fix for a non-responsive touch. Usually, turning the phone off and on again is enough to resolve the problem. However, if the situation recurs, more drastic measures are needed. Restoring factory settings can help in such cases. On most Android smartphones, holding the power and volume up buttons for five seconds will restore the operating system to its initial state. After this action, an Android icon will appear on the screen. You'll need to select "Factory reset," of course, using the side buttons, since the display isn't working. Then, confirm the procedure with the power button and uncheck the option to restart the device.
What to do if your iPhone's touchscreen isn't working? A reset on this phone should be performed according to the manufacturer's recommendations, meaning by connecting the iPhone to your computer via cable and restoring it to factory settings from your computer. Another option is to use iCloud.com.
Mundane but equally common problems – dirty screen, wet fingers
Touchscreens only work when their surface is in direct contact with the skin on your finger or a material that imitates it. This allows us to use smartphones with special gloves. This isn't a flaw in the design, but rather a response to specific user needs. This prevents the phone from accidentally activating in your bag or pocket.
However, it's important to remember that the skin on your fingers must be dry and clean. The condition of the display is also important here. Dirt on its surface can cause the touchscreen to not work in certain areas. Therefore, you need to ensure it's clean for it to function properly. It also happens that the touchscreen is overheated or exposed to very low temperatures. In such situations, it may also cause problems. In that case, simply bring the device back to room temperature.
As you can see, there can be several reasons for a non-working touchscreen. You can fix some of them yourself, while others require the help of a technician. Regardless, remember that proper protection and use of your smartphone can save you from device troubles, and as we know, it's best to avoid problems, even if, like us, you enjoy the taste of risk and sailing on rough seas. P.S. Of course, when sailing with us on a longship, you can always feel safe.
