There’s nothing worse than taking your phone out of your pocket and the screen won’t respond. A malfunctioning iPhone screen can really affect how you do business, communicate, and live your life every day.
However, not every screen issue is going to be an expensive repair or replacement. Many of these problems can be fixed by following some simple troubleshooting procedures. This guide will take you through the steps required to diagnose and repair an iPhone with a non-functioning screen. We’ll talk about both software resets and hardware repairs.
Identifying the Type of Screen Issue:
Before making any repairs, it’s important to identify which type of screen malfunction you are having. There are several different types of malfunctioning screens. Some common examples include:
1) The screen works (display), but touch (not responding).
2) The screen is frozen on an application, (locked).
3) The screen does not show anything, but the phone is turned on, (Black).
4) The screen flickers or has lines going across it (flickering).
5) The iPhone is stuck on the Apple logo (boot problem).
6) The touch feature only works occasionally (intermittent touch).
Although each of these types of malfunctions can result from one of several software or hardware sources, diagnosing the problem as one of these six categories will assist in isolating the problem and determining how to fix it.
Begin by Removing the Case and Screen Protector
A common reason for an iPhone screen not responding to touch is that the case or screen protector has been too tight or poorly installed and is affecting the screen’s touch sensitivity. To test this, you should remove the case and screen protector to see if the iPhone screen responds to your touch without them.
Clean the iPhone Screen
Another common reason for touch sensitivity issues is dirt, moisture, grease, or debris being on the iPhone screen. To test this, use a microfiber cloth that has been lightly dampened (but not soaked) with water to clean your iPhone’s screen gently.
Dry the iPhone
If your iPhone has been exposed to water, even for a second, then it could cause the same issue above (a lack of touch responsiveness). iPhones today are water-resistant, not waterproof, so you need to allow for your iPhone to dry completely before doing any additional testing.
Force Restart Your iPhone
If your iPhone screen does not respond after cleaning, drying, or removing your case or screen protector, it simply may be caused by a temporary software glitch and can be fixed by forcing your iPhone to restart.
You force restart your iPhone based on what model you have
• For iPhone 8 and newer models:
– Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
– Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
– Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
• For iPhone 7 and 7 Plus:
– Press and hold both the Volume Down button and the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
If your iPhone 6s or earlier is frozen or unresponsive you can force restart it by pressing and holding both the Home Button and Power Button until you see the Apple Logo on the display.
When using this method to restart your iPhone, all data is retained; this action will not delete any data from the device, it will force your device to start again.
Charge the iPhone
Your battery could be almost empty if the display of your iPhone is unresponsive. To charge your iPhone:
– Plug the device into a working charger.
– Allow it to charge for 20-30 minutes at minimum.
– Use as much of the original charging cable/adapter as you can.
Battery power being low can cause your iPhone display to not work correctly or simply to not power.
If the only app freezing issue occurs within certain Apps
If you’re only having trouble with specific applications on your iPhone, the issue may reside within those applications or how they were designed, and not within the physical device itself.
Try these steps:
– Close the frozen app on your iPhone.
– Reopen the app.
– Check and update your app by going into the App Store.
– Uninstall the App and then reinstall the app from the App Store.
Usually, if an where the device is not working correctly, the app could be either outdated or contain bugs that would cause issues with overall system performance, as well as touch responsiveness.
in resolving your phone’s freezing or touch issues is to make sure your iOS version is up to date as many bugs can cause these issues and could be removed with an iOS update.
Here’s how to perform an iOS update.
1. Open Settings.
2. Select General.
3. Tap Software Update.
4. Follow the on-screen prompts to install any updates that are available.
5. Before doing this, ensure that your device has good Wi-Fi access and your battery is charged.
If your device’s screen works somewhat due to it being able to access the settings menu then this is an important step.
in fixing your iPhone that is experiencing touch or freezing issues is to put it into recovery mode and restore it from a Mac or PC.
Here’s what you need to do to restore your iPhone:
1.Connect your iPhone to your computer with a lightning cable.
2.Force restart your iPhone while it’s connected to your computer.
3.When you see a recovery screen on your iPhone, choose “Update” first.
4.If you’re unable to update, choose “Restore” from your recovery screen.
Warning: Choosing to “restore” your iPhone will erase all data stored on your iPhone if you haven’t done a backup.
Restoring your iPhone’s operating system can help fix severe software corruption problems by reinstalling your operating system.
If none of the available software fixes could help repair the phone, it is possible that there is a problem with the hardware.
There are many possible hardware failures.
A phone may have been dropped at some time.
It could also be that the physical phone screen is damaged.
The internal connection of the display may have been damaged.
Moisture or water could also have contacted the phone’s internal circuitry.
A swollen battery could be pushing against a display and causing damage.
When a phone is exhibiting physical signs of hardware failure,
such as the following, the display likely has a hardware failure: Displays with clouded lines across them.
Flickering displays.
Touch will only be detected in a few locations on the display.
Touch is not detected, but the display is functional.
The display of the phone and the originator of the phone display may be completely dark, even after a forced restart.
If a phone has been dropped, it has likely experienced internal damage.
Make Use of the Touch Functionality Found in Accessibility Features.
If you can only see images on part of your phone’s display working, use Assistive Touch.
Steps to enable Assistive Touch are:
Select the Settings option from the home screen.
Select the Accessibility option.
Select the Touch option.
Select the Assistive Touch toggle.
This option will create a floating button on the screen to control your phone while using the unresponsive area of the display.
Make Sure to Immediately Perform a Backup of All Information on the Device.
While an iPhone’s display is not working properly, a person should back up all information on their phone because the display may stop operating in the future.
An iPhone can be backed up using:
iCloud (Settings – Your Name – iCloud – iCloud Backup), or
A computer (using either Finder or iTunes).
If a person’s display stops working, the data will still be safe.
Options for Professional Repairs
If troubleshooting did not help, then it might be time for some repairs.
Here are some options for you! 1
1). Apple Authorized Provider (Repairs)
If you want to hear from Apple Inc., deal with Apple or find an Authorized Service Provider.
The Upside:
– You get actual replacement parts for your repair.
– You keep your warranty intact (if applicable).
– You will receive a professional installation. The Downside:
– Typically cost more to repair.
– May require scheduling an appointment.
If your phone is covered under warranty or covered by AppleCare+, this is usually the best option.
2). Third Party Repair Shops Local repair shops
may often provide you a lower cost to replace a broken screen.
The Upside:
– Generally cheaper.
– Usually have faster turnaround time.
The Downside:
– May not use original parts for repairs.
– May void your warranty.
– May have varied quality.
Before using a repair service, please check the reviews online to see how others’ experiences have been.
Stage Eleven: DIY Screen Replacements! (Advanced Users Only)
If you have technical knowledge and would like to replace your screen yourself, this could be a viable option for you.
However, it is problematic to try and complete this procedure on your own!
What You Will Need:
– A replacement screen
– A precision screw driver set
– A suction tool
– A selection of opening picks or tools
– Patience and a steady hand
The Risks:
If something goes wrong, it could cause damage internally to cables, break Face ID or Touch ID, lose the waterproof seal by breaking the seal, or void your warranty.
If you do not have adequate experience with repairing electronics, the safest option is to have your device repaired by a professional.
If Your Phone Comes On But Has A Black Screen
In this situation, the phone could still be working (hearing sounds, feeling vibrations); only the screens don’t show anything.
Possible causes:
– Display cable loose internally
– failed backlight
– crash of operating system
How to troubleshoot:
– Force restart
– Adjust screen brightness with no visual feedback (try adjusting it high then low)
– Connect it to a PC to see if it shows up.
If the phone connects to the computer but the screen is still black, then it is most likely a hardware failure.
Only the Touch Function Fails
If your screen displays properly, but you cannot use it with your finger or stylus:
– possible causes include
– faulty digitizer – damaged screen
– code problem with the operating system
– water exposure.
In this instance, you may need to replace the screen because the digitizer (layer for touch) is built into the display.
How To Prevent Future Screens From Cracking/Breaking
Prevention is always better than trying to fix something after the fact.
– Use a good quality case to help prevent damage during a drop.
– Shock-resistant cases can help absorb the impact of a fall.
– Buy a tempered glass screen protector to help prevent the occurrence of scratches and breakage.
– Keep from using products that create an extreme amount of heat.
High levels of heat will damage the internal components of your iPhone.
– Keep your iPhone up-to-date on iOS so you can benefit from bug fixes and added stability.
– Avoid purchasing inexpensive charging cables/chargers. The use of poorly
-made charging accessories may create power surges resulting in damage to internal circuitry.
When Should You Consider Buying a New Phone
Repairing your old phone could end up costing just as much, if not more, than a new device.
Replace your phone if:
The device is old (3+ years)
You are experiencing multiple failure points in multiple areas from across the phone (multiple components failing)
The cost to repair is going to exceed 50% of the phone’s overall value
The battery is at a very low percentage of health
Sometimes replacing your phone may be a more cost-effective solution than repair.
FAQ’s
Will a factory reset fix my screen?
A factory reset could remedy software-related issues, but it will not remedy hardware failure.
Will I be able to repair water damage by itself? The chances are low due to the fact that corrosion will likely heat up over time. We recommend getting an immediate inspection by a professional to determine extent of any damage.
Is it safe to use a phone that has a cracked screen? In most cases, yes; however, cracks can worsen and can in turn expose the phone’s internal components to damage.
What can cause my screen to work intermittently? This is usually the result of a loose internal connector or failing hardware.
Takeaway Just because your iPhone screen has stopped working does not mean all hope is lost. Many times issues can be the result of temporary software errors and can usually be remedied through a simple force restart or by performing a system update. More serious issues may be resolved through Recovery Mode restoring to factory settings.
If there’s a problem with your phone that occurred after being dropped or exposed to water, the damage will probably require the services of a professional to restore it to order. If you act quickly, it is possible to limit the amount of additional damage done and to protect your valuable data.
The key steps to follow are:
Try a few simple things first.
Confirm that the cause of the problem is not due to software failures.
Make a copy of your information.
Decide if it is better to repair your phone than to purchase a replacement.
By following these steps, you will save yourself money, time, and unnecessary stress. In addition, you may extend the life of your phone.
