Restarting Your iPhone When Touch Isn’t Working: A Step-by-Step Guide

If your iPhone’s touch screen isn’t working properly and you need to restart it, follow these steps:

1. Force Restart (Hard Reset): A force restart is the first step to try when your touch screen isn’t responsive.
   • For iPhone 8 and later:
     • Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
     • Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
     • Press and hold the Side (or Top) button until you see the Apple logo. Keep holding it for about 10 seconds.
   • For iPhone 7 and 7 Plus:
     • Press and hold the Volume Down and Sleep/Wake (Top) buttons simultaneously until you see the Apple logo. Keep holding them for about 10 seconds.
   • For iPhone 6s and earlier:
     • Press and hold the Home and Sleep/Wake (Top) buttons simultaneously until you see the Apple logo. Keep holding them for about 10 seconds.
2. Check for Physical Damage: Examine your iPhone’s screen and body for any visible damage. Cracks or other physical issues could be the cause of the touch screen problems.
3. Clean the Screen: Sometimes, unresponsive touch screens are due to dirt or oil buildup. Gently wipe the screen with a clean, soft, and slightly damp cloth.
4. Update iOS: Ensure your iPhone is running the latest version of iOS. Outdated software can cause various issues, including touch screen problems. Go to “Settings” > “General” > “Software Update” to check for updates.
5. Restore iPhone (Factory Reset): If the problem persists, you may need to restore your iPhone to factory settings. Be sure to back up your data first.
   • Connect your iPhone to a computer with iTunes (or Finder on macOS Catalina and later).
   • Select your device when it appears in iTunes (or Finder).
   • Click “Restore iPhone” and follow the on-screen instructions.
6. Contact Apple Support: If none of the above steps resolve the issue, it’s time to contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store or authorized service provider. There may be an underlying hardware problem that needs professional attention.

Remember to back up your data regularly to avoid data loss during troubleshooting or restoring your iPhone.