Touchscreen not responding but not cracked? What to check step by step
When a screen works unreliably but isn't damaged, the cause is often a screen protector, dirt, the charger or an app. You can check all of it in a few minutes.
- Most common cause
- dirt, moisture, a screen protector or tempered glass, or a cheap charger
- Time
- 10–20 minutes
- Repair shop, if nothing helps
- 340–1200 zł for a screen replacement
If the phone got wet, don't charge it and take it to a repair shop. Before restarting in safe mode or doing a factory reset, back up your data if that is still possible.
Step by step
Wash your hands and wipe the screen
Moisture, hand cream and greasy marks interfere with touch. Wipe the screen with a dry microfiber cloth and make sure your fingers are not wet.
Remove the tempered glass or screen protector
Cheap protectors often get in the way of the screen. Take it off as a test and see whether touch goes back to normal.
Unplug the charger and cable
A cheap charger can interfere with the touchscreen while charging. If the problem only happens while charging, replace the charger.
Restart the phone and update the system
A simple restart clears temporary bugs. iPhone: Settings → General → Software Update. On Android, check for updates in Settings.
Force restart
iPhone: quickly press volume up, then volume down, then hold the side button until the Apple logo appears. Samsung: hold the power and volume down buttons for more than 7 seconds.
Turn on touch sensitivity (Samsung)
Go to Settings → Display → Touch sensitivity. The option helps especially with a screen protector.
Start safe mode (Android)
In safe mode only system apps run. If the screen responds perfectly there, an installed app is to blame. Uninstall the apps you added most recently.
Warning: factory reset as a last resort
A factory reset deletes all data from the phone. Back up your photos, contacts and passwords. If touch still misbehaves after the reset, it is a hardware fault.
- Touch doesn't work in one strip of the screen or the screen “taps by itself” (ghost touch).
- There are green or pink lines or patches on the screen.
- The phone was dropped or got wet.
- The screen is lifting away from the frame because the battery has swollen.
How much does a repair shop charge?
| Screen replacement on an Android phone | 340–1100 zł |
| Screen replacement on an iPhone | 480–1750 zł |
| Battery replacement (when the screen is lifting) | 200–680 zł |
| Water damage repair | 270–950 zł |
Typical prices at independent repair shops in Poland, October 2026. Authorised service centres and big cities can be more expensive.
Repair or buy new?
If the problem goes away after removing the protector, restarting or changing the charger, you don't need to repair anything. Replacing the screen on a newer phone usually pays off. On an old, cheap model the cost can be close to the phone's value. Check it in the calculator.
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Open the calculator →FAQ
Why does the screen only respond sometimes?
Most often because of dirt, moisture, a screen protector or interference from the charger. If it's none of these, the touch layer may be damaged.
What is ghost touch?
It is when the screen “taps” by itself without you touching it. It usually means a damaged screen or a bad charger.
Will a factory reset fix touch?
Only if software is to blame. If it is a hardware fault, the reset won't help and you will lose your data.