iOS 18.5 Touchscreen Not Working? 9 Quick Fixes

Touchscreen phones have become increasingly popular and have largely replaced traditional push-button models, and the iPhone is no exception. The touchscreen not only enhances the iPhone’s sleek appearance but also makes it more user-friendly.

However, there’s a downside. When the touchscreen stops responding, it can make the iPhone nearly impossible to use.

Don’t worry — if your iPhone’s touchscreen isn’t working after the iOS 18.5 update, there are still solutions you can try. Keep reading to find out how to fix it.

Why Is My iPhone Touch Screen Not Working Properly after iOS 18.5 Update?

Many users are confused about why the iPhone touchscreen is not working. The list below outlines the common reasons collected from iPhone/iPad users.

• Water damage.
• Debris.
• Outdated iOS.
• Cases cover the screen.
• Screen protectors are too thick.
• Lightning or USB-C accessories issues.
• Temporary software glitches.

Check whether your iPhone has the same issue as listed. And then move to their fast fixes in the next part.

How to Fix iPhone Touch Screen Not Working

1. Force Restart iPhone

The easiest and fastest way to fix an iPhone that doesn't respond to touch is to restart it, as restarting can fix most of the occasional issues at once.

If, unfortunately, you can't reboot your iPhone, try force restarting it. Here's how to force restart different iPhone models:

• For iPhone 8 and Later Models (Including iPhone 16)

Press and quickly release the Volume Up button, then press and quickly release the Volume Down button. Then press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.

• For iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus

Press and hold both the Side/Top button and the Volume Down button until the Apple logo appears.

• For iPhone 6s Plus and Earlier Models

Press and hold the Side/Top button and the Home button at the same time until the Apple logo appears.

2. Clean Debris and Water

Both debris and water can cause the "iPhone screen not responding to touch" issue. Cleaning up your iPhone screen with a dry cloth to see whether this works to get access to your iPhone again. If this doesn't work, skip to other solutions.

3. Disconnect Any Lightning or USB-C Accessories

Peripherals can also affect the iPhone touchscreen’s responsiveness. So, it’s worth trying to disconnect any Lightning or USB-C accessories.

If this restores normal touchscreen function, try using a different power outlet, cable, or charger to avoid the issue in the future.

4. Remove Any Cases and Screen Protectors

If your iPhone screen protector has a lot of small air bubbles, the protector is thick, or the case is covering the screen, we recommend that you remove the screen protector or case first.

Sometimes, the case may make your iPhone overheat, which indirectly causes the "iPhone screen not responding" issue.

5. Dry Off Your iPhone/iPad

As mentioned above, water damage is one of the main causes of an unresponsive iPhone touchscreen.

Bringing your iPhone into the bathroom to play music while you shower? That increases the risk of touchscreen issues due to moisture exposure.

If you suspect your iPhone has been exposed to water, gently dry it off right away as a first step to prevent further damage.

6. Clear iPhone Storage

Insufficient iPhone storage space may lead to iPhone lagging, crashing, and other problems. It can also cause your iPhone's touch response to be slow or unable to slide, making it look like the iPhone's touchscreen is not working.

Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage to see how much space is available. If your iPhone storage is almost full, delete unnecessary files and uninstall apps that take up a lot of storage space but you only occasionally use.

7. Update Your iPhone

An outdated iOS version or apps may cause compatibility issues. It’s recommended to always keep your iPhone up to date.

Since your iPhone touchscreen is unresponsive, Finder (or iTunes on Windows) comes into play. With their help, you can update your iPhone to the latest iOS on a computer.

Here's how to update an iPhone that has previously been synced with a computer:

1. Connect your iPhone to your computer using an original USB cable.
2. Open Finder on your Mac (or iTunes on PC).
3. Click the iPhone icon, and you will notice your iPhone's general information, including the current iOS.
4. If your iPhone is not updated, click the Update button and follow the onscreen instructions to update it.

What if Finder or iTunes doesn’t recognize your iPhone?

Don’t worry — just put your iPhone into recovery mode to help Finder or iTunes detect it. Once it’s recognized, you can proceed with the update.

8. Factory Reset Your iPhone

If you’ve tried all the methods above and your iPhone touchscreen still isn’t working, it’s time to try the ultimate fix — factory reset your iPhone.

This can help determine whether the issue is software- or hardware-related.

Note, however, that this method will erase all your data, so make sure to back up your iPhone before proceeding.

9. Contact Apple Support

Don't want to or can't fix this tackle issue at home? Ask Apple Support for help!

Conclusion

In this post, you have learned 9 ways to fix the iPhone/iPad touchscreen not working issue. Hopefully, these tips will get your iPhone back on track.