By Jenefey Aaron

Updated on 2025-10-20

100 % Helpful

Fix iPhone 17 Touch Screen Unresponsive in One-Click [Air/Pro/Pro Max]

By Jenefey Aaron

2025-10-20 / iPhone 17

You bought a brand new iPhone 17 after its recent release, and, excited to try its new features, you jumped right into using it. But alas, after only a little use, your iPhone 17 touch screen is unresponsive.

But before you rush to an expensive repair, or find a solution waste your time finding a solution, have a quick look at this post. We’ve shared 5 simple solutions you can try yourself to troubleshoot your iPhone 17’s unresponsive screen quickly and easily.

Part 1. Why is My iPhone 17 Screen Unresponsive?

Part 2. How to Fix iPhone 17 Air/Pro/Pro Max Touch Screen Unresponsive?

Method 1. Force Restart Your iPhone 17
Method 2. Check For Physical Damage
Method 3. Clean The Screen And Remove Accessories
Method 4. Update iOS to the Latest Version Using iTunes
Method 5. Use iOS System Repair Tool [Fast & Easy]

Part 3. Real User Feedback on iPhone 17 Screen Unresponsive

Part 1. Why is My iPhone 17 Screen Unresponsive?

If your iPhone 17 is not responding to touch, it could be either because of a software or a hardware issue, such as:

Software glitches: Temporary bugs or frozen apps can stop the screen from responding.
Outdated iOS: Your iPhone 17 might not be updated to the latest iOS.
Touch sensitivity settings: Overactive palm rejection can freeze the screen.
System errors: Corrupted data or major system crashes may affect touch input.
Physical damage: Cracks, water damage, or internal issues can reduce sensitivity.
Dirty screen: Dirt, oil, or moisture can block touch detection.
Screen protector: Thick or poor-quality protectors can make touches harder to register.

Part 2. How to Fix iPhone 17 Air/Pro/Pro Max Touch Screen Unresponsive?

Here’s how you can troubleshoot iPhone 17 Pro Max touch screen issues in 5 ways. Pick a method based on whether the screen is unresponsive because of a software or a hardware issue:

Method 1. Force Restart Your iPhone 17

If your iPhone 17 touch screen is not working, start with force restarting it. Most of the time, a force restart or hard reset can fix the issue, as it might be minor bugs or glitches making the screen unresponsive. Here’s how to force restart an iPhone 17:

Quickly press and release the “Volume Up” button. Do the same with the “Volume Down” button.
Press and hold the “Side (power)” button. Let go when you see the “Apple logo.”

Method 2. Check For Physical Damage

When your iPhone 17 Pro Max screen is unresponsive, check it for physical damage. Inspect the screen for cracks, chips, discoloration, pixelation, black spots, lines, flickering, or unresponsive touch areas. Also, examine the body for dents, bends, or gaps where the screen is separating from the frame. Look at the ports like the charging port, SIM tray, and other openings for corrosion, discoloration, looseness, or damage.

For water damage, remove the SIM tray, shine a light into the slot, and check the Liquid Contact Indicator. White or silver means no damage, while red or pink means water has entered. Other signs of water damage include moisture under the screen, corrosion in ports, foggy cameras, or muffled/distorted speaker sounds. If you find any damage or signs of it, send your iPhone 17 to a professional and credible repair service.

Method 3. Clean The Screen And Remove Accessories

A dirty or greasy screen or problems with accessories can make your iPhone 17 touch screen unresponsive. So first, switch off the phone and disconnect any cables. Then, clean the screen gently using a soft, lint-free microfiber cloth, wiping in circles. For stubborn smudges, lightly dampen the cloth with water or 70% isopropyl alcohol, but avoid spraying directly on the phone.

Don’t use harsh cleaners or abrasive materials. After cleaning, dry the screen with a dry cloth. Also, remove any cases or screen protectors, as tight or thick ones can cause issues. Disconnect wired accessories like headphones or charging cables, and if the screen acts erratically while charging, utilize a different Apple charger and cable.

Method 4. Update iOS to the Latest Version Using iTunes

Your iPhone 17 might have an outdated iOS, resulting in iPhone 17 Pro Max problems with touch screen. An update contains the security patches and bug fixes required for a flawless iPhone performance, and a lack of them can make your device unresponsive. Here’s how to update iOS on your iPhone 17 with iTunes:

Connect your iPhone 17 to your computer using a USB or USB-C cable. Then, open iTunes (Windows, macOS Mojave or earlier) or Finder (macOS Catalina or later).
Select your iPhone 17 in iTunes/Finder. If it doesn’t show up, make sure your computer trusts your device.
Head to the “Summary” tab. Click “Check for Update.” If an update is available, tap “Download and Update.”

Enter your passcode if asked and agree to the terms. Wait for the update to finish and your iPhone 17 to restart. Don’t disconnect it during the process.

Method 5. Use iOS System Repair Tool [Fast & Easy]

Severe iOS issues can result in the iPhone 17 touch screen not working when charging or even when it’s not charging. You can’t fix these issues unless you employ an iOS repair tool. Tenorshare ReiBoot is a good option to repair minor to serious 150+ iOS issues, like an unresponsive screen on iPhone 17, without data loss and jailbreaking. Here’s what more this tool can do:

Troubleshoot 150+ iOS problems, including black/blue/white screen, frozen or unbootable iOS device, and much more.
Repair an iOS device stuck on Recovery Mode/Apple logo/update screen.
Offers an easy interface, high repair success, and fast results in a few clicks.
Allows you to back up and restore data without iTunes/iCloud.
Downgrade/upgrade iOS, including Betas, without iTunes/jailbreaking.
Supports the latest iOS 26 and iPhone 17.

Follow the instructions beneath to troubleshoot the iPhone 17 unresponsive touchscreen with ReiBoot:

Execute ReiBoot on your computer. Then, connect your iPhone 17 to the same computer. Choose “Start Repair” once the tool recognizes your iDevice.

Select “Standard Repair.” Then, tap “Download” to get the latest firmware. After the download is finished, hit “Start Standard Repair.”

The tool will remove the issue that’s making your iPhone 17 touchscreen unresponsive. Afterward, your iDevice will reboot normally.

Part 3. Real User Feedback on iPhone 17 Screen Unresponsive

Many iPhone 17 users have also reported that the touchscreen sometimes ignores or delays touches. This is especially when typing or tapping near the screen edges, like the back button or “P” key. Some believe it’s a software problem linked to iOS 18’s touch rejection, particularly around the new camera control button. It can freeze the screen if accidentally touched, which is worse without a case.

Others think it’s a hardware flaw since the issue can persist after resets or removing screen protectors. Frequent fixes like restarting or updating iOS have mixed results, and many are frustrated that Apple hasn’t officially addressed the problem. Temporary workarounds include changing your grip, using a case, resetting the keyboard dictionary, or updating to iOS 18.0.1 or later, though improvements vary.

Part 4. People Also Ask About iPhone 17 Screen Unresponsive

Q1. Can a screen protector make my iPhone 17 unresponsive?

Yes. A badly fitted, misaligned, or overly thick screen protector can make the iPhone 17 less responsive to touch. Even Apple Store-installed protectors, like Belkin, have been linked to touch delays near the edges. If you think the protector is the cause, try removing it to test.

Q2. What if only part of the screen is unresponsive?

Many users experience partial screen unresponsiveness, such as missed taps on keyboard edges or top-back buttons. This is often linked to iOS 18’s touch rejection or sensitivity near the new camera control button. Updating iOS or resetting touch settings can fix it, but if the issue continues, it may be due to a faulty digitizer that needs repair.

Q3. Does iOS 26 have touch screen issues?

Yes, iOS 26 Beta has touchscreen problems, including screens that don’t respond to touch, swipes that are ignored, and taps that do nothing. Overly sensitive or erratic responses, and sudden black screens that stop functioning are also touchscreen issues that iOS 26 displays.

Q4. How to use Siri or voice commands when the screen doesn’t respond?

If your screen stops responding, you can use Siri by saying “Hey Siri” or holding the side button (if it’s enabled). To control your iPhone fully by voice, you must have switched on “Voice Control” in “Settings” > “Accessibility” beforehand. This lets you use commands like “Open Settings” or “Go home.”

Q5. Can I fix an unresponsive iPhone screen without a computer?

Yes. You can fix an unresponsive iPhone screen by force restarting the device, removing accessories, and cleaning the screen to remove dirt or moisture.

Conclusion

If your iPhone 17 touch screen is unresponsive, it could be a result of software bugs, outdated iOS, physical damage, or bad accessories. Basic repairs like force restarting, cleaning, removing/replacing accessories, and updating iOS with iTunes may fix the problem.

If there’s physical damage, send the iPhone 17 to a professional repair service. But if there’s no sign of damage and the issue persists, employ Tenorshare ReiBoot. It can repair many iOS issues, including touch problems on iPhone 17, without losing your data.