iPad Touch Screen Not Working? Fix It Fast

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A student came in last week, completely panicked. Her iPad's touch screen had stopped responding mid-essay. "I've got a deadline tomorrow," she said. I tried a force restart - Apple logo appeared, screen came back, touch working perfectly. Five minutes, no charge. We diagnose touch screen issues 25-30 times a month.

About 40% of touch screen problems are software issues a restart fixes. Another chunk are caused by screen protectors, dirty screens, or temperature extremes. Only about 30-40% actually need screen replacement. If your iPad is also completely frozen, that's a different diagnosis path.

Pro Tip

Before you panic: Try a force restart first. It solves more touch screen problems than you'd expect. If your iPad is completely frozen, you can still force restart using the physical buttons.

Try These First

Before assuming hardware damage, run through these quick checks. They solve most iPad touch screen problems:

1. Clean the screen - Use a soft, lint-free cloth (like a microfibre cloth). Oils, moisture, and grime can interfere with touch sensitivity. Also wash your hands - greasy fingers cause more touch issues than you'd think.
2. Remove your case and screen protector - A damaged or poorly-fitted screen protector can cause touch problems. Cases that press on the screen edges can too. Try using the iPad naked and see if touch improves.
3. Disconnect any accessories - Lightning or USB-C accessories can occasionally cause touch screen glitches. Unplug everything and try again.
4. Check the temperature - iPads work best between 0-35°C. If it's very hot or cold, the touch screen may become unresponsive. Let it return to room temperature before testing.
5. Charge your iPad - Low battery can cause erratic behaviour. Plug it in for at least 30 minutes.

If those don't help, try a force restart next.

Force Restart Your iPad

A force restart clears temporary software glitches without deleting your data. This is the single most effective fix for an unresponsive touch screen.

iPads Without a Home Button (iPad Pro, iPad Air 4/5, iPad Mini 6, iPad 10th Gen)

1. Press and quickly release the Volume Up button
2. Press and quickly release the Volume Down button
3. Press and hold the Top button until you see the Apple logo

iPads With a Home Button (iPad 9th Gen and earlier, iPad Mini 5 and earlier)

1. Press and hold both the Home button and the Top button
2. Keep holding until the Apple logo appears (about 10-15 seconds)
3. Release both buttons

Did You Know?

Important: The force restart uses physical buttons only - you don't need the touch screen to work. This is the official Apple-recommended method for an unresponsive screen.

If the force restart works, great! Your iPad should be back to normal. If the touch screen stops working again soon after, there may be an underlying issue - keep reading.

What Causes Touch Screen Problems?

Software Glitches (Most Common)

Software bugs, especially after iPadOS updates, can cause touch responsiveness issues. A force restart usually fixes these. If problems started right after an update, check Apple's support forums - if it's a widespread issue, a patch is usually coming.

Screen Protector Issues

Thick, cheap, or damaged screen protectors can interfere with touch sensitivity. Air bubbles, lifted edges, and moisture under the protector all cause problems. Try removing it completely to test.

Physical Damage

Drops can damage the digitizer (the touch-sensitive layer) even if the glass looks fine. You might see touch working in some areas but not others, or ghost touches (the screen responding to touches you didn't make). Water damage can also affect touch function.

Digitizer Failure

The digitizer can fail over time, especially on older iPads or those that have been heavily used. Symptoms include intermittent touch response, delayed reactions, or complete unresponsiveness. This requires hardware replacement.

Loose Internal Connections

The ribbon cable connecting the digitizer to the logic board can become loose after drops or over time. Sometimes reseating this connection fixes the issue without needing parts.

When Only Part of the Screen Works

If touch works in some areas but not others, this is almost always a hardware issue:

• Digitizer damage - Drops can crack the digitizer internally without visible external damage. The damaged section stops responding to touch.
• Flex cable damage - The cable connecting the digitizer can be partially damaged, causing specific zones to fail.
• Pressure damage - Heavy objects placed on the iPad can damage specific areas of the touch layer.

Partial touch response almost always needs professional repair. The digitizer or full screen assembly will need replacing.

When You Need Professional Repair

Bring your iPad in if:

• Force restart doesn't fix the problem
• Touch only works in certain areas of the screen
• You're getting "ghost touches" (screen responding to phantom touches)
• The screen has visible cracks or damage
• The problem keeps coming back after restarts
• Touch stopped working after the iPad got wet

We diagnose for free - you only pay if we fix it. For touch screen issues, we check:

• Digitizer function across all screen zones
• Internal cable connections
• Signs of liquid damage or corrosion
• Logic board touch controller function

If your iPad was recently dropped and the screen is also cracked, you'll need a full screen replacement. If your iPad won't turn on at all, that's a different issue that needs investigating first.

UK Repair Costs

Touch screen repairs typically involve replacing the digitizer (touch layer) or the full screen assembly (glass + digitizer + LCD combined).

Note: iPad Pro models have fused displays where the digitizer and LCD are bonded together - they must be replaced as a unit. Prices verified against UK repair shops including iRepair Mobiles and FixMyBrokenScreen (January 2026).

Still Having Touch Problems?

If the quick fixes didn't work, bring your iPad in for a free diagnosis. We'll tell you exactly what's wrong and whether repair makes sense for your model.

Visit us: Byte, Dovehouse Parade, Solihull.
Mail-in: Free UK shipping both ways for repairs over £100.