How To Fix iPhone X Touch Screen Not Responding After iOS 13.3 Update

Gone are the days where you need to hurt your fingers trying to type the message that you want to send. Technology has evolved so much and constant innovations are always presented. The creation of touch screen has revolutionized how smartphone works and provides more features to the users. But there are cases where the touch screen does not work as intended. 

When Apple released their recent iOS update – the iOS 13.3, few iPhone X users have reported that their touch screen started to act up and is not responsive anymore. If you’re one of the unlucky users who got a not responsive touch screen after updating, continue reading and find out how you can fix the issue. 

Troubleshoot not responding touch screen on iPhone X after installing iOS 13.3

Accidental drops or placing your phone inside a tight pocket can cause the touchscreen to be unresponsive to touches. Damaged screen protector, dust and improper calibration may also cause touch screen failure. These factors could occur right after the installation of iOS 13.3 and triggers a not responsive touchscreen. Feel free to perform the solutions that are outlined below to deal with a not responsive touch screen on your iPhone X after updating to iOS 13.3. 

Before executing the steps, make sure that the screen is free from any dirt or dust as it may hinder its proper functionality. You can wipe it with a soft cloth or a smartphone screen cleaner. 

First solution: Restart your iPhone X

Restarting the device has been proven effective in fixing common post-update errors on smartphones. If the touch screen function has been affected by minor software glitches, it might have been the reason why it stops responding after the update. You can execute a force restart which is easier to perform and provides a more impactful result. To do that, perform the steps below: 

  1. Press and release the Volume Up button quickly.
  2. Press and release the Volume Down button quickly. 
  3. Lastly, press and hold the Side button for a few seconds until you see the Apple logo.

Once the reboot process has been completed, use your iPhone X as usual and check if the not responding error has been resolved. 

Second solution: Install pending app updates on your iPhone X

Often times, outdated app versions can affect how your iPhone X’s touch screen will work properly. They can interact with its function and might cause relevant symptoms to occur like a not responsive issue. These apps might not be compatible with the new software installed and might go erratic as well. To deal with this possible trigger of the not responding error, update all apps to cure reported bugs and stabilize their performance by performing these steps: 

  1. From the Home screen, tap on App Store to open it. 
  2. Tap on Today tab at the bottom. 
  3. Then tap on the user profile icon on the top right corner of the screen. 
  4. You should see the account details. 
  5. Scroll down to the Available Updates section. 
  6. Tap on Update next to the app to update individual apps.
  7. Tap on Update All to update all apps simultaneously. 

You may perform another force restart after updating the apps to implement necessary changes and clear extra cache on the system. 

It might also help if you’ll uninstall unused apps as they consume some of the phone’s internal memory. They might also get corrupted and could be one of the reasons why the touch screen isn’t responding. Here’s how: 

  1. From the Home screen, tap and hold on an app icon until the icons start jiggling. 
  2. Tap the X on the app you want to delete.
  3. Select Delete to confirm the deletion of the selected app. 
  4. Perform a restart on your iPhone X. 

Just monitor if the iPhone’s touch screen is already responding or not yet. 

Third solution: Reset all settings on your iPhone X

Your phone could easily encounter malfunctions if there are settings that have been invalidated by the recent iOS update. Changes through iOS overrides might invalidate some information and have been the primary cause on why your phone’s touch screen has become unresponsive since the update is installed. Removing all customized settings on your device through an all settings reset might improve the chance in resolving the not responding issue on your iPhone X. This process will restore all default values and options, removing iOS overrides with the process. Here’s how it’s done: 

  1. Access Settings from the Home screen. 
  2. Tap General.
  3. Scroll down to and then select Reset
  4. Tap the Reset All Settings option.
  5. Enter your device passcode once prompted.
  6. Then tap to confirm all settings reset. 

Your iPhone will reboot automatically once the reset process is completed. Just wait until it’s up and running then test if the touch screen function has been back to normal. 

Fourth solution: Restore your iPhone X to its default factory configurations 

Getting rid of post-update malfunctions might not be easy, especially if these problems have become fatal system errors. To remove stubborn glitches that could have been causing the not responsive touch screen on your iPhone X after iOS 13.3 update, you can try wiping out all contents and restore the default factory settings through a factory reset. This will also delete your personal information, so it is recommended to create backups of your important files via iTunes or iCloud beforehand. If you’re ready and if you want to give this a shot, here’s how to factory reset your iPhone X: 

  1. Access Settings from the Home screen. 
  2. Tap General.
  3. Scroll down to and then select Reset
  4. Tap the Erase all contents and settings option.
  5. Enter your device passcode once prompted.
  6. Then tap to confirm all settings reset.

Right after the reset process is done, your phone will restart on its own. Set your device like a new one and check if the not responding issue has been rectified. 

Fifth solution: Perform a recovery mode restore via iTunes on your iPhone X

Complex system errors are usually tough to beat and you’ll need advanced solutions to deal with them. Recovery mode restore will allow you to delete all software flaws by restoring the iOS on your iPhone X. To carry out this process, you’ll need to prepare a Mac or Windows computer with the latest iTunes installed. Also ensure that your computer runs on the latest operating system that is compatible with your iPhone X. If all requirements are met, connect your device to the computer using the Apple-supplied USB/lightning cable. Then allow iTunes to sync with your iPhone and backup files, if possible. Once the backup is secured, follow these steps to put your iPhone X in recovery mode and then restore iOS in iTunes:

  1. Press and release the Volume Up button quickly.
  2. Press and release the Volume Down button quickly.
  3. Then press and hold the Power/Side button once prompted with Connect to iTunes screen. Do not release the button when Apple logo appears as you will need to enter recovery mode state.
  4. Once you enter the recovery mode, you’ll see either Update or Restore option.
  5. Select Restore if you want to reinstall and download iOS on your device without erasing data. 

Do not disconnect your phone and keep it connected until the entire restore process is finished.

Other options

Another advanced solution that might help in removing fatal system errors that might have been hindering the touch screen function and is the reason why it isn’t responding is a DFU mode restore. This is a state where it allows your device to communicate with iTunes even when bootloader is not sync or activated. Though be reminded that you can only perform this process as long as your phone has not incurred any physical stress like accidental dropping or liquid damaged. Otherwise, it will result in a permanently broken iPhone. If you want to take risks, here are the steps for your reference: 

  1. Connect your iPhone XS to the computer using the supplied USB/Lightning cable. Once connected, open iTunes on your computer. 
  2. Press and quickly release the Volume up button.
  3. Press and quickly release the Volume down button.
  4. Press and hold the Side/Power button until the screen goes black.
  5. After the screen turns black, press and hold the Volume down button while keep holding down the Power/Side button
  6. Wait for 5 seconds then release the Power/Side button but keep holding the Volume down button until your iPhone XS shows up in iTunes. 
  7. Release the Volume down button once you see your iPhone in iTunes then follow the rest of the on-screen instructions to start restoring your iPhone through iTunes.

Still having a not responding touch screen on your iPhone X

If none of the procedures fixed the not responding screen on your iPhone X, further solutions can be achieved by contact Apple support. Their onsite technician can also examine your device for possible hardware damage. If you have some free time, you may visit the nearest Apple service center in your area. If it needs a replacement, just ask if your phone is still covered by warranty or ask if replacement is still applicable. 

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