iPhone 6s Touchscreen Not Responding or Delayed? Here’s How to Fix It

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If your iPhone 6s touchscreen is slow to respond, randomly freezes, or doesn’t react at all, it can be incredibly frustrating. This kind of issue can stem from software bugs, memory problems, or worst-case, physical or liquid damage. Before you head to a repair shop, try these troubleshooting steps to see if you can get things working again.

1. Force Restart Your iPhone 6s

If your screen is completely unresponsive, a regular restart might not be possible. Try a force restart:

  • Press and hold the Home and Power (Sleep/Wake) buttons at the same time.
  • Keep holding both buttons until you see the Apple logo, then release.

This clears out minor glitches that may be affecting touch input without erasing any data.

2. Free Up Storage Space

A sluggish or freezing touchscreen can be a sign that your iPhone is low on memory. To check and manage your storage:

  • Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
  • Look at how much free space you have.
  • Delete old apps, messages, photos, or videos you don’t need.
  • Offload unused apps or back up data to iCloud or a computer.

Low storage can impact performance across the board, including touchscreen responsiveness.

3. Adjust 3D Touch Sensitivity

Sometimes the 3D Touch feature causes input delays or misreads your presses.

  • Open Settings > Accessibility > Touch > 3D & Haptic Touch.
  • Adjust the sensitivity slider to “Light” or “Medium”.
  • You can also try turning 3D Touch off entirely to test if it makes a difference.

4. Update iOS to the Latest Version

Apple frequently releases bug fixes that can solve touchscreen glitches.

  • Head to Settings > General > Software Update.
  • If an update is available, tap Download and Install.

Make sure your iPhone is charged and connected to Wi-Fi before updating.

5. Remove Your Screen Protector or Case

Thick or misaligned screen protectors and tight cases can interfere with touch sensitivity, especially near the edges.

  • Gently peel off the screen protector.
  • Remove your phone case.
  • Test the touchscreen bare to see if there’s any improvement.

6. Clean Your Screen

Sometimes it’s just dirt or oils causing touch issues.

  • Use a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth.
  • Gently wipe the screen to remove any grime or residue.
  • Make sure your fingers are clean and dry too.

7. Delete or Reinstall Problematic Apps

A single buggy app can cause the screen to freeze or lag.

  • Think back: Did the issue start after installing a new app?
  • Tap and hold the app icon until it jiggles.
  • Tap the X to delete it.
  • Restart your iPhone and see if the issue improves.

You can reinstall the app later if needed.

8. Try the MacGyver Method (With Caution)

If your iPhone was dropped and the touchscreen issues started afterward, it could be a loose connection inside.

  • Gently press down near the top-right corner of your screen (near the front camera).
  • This is where the display cables connect to the logic board.
  • Don’t press too hard — just enough to check if the screen responds.

This method isn’t official, but some users report success, especially after drops.

9. Charge Your iPhone

If the screen is black and unresponsive, your phone might just be dead.

  • Plug it into a charger and let it charge for at least 15–30 minutes.
  • Look for the charging screen or Apple logo.

No response at all after an hour? You may be dealing with a deeper issue.

10. Restore Your iPhone in DFU Mode

DFU (Device Firmware Update) mode lets you completely erase and reinstall iOS — useful for deep software problems.

⚠️ Important: Do not do this if your iPhone may have liquid damage, as it can make things worse.

Here’s how:

  1. Plug your iPhone into a computer and open Finder (macOS Catalina or later) or iTunes.
  2. Hold the Power and Home buttons for 8 seconds.
  3. Release the Power button but continue holding Home until you see a message that your iPhone is in recovery mode.
  4. The screen should stay black if you’re in DFU mode. Follow prompts to Restore your iPhone.

Back up your data before you try this — it will erase everything.

Still Not Working? Time to Call in the Pros

If none of these steps work, there’s a good chance your iPhone has hardware damage, especially if it’s been dropped or exposed to water. Touchscreen components may be damaged or disconnected.

At this point, your best bet is to:

  • Visit an Apple Store or authorized service provider.
  • Contact Apple Support for options if you’re under warranty or AppleCare+.

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