Even the toughest phones like the iPhone 7 Plus can run into problems, especially with the touchscreen. Some users experience slow response, freezing, or the screen not reacting to touches at all. Sometimes it’s caused by a drop or water exposure — but in other cases, software glitches are to blame.
This guide will help you figure out what’s wrong with your iPhone 7 Plus screen and walk you through different ways to fix it.
Common Causes of iPhone 7 Plus Touchscreen Issues
Before jumping into the fixes, it helps to know why the touchscreen might be acting up:
- Hardware Damage: Drops or liquid exposure can dislodge internal parts or damage the screen.
- Software Bugs: Updates or app crashes can make the screen freeze or slow down.
- Memory Problems: Low storage space can cause major lag and slow touch response.
- Corrupted Apps or Files: A bad app or corrupted file can crash the touchscreen.
If you’re sure your iPhone hasn’t suffered any hardware damage, you have a good chance of fixing it yourself by following the steps below.
Quick Things to Try First
Press the Screen Gently (MacGyver Trick)
If the issue started after a drop, lightly press the upper-right area of the screen (where the cables connect to the logic board).
Warning: Only try this carefully — it might temporarily reseat a loose connector but could make things worse if done too hard.
Remove Any Screen Protectors or Cases
Sometimes third-party accessories mess with touchscreen sensitivity. Remove any cases or screen protectors and see if that helps.
Clean the Screen
Dirty screens can cause touch issues. Gently wipe your screen with a soft, slightly damp lint-free cloth.
How to Troubleshoot iPhone 7 Plus Touchscreen Problems
Update to the Latest iOS Version
Bugs that cause screen freezes are often fixed in newer updates.
- Go to Settings → General → Software Update and install any available updates.
If your touchscreen is completely unresponsive, you’ll need to update using iTunes on a computer.
Perform a Soft Reset
A simple reboot can clear glitches without erasing anything.
- Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button until you see “slide to power off.”
- Slide to turn off, wait 30 seconds, then turn it back on.
If the screen is totally frozen:
- Press and hold Sleep/Wake + Volume Down buttons together until the Apple logo appears.
Check for Faulty Apps in Safe Mode
If an app is causing problems, boot into Safe Mode:
- Hold Power + Home until the screen turns black.
- Release the Home button but keep holding Power.
- When the Apple logo appears, press and hold Volume Up until the device fully boots.
You’ll see “Safe Mode” at the bottom corner.
- If your screen works fine in Safe Mode, uninstall recently downloaded apps one by one until the issue stops.
Adjust 3D Touch Sensitivity
Sometimes, adjusting screen sensitivity can fix touch recognition issues:
- Go to Settings → General → Accessibility → 3D Touch.
- Adjust the sensitivity slider and test the response.
Free Up Storage Space
Low storage can cause major performance issues:
- Go to Settings → General → Storage & iCloud Usage → Manage Storage.
- Delete unused apps, large files, or old media you don’t need.
Restore Your iPhone Using DFU Mode
If nothing else works, a DFU (Device Firmware Update) restore reloads the entire iOS:
- Connect iPhone to your computer and open iTunes.
- Press and hold Sleep/Wake + Volume Down for about 8 seconds.
- Release Sleep/Wake but keep holding Volume Down until iTunes says it detected an iPhone in recovery mode.
- Follow the onscreen prompts to restore.
Important: Only attempt DFU mode if you’re confident your iPhone has no water damage. A failed DFU restore can brick the device.
When to Seek Professional Help
If you dropped your iPhone or it has water damage, and none of the above steps work, it’s time to take it to a certified technician or Apple Support.
Hardware repairs, like replacing a broken screen or damaged logic board components, should only be done by pros.