iPhone X Screen Frozen After iOS Update? Here’s How to Fix It

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Is your iPhone X screen completely unresponsive after updating iOS? Whether it’s stuck on the Apple logo, won’t respond to taps, or just refuses to swipe, you’re probably dealing with a post-update freeze. Don’t worry — this guide will walk you through all the proven fixes to get your phone back to normal.

Check the Basics First

Before diving into advanced steps, rule out the obvious causes:

  • Remove any dirty or cracked screen protector. It might be blocking touch sensitivity.
  • Clean the screen with a microfiber cloth.
  • Ensure your battery has enough charge. A low battery can sometimes cause freezing.

1. Force Restart Your iPhone X

If your screen is frozen, a regular restart won’t work. You’ll need to force restart using the hardware buttons:

  1. Press and release Volume Up quickly.
  2. Press and release Volume Down quickly.
  3. Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.

This clears minor system glitches and shuts down any frozen apps in the background.

2. Reset Network Settings (If the Screen Responds After Restart)

If your screen starts responding again, reset the network settings to clear out any corrupted connections:

  1. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset.
  2. Tap Reset Network Settings.
  3. Enter your passcode and confirm.

This will reset Wi-Fi, cellular, and Bluetooth settings — but won’t delete your data.

3. Adjust 3D Touch Sensitivity

Sometimes an iOS update can mess with touch sensitivity settings.

  1. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > 3D & Haptic Touch.
  2. Adjust the Touch Sensitivity slider to Light or Firm.
  3. Restart your iPhone afterward.

4. Reset All Settings

If your settings were changed during the update and are causing issues:

  1. Open Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset.
  2. Tap Reset All Settings.
  3. Enter your passcode and confirm.

This will not erase your data but will restore all system settings to their defaults.

5. Update All Apps

Outdated apps can crash or freeze after an iOS update.

  1. Open the App Store.
  2. Tap your profile icon (top-right).
  3. Scroll down and tap Update All under available updates.
  4. Restart your iPhone once done.

6. Use Recovery Mode Restore (If Screen Is Still Frozen)

If your screen won’t respond at all, restore the iPhone through iTunes in Recovery Mode.

What you need:

  • A Mac or PC with the latest version of iTunes.
  • Apple’s Lightning cable.

Steps:

  1. Connect iPhone to your computer.
  2. Force restart the iPhone but keep holding the Side button until you see the Connect to iTunes screen.
  3. On your computer, choose Restore to reinstall iOS.

Choose Update instead if you want to preserve your data.

7. Perform a DFU Mode Restore (Advanced)

If Recovery Mode doesn’t work, DFU (Device Firmware Update) mode is your last resort. It erases and reloads the firmware completely.

Steps:

  1. Connect iPhone to your computer via USB.
  2. Press and release Volume Up, then Volume Down.
  3. Press and hold the Side button until the screen turns black.
  4. While holding the Side button, press and hold the Volume Down button for 5 seconds.
  5. Release the Side button, but keep holding Volume Down until iTunes/Finder detects your iPhone.

Once your iPhone is detected, follow the prompts to restore it. When done, force restart to exit DFU mode.

Still Frozen? It Could Be Hardware

If nothing works and your iPhone X is still frozen, you might be dealing with:

  • A damaged screen digitizer
  • A failing battery or logic board
  • Physical damage from drops or water exposure

In that case, your best bet is to book a repair with an Apple Store or authorized service provider.

You can also contact Apple Support online for further diagnosis and options.

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