Fix Phone Touchscreen Resetting: Learn How to Calibrate Screen
Understanding the Issue
When your phone's touchscreen stops working, it can be incredibly frustrating. Before considering more drastic measures, it's essential to explore whether a reset can resolve the issue.
Checking the Basics
Before diving into advanced troubleshooting, ensure that the problem isn't due to something simple:
- Inspect the Screen: Make sure the screen isn't cracked, chipped, or damaged. Physical damage can often cause touchscreens to malfunction.
- Remove Accessories: Take off any screen protectors or cases, as these can sometimes interfere with touch sensitivity.
- Clean the Screen: Ensure the screen is clean and free from dust, dirt, or other debris.
- Remove Gloves and Stickers: If you're wearing gloves or have stickers on the screen, remove them as they can affect touch input.
Basic Troubleshooting Steps
Restart Your Phone
A simple restart can often resolve many issues:
- Press and Hold the Power Button: On most phones, press the power button for about 30 seconds until the phone restarts. You might need to tap "Restart" on the screen if it appears.
- Check if the Issue Persists: After restarting, if the touchscreen is still unresponsive, proceed to the next steps.
Safe Mode
Safe mode can help determine if an app is causing the problem:
- Turn On Safe Mode: The steps to turn on safe mode vary by device, but generally, you need to press and hold the power button until your phone restarts and then release the power button but immediately hold the volume down button. This will boot your phone into safe mode.
- Test the Screen: If the screen works in safe mode, it indicates that an app is likely causing the issue. Uninstall recently downloaded apps one by one to identify the problematic app.
Advanced Troubleshooting
Booting into Recovery Mode for Factory Reset
If the touchscreen is completely unresponsive, you may need to perform a factory reset using the phone's buttons:
- Turn Off Your Phone: Use the power button to turn off your phone.
- Enter Recovery Mode: Press and hold both the power button and the volume up button simultaneously. When you see the manufacturer's logo, release the power button but keep holding the volume up button. This will bring up the Android Recovery screen.
- Navigate Using Volume Buttons: Use the volume up or down buttons to select "Wipe data/factory reset" and confirm with the power button.
- Select Factory Reset: Highlight "Factory data reset" and select it with the power button.
- Reboot the System: Once the reset is complete, select "Reboot system now" using the volume and power buttons.
Important Considerations
- Backup Data: Before performing a factory reset, ensure you have backed up all your data, as this process will erase all data on your phone.
- Reinstalling Apps: If an app caused the issue and you reinstall it after the reset, the problem could return.
Additional Tips
Using a Mouse for Navigation
If you have access to a USB-A to USB-C adapter, you can connect a mouse to your phone to navigate through settings and perform actions without using the touchscreen.
Checking for Physical Damage
If the touchscreen issue persists after trying the above steps, it may be due to physical damage. Inspect the screen carefully for any cracks or fragments. If you've dropped the phone or it has been exposed to water, some sensors or connectors behind the display might be damaged.
Conclusion
Resetting your phone can often resolve touchscreen issues, but it's crucial to follow the correct steps and ensure you've backed up your data. If the problem persists, it may be necessary to contact your device manufacturer or visit a service center for further assistance.