Did you know that, as of February 2023, there were over 2 billion active Apple devices worldwide? Of these products, most are iPhones, with over a billion units currently in use.
But iPads are also among Apple’s top sellers, earning the company billions in profits. In the 3rd quarter of 2022 alone, they generated an estimated $7.22 billion in revenue.
Still, as fancy, easy to use, and feature-rich as the iPad is, it’s not impervious to problems. One of its most common issues is its touch screen not working as it should.
The good news is that a malfunctioning iPad screen doesn’t always signal a broken device. But to determine this, you must first perform several troubleshooting steps.
This guide discusses the causes and fixes for a misbehaving or non-working iPad screen, so read on.
Moisture on Screen
An iPad features a capacitive screen with a constant electrical field. This field reacts when something that conducts electricity touches it. A perfect example of an electrical conductor is your body, such as your fingertips.
Your fingertips alter your iPad screen’s electrical field. The screen then detects the change in that spot you touched.
The problem is that most sources of water contain elements that conduct electricity. These include sodium, magnesium, and calcium ions in tap water, raindrops, and seawater. These ions allow electricity to flow through the water.
Thus, drops or smears of those water types on your iPad screen can interfere with its touch functions. For example, they can confuse the device and make it think you have a finger continuously pressing it. This can make it stop reacting to all other touches, leading to a non-responsive or frozen screen.
So before you panic and think you need a new iPad screen, try wiping it down first. Remove water droplets, smears, and smudges with a clean, dry microfiber cloth.
Holding your iPad screen against the light can help ensure you’ve wiped it thoroughly. If you have, try it to see if it now works.
Dirt Under Screen Protector
Dirt and debris can reduce iPad touchscreen sensitivity or impede its functions. Fortunately, the wiping trick above should also remove these contaminants.
But if dirt and debris are already under the iPad screen protector, that tactic may no longer work. This is also why you must regularly clean your iPad to prevent that and maintain its touch functions. Besides, you want to keep yours clean, as studies say mobile devices can be dirtier than toilets.
If your iPad’s screen protector already has bubbles, it’s a sign that dirt and debris are under it. Remove this protective layer and give the screen a thorough wipe-down. Then, try your screen again to see if it’s now working.
If it is, great; you can install a new protector afterward. If not, proceed to the next steps in this guide.
Software Problems
Malfunctioning software is usually a culprit behind an iPad not responding to touch.
That could be the case with your device if you’ve noticed that it only stops working when you run a specific app. If so, check if the program has an available update, and if yes, download and install it.
If you can’t go back to your main screen, restart your iPad.
To restart an iPad with a physical Home button, press and hold it down with the power button. Release both buttons only when the Apple logo appears.
If your iPad has no Home button, restart it using the Volume buttons. First, press and immediately release the Volume Up, then do the same with the Volume Down. Right after letting go, press and hold the Power button; release it only after the Apple icon appears.
iPadOS Issues
An outdated or buggy iPadOS can sometimes cause its touchscreen to stop working. Updating your device’s operating system may clear the screen issue in this scenario. But be sure to back up your data before you proceed with the OS update installation.
Extreme Temperature
Apple recommends using iPads in ambient temperatures of 32º to 95º Fahrenheit. Any higher or lower than that can cause them to misbehave as they try to regulate their temperature. Such misbehavior can include an erratic or non-responsive touchscreen.
Using your iPad in extreme temperatures can also affect your device’s battery. For instance, continued exposure to scorching temperatures can shorten its battery life.
On the other hand, freezing conditions can discharge your iPad battery faster. They may even force your device to shut down.
So if you’re somewhere too hot or cold, go someplace else where the temperature is more tolerable. Then, try restarting your iPad. This should fix the touchscreen issue if the temperature is behind the problem.
Glitchy Accessories
A malfunctioning cabled accessory plugged into your iPad can cause it to overheat. This includes peripherals connected to your device via a Lightning or USB-C cable. Like high temperatures, they can also lead to your touchscreen not working as it should.
Unplug whatever you have connected to your iPad and try its touchscreen. If it starts working again, the accessory or its cable is likely to blame.
Broken Screen
If none of the iPad troubleshooting steps above work, you may already have a busted screen. In this case, you may already need iPad repairs or a replacement screen.
The above is likely if you dropped your iPad and it cracked. While not all cracks are easily visible, that doesn’t mean they’re not there. Even the tiniest ones can grow and worsen over time as you place more pressure on your screen.
To avoid bigger and costlier iPad screen woes, fix those small cracks now. If it’s already out of warranty, take it to a reputable, professional iPad repair company.
Get That Touch Screen Not Working Fixed
Now that you know the culprits behind an iPad touch screen not working, it’s time to address them. Try all our troubleshooting steps, from cleaning it to updating all its software. But if your screen still won’t respond, your best bet is to take your device to a repair expert.
Our team here at Fruit Fixed can diagnose and repair your malfunctioning iPad. So reach out to us now, and we’ll happily bring your device back to life!
