There’s nothing quite as frustrating as a frozen iPhone screen. You tap, you swipe, but nothing happens. Your once-responsive device has become a digital paperweight. Fear not, fellow iPhone users! Before you resign yourself to data loss or a trip to the Apple Store, there are some proven methods to get your phone back up and running.
In most cases, a frozen iPhone can be revived with a simple force restart, which won’t erase any of your precious data. We’ll walk you through this process step-by-step, along with other troubleshooting techniques to consider. So, take a deep breath, follow along, and get ready to conquer that frozen screen!
Why is My iPhone Freezing and Not Responding?
Understanding why your iPhone screen freezes can make things a little easier. Let’s dive into some common culprits behind this frustrating issue:
- Is the iPhone screen not responding to touch? The iPhone is likely out of storage.
- Does your iPhone screen freezes and won’t respond to touch? Software updates may have gone wrong or there are issues with the software.
- Malicious software can also wreak havoc on your device, causing crashes and screen freezes.
- If you’ve jailbroken your iPhone (unlocked it for unauthorized modifications), an interrupted process can lead to freezing issues.
- Jailbroken your iPhone? An interrupted process can lead to freezing issues.
- Running too many apps simultaneously can tax your iPhone’s resources, leading to freezing.
- An iPhone running on outdated software can become vulnerable to bugs and performance issues, including freezing.
How to Fix iPhone Screen Freezes and Won’t Respond to Touch？
Got your iPhone frozen on lock screen? Can’t make it respond to your touch? Don’t worry. Once you know the techniques on how to fix frozen iPhone, you can get it up and running like before.
Fix 1: Force restart your frozen iPhone
The first line of defense against a frozen iPhone is a force restart. But how to restart a frozen iPhone forcefully? Take a look:
For iPhone 8 or Later
- Quickly press and release the volume up button, followed by a quick press and release of the volume down button.
- Press and hold the side button (also known as the power button). Don’t let go just yet!
- Keep holding the side button until you see the familiar Apple logo appear on your screen.
- Once the logo appears, you can release the side button. Your iPhone should reboot normally.
iPhone 7 or 7 Plus
- Locate the volume down button and the side button on your iPhone 7 or 7 Plus. Press and hold both buttons simultaneously.
- Be patient and hold down both buttons until you see the Apple logo grace your screen.
- Once the logo appears, you can release the buttons. Your iPhone should restart as usual.
For iPhone 6s or Earlier
- Press and hold the Home button and the side button (or the top button on some models) at the same time.
- Don’t let go! Keep holding both buttons until the Apple logo appears on the screen.
- Once the logo shows up, release the buttons, and your iPhone should complete the restart process.
Fix 2: Close All Background Apps
Still wondering what to do when iPhone screen is frozen? While a force restart tackles internal glitches, sometimes a frozen iPhone can be caused by resource overload. Background apps, even those seemingly inactive, can consume memory and processing power. Closing these apps can free up resources and potentially resolve the freezing issue.
Here’s how to close background apps depending on your iPhone model:
iPhone X and Later:
- With your finger, make a swift swipe up gesture from the bottom of your home screen.
- Don’t swipe all the way up! Instead, pause your finger in the middle of the screen to enter the App Switcher.
- Swipe left or right to locate the app you want to close.
- Once you’ve found the app, simply swipe up on its preview card to close it completely. Repeat this process for any other background apps you suspect might be contributing to the freeze.
iPhone SE, iPhone 8 and Earlier, and iPod Touch:
- Quickly double-tap the Home button to bring up the App Switcher.
- Similar to the iPhone X method, swipe left or right to find the app you want to close. Then, swipe up on its preview card to shut it down. Close any other background apps you think might be problematic.
Fix 3: Fix iPhone Frozen Screen in 5 Minutes without data loss
If the force restart and closing background apps haven’t solved your frozen iPhone woes, there are more advanced solutions available. It involves a third-party tool, but don’t worry; it’s very effective and safe to use. The tool is called Tenorshare Reiboot, a versatile one-stop solution for many iPhone problems.
Nonetheless, to fix frozen iPhone screen with Tenorshare ReiBoot, you need to go through the following steps:
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- Download and install Reiboot on your computer. Use a USB data cable to connect the phone to your PC.
- Open Reiboot, click “Start,” and then press “Standard Repair.”
- Let Reiboot download the required package and wait for the firmware to be ready.
- Click on Start Standard Repair when the firmware is ready.
- Wait for the tool to finish doing its magic. Once it’s done, your iPhone will restart and start operating normally.
Fix 4: Reset iPhone to fix A frozen iPhone
You can also fix a frozen iPhone screen with a reset. But the question is, how to reset frozen iPhone? Well, ReiBoot iOS repair tool makes this easy. Take a look at the steps:
- Download and install Tenoshare ReiBoot on your computer.
- Connect the iPhone and launch the tool and click on “Enter Recovery Mode.”
- Let the iPhone enter recovery mode, and reconnect the iPhone.
- Click on Exit Recovery Mode, and after a while, the iPhone should exit from the frozen screen issue.
Fix 5: Get Rid Of iPhone Frozen Screen Via DFU Mode
If all else fails, there’s a powerful tool at your disposal: DFU (Device Firmware Update) mode. However, this method comes with a significant caveat: It will erase all your iPhone’s data. Before proceeding, ensure you have a recent backup on iCloud or your computer to restore your precious data after the process.
With that said, here are the preparatory steps you will need to follow to fix the frozen iPhone screen with DFU:
- Launch a recent version of iTunes on your computer.
- Using the appropriate cable, connect your iPhone to your computer.
After these two steps, do the following:
iPhone 6s or Earlier
- Press and hold both the Power button and the Home button simultaneously for 10 seconds
- Release the Power button while continuing to hold the Home button for another 5 seconds.
- If your screen stays black, you’ve successfully entered DFU mode.
Phone 7 or 7 Plus
- Locate the Volume Down button and the Power button on your device.
- Press and hold both buttons together for 10 seconds.
- After 10 seconds, release the Power button but keep holding the Volume Down button for an additional 5 seconds.
- A black screen indicates successful DFU mode entry.
iPhone 8, 8 Plus, or Later
- Press and release the Volume Up button quickly.
- Follow up by quickly pressing and releasing the Volume Down button.
- Hold down the Power button until the screen goes black.
- While still holding the Power button, press and hold the Volume Down button for 5 seconds.
- Release the Power button after 5 seconds, but keep holding the Volume Down button for an additional 5 seconds. A black screen signifies DFU mode activation.
Once your iPhone enters DFU mode, iTunes should detect it and prompt you to restore your device. Follow the on-screen instructions within iTunes to restore your iPhone. This process will erase all your data but hopefully revive your iPhone from its frozen state.
Final Words
A frozen iPhone screen can be a frustrating experience, but don’t despair! We’ve explored several methods to get your iPhone back up and running, from the simple force restart to the more advanced DFU mode.
In most cases, a force restart or closing background apps should resolve the issue. If those methods don’t work and you’re comfortable using third-party software, consider a tool like Tenorshare ReiBoot. This program can repair your iPhone’s system without data loss, although it’s always wise to have a backup in place before using any software.
