Troubleshooting an iPhone 11 Touch Screen That Isn't Working or Responding

The touch screen is one of the most important ways we interact with our iPhone 11. When it stops responding or working properly, it can be incredibly frustrating and make the phone difficult or even impossible to use. In this comprehensive guide, I'll walk you through some troubleshooting steps to try and get your iPhone 11 touch screen working again if it is unresponsive, won't register taps or swipes, or you can't unlock your phone.

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Symptoms of an Unresponsive iPhone 11 Touch Screen

There are a few key symptoms that indicate your iPhone 11 touch screen has stopped functioning normally:

• The screen doesn't respond when you tap on apps or interface elements
• Swiping gestures don't work, like when scrolling or opening apps
• The screen registers taps and swipes randomly or in inaccurate areas
• You are completely unable to unlock your phone even when touching correct areas
• The screen responds intermittently - some taps work but most do not
• The screen displays normally but it behaves as if you are constantly swiping or tapping

If you are experiencing any of those issues with the touch screen on your iPhone 11, don't worry - in most cases it is possible to fix it. Keep reading as I explain the main troubleshooting steps.

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Force Restart Your iPhone

The first thing you should try when experiencing an unresponsive touch screen is to force restart your iPhone 11. This resets all software and hardware components and clears out any temporary glitches that could be preventing the touch screen from working. Here is how to force restart:

• Press and hold both the Side/Power button and either Volume button at the same time
• Keep holding both buttons until you see the Apple logo appear on the screen
• The phone will boot back up normally - test to see if the touch screen works again

Performing a force restart resets the touch screen drive and clears the touch input cache. It essentially functions the same as if you had turned the phone fully off and back on again. So after your iPhone 11 restarts, try using the touch screen to see if responsiveness has improved or returned to normal.

Check for and Resolve Software Issues

If force restarting your device didn't restore proper touch screen functionality, the next set of troubleshooting steps focus on software issues that could be causing problems. A few things to try here:

• Update iOS - Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install the latest iOS update. Updates sometimes include bug fixes for touch screen responsiveness issues.
• Toggle Touch Accommodations - Head to Settings > Accessibility > Touch and toggle the Touch Accommodations switch off and back on again. This resets touch screen calibration.
• Remove Screen Protector - If you are using a third party screen protector, remove it and see if it was interfering with touch screen functionality.
• Reset Settings - Go to Settings > General > Reset and choose Reset All Settings. This will revert device settings to factory defaults which can resolve software issues.
• Restore from Backup - A final software-based troubleshooting step is to erase the device then restore from a backup . This gives your device a clean software install, often eliminating difficult glitches.

If you still have no luck getting your iPhone 11 touch screen to work properly after trying these software-focused steps, it's time to start investigating hardware issues and solutions.

Inspect the Touch Screen for Damage

Since the touch screen includes delicate hardware components under the glass display surface, physical damage can definitely cause touch responsiveness problems or complete malfunctions. Carefully inspect your iPhone 11 touch screen and frame to check for any cracks, chips, or areas of damaged glass/plastic:

• Cracks - Even hairline cracks in the touch screen glass can obstruct and alter touch registration. Deep cracks are even worse.
• Chips/Missing Pieces - Small missing chunks on the sides/corners also affect overall functionality.
• Deformed Frame - If the iPhone frame seems bent or deformed it can impede proper touch screen connectivity and response.

If you do notice any substantial cracks, chips, or dents/deformities around the frame/glass surrounding the touch screen that could correlate with when the issues began occurring, this is likely your root cause. Physically damaged touch screen components often cannot be repaired, only replaced - so you will need to either replace the screen/device or rely on external keyboards/mice as a workaround.

Check for Debris and Dirty Areas

Less severe than physical damage, but still problematic - accumulated debris, dirt, and oil buildup on the touch screen surface can definitely interfere with proper tap and swipe registering. Give your iPhone 11 screen a thorough inspection and cleaning:

• Examine along the edges for any observable dirt or lint buildup
• Use a soft dry microfiber cloth to gently wipe down the whole touchscreen, especially around edges
• Check for "sticky" feeling areas where oil residue may have accumulated
• You can use a small amount of isopropyl alcohol if needed for stubborn oil spots

If you see no visible debris but suspect the screen still feels unusually oily or grimy compared to normal, the oleophobic coating may have begun wearing off. This transparent oil-repellent layer on the glass helps facilitate smooth scrolling/gliding gestures. Try an oleophobic screen protector or replacement kit to restore easy touch responsiveness.

Test with an External Keyboard

Here is a handy troubleshooting tip - connect an external Bluetooth keyboard to your iPhone and see if it allows you to properly interface with your phone even while the touch screen remains unresponsive:

• Pair a keyboard through Bluetooth settings
• Test tapping keyboard keys to navigate the iOS interface
• Try unlocking your iPhone from the keyboard
• Can you access settings like Wi-Fi and adjust volume with key presses?

If the Bluetooth keyboard works smoothly while the touch screen continues exhibiting issues, this helps rule out a full system failure. The problems are isolated to the touch recognition hardware components or wiring. Time for a deeper device inspection!

Examine Ribbon Cable and Connections

In some cases of touch screen malfunction, the underlying problem is actually a loose or damaged cable connecting the display/digitizer to the main logic board rather than the glass surface itself. Here’s how to inspect this:

• Refer to proper device disassembly instructions for your iPhone 11 model
• Carefully open the phone and expose the display ribbon cable connection
• Check that the cable is fully seated in the logic board socket
• Inspect the length of cable for any tears or warped areas
• Reseat both ends of the ribbon connector cable firmly

If the delicate display ribbon cable shows obvious damage, you will likely need a repair shop to replace the part. If everything seems intact but just loosely connected, carefully reseating both ends could resolve your touch responsiveness troubles! Take care not to strain the ribbon during reassembly.

Replace the Screen/Digitizer Components

After exhausting all other troubleshooting - from software resets to physical inspections inside and out - you may ultimately determine component-level replacement of the touch screen or digitizer itself is needed to restore normal responsiveness and interface control. Here are your options:

iPhone 11 Display Module

This integrated component pair contains both:

• Display - The LCD visual screen
• Digitizer - Overlaying touch sensor layer

Given the interwoven construction, Apple does not offer these as separate internal components. Replacement involves switching out the entire front display assembly. If your issue is isolated specifically to the digitizer, this may still do the trick. Plus it gives you a nice refreshed display while at it!

Repair Shop Service

Seeking professional iPhone repair services is the safest bet to ensure proper installation of a new display module and recalibration of Touch ID functionality. Well reviewed independent shops often offer significant savings compared to the Genius Bar. The display component itself may cost $200-300 depending on model and supplier. Factor in another $100-150+ for complete labor.

DIY Installation

Order an OEM quality display/digitizer assembly yourself from a reputable supplier like iFixit and watch tutorial videos that demonstrate the proper iPhone 11 screen replacement procedure step-by-step from start to finish. If you are generally tech handy and patient, this is possible. Just be very gentle with fragile connectors and prepare for a 2+ hour process.

No matter which option you select, replacing faulty touch screen hardware components is the ultimate solution for restoring smooth iPhone 11 tapping, swiping, and gesture response. And typically far less costly than upgrading to an entirely new current-gen device!

Workarounds for Using an iPhone with Broken Touch Screen

If you determine your iPhone 11 has a hardware issue like a damaged display or disconnected digitizer cable that prevents touch screen operation BUT the device is otherwise functional when paired with external inputs, there are some handy workarounds that allow you to keep utilizing it rather than buying a pricey replacement right away:

• As mentioned previously, using a Bluetooth Keyboard allows navigating iOS, apps, typing, adjusting settings, etc without needing the touch screen at all
• Voice Control is another built-in accessibility option within iOS for controlling your device using voice commands to open apps, dictate messages, place calls, etc.
• AssistiveTouch software aids help create customized touch commands through gestures with a paired Bluetooth device
• There are creative options too! Attach a capacitive stylus to your headphone jack to manually interact with the touch interface. Or try clipping a guitar pick to a selfie stick for maneuvering the “pointer”.

While not as seamless as a fully working touch screen of course, these alternatives enable an iPhone 11 with display damage or accuracy issues to remain surprisingly operational for core functions without replacement.

Hopefully with the wide range of troubleshooting suggestions covered here you will be able to successfully diagnose then resolve whatever is causing your iPhone 11 touch screen to stop responding! Rebooting, updating, replacing components, trying accessibility aids, or utilizing creative pointing tools/external gadgets should have you back interacting with your iPhone in no time. Just be sure to backup regularly so your data is never lost.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why did my iPhone 11 touch screen suddenly stop working?

Common causes include software glitches, getting exposed to moisture, physical cracks or damage to the screen, debris getting lodged in the screen, issues with the digitizer cable connections.

How can I get my iPhone 11 touch screen to work again?

Try force restarting your device, updating iOS, removing any screen protectors, cleaning the screen, getting a professional repair if hardware components are damaged.

Why can't I unlock my iPhone 11 if the touch screen isn't working?

The touch screen digitizer is needed to register finger taps to enter your passcode and unlock the device. You'll need to get it repaired or use an alternative input method.

What should I do if restarting and resetting did not fix my iPhone 11 touch screen?

If software resets don't restore functionality, there is likely a hardware issue. Inspect closely for physical damage, debris, check ribbon cable connections, or replace the screen/digitizer completely.

Can I still use my iPhone if the touch screen is broken?

Yes, you have some options! Connect a Bluetooth keyboard or mouse, enable VoiceOver control, clip a capacitive stylus to the headphone jack, or try an AssistiveTouch pointer to interact with the interface.