iPhone Frozen Or Screen Not Responding? What To Try, Step By Step

Guide 1d · Restart & Recovery

Screen stuck or not reacting when you tap? Most of the time a quick fix brings it back. Start at Step 1 and stop when it works.

Works on: Every iPhone.

Step 1: Wait A Moment And Close The App

1. If one app is stuck, wait about 30 seconds.
2. Swipe up from the bottom and pause to see your open apps. On a Home button iPhone, press Home twice.
3. Swipe the stuck app up and off the screen.

Screen won't react to the swipe? Go to Step 2.

Step 2: Take Off The Case And Screen Protector

A cracked protector or a tight case can block your touches. Remove them and try again. Dry your hands and the screen too.

Step 3: Charge It

A dead battery can look like a frozen black screen. Plug in with a charger you trust and wait 1 hour.

Step 4: Force Restart

This restarts the phone without touching your data. Use the guide for your phone: iPhone 8, SE (2nd/3rd gen) and Face ID models, iPhone 7, or iPhone 6s and older. You should see the Apple logo.

Buttons broken? If the screen works a little, you can restart without buttons.

Step 5: Update iOS

1. Once it's working, open Settings, tap General, then Software Update.
2. Install any update shown.

If It Freezes Again

Freezes often, or only works in some spots? It may be the screen or other hardware. I can check it.

Source: Restart an unresponsive iPhone, About iPhone displays (Apple Support, checked Oct 18, 2026).

Franchitti's Fix LLC is an independent repair shop, not affiliated with Apple.