If the screen is on but taps do nothing, wipe it with a soft, dry cloth and remove the case or a loose screen protector. Restart the phone using the buttons for your model. If only part of the screen fails, check whether a slow swipe always breaks at the same spot.
01Restart if you can’t tap the power menu
Section linkOn a Galaxy with a Side key, hold Side and Volume Down together for more than 7 seconds, until the phone restarts. On a Pixel that is frozen with the screen on, Google advises holding the Power button for about 60 seconds to restart. For another Android model, check the maker’s instructions. A restart doesn’t erase your files.
02Check for a strip of screen that misses touches
Section linkFrom the top-left corner, slowly drag toward the bottom-right corner without lifting your finger. If the notification shade stops following your finger, repeat the swipe. If it drops at the same spot each time, note where and contact the phone maker. If you see cracks or damage, seek service instead of peeling a protector off the damaged display.
03If touches work again in safe mode
Section linkUse your manufacturer’s instructions to start in safe mode, then try the same taps or swipe. If they work there, a downloaded app is likely involved. Restart normally, remove recently installed apps one at a time, and test after each removal. If touch still fails in safe mode or you can’t use the screen at all after restarting, check repair options and back up anything you can access before considering a factory reset.