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Level 1

0 points

iPhone 3GS 32GB touch screen randomly stops/starts working

I am a previous 3G owner, and a few days ago got the 3GS. I've noticed that the touch screen will become completely unresponsive at seemingly random intervals. At first I thought it was something with the new oleophobic screen, but I can't see any correlation between how I touch the screen and when the touch fails to work, so maybe it's software.

A great example of the problem is when I'm playing some game (Tap Tap Revenge for example). I'll be touching the screen literally hundreds of times, and then it will stop responding. Sometimes it begins working again quickly, but other times I need to lock/unlock it for it to work again (though, the lock/unlock might not have any effect-- maybe it's just the added time of doing it that allows the screen to work again).

Of note, the iPhone operates normally in all other functions (ie. the phone doesn't lockup, and applications continue running normally, I just can't tough anything).

Someone else posted something I thought was a similar problem, but they said turning off notifications would solve it, though it hasn't helped at all for me.

Anybody else having this problem?

iPhone 3GS 32GB BLACK, iPhone OS 3.0

Posted on Jun 28, 2009 8:55 PM

64 replies

Jul 28, 2009 8:50 PM in response to NHonko

My wife's 3gs is freezing many times a day. We stopped by an Apple store at the South Hills Village Mall in Pa. The sales rep said "since an iPhone is like a computer, sometimes it needs rebooted." I took his response as a typical corporate brushoff. I told my wife to make an appointment with the Genius Bar. To those who had their phones replaced for this reason, did anyone use the Shadyside or South Hills Village stores?

Jul 30, 2009 10:38 AM in response to brothermatt

For my part the pb seems to be solved after a call to Apple Support.

Solution :

1) Backup my iPhone via iTunes (verify in preferences date and hours of backup to be sure)
2) erase all data & settings via iPhone menu.
3) active the phone via iTunes.
4) Restore OS 3.0 via iTunes.
5) use the previous backup to load settings, music, apps...

Result : 5 days without freeze ! 😉

Aug 2, 2009 1:37 AM in response to noe.lecesne

We stopped at the Genius Bar and explained the phone freeze. The tech put the phone on a diognostic check and it came back as a software issue. He also said the battery was discharging sooner than it should. 15 minutes later we had a new phone and we'll see how this one responds. I feel bad for those not near an Apple store, because that seems to be the best way to get an exchange.

Aug 2, 2009 8:36 PM in response to NHonko

just got my iphone 3Gs last night and have been having the same problem
stops responding randomly, sometimes even on lock screen
locking it and then starting again will reset it
but how annoying

might just take it back after doing another restore
will see

elizw

Level 1

35 points

Aug 7, 2009 4:56 PM in response to NHonko

Was this problem fixed? I called tech support twice about this issue. First we did a reset. Worked for a day. Next time we did a restore. Worked for a couple of days. It is really annoying.

bergetun

Level 1

4 points

Aug 9, 2009 2:22 AM in response to elizw

This happens to me several times a day, but completely randomly.

When the screen stops working it helps to shake the phone.

I have done several restores with different firmware versions (Even tried 3.1Beta3) so I don't think this is software related.

Beaugart

Level 1

0 points

Aug 9, 2009 3:45 PM in response to NHonko

I have had this issue, too. What I realized by complete accident is that it has to do with the temperature of your hands and the screen. Since the screen is heat sensitive, if you are doing a lot of scrolling, texting, etc the screen gets a bit warmer. If my hands are cold, such as after picking up a cold container, the touch screen apperas less responsive.

Aug 9, 2009 9:32 PM in response to NHonko

UPDATE: Called Apple support and opened a case, was advised to bring the to Apple Store to obtain a replacement. Made a Genius Bar appointment, iPhone was swapped, no more issues. If you're experiencing this issue, you will need to get your hardware exchanged.

Aug 10, 2009 2:51 AM in response to Nick McLaren

I also had this problem. I brought the device to the t-Mobile shop (Dutch telecom provider) where I had bought it. They sent it in for repair. It was returned unchanged because they could not reproduce the problem. The problem was still there and I brought it in for repair again. That time I made sure that the text said something like "the problem can appear after 30 seconds or after half an hour". I received a brand new iPhone and it has been working flawlessly.

Nick is right: if you have this problem, you need to get your iPhone replaced

Aug 11, 2009 7:23 AM in response to NHonko

I'm experiencing the exact same thing. It was only after I started using Wild Wild West Pinball that I started having this issue. Is anyone else using that App?

Aug 11, 2009 3:51 PM in response to NHonko

Adding a "me too." Got the new 3GS today and the problem is frequently occuring. Appt booked at the Genius Bar and hopefully they will replace it. Sounds like a hardware problem, going on the forum posts thus far.

Aug 14, 2009 4:41 AM in response to ChrisBeach

I have exactly the same problem with my 3GS. I live in Finland and I have Sonera as carrier. I'm thinking about handing my cell to Sonera for repair. I might have to print this thread for some reference. I will keep you informed.

Aug 14, 2009 5:50 AM in response to Lauri Hakkarainen

On June 20th I got a 3Gs. From day one I had issues with the screen. Intermittently, it would not respond. I reset it and restored it. It would work fine for a while but invariably the problem would recur.

In early July I made an appointment at the Genius Bar. Of course, I could not replicate the problem on the spot. The tech reloaded the 3.0 software and had them reseat the cable inside the phone. It worked for a few hours and the unresponsive multi-touch problem returned.

One week later, I took my son to Apple Camp at the same store. (BTW this is a fabulous experience for kids. Three hours of making movies, editing and showing them; and he got a free T shirt to boot. I digress.) Since I had to be in the store for the three hours he was in the camp, I decided to try to replicate my multi-touch issue and succeeded. I took the phone to a concierge who confirmed the problem and got me a standby appointment at the GB in ten minutes. While at the GB the screen froze again. The tech had them replace the multi-touch, which took all of five minutes. The new display has worked flawlessly since.

Aug 15, 2009 3:49 AM in response to Lauri Hakkarainen

They took my phone in for repair. It'll take a week or so. I managed to show the problem by shaking the phone. And I also had done full reset. So not a degrading software -problem. Let's hope they'll change the whole unit, and not just the screen. I also mentioned about this thread 🙂

Aug 19, 2009 11:24 PM in response to Lauri Hakkarainen

I can see from the service tracking that another unit is going to be given to me. Hooray. When I get the phone I'm gonna report if it works fine or not.

iPhone 3GS 32GB touch screen randomly stops/starts working