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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

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64 replies

Jun 28, 2009 10:12 PM in response to NHonko

That happens to me too. It's hardly ever when I'm in an app, although sometimes it is. It's usually when I'm scrolling between different pages. It only last for a few seconds. It's annoying, but I'm not sure it's worth taking the phone back for. If it's still happening after the first firmware update I might take it back. But everything else about this particular phone is great.

Jun 29, 2009 1:49 PM in response to jabecker

I have the same issues when i'm on you tube or watching a video. When ever i want to pause or change the volume i have to touch the screen numerous times before the pause/volume menu show up. This is random as well as sometimes it works fine and other times it doesn't. hate that i have to take it back. If i bought through ATT can i still take it to an apple store??

Jun 29, 2009 4:43 PM in response to NHonko

My 16Gb Black 3GS does the same thing on a fairly regular basis. It doesn't matter what I am doing either. Surfing the web, flicking between HS pages, in apps, no difference. The only thing that fixes mine is to lock, then unlock the phone. Also, the screen occasionally hesitates heavily when I touch it, like I am touching and letting go repeatedly. That really isn't the best description of the hesitation, but it's kind of hard to explain. I have tried resetting the phone, restoring the phone numerous times but no change. I was hoping it was a software bug and Apple would release a quick update to fix it, but I guess I will make a Genius Bar appointment.

Jul 1, 2009 12:33 PM in response to NHonko

Hi,

Try restarting the iPhone by holding the Sleep/Wake button until the red slider appears> then slide to turn off> and turn the iPhone back on by pressing the Sleep/Wake again, as described on page 46 of the iPhone User Guide.
http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/iPhoneUserGuide.pdf

If the issue persists, try restoring the iPhone. This article: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1414 will walk you through the process.
Also, you can test it before restoring from backup to rule out issues with the backup.

-Jason

Jul 1, 2009 1:04 PM in response to mrl14

This happened to my iPhone too, it is not a software issue!

I took my phone back to the Apple Store twice, the first time they checked the components and wiring and asked me to carry out a restore at home.

Carried out the restore which had no effect, took it back to the Apple Store on Monday and they stated that it must be a hardware issue and replaced the phone then and there.

Since then I have not had the issue re-occur (3 days now) so my advice would be to book yourself an appointment at a Genius bar and get it swapped because I have a feeling no amount of software updates will cure it.

Jul 1, 2009 1:04 PM in response to Jason L

I have done all those things with my black 3Gs and it still locks up. I even did the restore twice, once using previous backup and then again as a new phone, neither solved the problem. I have an appointment with apple today, hopefully a new phone in hand when I leave. For the most part it is a small annoyance but having only had the phone since last Thursday it just shouldn't be happening.

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

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