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Otterbox Defender for iPhone 4 - Home button problem

I've been using the Otterbox Defender on my iPhone 4 for a few weeks. It's been a great case, but over the last few days it has developed an odd issue. The home button becomes unresponsive sometimes.

There is still an audible click when you press the button, so it is actually making contact.

Taking the phone out of the case and putting it back in fixes it temporarily, but that is no small task with an Otterbox!

Has anyone else experienced this issue?

iPhone 4, iOS 4, Otterbox Defender

Posted on Aug 14, 2010 7:12 AM

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18 replies

Aug 14, 2010 9:49 PM in response to TechFrenzy

I disagree with techfrenzy, the case protects the same as the 3G according to otterbox and I tested this. I threw my 3G and 4 at a metal bed frame by throwing them both in the air about 7FT hiting the frame on the way down, plus it hit the corner of iphone 4, one of the weakest spots. ( by the way,it made my signal better somehow, BUT I DO NOT PUSH PEOPLE TO DO THIS!!!!!!)

Aug 15, 2010 6:51 AM in response to Famtom Hunter451

I threw my 3G and 4 at a metal bed frame by throwing them both in the air about 7FT hiting the frame on the way down, plus it hit the corner of iphone 4, one of the weakest spots. ( by the way,it made my signal better somehow


who throws their iphone around intentionally? sorry but I don't believe you did this. No way. The protection I was mainly complaining about was the flaps that plug the ports. They let dust in. The 3G did not as they overlapped. I am a carpenter and sawdust is 8 hours a day constant for me.

Jul 23, 2016 10:39 AM in response to NinjaDad

I will agree the 3G version was built better except for the "oil slick" marks on the screen when in the defender case. I do notice dust and stuff gets in around the headphone flap and the charge port flap but ive fixed that 🙂 Used some double sided tape to hold those parts down and as for dust and debris getting in around the speaker/mic on the bottom, im still thinking of what to use to fill in that gap.

Sep 25, 2010 12:15 AM in response to NinjaDad

Hi all,
I am facing the same issue too. Home button acting weird after i out on the Defender case. I love the case but this home button issue sometimes really gets on my nerve. Tried putting a small piece of paper on the button before putting on the case, helps abit but after tawhile its back. Seems like the silicon thing that is suppose to push the home button is not designed properly. =(

Jan 12, 2011 1:32 PM in response to NinjaDad

I'm having the same problem... The home button becomes unresponsive and the case button definitely comes in contact with the home button verified by the usual click, etc. I've even pulled back the silicon, pressed iphone home button down with my finger tip while it's in the case, and my iphone it is remains unresponsive. After which, I'll remove my phone completely from the case, press the home button a couple of times and it starts working again. ***!

I'll put case back on the phone, and the home button usually works for an indefinite amount of time in the case. 2 minutes to 2 months... It's probably happened at least 20 times. I'm extremely frustrated...

Jan 12, 2011 1:51 PM in response to sn4p2k

sn4p2k wrote:
are you sure this isnt a problem with the iPhone itself.. I experienced the exact same issue however it happened inside the case and outside the case I now have a new phone and have no such issues

Just as a data point...I have two iP4s with the Defender. Both were installed right after Otterbox began shipping them. Every couple of months I take the cases off and use compressed air to blow out the case and re-install. To date neither has ever exhibited either of the problems reported in this thread.

Otterbox Defender for iPhone 4 - Home button problem

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