Left Side of iPhone Not Working? How to Fix

While it is not uncommon for an iPhone's screen to suddenly become unresponsive, sometimes the problem can be more peculiar. If only the lefe side of your iPhone screen is not working, it can make operating the device quite challenging.

In this guide, I will show you all the effective troubleshooting tips to help you fix the lefe side of your iPhone screen not working issue.

Why Is the Left Side of Your iPhone Not Working?

This issue could be caused by either hardware or software problems. For some users, the problem arises when third-party, non-Apple screens are installed on the device. However, it can also occur with official Apple displays, particularly if the screen is repaired and you attempt to adjust the brightness after a system update.

This issue is not new. In 2017, similar problems were reported with devices that had repaired screens. Although Apple initially attributed the problem to third-party displays, they eventually resolved it.

Additionally, the iPhone X has been known to experience an unresponsive screen when used in near-freezing temperatures. Apple has acknowledged that this problem can occur with rapid temperature changes and has issued a software fix to address it.

Software bugs such as outdated iOS versions, problematic apps, or software glitches can also cause parts of the screen, like the left side, to become unresponsive.

Check for Hardware Issues

Clean Your Fingers

If your fingers are wet or dirty, try cleaning them. Dirty or wet fingers could be preventing the screen from making a connection.

Remove Gloves

If you are wearing gloves, you might want to remove them. Certain types of gloves can work with touchscreens, but many do not.

Remove Screen Protector

Remove any screen protector you may be using and try to use the screen directly.

Clean the Screen

Use a soft cloth to wipe off any dirt or dust that may be on the screen.

Change Orientation Lock

If the problem with the screen is related to rotation, like if the screen refuses to rotate when you want it to, check Orientation Lock. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open the Control Panel and tap on the "Rotating Padlock" icon.

Adjust 3D Touch Sensitivity

If your device has 3D Touch Sensitivity, check its settings. Go to Settings > General > Accessibility > 3D Touch and adjust the sensitivity slider.

Check Your Screen Replacement History

Has your device's screen been recently repaired by a company other than Apple? This problem can occur if you use third-party replacement screens that may not work very well on the iPhone. If so, we recommend you go back to the repair company and tell them the problem you are having.

Troubleshoot Software Glitches

If you've tried the above steps and the left side of your iPhone is still not working, it's time to troubleshoot for potential software glitches by following these tips:

Restart Your iPhone

First, it's always a good idea to restart your iPhone whenever it has a problem. This also applies to the left side of the iPhone not working issue.

For iPhones with a Home Button:

1. Press and hold the Home button and the Power button simultaneously for about 10 seconds.
2. Release the buttons when you see the power-off screen.
3. Drag the power-off slider to the right to turn off the iPhone.
4. Wait for at least 30 seconds.
5. Press the Power button, wait for the iPhone to restart, and check if the problem persists.

For iPhones without a Home Button:

1. Press and hold both the Side button on the right side of the iPhone and any of the volume buttons on the left side.
2. Release the buttons when you see the power-off screen.
3. Drag the power-off slider to the right to turn off the iPhone.
4. Wait for at least 30 seconds.
5. Press the Side button until you see the Apple logo screen.

Force Reboot Your iPhone

If a standard restart doesn't help, try force restart you iPhone, which can resolve these glitches and potentially fix the unresponsive screen issue.

Force Restart iPhone 8 and Newer:

1. Press and quickly release the Volume Up Button.
2. Press and quickly release the Volume Down Button.
3. Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears on the screen.

Force Restart iPhone 7:

1. Hold the Volume Down button and the Sleep/Wake button simultaneously until the Apple logo appears.
2. Release the buttons and wait for the phone to restart.

Force Restart iPhone 6s and Earlier:

1. Hold the Sleep/Wake button and the Home button simultaneously.
2. Continue holding the buttons when the power-off slider appears; don't release the buttons.
3. When the Apple logo appears, release the Sleep/Wake button and the Home button.

Update iOS

If the left side of the iPhone screen is still unresponsive, try updating your iPhone. This is worthwhile because the issue could be caused by a software bug that Apple has fixed in a recent update.

1. Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
2. Tap Update Now if a newer version is available.

Delete or Update Problematic Apps

If the left side of the iPhone screen stops working only when using a specific app, ensure you're running the most up-to-date version of that app. If updating doesn't help, consider deleting the app.

Free Up Some Storage

While low storage space usually doesn't cause touchscreen issues, it can occasionally be a factor. It doesn't hurt to remove some photos and videos from the device, move some files to a hard drive, and clear cache for some third-party apps to free up space on your iPhone.

Fix Software Issues on iPhone Using TinyFix

One of the fastest ways to fix system glitches that cause a part of your device's screen to become unresponsive is to use a system repair tool like TinyFix. TinyFix makes the repair process uncomplicated even for beginner users as it is specifically designed to resolve issues like this one. Here's how to use TinyFix:

Step 1: Download and install TinyFix on to your computer.

Step 2: Launch the program after installation and click on "iOS System Repair" > "Standard Repair Mode."

Step 3: Connect the iPhone to the computer. If the program is unable to recognize the device, you will need to put it in DFU Mode or recovery mode. The program provides instructions to help you do that.

Step 4: Once the device is in DFU mode or recovery mode, the program should detect it easily. Download the necessary firmware package required to fix the device. Choose the firmware package and then click "Download."

Step 5: When the download is complete, verify the information and click "Fix Now" to begin the repair process.

The whole process will take only a few minutes. Your device will restart in normal mode with the issue resolved.

Perform a DFU Restore on Your iPhone

If the screen is still unresponsive, we recommend trying a DFU restore. This should be a last resort as it will restore the firmware to the default state and clear the system including all the data on the device. Ensure that you have a complete backup of all the data on your device and then follow these steps to perform a DFU restore:

• Step 1: Start by making sure that you have the latest version of iTunes installed on the device.
• Step 2: Turn off the iPhone and then connect it to the computer using its lightning cable.
• Step 3: Open iTunes and check to see if the connected iPhone appears in the list of devices.
• Step 4: On the iPhone, press and release the Volume Up button and immediately press and release the Volume Down button.
• Step 5: Then press the Side (Power) button and keep pressing it until the iPhone's screen turns black.
• Step 6: Release the Side button and then hold down both the Side and the Volume Down buttons down at the same time for about 5 seconds.
• Step 7: Let go of the Side button, but continue to hold the Volume Down button.
• Step 8: In about 5 seconds, iTunes will recognize that the connected device is in DFU mode. You should see the message "iTunes has detected that iPhone in Recovery Mode" appear on the screen.
• Step 9: Restore the device to its factory settings by clicking on "Restore iPhone."

Left Side of iPhone Still Not Working? Let Apple Do the Repair

If you have tried all the solutions outlined above and the screen is still unresponsive, it is time to consider a hardware problem that you can't handle by your own. In this case, contact Apple or visit your nearest Apple Store to get the device repaired. If the screen issue is indeed caused by a hardware problem, Apple technicians will be able to easily diagnose the problem and advise you on the next steps.

Final Words

As a touchscreen device, the iPhone's screen is very important. When you can't use the screen or it is unresponsive to touch, it can be very difficult to get the device to work at all. More often than not, this issue is caused by either hardware or software issue, in which case this article has provided the most effective solutions to try. We recommend trying each solution and following the instructions outlined here as precisely as you can. If you have any questions regarding any of the solutions in this article, let us know in the comments section below or contact us.