How to Fix Touchscreen Problems on Android
Writen By;Gurmail Rakhra,RakhraBlogs,Follow
### Introduction
The launch of the first iPhone in 2007 marked a significant turning point in mobile technology, thanks to its revolutionary touchscreen. In the years that followed, touchscreens became a standard feature on all smartphones, fundamentally changing how we interact with our devices. While Apple paved the way, Google brought touchscreen technology to the masses with Android, making smartphones more accessible. Today, our reliance on touchscreen technology is so profound that a malfunctioning display can disrupt our daily lives. If your Android smartphone's touchscreen is unresponsive or not functioning correctly, don't worry—there are solutions. As long as the display isn’t completely shattered, here are some effective methods to fix touchscreen issues on Android devices.
### 1. Check RAM Usage
One common reason for an unresponsive touchscreen on Android devices is insufficient RAM. Android, while powerful, can be resource-intensive, and if your device has limited RAM, it may struggle to keep up with multiple apps running simultaneously. This can lead to lag and poor touchscreen responsiveness.
To resolve this, try clearing up your device's RAM. You can do this by closing unnecessary apps, removing bloatware, and using various methods to free up RAM. Clearing RAM can help improve the overall performance of your device, making the touchscreen more responsive.
### 2. Enable GPU 2D Rendering
If you notice that your device is slow to register touches, it might be due to inefficient handling of transitions and animations. To enhance touchscreen responsiveness, you can enable "Force GPU rendering," which uses your device's GPU to render the user interface faster.
To activate this feature, go to **Settings > Developer Options**. If Developer Options are not enabled, you can turn them on by navigating to **Settings > About Phone** and tapping on the "Build number" seven times. Once Developer Options are enabled, you can enable "Force GPU rendering" to make sure your touches are registered more efficiently.
### 3. Turn Off Ambient Display
The Ambient Display feature on Android, introduced with Lollipop, has been known to cause issues with touchscreen responsiveness. This feature, similar to Moto Display, displays important notifications in black and white while the device is locked. Although useful for devices without a notification LED, it can sometimes interfere with touchscreen performance.
To improve touchscreen responsiveness, try turning off Ambient Display. You can do this by going to **Settings > Display** and disabling the "Ambient Display" option.
### 4. Calibrate the Display
Over time, a touchscreen display can become less accurate, leading to incorrect touches or color imbalances. Display calibration can help resolve these issues, ensuring that your touches are registered correctly and that colors are displayed accurately.
While Android offers basic color correction settings under Accessibility, these are primarily intended for users with vision impairments. For a more comprehensive calibration, you can use a third-party app like Touchscreen Calibration. This app allows you to calibrate tap, double-tap, swipe, and pinch gestures, ensuring that your touchscreen operates as accurately as possible.
### 5. Test Multi-Touch Functionality
If your touchscreen works inconsistently or seems to function only in certain areas, there might be an issue with the display's multi-touch functionality. Modern smartphones typically support 5 to 10 multi-touch points, but hardware issues can cause some of these touchpoints to malfunction.
To check if all multi-touch points are working properly, you can use a third-party app like Multitouch Tester. This app will help you identify any issues with your touchscreen's multi-touch capabilities, allowing you to determine if a hardware problem is the cause.
### 6. Try Safe Mode
If you suspect that a third-party app is causing your touchscreen to be unresponsive, you can start your Android device in Safe Mode. In Safe Mode, only system apps are allowed to run, so if the touchscreen issues disappear, you can be fairly certain that a third-party app is the culprit.
To boot your device into Safe Mode, press and hold the power button, then tap and hold the "Power off" option until you see the "Reboot to safe mode" prompt. Confirm to enter Safe Mode. If your touchscreen works fine in Safe Mode, try uninstalling recently installed apps to identify the problematic one.
### 7. Check Your Charger
Sometimes, touchscreen issues can occur when your device is connected to a charger. This problem is often associated with the use of third-party chargers or cables that are poorly grounded or too powerful for your device. Variations in AC supply, especially in places like trains, can also cause touchscreen problems.
To avoid this, always use the original charger that came with your device or a high-quality, compatible charger. Chargers that output the standard +5V are usually safe and should not cause any touchscreen issues.
### Bonus: Use Google Voice Access
If your Android smartphone's touchscreen is completely unresponsive or shattered, you can still control your device hands-free using the Google Voice Access app. This app, designed for users with limited vision, allows you to navigate and control your smartphone using voice commands. It can be a lifesaver if your touchscreen is entirely unusable.
### Conclusion
Touchscreen issues on Android devices can be frustrating, but they are often fixable with a few simple steps. Whether the problem is due to software glitches, hardware malfunctions, or something as simple as a third-party charger, the solutions outlined above should help you restore your device’s functionality. If none of these methods work, it may be time to visit a service center for a more in-depth diagnosis and repair. Try these fixes, and let us know how they worked for you in the comments section below.
### FAQs
**1. Why is my Android touchscreen unresponsive?**
Your touchscreen may be unresponsive due to high RAM usage, software glitches, or hardware issues. Clearing RAM, enabling GPU rendering, or checking for app conflicts in Safe Mode can help.
**2. How do I enable GPU rendering on my Android device?**
Go to **Settings > Developer Options** and enable "Force GPU rendering." If Developer Options are not visible, activate them by tapping "Build number" seven times in **Settings > About Phone**.
**3. What should I do if my touchscreen is not working while charging?**
Use the original charger or a high-quality compatible charger. Poorly grounded or incompatible chargers can cause touchscreen issues.
**4. Can I control my Android device without a working touchscreen?**
Yes, you can use the Google Voice Access app to control your device using voice commands if your touchscreen is completely unresponsive.
**5. How can I test if my Android touchscreen's multi-touch functionality is working?**
Use a third-party app like Multitouch Tester to check if all touchpoints on your screen are functioning properly.