Touch control has become an undeniable advantage of smartphones over conventional mobile phones. It not only made the interface more convenient and intuitive, but also significantly increased the capabilities of various applications, especially games. If the sensor does not work on Android, the smartphone turns into a practically useless device, losing 90% of the available functions. From this article you will learn how to protect your phone’s touchscreen, what malfunctions there are, how you can fix the sensor yourself, and when you need to contact a service center.
Reasons for the touchscreen not working
In order to find out why the sensor on your phone does not work, you will need to carefully examine your smartphone. Sometimes problems in the phone are visible to the naked eye, for example, if the screen is broken, and in some cases the functionality may be lost for no reason. Moisture ingress, rough mechanical impact and much more can affect the serviceability of the device. If the source lies in a software glitch, then a situation may occur where the gadget does not respond correctly to your touch. Such problems often arise due to the actions of the owner himself, who, through negligence or inexperience, made changes to the operation of the system.
On which models does the problem most often occur?
Samsung does not keep statistics on displays with problematic touchscreens. In all devices, this element is reliable enough to serve for a long time without failures. Theoretically, a malfunction can occur on any device in the event of a mechanical shock or software failure. In particular, there are complaints on the Internet about the sensor being disabled in the Samsung Galaxy A3 and A5. Other devices from this series are also at risk.
What other problems there are with Samsung and how to solve them we described separately:
- Camera failure - what to do?
- The phone is charging slowly - reasons
- Does not charge to 100% - solutions
Common touch screen problems
The most common reason why the touchscreen does not work is mechanical damage. Impacts and other impacts can lead to negative consequences. The most neutral will be chips; more serious problems will appear when a “cobweb” forms, in which the device can continue to function.
Since modern smartphones are quite fragile devices, even after falling from a height of human height, it stops working. If the device continues to function, and damage is caused by the formation of cracks in the case or its deformation, or the cessation of operation of part of the screen, then it is necessary to contact a specialist as soon as possible for repair work.
Another popular cause is moisture ingress. Despite the fact that the device looks like a monolithic device, it has small cracks and gaps through which liquid gets onto the main board.
How much does the repair cost?
As can be seen from the article, many problems cannot be solved without the involvement of a specialist. The technician knows well how to change the touchscreen on a Samsung, what to do to diagnose the problem, and how to repair the problem. Prices for repair work vary widely and depend on many factors - requests from the service center, the severity of the breakdown and the phone model.
On average, replacing glass on a Samsung will cost 600-700 rubles. If you need to change the touchscreen, you will have to shell out the same amount somewhere. Repairing power circuits (about 1500 rubles), cleaning after filling with liquid (1500 rubles) and data recovery (1500 rubles) will cost more. In general, the work of a master costs from 300 to 1500 rubles, depending on the volume and complexity of the work.
Moisture and liquid entering the phone body
Moisture entering a cell phone leads to the beginning of the oxidation process of the contacts and the board. If the gadget finds itself in a similar situation, then you should not disassemble the smartphone unless absolutely necessary. The first thing you need to do is dry the device. If drying does not produce results, then it is worth taking it to a specialized repair center, which is especially true for expensive models, interference with the internal circuitry leads to irreversible consequences. During repairs, you can use a cheap replacement device that will receive calls and SMS.
Control your phone with voice commands or head movements
Touch input is not the only way to control your smartphone. There are also special features: voice control and interaction with the system using head and face movements.
Commands are configured in a special application. And to download it, the screen requires at least minimal functionality. If the installation and setup were successful, disable touch input until you find the time and funds to repair the wheelbarrow.
Voice control
The Google Voice Access app records voice commands and assigns a number to each action available on the screen. Instead of tapping your finger on an app icon or menu item, you simply speak its number.
Voice Access also replaces the main ways you interact with the screen with phrases. For example, to scroll through a long page you can say “Screen down”, and to return to the previous screen you just need to say the command “Go back”.
Only English commands are supported.
EVA Facial Mouse
The functionality of the application fully corresponds to its name. EVA Facial Mouse adds a virtual cursor to the screen that can be controlled using head movements. To move the pointer, you just need to turn your head in the desired direction.
When the cursor is hovered over the desired element, wait a couple of seconds, the “single tap” command will work. You can connect a docking station for quick access to important actions.
Oxide Elimination
In some cases, after moisture gets inside the gadget, after a certain time it will begin to work, but poorly or incorrectly. In this case, you can try to independently eliminate the oxide that appears upon contact with the liquid.
To do this, you will need a tool with which to remove the oxide (a plastic card, a screwdriver, and so on). Also needed: alcohol, toothbrush, eraser and napkins. Before disassembling your smartphone, you need to read the instructions, which can be found on the Internet.
The cleaning procedure must be carried out carefully, as any awkward movement can lead to additional damage. The disassembled gadget must be folded onto a sheet or napkin so that it can be easily assembled, as per the drawing. Each place should be wiped with alcohol, an eraser and blotted with a dry cloth.
If traces of rust are found, it is removed with a toothbrush. The area is treated with alcohol, the remaining corrosion is removed with an eraser.
It will be especially difficult in cases where the cause is a sweet drink. Exposure to such a mixture has a chance to damage the gadget, and without the intervention of a specialist, repair will be impossible.
Remove protective film or glass
Polymer films and tempered glass are needed to protect the display from scratches and chips, but this same protection in some cases interferes with touch recognition.
As a rule, users immediately notice that after installing a new screen protection, the touchscreen began to work worse. This is really hard to miss. Try removing the film or glass. Of course, if the problem lies in something else, then it will not be solved so easily. But at least the response on the damaged screen will improve a little.
Software glitch
If the software fails, it is recommended to do the following:
- Reboot your smartphone. In some cases, changed software operation settings will not be applied after a system reboot.
- Use the built-in sensor testing program. To do this, you need to enter a combination that is unique to the device of each brand.
- Check the temperature of the device and place the device in favorable conditions.
- Check the operation of the memory card and SIM card.
- Boot the gadget in safe mode.
In some cases, the problem can be solved with these simple methods. If your attempts have not yielded any fruit, then you should contact the experts.
Reduce manual response time
This solution is suitable for partially functioning displays. The Touchscreen Repair app can help reduce touch lag.
Touchscreen Repair is a lightweight screen calibrator. One of its functions is to change the response time of the touchscreen. The application will ask you to touch different areas of the screen sequentially. After this, there will be a forced reduction in response time, taking into account the hardware component of the phone.
Efficiency depends on the phone model. Many manufacturers already set a minimum response time. In such cases, Touchscreen Repair can't help much. But it still makes sense to try.
The effect lasts...
Various sources on the Internet report that the effect of such resuscitation lasts from several days to one month. Today is my second day since the touchscreen “came to its senses” - everything works perfectly.
Of course, it is necessary to replace the touchscreen, but resuscitation from a piezoelectric element as an immediate method is simply great!
If my solution helps you, I will be only glad! Have you ever experienced a sudden “death” of your touchscreen at the most inopportune time? How did you solve this problem?
Modern tablets are controlled primarily via a touch screen. If the touch layer on your tablet suddenly stops working, it becomes practically useless. But how can you save the device in such a breakdown?
Did your phone take a bath? Dry it
Some phones are designed to be water resistant (which people mistake for being completely waterproof), but this does not guarantee that the phone will remain functional after contact with water.
The longer a wet phone is left on, the more serious the damage can be. Turn it off as quickly as possible and wait for it to dry.
There is no need to urgently look for silica gel or other super-effective absorbent. Leave your phone overnight in an airtight container with rice - cheap, cheerful and very effective.
light spot
The sensitivity on the narrow strip on the right has disappeared. The phone was turned off at night, and in the morning I tried to turn it on. This procedure is accompanied by entering a password. And I need this narrow stripe on the right, since I will use the number located there.
As a result, I couldn’t even turn on the phone. As usual, service calls began. As a rule, everyone promised to call “today or tomorrow.” What should I do right now?
In general, there was only one bright spot in this whole story - the Internet. Why light? Because you will always find answers to 99% of your questions on the Internet! I found the answer too.
Which? I'll tell you now.
How to fix if your device is physically damaged
Next, we will look at ways to test the screen and restore it.
TSP Dot Mode and TSP Grid Mode tests
To conduct this testing, you need to get into the engineering menu. To do this, dial the service code. It may be different for different phone manufacturers and models, try these options:
- *#*#3646633#*#*
- *#*#4636#*#*
- *#15963#*
In the engineering menu, find two positions:
- TSP Dot Mode - allows you to check the screen in “dot mode”. There should be a cross in the place where you touch the display.
- TSP Grid Mode - testing takes place in “grid mode”. The screen is divided into several rectangular parts. When a particular rectangle responds to touch, its color will change.
This testing will tell you where the problem is on the screen.
The developers do not recommend trying to repair the phone yourself, as this requires certain knowledge and experience.
"Tapping" along the perimeter of the screen
This is the easiest way to test the display, which does not require installing programs or other complex manipulations. Simply press your finger gently across the entire surface of the display, especially in problem areas. Start with light pressure and gradually increase. Then gradually reduce the pressure.
Launch the keyboard and press each key. Try moving application shortcuts across the entire screen. At the same time, pay attention to the sensitivity of each section of the display. Linger on the corners of the display, focusing on the bottom. Such testing will give you all the information about the sensitivity of the touchscreen.
Dry after exposure to moisture
If your smartphone gets wet, follow these instructions:
- turn off the power;
- remove the battery (for devices with a removable battery);
- remove the SIM card and flash drive;
- wipe the device with paper napkins or a cloth that absorbs moisture well;
- remove headphones, cases, film or glass from the screen;
- place the smartphone in a bag filled with rice. Leave the device in this position for 12 hours. During this time, the cereal will draw out all the liquid from the phone.
If the rice procedure does not give the desired effect, contact the service center.
Check the cables
A problem with the cable can be determined even without disassembling the phone. Sensor malfunctions are one of the signs of such a problem. Pay attention to the following signs:
- the smartphone began to “slow down” during operation;
- the device turns off when you unlock it;
- The camera malfunctioned.
If, in addition to the problems with the sensor, the above problems also appear, then there is definitely a problem with the cable. But you shouldn’t repair it yourself, since this requires a good understanding of the smartphone’s structure.
Replacing the sensor
If your smartphone does not use OGS technology, you can try replacing the sensor yourself. To do this you will need the following tools and devices:
- a set of small shaped screwdrivers (available on sale especially for smartphones);
- mediator, spatula, plastic card;
- silicone suction cup with ring or loop;
- regular hair dryer;
- glue B-7000 or equivalent;
- thin rubber gloves.
Operating procedure:
- Disassemble your smartphone.
- Warm up the display with a hairdryer around the entire perimeter to a temperature of about 70-80 degrees. Use a suction cup to pick up the heated screen and pull it off the body.
- Install a new sensor. Prepare it by removing the protective film from the inside. Apply a thin layer of glue over the entire area of the seating surface. Place the sensor in place and press it gently. You can place a small, flat object weighing no more than 300 g on top of the screen so that it sticks better.
- You can collect the phone. Connect the cables, fix the internal threaded connections and install the external parts of the housing.
If you are not sure that you can cope with replacing the sensor yourself, take the phone to a service center. Repairing the device yourself will void the smartphone warranty.
Diagnostics of smartphone display operation
Having a diagnostic program is useful even if there is nothing wrong with your display
In the Play Store, there are a lot of programs for diagnosing a variety of parameters of your smartphone. One of, perhaps, the most popular is Display Tester. It will allow you not only to determine the condition of the touchscreen, but will also give you the opportunity to detect dead pixels, burnout of OLED display elements, find “dead zones” and so on. In addition, the basic version of the application is absolutely free.
Download: Display Tester
Advantages of specialized service centers
The obvious advantage is a complete diagnosis of the device followed by replacement of failed parts. Unlike carrying out these manipulations at home, the risk that the master will touch an important unit through negligence is minimized.
Additionally, you will receive a warranty for the entire device, and not for an individual part that had to be replaced. As replacement parts, only original spare parts are used, without using low-quality Chinese analogues.
Rather than try to fix the problem yourself, it is better to immediately contact specialists who have experience in restoring mobile devices and the necessary tools for this. This is especially true for those who need an urgent screen replacement.
Connect an external keyboard and mouse
A complete failure of the touchscreen will not allow you to install the required utility in the usual way. In this case, the external periphery will come to the rescue. But it will only be useful if the information on the display is displayed correctly.
Controlling your Android phone using an external keyboard and mouse is very easy. All that is required is to find the appropriate cable and connect the accessories to it. Since the phone only has one USB connector, you will need a splitter to connect a wired mouse and keyboard at the same time. A USB dongle is required to connect wireless accessories.
