The problem on frozen or unresponsive displays in mobile devices isn’t always due to hardware damage. In fact, many cases of unresponsive or frozen iPhones have been tied to system issues. This is usually the case if the symptoms transpired in new devices. Tackled in this post is a relevant issue on the new iPhone handset that suddenly keeps freezing. Keep scrolling to find out more on how to deal with this issue.
Common factors that can make your iPhone frozen
The following are factors that you should consider ruling out when dealing with freezes and other display issues on an iPhone.
- Rogue apps. These are built-in or third-party apps on your iPhone that are acting up and eventually caused the entire system to crash.
- Corrupted files. Could be a system data or downloaded file on your iPhone that adversely affect system functions.
- Faulty updates. Usually come from firmware updates as well as updates for apps.
- Memory issues. Symptoms that are attributed to insufficient or low memory.
- Hardware damage. Physical components that have been damaged from accidental liquid exposure or dropping.
Troubleshooting an iPhone that’s freezing or not responding
It is unusual for a new device to give into performance issues at an early stage unless it has obtained some sort of damage from prior incidents of accidental drops or liquid exposure. Nonetheless, random freezes and other display issues can likewise be triggered software-related factors. That said, it’s still possible for your new iPhone to run into such an issue. To give you some inputs, I’ve laid out some applicable workarounds you can use to eliminate common software-related factors that makes your iPhone frozen. Try applying each of these methods before rushing to an Apple Genius bar for service.
First solution: Force restart.
Minor system issues including those depicted by random freezes and other display issues are usually dealt with by a soft reset. But since your iPhone screen is not frozen or not responding, you will need to carry out the alternative method which is a force restart. It is simultaneous battery removal procedure that is used to force an unresponsive system to shutdown and enter the boot sequence. And here’s how it’s done:
- Press and quickly release the Volume Up button then press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
- Finally, press and hold the Side/Power button for a few seconds and then release when the Apple logo appears.
It may take longer than usual for the Apple logo logo to show up especially if the system had crashed. Just wait for the logo to come out and your iPhone executes the boot sequence.
If your iPhone managed to boot up to the Home screen through a force restart, free up the system from any possible triggers. As mentioned above, rogue apps, corrupted files, update bugs and even settings that aren’t properly configured are among the possible triggers. That said, consider eliminating each of them. So here’s what you should do after your iPhone reboots:
Update or delete bad apps.
Third-party apps can also make your iPhone frozen. If your iPhone started to freeze after installing a new app, then that app could be the main trigger. In that case, try to check if there are any pending updates for that app. If there is, then try to update the app and see how your iPhone behaves afterward. If the problem continues, then you may have to consider deleting the app instead.
Reset all settings.
To clear out erratic settings that might have caused system conflicts and trigger the symptoms, try to reset all settings on your iPhone. This will erase all your current system settings and then restores the original values and options without affecting the internal data saved on your iPhone storage.
- To do so, simply go to Settings-> General-> Reset menu and then select the option to Reset All Settings.
Follow the rest of the onscreen instructions to complete the settings reset. When the reset is finished, your phone restarts. By then you can start re-enabling necessary system features and options.
Install the latest iOS update.
The latest iOS update released by Apple to date is iOS 13.3. Like the prior iOS versions, this update also contain some bug fixes. That said, this can also be the key to fixing your iPhone if stubborn system bugs are the main triggers.
- To check for available update, you can go straight to your iPhone Settings-> General-> Software Update menu.
If your iPhone is frozen, then you can use iTunes to manually check and install new iOS updates for your iPhone instead.
Also consider checking the current memory status of your device to make sure that the problem isn’t attributed to insufficient storage. Random freezes may also occur among other memory-related performance issues. Thus, it’s still imperative to check the available memory of your device despite its high storage capacity.
Second solution: Use iTunes to erase and eliminate complex system errors that make your iPhone frozen.
This method is also referred to as a factory reset in iTunes. It works by wiping all data from your iPhone system including apps, downloaded content, contacts, and other personal information and then restores the factory default settings. Complex system errors that trigger stubborn symptoms are usually addressed by this reset, but the main downside is the fact that it results in permanent data loss. A faster way to factory reset an iPhone is through its settings menu.Given that your iPhone is not performing stable, using iTunes to manually erase all data and restore factory defaults is recommended. Just refer to these steps:
- Get your computer ready and make sure it has the latest version of iTunes app installed. If you’re using a Mac computer running on macOS Catalina 10.15, all you need to use is the Finder app.
- Open iTunes or Finder on your computer then connect your iPhone using the original USB cable or Lightning cable that came with it.
- When your iOS device shows up on your computer, click to select its icon.
- Then click the Restore [iPhone_name] button.
- You will need to sign out of Find My iPhone, if you cannot click the Restore button.
Confirm action by clicking on the Restore button from the message prompt.
Wait for your computer to finish erasing and installing the latest iOS version available for your device. Your iPhone restarts after the factory reset and then loads up the factory settings. By then you can set it up as new.
Third solution: Restore your iPhone in DFU mode.
If your iPhone continues to freeze and you wish to troubleshoot further, the next option you’ve got is a DFU or Device Firmware Update mode restore. This is often deemed among the last potential solutions to deal with major iOS problems. While in DFU mode, you can use iTunes to repair fatal system issues and restore your device from a previous iOS backup. You can also use this method to delete any expired beta version of iOS that might have triggered your iPhone to act up. To enter DFU mode on your iPhone, just follow these steps:
- Connect your iPhone to the computer via USB/Lightning cable. You may need to turn off your iPhone, if it isn’t already.
- While it’s connected, quickly press and release the Volume Up button, then quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
- Then, press and hold the Power/Side button for about 10 seconds until the screen turns black.
- Keep pressing the Power/Side button and then press the Volume Down button for another 5 seconds.
- After 5 seconds, let go of the Power/Side button but continue to press the Volume Down button for another 10 seconds and then release.
If your iPhone screen remains completely black, that denotes it has successfully entered DFU mode and is all set for system repair and restore. iTunes will then prompt a message that it has detected your iPhone in recovery mode and that you must restore it before it can be used. This is the point when you should restore your iPhone in iTunes.
Just follow the rest of the onscreen prompts to finish restoring your iPhone in iTunes. If the system restore is successful, just force restart your iPhone to exit DFU mode.
Fourth solution: Use alternative iOS repair and recovery tools.
Complex system issues in iOS devices that could not be rectified by iTunes may still be possibly resolved using alternative iOS repair and restoration tools. These tools are generally intended to address major iOS problems including issues depicted by recurring symptoms of stuck display or unresponsiveness. Like iTunes, these tools can be downloaded and installed on a compatible computer. You may opt to use a free version or make a one-time purchase for full system access. Among the widely used iOS repair tools for new iPhones are Joyoshare Ultfix, Dr. Fone – Repair, Tenorshare ReiBoot, FonePaw iOS System Recovery and PhoneRescue for iOS, to name some.
Just read previous reviews from prior users so that you’ll get more hints in determining which tool meets your needs.
Is your iPhone still frozen?
If you’ve reached this point having the same problem, there’s a better chance that hardware damage has made your iPhone frozen. An iPhone that’s enduring performance issues depicted by random freezes or unresponsiveness is either having some major system issues, if not, damaged components are present. The above procedures are usually adequate in restoring an iPhone’s normal performance, for as long as system issues are the underlying cause. Otherwise, service or iPhone repair would be necessary.
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