iPhone screen frozen after software update: Here’s the fix!

Fixing iPhone Frozen Screen

Prior to troubleshooting your iOS device, it is best to determine where the problem lies to carry out the proper resolutions. Though the problem started after installing the latest iOS update, it is still possible that the touch screen becomes erratic due to dirty or damaged screen protector. If this is the case, simply clean or replace the screen protector to correct the problem.

Minor software glitches can also be the underlying cause. To clear this out, give your phone a clean start by turning it off and on again. Network-related errors, iOS bugs, and out-dated in apps can also be to blame. 

If the phone does not show indications of screen display or physical damage and has ample battery life, you can proceed troubleshooting using the solutions below.

Perform a force restart to fix iPhone frozen screen issue

Since the screen no longer recognizes touchscreen commands, the basic soft reset is not applicable to fix the problem. Therefore, hard keys should be utilized to refresh your phone’s operating system. Here is how:

1. Quickly press and then release the Volume Up button.
2. Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
3. Then press and hold the Side or Power button when the Apple logo appears on the screen.

If the phone was able to pass through the Apple logo display, troubleshoot your phone further to completely eliminate other factors that cause the phone to get stuck or freeze.

Reset network settings on your iPhone.

Erratic network settings configuration can also cause the phone to become unresponsive. The iOS update may have automatically changed these settings and trigger the stuck screen issue to become visible after the update. To rule this out, reset the network settings to default using these steps:

1. Launch Settings.
2. Tap General.
3. Scroll to and select Reset.
4. Tap Reset network settings option.
5. Enter the device passcode if prompted, to continue.
6. Then select the option to confirm reset network settings.

Your phone will then restart by itself after the process. Once it is back on, all saved networks, Bluetooth connections, and VPN settings have been removed from the phone’s directory; restoring then network settings configuration to default. Navigate your phone and check if it no longer freezes.

Reset all settings.

If resetting the network settings did not rectify the issue and the screen occasionally freezes when in use, perform reset all settings on your device. This system reset does not affect saved data on your phone, but will simply delete customized settings including those erratic ones that might have caused the phone screen to become unresponsive. Therefore, backing up your files is yet necessary.

1. Open Settings from Home.
2. Select General.
3. Tap Reset.
4. Then select Reset all settings from the given options.
5. If prompted, enter your device passcode.
6. Then select the option to confirm the action.

The phone will reboot by itself. Once it is up again, proceed to update or reconfigure the phone’s settings. If the phone screen is still lagging, check if there are available apps updates.

Check for and install pending apps updates on your iPhone.

When the phone’s in-apps are outdated, this can also affect your phone’s system especially after an iOS update. When these apps can no longer cope up with the phone’s new system, this can trigger the screen freezing issue to become visible. To check and install pending apps updates, follow these:

1. Open the App Store.
2. Tap your Profile icon at the top-right corner of your screen.
3. Scroll to Updates section.
4. If prompted with available updates, tap Update All button to install all updates at once.

Then restart your phone after installing the updates. If the phone is still responding to touches, perform a soft reset using these steps:

1. Press and hold the Side or Power button and either Volume buttons for at least 30 seconds.
2. Release both buttons when the Slide to Power off command appears.
3. Drag the power off slider to the right to shut down the device.
4. After 30 seconds, press and hold the Side or Power button again and release when the Apple logo appears.

Wait for the phone to completely reboot and observe if the screen is no longer sluggish or freezing.

However, if the phone screen remains unresponsive after performing the forced restart, you can proceed with the next solutions listed below.

Other Options

Perform a Recovery Mode Restore using iTunes to fix iPhone frozen screen

When a forced restart can’t correct phone freezing issue on your iOS device, the problem could be with the phone’s operating system itself. The iOS could have been corrupted due to a bad update or a tough iOS bug. Thus, restoring the phone to its previous state may help fix the problem. Since you will be utilizing iTunes to perform this process, you need to have either a Mac or Windows computer with the latest iTunes version installed. If you are all set, follow these steps:

1. Connect your iPhone to the computer using the supplied USB or lightning cable.
2. Then press force restart your iPhone. Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
3. Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
4. Press and hold the Power button and don’t release it when the Apple logo appears.
5. Release the Power button when the Connect to iTunes logo displays on the phone screen as it has already entered Recovery Mode.
6. On your computer in the iTunes screen, you will be asked to either Update or Restore your iPhone.
7. Select Restore to wipe everything from your phone’s memory or Update to reinstall iOS without losing your saved files.

Wait for the phone to reboot by itself. Otherwise, press and hold the Side or Power button until the Connect to iTunes logo disappears.

DFU mode restore your iPhone

Device Firmware Update/Upgrade should be the best fix for the iPhone frozen issue that is caused by major software glitches. The process will also use iTunes in which iOS will be mended even without activating the phone’s boot loader. Here’s how it’s done:

1. Connect your iPhone to a Mac or Windows computer using the Apple-supplied USB.
2. Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
3. Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
4. Press and hold the Power button and wait for the screen to become black.
5. Once the screen turns black, continue holding down the Power button then press and hold the Volume Down button.
6. Release the Power button after 5 seconds but continue holding down the Volume Down button until iTunes recognizes your iOS device.
7. Release the Volume Down button when your iPhone already appears on iTune. This means that your phone has successfully entered the DFU mode.
8. Then follow the onscreen prompts to initiate the full system restore.

If you fail to fix the screen freezing issue on your device after exhausting all given solutions, your phone could have been exposed to hardware damage. You can visit your nearest Apple Store and have your phone checked. If this isn’t an option for you, you can call Apple Support for recommendations.

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