8 Effective Solutions for "iPhone Screen Glitching"
Is your iPhone experiencing abnormal display behavior, such as a flickering screen or distorted colors? In this article, we will guide you through how to fix iPhone screen glitches and restore full display functionality before you consider taking it for repair.
A glitched iPhone screen is not only an eyesore but also frustrating, as it prevents you from fully using your phone. However, screen issues don't necessarily indicate hardware problems requiring an immediate screen replacement. Before visiting the Apple Genius Bar or a certified repair store for display repair or replacement, try the methods in this article to resolve the iPhone screen glitching issue.
Without further ado, let's get started.
Why Is My iPhone Screen Suddenly Glitching?
When an iPhone screen is glitching or flickering, the causes can include various factors such as hardware issues, software bugs, or a combination of both. Here are some of the most likely reasons why your iPhone is glitching:
- There are bugs in the iOS software or you are running an outdated iOS version.
- Corrupt apps on your iPhone are conflicting with the screen functionality.
- Your iPhone is overheated due to excessive use, charging, or wear, affecting your screen performance.
- You have dropped your iPhone, causing physical damage to the screen, internal component failure, or loose connections.
- Your iPhone is water-damaged.
- You have turned on auto-brightness on your iPhone but the ambient light sensor is malfunctioning.
- Your replacement screen is defective or of poor quality.
When this happens, your iPhone may behave strangely such as displaying horizontal or vertical lines, becoming unresponsive, flickering, showing inverted or washed-out colors, appearing garbled, or registering touches or swipes on its own, commonly known as "ghost touch."
How to Fix Glitching iPhone Screen in 8 Ways
You may have tried some of the methods mentioned below, but it's still recommended to check them all to ensure you don't miss a solution that could fix your problematic iPhone screen.
Fix 1. Force restart your iPhone
If your iPhone screen is still glitching after a simple restart, try performing a hard reset to resolve temporary software glitches in iOS.
Here is how:
iPhone 8/SE(2nd-generation)/X/Xs/XR/11/12/13/14/15: Press and quickly release the volume up button, press and quickly release the volume down button, then press and hold the side button. When the Apple logo appears, release the button.
iPhone 7/7 Plus: Press and hold both the volume down button and the Sleep/Wake button at the same time. When the Apple logo appears, release both buttons.
iPhone 6/6S/SE(1st generation) and earlier: Press and hold both the Sleep/Wake button and the Home button at the same time. When the Apple logo appears, release both buttons.
Fix 2. Update your iPhone
Keeping your iPhone up to date is a common troubleshooting step for any issues. For a glitching iPhone screen, updating your iOS to the latest version may install patches that can address this problem.
Follow these steps to update the iOS:
Step 1. Open the Settings app and tap General.
Step 2. Tap Software Update.
Step 3. If there is a pending iOS update, tap Update Now.
Step 4. Proceed with the onscreen instructions and check if the glitching screen comes back after a reboot.
Fix 3. Update or remove conflicting apps
Think about when the glitch occurred. Did you just install an app not from the App Store? Did your iPhone become glitchy while running a particular app?
If the app was installed from the App Store, follow these steps to update it and fix potential bugs:
Step 1. Open the App Store app on your iPhone.
Step 2. Tap your profile picture in the top right corner.
Step 3. Tap Update next to the app to update the app to the latest version.
If the problem continues, consider completely deleting the troublesome app from your iPhone:
Step 1. Find the app on your iPhone home screen and tap and hold the app icon.
Step 2. Tap Remove App.
Step 3. Tap Delete App to confirm.
If you need the app, you can reinstall it on your iPhone. Make sure you install apps from reliable sources such as the official website or the App Store.
Fix 4. Turn off Auto-Brightness
The Auto-Brightness feature automatically adjusts the screen brightness to ensure the screen is appropriately lit for the environment. If the ambient light sensor is not working properly, your iPhone screen may flicker or glitch. To prevent rapid changes in brightness or color, you should turn off Auto-Brightness.
Step 1. Open the Settings app and tap Accessibility.
Step 2. Tap Display & Text Size.
Step 3. Scroll down to the bottom to find Auto-Brightness and toggle the switch to turn it off.
Fix 5. Fix iOS issues with a professional iOS repair tool
If the above attempts fail, another option to fix a glitched iPhone screen is to use a robust iOS repair tool like BuhoRepair. BuhoRepair thoroughly scans your iOS system to identify underlying issues causing screen glitches and other problems. It automatically repairs any detected iOS errors to restore your device to a smooth, functioning state.
How to use BohuRepair to fix iPhone screen glitch:
Step 1. Use the button below to download BuhoRepair and install it on a PC or Mac.
Step 2. Use a USB cable to connect your iPhone to your computer and unlock your iPhone.
Step 3. Open the BuhoRepair tool and hit the Repair Now button in System Repair.
Step 4. Select either Standard Repair or Advanced Repair. Note that Advanced Repair will perform a deep diagnosis and repair, which will erase your iPhone. It's advisable to back up your iPhone before attempting this option.
Step 5. Click "Repair Now" to proceed.
Step 6. Click "Download" when prompted to download the new firmware needed for repair.
Step 7. Follow the on-screen instructions to repair your iOS system and stop your iPhone from glitching.
Fix 6. Factory reset your iPhone
Restoring an iPhone to its factory defaults can resolve most bugs and glitches you encounter. However, this process will delete all your data and reset all settings. Before proceeding with a factory reset, ensure you have the latest backup of your iPhone.
After securing your important data on your iPhone, follow these steps to factory reset your iPhone:
Step 1. Open the Settings app.
Step 2. Tap General. Then scroll down and tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.
Step 3. Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
Step 4. Tap Continue.
Step 5. Follow the on-screen instructions.
Step 6. Set up your iPhone after the factory reset and see if the glitching screen issue has been resolved.
Fix 7. Check for physical damage
Check the screen and body thoroughly for any signs of damage. If the display has cracks or your iPhone has defective components after a heavy fall, the screen may start glitching or flickering.
Although recent iPhone models are water-resistant, they are not waterproof. If your iPhone has been submerged in water while swimming, diving, or going through a wash, the device may get water inside, causing a glitching screen. In this case, you should turn off your iPhone immediately, dry it with a soft, absorbent cloth, and wait at least two days before turning it back on.
Fix 8. Take it to Apple
If you have tried everything but your iPhone is still glitching, the issue may be with the hardware, which is beyond your ability to repair. In this case, you should take it to a nearby Apple Store or authorized repair shop. Professionals there can diagnose the glitching iPhone screen using dedicated equipment and replace any damaged components.
Before you make any appointments, check if your iPhone is still under warranty. If it is, the repair might be covered at no additional cost. If your iPhone is out of warranty, get a quote for the repair. Sometimes, depending on the cost, buying a new iPhone may be more reasonable than repairing the old one. This is especially true if multiple components are damaged and a screen replacement is involved or if your iPhone is an older model.
Conclusion
This article has explained why your iPhone is glitching and how to fix the glitched iPhone screen. The troubleshooting steps include basic tricks you can try yourself as well as external help you might need.
If you can't stop your iPhone from misbehaving after a force restart, iOS update, and app removal, consider using BuhoRepair to fix the iOS system. BuhoRepair can identify and repair over 50 common system issues in munites, including those that cause your iPhone screen to glitch.
Cassie has been writing about technology for her entire career life - over 5 years. She enjoys diving into how Apple products work and then breaking it down in a way anyone can understand.