Galaxy S8 Touch Screen Problems: How to Fix Them

Updated 5 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

If your Galaxy S8 screen is unresponsive, responds only in certain areas, or taps things by itself, the cause may be a dirty screen, an accessory, a software freeze, or physical damage. Work through these checks in order; they start with simple, low-risk fixes and help you decide when repair is needed.

What You’ll Need

A soft, lint-free cloth and clean, dry hands.
Your Galaxy S8 charger and cable, if you need to check whether charging is affecting touch response.
Another phone or computer to back up files if the screen is difficult to use.

Step-by-Step

Check for immediate safety issues. If the phone is unusually hot, the screen or back is lifting, the battery appears swollen, or the phone was recently wet, stop using and charging it. Do not press the screen back into place or try to open the phone. Arrange assessment by a qualified repair service. If the screen is cracked but the phone is otherwise safe, avoid loose glass and use a case or screen protector only if it can be applied without pressure or injury.
Clean and dry the screen. Disconnect the charger. Remove moisture, grease, and dust with a clean, dry microfiber cloth. Make sure your hands are dry, then test several areas, including the edges. Do not spray cleaner onto the phone, use abrasive materials, or use the touchscreen with wet fingers.
Remove the case and screen protector temporarily. A poorly fitted case or thick, lifted, cracked, or dirty protector can interfere with touch, especially near the edges. Take them off carefully and test the bare screen. If touch improves, replace the accessory with one designed to fit the S8, or leave it off. Avoid tools that could scratch the display.
Force-restart the Galaxy S8 if it is frozen. Press and hold the Power button and Volume Down button together for about 7–10 seconds, until the phone restarts. This does not erase your files. If the phone is responding normally, use the on-screen power menu to restart instead. A restart can clear a temporary system freeze, but it will not repair a damaged display.
Test without the charger connected. If touch problems happen mainly while charging, unplug the phone and check again. A damaged cable, adapter, outlet, or electrical interference can contribute to erratic input. Inspect accessories for damage and try a known-good compatible charger and a different outlet. Stop using any accessory that is frayed, gets unusually hot, or causes the problem to return.
Check touch response across the display. Open a simple screen, such as the app list, and slowly drag a finger across it. Try several horizontal and vertical paths without pressing hard. If a line repeatedly breaks in the same place, or one region never responds, note the location. A consistent dead area or touch response that changes when the phone is moved can point to hardware damage, even if the glass looks intact.
Install available software updates if the screen is usable. Connect to Wi-Fi, make sure the battery is sufficiently charged, and open Settings > Software update > Download and install. Menu wording may vary slightly by software version or carrier. Follow the prompts and test the touchscreen afterward. Do not interrupt an update once installation begins.
Check whether a downloaded app is involved. If the issue began after installing an app, uninstall that app and test again. You can also start Safe mode: open the power menu, touch and hold Power off, then tap Safe mode when prompted. If touch works in Safe mode, a downloaded app may be the cause. Restart normally to exit Safe mode, then remove recently installed apps one at a time. If the screen cannot register the required taps, skip this test rather than forcing it.
Back up important data before advanced steps. Use the phone’s available backup options or connect it to a computer if you can unlock it and approve the connection. Confirm that important photos, contacts, and files are backed up before considering a reset. Do not reset a phone that you cannot reliably operate unless you have a verified backup and understand that local data may be erased.
Use a factory reset only as a last software test. A reset erases data stored on the phone. If you have a complete backup and can use the screen, open Settings > General management > Reset > Factory data reset, review the information, and follow the prompts. Menu names can differ by software version. Test touch response before reinstalling apps. If the fault remains after a reset, arrange professional inspection; repeated resets are unlikely to help.

Common Mistakes

Pressing harder on an unresponsive area: Pressure can worsen a damaged display and will not fix a failed touch sensor.
Assuming a cracked glass screen is the only hardware problem: A display can have touch faults without visible cracks, and a crack may affect only part of the touch layer.
Factory-resetting before backing up: This can permanently remove local files. Try the reversible checks first.
Testing only while the phone is charging: Disconnect power to distinguish a charging-related issue from a persistent screen fault.
Continuing to use a wet or swollen phone: Power it down if safe to do so and seek service rather than attempting home repairs.

Tips

Write down when the problem occurs, which areas are affected, and whether it started after a drop, moisture exposure, update, or new app.
Keep a recent backup so a screen fault does not become a data-loss problem.
Use gentle swipes and taps for testing. Avoid diagnostic apps that demand permissions you do not need.
If the screen is partly usable, rotate the phone or use accessibility options to help operate it temporarily, but do not treat that as a repair.

Troubleshooting

The phone will not restart: Hold Power and Volume Down together for up to about 10 seconds. If nothing happens, connect a known-good charger briefly and try again. If it remains unresponsive, stop repeated button attempts and seek service.

The screen works after restarting, then fails again: Check for a recently installed app, test in Safe mode, and install available system updates. If the issue returns even in Safe mode or after a clean reset, hardware inspection is the sensible next step.

Only one strip or corner fails: Remove the case and protector, clean the display, and repeat the gentle swipe test. A fault that stays in the same location usually needs professional diagnosis; do not rely on an app to repair it.

The screen taps by itself: Clean and dry it, remove accessories, and unplug the charger. If unwanted touches continue, power the phone off if possible and arrange service, particularly after a drop or liquid exposure.

You cannot unlock the phone to back it up: Avoid repeated guesses that could trigger lockout protections. If touch is intermittent, use the working portions carefully to make a backup. Otherwise, ask a repair provider about data-preserving options before authorizing a reset or display replacement; data recovery is not guaranteed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is only part of my Galaxy S8 touchscreen working?
A protector, case, software issue, or damage to the display’s touch layer can cause localized problems. If the same area stays unresponsive after cleaning and removing accessories, arrange a repair assessment.

Will a force restart erase my data?
No. Holding Power and Volume Down to restart does not erase files. A factory data reset does erase data stored on the phone.

Can a screen protector cause touch problems?
Yes. A damaged, lifted, dirty, or poorly fitted protector can interfere with input. Remove it temporarily and test the screen before buying a replacement.

Why does my screen act up only when charging?
A charger, cable, outlet, or electrical interference may be involved. Unplug it to test, then try a known-good compatible charger and outlet. Stop using accessories that are damaged or unusually hot.

Should I factory-reset the phone if touch does not work?
Not as an early step. A reset erases local data and may not help a hardware fault. Back up first, try simpler checks, and reset only when you can operate the phone and accept the data loss risk.

When does the Galaxy S8 need professional repair?
Seek service for persistent dead zones, ghost touches, screen damage, liquid exposure, swelling, or faults that remain after basic software checks. Stop charging a phone with swelling or suspected liquid damage.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.