Press and release the volume up button, then press and release the volume down button. Immediately press and hold the side button until you see the Apple logo appear. This force restart is the go-to fix for an unresponsive iPhone 13 screen and can clear up temporary software glitches.
I'd start with this one. It works for most issues where the screen is black or frozen but the phone itself still has power. You'll need to hold the side button for about 10 to 15 seconds before the logo shows up.
Charge Your iPhone 13 Properly
Plug your phone into a wall outlet using the original Apple 20W power adapter and a certified Lightning cable. The outdated Lightning port can be finicky, so make sure the cable clicks in firmly and isn't obstructed by lint.
Let it charge for at least an hour. If the battery was completely drained, you might not see the charging symbol right away. Try using a MagSafe charger as well, as the magnetic connection can sometimes work when the physical port is having issues.
If your iPhone 13 is over two years old, battery degradation is common. You can check its health by going to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging. If the maximum capacity is below 80%, the battery may struggle to provide stable power to the display.
Check for a Software Update
If your screen is working but intermittently unresponsive, a software bug might be the cause. Connect your iPhone to power and Wi-Fi. Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
Download and install any available updates. iOS updates often include bug fixes for display and touch sensitivity issues. Keeping your iPhone 13 on the latest version of iOS, like iOS 18, helps prevent these kinds of problems.
Clean the Screen and Remove Any Case or Screen Protector
Turn off your iPhone and wipe the screen clean with a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth. Dirt, oil, or moisture can interfere with the touch sensors. Pay special attention to the edges of the display.
Remove your case and any screen protector. A poorly fitted case or a thick, cheap screen protector can sometimes press on the edges of the screen and cause it to stop registering touches. Test the screen's responsiveness with everything off.
Enter and Exit Recovery Mode
This is a deeper reset that can fix more stubborn software issues without erasing your data. First, connect your iPhone 13 to a computer with a Lightning cable and open Finder (on Mac) or iTunes (on Windows).
Quickly press and release the volume up button, then the volume down button. Then, press and hold the side button. Don't release it when you see the Apple logo. Keep holding until you see the recovery mode screen (a cable pointing to a computer icon).
On your computer, you'll get an option to "Update" or "Restore." Choose "Update." Your computer will reinstall iOS without deleting your personal data. This process can take a while, so keep your phone connected and charged.
Perform a Factory Reset via Find My
If you can't use the screen at all but know your Apple ID credentials, you can erase the phone remotely. This is a last resort, as it will delete everything on the device. On another device, go to iCloud.com or use the Find My app on another Apple device.
Sign in with your Apple ID, select your iPhone 13 from the list of devices, and choose "Erase This Device." This will wipe the phone back to factory settings over the air. After it's erased, you can set it up again and restore from a recent iCloud backup.
Inspect for Physical or Liquid Damage
Look closely at the screen for any new cracks, even tiny ones, or spots of discoloration. Physical damage can cause the display or its digitizer to fail. Gently press around the edges of the screen to see if the responsiveness changes, which could indicate a loose internal connection.
Check the Lightning port for any debris or signs of corrosion. Use a dry, soft-bristled brush to carefully clean it out. While the iPhone 13 is water-resistant, that resistance can degrade over time, and liquid damage can cause erratic screen behavior.
If you suspect a hardware fault, especially with an older iPhone 13, the issue could be with the display itself or a failing component. The 60Hz display, while reliable, isn't immune to age-related faults.
