Press and hold the Volume Down and Power buttons together for about 10 to 15 seconds. Keep holding them until you see the Nothing logo appear on the screen. This force restart is the quickest way to clear a temporary software glitch that's locking up the touchscreen.
Key Points
- Force Restart Your Phone : This is the most effective first step for an unresponsive screen.
- Clean the Screen Thoroughly : Dirt, oil, or moisture can interfere with the touch sensors.
- Check for a Software Update : Bugs in Nothing OS 3.0 can sometimes cause touch issues.
- Boot into Safe Mode : This helps determine if a third-party app is the culprit.
- Remove Screen Protectors or Cases : Poorly fitted accessories can block touch sensitivity.
- Check for Physical or Water Damage : Inspect the screen for cracks or signs of liquid exposure.
- Calibrate the Touch Screen : Use a hidden service menu to reset the touch sensor.
- Perform a Factory Reset : This erases all data, so back up first.
I'd start with this one every time. It's a soft reset that doesn't delete any of your files or settings, and it often resolves the issue immediately if it's a minor system hang.
Clean the Screen and Your Hands
Turn the phone off first if you can. Then, use a microfiber cloth to wipe the entire screen clean of any fingerprints, oil, or dirt. Pay special attention to the edges where your palm might rest.
Make sure your hands are completely dry. The capacitive touchscreen can struggle with even a small amount of moisture. Also, check if you're wearing gloves that aren't designed for touchscreen use.
Install the Latest Software Update
Go to Settings > System > System update to check for any available downloads. Nothing is expected to release regular OS updates to optimize performance and fix bugs.
If an update is available, connect to Wi-Fi and plug in your 65W charger to ensure it completes. I've seen touch responsiveness improve noticeably after an update on previous Nothing Phone models.
Boot Into Safe Mode
This starts your Phone (3) with all third-party apps disabled. If the touchscreen works perfectly in Safe Mode, you know a recently installed app is causing the conflict.
To enter Safe Mode, press and hold the power button until the power off menu appears. Then, tap and hold the "Power off" option on your screen until you see a prompt to reboot to Safe Mode. Tap "OK".
If the screen is too unresponsive for this, you can try a hardware method. Turn the phone off completely, then press and hold the power button. As soon as you see the Nothing logo, press and hold the Volume Down button until the phone finishes booting. You should see "Safe mode" in the bottom corner.
Remove All Screen Accessories
Take off any third-party case, especially thick or magnetic ones that might not be perfectly aligned. A case can sometimes apply pressure to the screen edges or interfere with the touch sensor field.
Next, carefully remove any tempered glass or plastic screen protector. Even high-quality ones can develop small air bubbles or cracks that disrupt touch sensitivity. Test the phone's bare screen to see if that fixes it.
Inspect for Physical Damage
Look closely at the screen for any hairline cracks, especially near the edges, that you might have missed. Even a small crack can damage the underlying digitizer layer that registers touch.
Check for signs of liquid damage. Look in the USB-C port or around the SIM tray for any white or green corrosion. While the Phone (3) has some water resistance, liquid exposure can still cause touch issues over time.
Calibrate the Touch Screen
Nothing OS has a hidden service menu for hardware tests. Open your phone dialer and enter *#*#6484#*#*. This should open the "Cit" hardware test menu.
Look for an option labeled "Touch Screen Test" or "Touch". Follow the on-screen instructions, which usually involve tracing patterns or tapping specific points. This process can reset the touch sensor's calibration.
If you can't access the menu due to the touch problem, this step might not be possible. It's a useful tool if you have partial responsiveness.
Reset Your Phone to Factory Settings
This will erase all your apps, photos, messages, and settings. Before you do this, if you can get the screen to work for a moment, go to Settings > System > Backup to ensure everything is saved to your Google account.
To reset, go to Settings > System > Reset options > Erase all data (factory reset). You'll need to enter your PIN or password to confirm. After the reset, set up the phone as new to see if the touch problem persists without any of your previous data or apps installed.
