I have been suffering with this issue for months now. I’ve had my suspicions that it is a software issue but the problem started occurring for me at a random point after having iOS 12 installed for months. The responsiveness of the touchscreen has gradually dropped over time, while the Pencil continued to work perfectly. Eventually I started getting skipped keys while typing, scrolling would pause mid-scroll, but the Home button and rotate always worked perfectly. I also noticed that the condition improved somewhat when I removed the iPad from its leather case. This indicated to me that the problem lies in the capacitive touch part of the display.
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I have been suffering with this issue for months now. I’ve had my suspicions that it is a software issue but the problem started occurring for me at a random point after having iOS 12 installed for months. The responsiveness of the touchscreen has gradually dropped over time, while the Pencil continued to work perfectly. Eventually I started getting skipped keys while typing, scrolling would pause mid-scroll, but the Home button and rotate always worked perfectly. It was driving me crazy, I was paranoid that my fingers were too dry, the surface coating was deteriorating, my fingerprints were causing detection issues on the huge display, and thought perhaps my screen protector was causing the issue. I noticed that the condition improved somewhat when I removed the iPad from its leather case. This indicated to me that the problem lies in the capacitive touch part of the display.
TL:DR, I was able to fix my iPad 12.9” Pro by measuring the flatness of the screen and gently flexing it back into shape. Even a tiny amount of flex can cause the touchscreen to stop working correctly.
To do this fix yourself, you need a precise flat edge tool. I recommend getting a machinist or carpenter square that has a sharp edge, like this one: https://www.amazon.com/Tools-Combination-Square-Metal-Body-1794469/dp/B005XUHIBG
Once you have a nice flat edge, hold it against your screen at vertical, horizontal, and diagonal left/right. If your issue is caused by screen flex, you will see the screen fail to touch the edge of your measuring tool. You need to flex the iPad until the screen is in full contact with the straightedge from every angle, more or less. Just be very very careful not to over-flex the iPad, it’s full of sensitive electronics and dangerous lithium ion batteries :) I didn’t flex it more than maybe 1/2” deviation total, and that was enough to make my iPad flat again. My iPad was maybe only 1-1.5mm deviated from flat, and it was enough to cause tons of issues. I’d say that’s an issue with the design.
I finally got frustrated enough and did this fix today, my iPad suddenly became as responsive as it was on day 1, no reboot necessary!
I have been suffering with this issue for months now. I’ve had my suspicions that it is a software issue but the problem started occurring for me at a random point after having iOS 12 installed for months. The responsiveness of the touchscreen has gradually dropped over time, while the Pencil continued to work perfectly. Eventually I started getting skipped keys while typing, scrolling would pause mid-scroll, but the Home button and rotate always worked perfectly. I also noticed that the condition improved somewhat when I removed the iPad from its leather case. This indicated to me that the problem lies in the capacitive touch part of the display.
TL:DR, I was able to fix my iPad 12.9” Pro by measuring the flatness of the screen and gently flexing it back into shape. Even a tiny amount of flex can cause the touchscreen to stop working correctly.
To do this fix yourself, you need a precise flat edge tool. I recommend getting a machinist or carpenter square that has a sharp edge, like this one: https://www.amazon.com/Tools-Combination-Square-Metal-Body-1794469/dp/B005XUHIBG
Once you have a nice flat edge, hold it against your screen at vertical, horizontal, and diagonal left/right. If your issue is caused by screen flex, you will see the screen fail to touch the edge of your measuring tool. You need to flex the iPad until the screen is in full contact with the straightedge from every angle, more or less. Just be very very careful not to over-flex the iPad, it’s full of sensitive electronics and dangerous lithium ion batteries :) I didn’t flex it more than maybe 1/2” deviation total, and that was enough to make my iPad flat again. My iPad was maybe only 1-1.5mm deviated from flat, and it was enough to cause tons of issues. I’d say that’s an issue with the design.
I finally got frustrated enough and did this fix today, my iPad suddenly became as responsive as it was on day 1, no reboot necessary!