Touchscreen unresponsive unless pressed hard

Hi John,

I'm going to second @strongbow's opinion that you're probably in the market for a new screen.

But it's actually the screen not fitting correctly that's concerning me before you get to the point of addressing the touchscreen.

First of all, you had the phone open, correct? What condition is the battery in? The symptoms you describe are all consistent with a swollen battery; the screen not fitting and generally the swollen battery will be exerting pressure on the screen from the inside, interfering with its operation. So check the battery and make sure it's not puffy or pillowy; the outside casing should be wrapped tightly on the battery so it looks like a brick, not a pillow.

If the battery is okay, the next thing I'd make sure of is that the case isn't bent or distorted. Most of the time you can bend the case back into its proper shape, although you have to be careful when grabbing the outside of it to avoid cosmetic damage. Use a straight edge and check all four edges as well as diagonally to make sure the frame is square and flat. Worst case you would have to replace the midframe if it's distorted enough that it can't be straightened sufficiently.

Back to the touchscreen, there are delicate electrical connections where the flex cable is basically glued onto the digitizer glass. Those connections can easily be broken due to shock and the damage is generally not visible and isn't repairable.

As Nigel said, screens for the iPhone 5 are getting to be dirt cheap these days; if you shop around you can find them for around $15 USD. They're available at all the big retailers like eBay, Amazon and AliExpress.

Good luck; let us know what you find.

Thank you for your detailed description of the issue you are facing with your iPhone 5. It appears that the main issue is that the touchscreen is not responding, despite attempts to press it or lift it up from the case.

It could be possible that the fall has damaged some internal components and wires, causing a disconnection between the touchscreen and other parts of the phone. It might also be possible that something in the case itself is preventing a connection between them.

The best course of action would be to open up your device and inspect all components for signs of damage or loose connections. If any are found, then they should be replaced or reconnected accordingly. You can also try using a different screen assembly or digitizer to see if those components are causing an issue.

If none of these solutions work, then it may require professional repair services as more serious problems may have occurred inside your device due to its fall.