I am using a Galaxy S22 with a commercial (non-original) screen installed, first grade quality. After the latest system update, the touch functionality stopped working completely with fingers, but the touch still works with the S Pen.
Is there a solution to this issue? Can touch support for fingers be restored after the update? I rely heavily on my phone for daily use and need your assistance.
Yes, it is a well-known and frequently reported issue that a phone with a non-original (third-party/aftermarket) screen may experience touch screen unresponsiveness or freezing after a software update. This is particularly common with Apple iPhones and Samsung Galaxy phones, but can happen with other brands as well. Here's why this occurs: * Software Checks and Compatibility: Phone manufacturers, especially Apple and Samsung, design their software (iOS, One UI, etc.) to work optimally with their genuine components. These updates often include specific drivers and calibrations for their original screens. When a non-original screen is installed, it may lack the necessary firmware or be incompatible with these new software instructions, leading to the touch functionality breaking or becoming erratic. * "Hardware-Software Lockdowns": Some manufacturers implement measures that essentially "authenticate" components. If a screen isn't recognized as genuine, the software might intentionally or unintentionally disable certain functionalities, including the touch input, or display warnings. * Quality of Aftermarket Parts: Non-original screens can vary greatly in quality. Lower-quality screens may not meet the same specifications as original parts, making them more susceptible to compatibility issues with new software. * Missing or Incorrect Firmware: Aftermarket screens might not have the correct or updated firmware that the new software expects, leading to communication breakdowns between the display and the phone's logic board. Common Scenarios and Symptoms: * Sudden Unresponsiveness: The touch screen works fine before the update, but immediately after installing the new software, it stops responding entirely or only in certain areas. * Freezing: The screen might freeze intermittently or completely, requiring a restart to temporarily resolve the issue. * Degraded Performance: Even if it responds, the touch might be inaccurate, laggy, or register "ghost touches." * Specific Features Not Working: Features like True Tone (on iPhones) or ambient light sensing may cease to function correctly. What to do if this happens: * Restart your phone: A simple restart can sometimes temporarily resolve software glitches. * Force restart: Try a hard restart (the method varies by phone model). * Check for temporary workarounds: For some Samsung models, users have reported that booting the phone with the old (even broken) screen, and then hot-swapping to the new screen, makes the touch work until the next reboot. This indicates a driver/authentication issue. * Contact the repair shop: If a repair shop installed the non-original screen, inform them of the issue. They might have encountered this before and could offer a solution, such as a different aftermarket screen that is known to be more compatible or a re-calibration. * Consider an original screen replacement: Unfortunately, the most reliable long-term solution is often to replace the non-original screen with a genuine (OEM) screen from an authorized service center. This can be costly, but ensures full compatibility with future software updates. * Avoid future updates (risky): Some users choose to avoid updating their phone's software after a non-OEM screen replacement if the current version is working. However, this leaves your device vulnerable to security flaws and misses out on new features. In summary, the incidence of non-original screens causing touch issues after software updates is indeed a known and prevalent problem. It's a key reason why manufacturers recommend using authorized service centers and genuine parts for repairs.
