Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

iPad Pro Touch screen response issues?

B

bunger

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Mar 1, 2007
468
6
In the past week or so, the touch screen response on my iPad Pro 11” (about 6 weeks old) has gotten terrible.


Sometimes typing doesn’t respond at all.... swipes sometimes only partially work... it is super annoying. Rebooting doesn’t seem to make any real impact.


It’s acting either like the screen isn’t registering the touch... or that the processor is so busy it can’t deal with it.


Has anyone else seen anything like this?
 
Everybody and there mama has experienced it. On my third 11” iPad Pro from dealing with it. My current 11” iPad is ok, and has been for over 3 months now. We’re not really sure if it is software related or hardware related. As iOS updates can greatly manipulate the touch response. Hang in there is all I can really say..

Are you running a bare screen?
 
Yep... bare screen.....

It doesn’t sound like exchanging really does any good...
 
I have been having the same issues with an unresponsive screen for the last month or so. Did a factory reset and the screen wasn’t responding even when I was setting the device up so it’s not an app issue. I have a genius appointment booked for next week
 
bunger said:
In the past week or so, the touch screen response on my iPad Pro 11” (about 6 weeks old) has gotten terrible.


Sometimes typing doesn’t respond at all.... swipes sometimes only partially work... it is super annoying. Rebooting doesn’t seem to make any real impact.


It’s acting either like the screen isn’t registering the touch... or that the processor is so busy it can’t deal with it.


Has anyone else seen anything like this?
Click to expand...
Everybody ever is experiencing this.
 
bunger said:
...

Has anyone else seen anything like this?
Click to expand...

Welcome to the club :( It's indeed a widespread problem that affects more and more and more iPads including Pros, minis and normals from all years. For most people it's a hardware problem and if gets back after resetting your iPad and after Apple updates and then it's a hardware problem on your side as well.

Unfortunately Apple denies that this problem exists (as it was with Mac's butterfly keyboard they prefer to hide problems from the public) and even if you replace iPad in the Apple Store be ready that the replacement will have it as well and Apple may deny the replacements after that.

Here are more threads on this:

MacRumors News:
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...-complain-of-screen-stuttering-issues.2176245

Other forum threads:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/irresponsive-screen-ipad-pro-12-9-2nd-gen.2121051/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/2016-ipad-pro-12-9-screen-intermittently-unresponsive.2118824/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/12-9-ipad-pro-gen-3-touchscreen-problem.2154220/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/ipad-pro-stuttering-issue-now-more-widespread.2165593/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/missing-keystrokes.2166241/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/known-problem.2168160/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/10-5-pro-with-unresponsive-screen.2170164/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/2nd-gen-10-5”-degraded-touch-screen-sensitivity.2172781/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/ipad-pro-12-9-2018-screen-latency-issues.2173735/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/screen-stutter-ipad-pro-2018.2161383/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/screen-touch-unresponsive-on-2018-ipad-pros.2176116/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/screen-stuttering-issue-on-11-ipad-pros.2176379/#post-27268554

Long iFixit thread with lots of software fixes suggestions that in the end never work:
https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View...ouchscreen+is+unresponsive+from+time+to+timeh
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: leebroath and kazmac
I’ve removed my screen protecter, my pencil is not connected and my iPad is not charging....

And I still get the touch issues !!

My replacement is now available to pick up from Aberdeen, but I’m not holding out much

Anyone that’s had theirs replaced from Apple, what are they saying to the issues?

I’m hoping that if the issue persists, on my replacement products, that Apple take the hint

If I can’t scroll with the issues, then in my eyes it’s not fit for purpose
[doublepost=1560536446][/doublepost]
DragonX said:
Welcome to the club :( It's indeed a widespread problem that affects more and more and more iPads including Pros, minis and normals from all years. For most people it's a hardware problem and if gets back after resetting your iPad and after Apple updates and then it's a hardware problem on your side as well.

Unfortunately Apple denies that this problem exists (as it was with Mac's butterfly keyboard they prefer to hide problems from the public) and even if you replace iPad in the Apple Store be ready that the replacement will have it as well and Apple may deny the replacements after that.

Here are more threads on this:

MacRumors News:
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...-complain-of-screen-stuttering-issues.2176245

Other forum threads:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/irresponsive-screen-ipad-pro-12-9-2nd-gen.2121051/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/2016-ipad-pro-12-9-screen-intermittently-unresponsive.2118824/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/12-9-ipad-pro-gen-3-touchscreen-problem.2154220/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/ipad-pro-stuttering-issue-now-more-widespread.2165593/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/missing-keystrokes.2166241/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/known-problem.2168160/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/10-5-pro-with-unresponsive-screen.2170164/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/2nd-gen-10-5”-degraded-touch-screen-sensitivity.2172781/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/ipad-pro-12-9-2018-screen-latency-issues.2173735/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/screen-stutter-ipad-pro-2018.2161383/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/screen-touch-unresponsive-on-2018-ipad-pros.2176116/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/screen-stuttering-issue-on-11-ipad-pros.2176379/#post-27268554

Looong iFixit thread with lots of software fixes suggestions that in the end never work:
https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View...ouchscreen+is+unresponsive+from+time+to+timeh
Click to expand...

What you need is a Youtuber who can stress this issue and hopefully Apple take notice
 
Its most likely due to a bad charger. Fast charging (usb c pd) makes it even worse. Go to a reliable charger and make sure to baby it. My iPad got way better after a using a good reliable charger a couple of times!
 
leebroath said:
I’ve removed my screen protecter, my pencil is not connected and my iPad is not charging....

And I still get the touch issues !!

My replacement is now available to pick up from Aberdeen, but I’m not holding out much

Anyone that’s had theirs replaced from Apple, what are they saying to the issues?

I’m hoping that if the issue persists, on my replacement products, that Apple take the hint

If I can’t scroll with the issues, then in my eyes it’s not fit for purpose
[doublepost=1560536446][/doublepost]

What you need is a Youtuber who can stress this issue and hopefully Apple take notice
Click to expand...

A YouTuber who is non bias with millions of followers, certainly.

We need Johanna Stern from the Wall Street Journal to do another excellent piece on the iPads and touch disease (I am sure her article from March of this year goaded Apple to try harder with a fix for their 4th gen butterfly keyboard).

I haven't drawn much on my 2018 iPad as it's exhibiting touch disease on and off lately too. As badly as I'd like to try another 2019 Mini or the Air, there's no way I'll do that until Apple fixes the problem. I'd even try a Pro if they fix this serious issue.

And as others have mentioned, here's but one thread on the irresponsiveness from Apple's support forums:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/8658399

I've made mention of this to anyone who would listen and everyone looked at me like I had three heads. If there's no fix by the time I purchase my next computer, I'll just go the Wacom route. It's unfortunate because I love using the iPad to draw, but at this point, I've pretty much resigned myself to the fact that only bad feedback, bad press and multiple class action lawsuits will wake Apple up about this.

I've tried every fix from chargers to changing settings, nothing worked on my 2017 iPad Pro or this 2018 iPad.

I still think heat and manufacturing errors are leading to this happening.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: AutomaticApple, leebroath and DragonX
I had a second generation 12.9 that had severe touch issues. I bought a new 12.9 third generation and it’s starting to have touch issues after about 4 months. It does not have a screen protector and I’ve never used anything besides the original charger it came with. It just started happening a few days ago. If it’s not fixed or gets worse it will be my last iPad.
 
Acorn said:
I had a second generation 12.9 that had severe touch issues. I bought a new 12.9 third generation and it’s starting to have touch issues after about 4 months. It does not have a screen protector and I’ve never used anything besides the original charger it came with. It just started happening a few days ago. If it’s not fixed or gets worse it will be my last iPad.
Click to expand...
[doublepost=1561250191][/doublepost]Me too ... me three. So this drove me nuts with my 2017 IPP. Got a new 2018 12.9 IPP and guess what, same issue. Actually, before writing this response I was having issues and now I am not. What changed?

https://macintoshhowto.com/iphone/ipod-or-iphone-difficulties-with-dry-fingers.html

Yup, this does work for me. It improves the situation. Read the article as it suggests water based locations. 5m ago I was struggling to register 50% of my keystrokes on the on screen keyboard. Now I’m hitting 100% after using some hand lotion. Ridiculous. Yup. Might be related to wrist detection since I don’t have this issue ever with iphones. The lotion I settled on is CeraVe brand. Blue label for. Normal to dry skin. Also states “lightweight” on the label.

I hate that this helps / works. I normally don’t use lotion. Now I’m a lotion man. Thanks apple.

Anyhow, give it a shot. Just don’t use heavy oil based lotions.

Kirk
 
kbonner said:
[doublepost=1561250191][/doublepost]Me too ... me three. So this drove me nuts with my 2017 IPP. Got a new 2018 12.9 IPP and guess what, same issue. Actually, before writing this response I was having issues and now I am not. What changed?

https://macintoshhowto.com/iphone/ipod-or-iphone-difficulties-with-dry-fingers.html

Yup, this does work for me. It improves the situation. Read the article as it suggests water based locations. 5m ago I was struggling to register 50% of my keystrokes on the on screen keyboard. Now I’m hitting 100% after using some hand lotion. Ridiculous. Yup. Might be related to wrist detection since I don’t have this issue ever with iphones. The lotion I settled on is CeraVe brand. Blue label for. Normal to dry skin. Also states “lightweight” on the label.

I hate that this helps / works. I normally don’t use lotion. Now I’m a lotion man. Thanks apple.

Anyhow, give it a shot. Just don’t use heavy oil based lotions.

Kirk
Click to expand...

Thanks for the idea but no it doesn’t help. And unfortunately I don’t think this fix is related to the problem most people are having when the same iPad stops reacting to touches after 3-12 months of normal usage. Then Apple replaces your iPad and it works for 3 months (same fingers, same person haha) and then the replacement stops reacting to touches again.
 
  • Like
Reactions: kazmac
I keep reposting this because it might help others.

Apple has acknowledged heat issues in the iPad Pro. And they are exchanging them for brand new ones. You have to prove the iPad is getting hot on the left side (which is the trigger that every single iPad or iPad Pro I’ve bought since 2017 has exhibited before popping up with touch disease).

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/ipad-pro-left-side-heat.2186790/

I truly hope they work on the components inside and include a better heat sink to stop this from happening.
 
  • Like
Reactions: AutomaticApple, leebroath, DragonX and 1 other person
kbonner said:
[doublepost=1561250191][/doublepost]Me too ... me three. So this drove me nuts with my 2017 IPP. Got a new 2018 12.9 IPP and guess what, same issue. Actually, before writing this response I was having issues and now I am not. What changed?

https://macintoshhowto.com/iphone/ipod-or-iphone-difficulties-with-dry-fingers.html

Yup, this does work for me. It improves the situation. Read the article as it suggests water based locations. 5m ago I was struggling to register 50% of my keystrokes on the on screen keyboard. Now I’m hitting 100% after using some hand lotion. Ridiculous. Yup. Might be related to wrist detection since I don’t have this issue ever with iphones. The lotion I settled on is CeraVe brand. Blue label for. Normal to dry skin. Also states “lightweight” on the label.

I hate that this helps / works. I normally don’t use lotion. Now I’m a lotion man. Thanks apple.

Anyhow, give it a shot. Just don’t use heavy oil based lotions.

Kirk
Click to expand...

Thanks for the idea but I don’t think it’s a dry skin issue. Once it gets worse I will trade it in than sell and I will buy an android. I’ve been eyeing the android tab s5e 10.5. It’s got super battery life compared to s4 and has the massive reduced bezels size. I will miss apples larger 12.9 screen but I’m not investing in any more 1000 dollars apple products that self destruct.
 
  • Like
Reactions: kazmac, AutomaticApple, DragonX and 1 other person
The thin screen and zero structural integrity make broken touchscreens an inevitability. Apple learned nothing from the iPhone touch disease.

 
DragonX said:
Thanks for the idea but no it doesn’t help. And unfortunately I don’t think this fix is related to the problem most people are having when the same iPad stops reacting to touches after 3-12 months of normal usage. Then Apple replaces your iPad and it works for 3 months (same fingers, same person haha) and then the replacement stops reacting to touches again.
Click to expand...

Agreed. I too experience this issue on a regular basis. I’m on ipados 13 right now and it seems worse than normal. The lotion seems to help. It doesn’t mean dry skin is at fault. It just seems to have helped reduce the impacts of whatever seems to be going on with iPad. For me at least. And no ... I don’t have stock in the,lotion industry. Haha.
[doublepost=1561329269][/doublepost]
Acorn said:
Thanks for the idea but I don’t think it’s a dry skin issue. Once it gets worse I will trade it in than sell and I will buy an android. I’ve been eyeing the android tab s5e 10.5. It’s got super battery life compared to s4 and has the massive reduced bezels size. I will miss apples larger 12.9 screen but I’m not investing in any more 1000 dollars apple products that self destruct.
Click to expand...

I hear you. It’s a shame. My 2018 was a launch day purchase. All included spent over $1600. For a high end touch screen device, touch should never be a concern. For the life of me I can’t fathom what is going on other than Apple is caring less about quality. For now lotion is at minimum a great placebo and great for the skin :(
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back