How to Calibrate a Touchscreen

A misaligned cell phone touchscreen can be a headache for many people. While most modern smart phones will calibrate a touchscreen automatically, some environmental conditions and software glitches can change the alignment of a touchscreen. The following guide provides simple tips and tricks for calibrating a touchscreen.

The Android and iOS operating systems come with a system setup tool for calibration. During the boot sequence, a phone will make sure that all the touch sensors on a screen are functioning correctly. If they aren't, the phone may disable some of the sensors. Since most smart phones contain hundreds of individual touch sensors, a few damaged sensors won't prevent normal operation of the phone.

If normal automatic calibration does not work correctly, there may be hardware damage. While most smart phone screens are rugged, a cracked screen may not function correctly. In addition, dust can embed itself under the surface of a touchscreen. This will reduce the screen's ability to sense a finger or stylus. Water damage can also have an impact on the proper operation of a touchscreen.

A damaged touchscreen can be challenging to repair without professional assistance. Contact a cell phone repair shop for a repair estimate and more information