What should I do if my Pixel 6 screen is unresponsive after a battery replacement (1st charge)?

What should I do if my Pixel 6 screen is unresponsive after a battery replacement (1st charge)?
I recently replaced the battery in my Pixel 6, and after the first charge, the screen became unresponsive. I was really excited to have my phone working perfectly again with a new battery, but now the screen isn’t responding to any touch inputs. The device powers on and seems to function otherwise, but I can’t use the touch screen at all. It’s really frustrating because I’ve followed all the instructions carefully during the battery replacement process. I’m wondering if there’s something I missed or if this is a common issue with a straightforward resolution. What should I do next to troubleshoot this unresponsive screen on my Pixel 6?
6 Answers

Your Pixel 6 might have developed a touch digitizer issue as a result of the battery replacement. Here are steps you could take to troubleshoot further: Power off your Pixel 6 and remove the back cover and any necessary internal shields. Then, closely inspect the screen and digitizer connection points for any signs of damage or loose connections. Use a magnifying glass to get a better view of the connectors. Ensure there is no visible damage. Detach and gently reattach the connector to ensure it is securely fastened. While the phone is still opened up, power it on and test if the screen has become responsive. If the screen still doesn’t respond, the digitizer itself may have been damaged during the replacement process. You might need to replace the entire screen assembly.

One potential cause for your Pixel 6’s unresponsive screen after the battery replacement could be a loose connection. During the battery replacement process, a connector might have become disconnected or not properly seated. Follow these steps carefully to check if that’s the issue: 1. Power down your device completely to avoid any electrical mishap. 2. Open the back cover of your Pixel 6 using the necessary tools. 3. Examine the internal area near the battery and screen connectors. Look for any loose or improperly connected cables. 4. Carefully disconnect and reconnect the screen connector, making sure it’s firmly in place. 5. Reassemble your phone and power it on to see if your screen responds to touch.

I experienced a similar issue with my Pixel 6 after replacing the battery. In my case, the problem was software-related. Here’s what I did: 1. Perform a forced reboot by holding down the power button and volume down button until the device restarts. This might resolve any temporary software glitches. 2. If a reboot doesn’t help, boot your phone into safe mode by holding the power button, then press and hold the “Power off” option until it shows the “Reboot to safe mode” prompt. Select it and see if the screen becomes responsive. 3. If the screen works in safe mode, there might be a third-party app causing the issue. Uninstall recent apps to find the culprit. 4. If these steps don’t resolve the problem, consider performing a factory reset as a last resort. Remember to back up your data before doing so.

It’s plausible that a static discharge during the battery replacement could have affected the screen function. This is tricky to confirm without professional tools, but you can try discharging any static by grounding yourself properly before handling the phone again. Use an anti-static wrist strap when re-opening the phone and checking connections. Gently clean any visible connectors and electronic contacts with rubbing alcohol and a soft brush as static might have settled in connectors. Test the operation after reassembling the phone under a static-free environment. If you suspect a static discharge damaged the digitizer, it’s typically better to consult a professional for hardware diagnostics and potentially replacing the screen.

Sometimes, after replacing the battery, some components need to reboot correctly to sync with the new setup. Here’s what you can attempt: Leave your phone turned off and let it charge for about an hour. Then, power it on and keep it connected to the charger while you try to interact with the screen. Sometimes, a stable power source helps in recalibrating the device. If the screen is still unresponsive, consider using the Developer Options to reset hardware settings if you gain temporary access to the touch function. Enable Developer Options by pressing the build number in the ‘About phone’ section seven times. Contact Google support or visit a professional repair shop if none of these methods work. The issue might be more complex and require specialized tools and expertise.

In some cases, the replacement battery might be faulty, thus causing the screen to become unresponsive. Here’s what you can do to rule out this possibility: 1. Charge your Pixel 6 with a different charger and cable to ensure it’s not a charging issue. 2. After ensuring it’s charged properly, observe if there are any visual cues like flickering or lines on the screen that suggest a hardware issue. 3. Consider placing the old battery back into the phone and checking if the screen responds. If it does, your new battery might be defective. 4. Contact the battery supplier for a replacement or a refund and explain your issue clearly.