How can I fix my erratic touch/unresponsive Nexus 4 touch screen?

[AC Question]

Erractic touch/Unresponsive Nexus 4 Screen

I got my Nexus 4 phone in August of 2013 and it worked perfectly for a year. In August 2014, my phone started having this random erratic touch episodes and after some time just became completely unresponsive. It got worst over time and then one day the phone just became completely unresponsive to any touch at all. I thought that all this was because of the fact that I had my screen replaced earlier that year (About March 2014) but it worked perfectly fine until August.

I did replace the phone, but now I want to get back to android and my Nexus 4. Just last night I decided to see if it would work, and after getting frustrated and slamming my palm on the screen it started working again! But periodically, then the phone becomes unresponsive with the erratic touches until I turn the screen off and slam it again.

What causes this to happen? How can I fix it so I can use it again? Btw other then those problems, the phone works absolutely perfectly.

 

[B. Diddy]

Re: Erractic touch/Unresponsive Nexus 4 Screen

Welcome to Android Central! It's probably a faulty or failing digitizer, but it could also be a loose connection somewhere (perhaps disrupted during the screen repair). I assume you've already tried a factory reset, to see if it might be a software issue?

 

[Aleeyah Griffith]

Re: Erractic touch/Unresponsive Nexus 4 Screen

Welcome to Android Central! It's probably a faulty or failing digitizer, but it could also be a loose connection somewhere (perhaps disrupted during the screen repair). I assume you've already tried a factory reset, to see if it might be a software issue?

I have before and I believed it to work but then the screen just went completely unresponsive.

 

[drew_t]

Re: Erractic touch/Unresponsive Nexus 4 Screen

I wouldn't keep slamming the phone; you'll just end up breaking it. It's not that hard to open up a N4. You can find videos showing how to do it on the web. You need a couple of plastic tools (one of which is essentially just a guitar pick) and I think one very small screwdriver bit. If re-connecting the digitizer cable doesn't solve the problem, then my guess would be that you would have to put another replacement screen/digitizer in it. You'll probably want to weigh the cost of that ( I ordered one on Aliexpress for 60 bucks or so) versus getting one of the newer Android phones.

 

[Aleeyah Griffith1]

Re: Erractic touch/Unresponsive Nexus 4 Screen

I actually found a repair place that could fix it for me for a really good price. I've heard that it could possibly be the battery? but this definitely sounds like the digitizer and screen right?