Xperia XZ menu bar touchscreen software problem

[AC Question]

I have an Xperia XZ Android 7.1.1.
A few days ago, without any obvious reason such as physical damage, new apps or software updates (however app updates possible reason, due automatic updates on), the menu bar stopped working correctly.

Most of the time, around 70% of the time, none of the menu bar buttons are pressable at all. Sometimes, 15%, only the back button is pressable, but as often instead the back button is mysteriously pressed irregularily (1-5 times per second). The reason I think it's a software problem is because when at the lock screen, pressing the same area as the menu buttons does work.

Resetting doesn't help, I have not rooted (don't want to), and can't do a factory reset right now since I'm on vacation for some weeks without computer... Any suggestions? Is it possible to move or disable the menu buttons without rooting? Very grateful for help!

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! Just to be clear -- you're talking about the nav buttons at the bottom of the screen, right? Not the swipedown notification panel or Quick Settings buttons?

If the same area of the screen seems to have decreased touch sensitivity, then I would in fact suspect a hardware issue, not software. Does this happen in Safe Mode as well? How do I enable and exit safe mode? – Sony Xperia™ XZ support (English)