If an S23 Ultra suddenly ignores finger touches while the S Pen still works, the cause reported after One UI 6.1 was the Google app. Notebookcheck reported that the screen temporarily ignored all finger touches and Samsung confirmed an incompatibility with the Google app, with a fix promised through a Google app update. The steps are to update every Google app, clear the Google app's stored data in Settings, Apps, then restart. A screen protector, water or a bad charger cause the other common version: ghost touches that invent input.
Differential
Likely causes of “Samsung Galaxy S23 family screen or touch input is not working correctly”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A Google app incompatibility after One UI 6.1
What separates it The screen ignores finger touches for a while but the S Pen still works
How to confirm Samsung confirmed the Google app was incompatible; update Google apps, clear the Google app's data and restart
- 2
A full-glue or thick screen protector
What separates it Double-tap wake and scrolling need firm presses, or the screen reacts on its own
How to confirm Owners' threads name full-glue protectors; remove it and test
- 3
Touch sensitivity turned off
What separates it Gloves or a protector make the screen miss touches
How to confirm Open Settings, Display and switch Touch sensitivity on
- 4
A green line
What separates it A colored line on the panel with touches otherwise fine
How to confirm It is a hardware fault; Samsung may cover a screen replacement
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Whether the S Pen works when fingers do not
- Whether it began after One UI 6.1 or another update
- Whether a protector is fitted and of what type
- The *#0*# touch grid test result
Try in this order
0 of 4 completedTest with the S Pen and the touch grid
ReversibleDial *#0*# in the Phone app, tap Touch and trace the grid with a finger and with the S Pen.
Update and clear the Google app
ReversibleUpdate every Google app, open Settings, Apps, Google, Storage, Clear data, then restart.
Switch Touch sensitivity on
ReversibleOpen Settings, Display, Touch sensitivity and turn it on, then remove any protector.
Charge on a Samsung charger
ReversibleGhost touches only while charging mean the charger.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Screen
- GSMArena lists a 6.8 inch display with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and an Armor Aluminum frame.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the Galaxy S23.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the S Pen works and fingers do not after clearing the Google app's data, contact Samsung support
- !If the grid test fails on a bare screen, book a screen repair
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Samsung's touch checks.
The Google app incompatibility and its workaround.
Owners describing ghost touches.
A green line fault on an S23 Ultra.
Exact questions
Common questions
Why does my S23 Ultra ignore my fingers but not the S Pen?+
Notebookcheck reported exactly this after One UI 6.1 and Samsung confirmed a Google app incompatibility; clearing the Google app's data and updating Google apps was the workaround.
Is a green line a software fault?+
No. Owners' threads and repair guides treat it as a display fault.
How do I clear the Google app's data on the S23 Ultra?+
Open Settings, Apps, choose Google, tap Storage and then Clear data, and restart the phone. Notebookcheck's workaround also starts with updating every Google app.
Does a full-glue protector cause S23 Ultra touch problems?+
Owners' threads name full-glue protectors as a cause of touch sensitivity problems, so removing it is a quick test before any repair.
What does the *#0*# touch test show?+
Dial *#0*# in the Phone app, tap Touch and trace the grid with a finger and with the S Pen. If the boxes turn green the digitizer is working and the fault is software or the protector.