Technician helping troubleshoot Motorola phone screen brightness not working

Steve H.

Reviewed for technical accuracy

Specialities: home button not working (iPhone Home button / Touch ID models, Android navigation bar & gestures, “Home button disappeared” after update)

Home button not working? Common reasons + safe checks (case, dirt, screen protector, gestures, settings, accessibility)

Technician avatar Technician
Hi — I can help. When the Home button stops working, it feels scary because you can’t get back to the main screen — and many seniors rely on the phone for calls, messages, banking codes, and reminders.

We’ll go in a calm, low-risk order. I don’t want you to press random reset options that could make the phone harder to use.

First, one quick question so I know which kind of “Home button” you mean:
A) A physical Home button you press (older iPhone / some older phones)
B) An on-screen Home button in the navigation bar (Android “3-button navigation”)
C) You use swipe gestures and “Home” is a swipe — but it isn’t working

Which one fits your phone best?
Customer
I’m a senior and I’m really worried. I can’t get back to the home screen. I think it’s the Home button at the bottom. It just doesn’t do anything.
Technician avatar Technician
Got it. Let’s make this easier right away: do you see three buttons on the screen (Back, Home, Recent), or is it a round physical button you can actually press?

Also — did this start today, or after something changed like an update, a new case/screen protector, or the phone getting wet?
Customer
It started suddenly this morning. I did put on a new screen protector yesterday. I don’t think the phone got wet. I see buttons on the screen sometimes, but I’m not sure.
Technician avatar Technician
That’s a helpful clue. A new screen protector can sometimes affect touches near the bottom edge, especially if it’s slightly misaligned or has bubbles.

Trust moment: before we change settings, we’ll do the least risky checks first — because I don’t want navigation to get worse.

Two safe checks (no permanent changes):
1) If you have a case, can you remove it for a moment and try Home again?
2) Look closely: is the “Home” control a button on the screen (part of a bar), or a physical button you can press?
Customer
It’s on the screen, like a little bar at the bottom. The back button works but home doesn’t. I’m nervous to touch settings because I don’t want to lose anything.
Technician avatar Technician
You’re doing the right thing by being careful. The steps we’ll use are “read-only” checks and simple, reversible adjustments — nothing here deletes photos, contacts, or messages.

Since the Back button works, this often points to a navigation mode or touch issue near the bottom of the screen (screen protector, app overlay, or a small software glitch).

Quick question: did the phone recently switch to gesture navigation (swipe up for Home), or do you still see three buttons?
Customer
I think it changed after an update last week. Sometimes I see three buttons, and sometimes I don’t. I just want it back to normal.
Technician avatar Technician
That “sometimes it’s there, sometimes it isn’t” is very common after updates — especially if the phone switches between buttons and gestures, or if an app is running full screen.

Let’s do a safe “separate the causes” check:
• Does the Home control fail in every app, or only in one app (like Facebook, Chrome, YouTube, or a game)?

If it’s only one app, it’s usually software. If it’s everywhere, we look at navigation settings and touch sensitivity.
Customer
It seems worse in the browser and Facebook. On my home screen it sometimes works, but inside apps it won’t go home. I have to keep hitting back.
Technician avatar Technician
That points more toward an app / screen overlay or a touch problem at the bottom edge than a broken phone.

Trust moment: I’m not going to ask you to factory reset. That’s almost never the first step for a Home button issue.

Two very safe checks you can try without “digging” too much:
1) If you recently applied a screen protector, check for bubbles or lifting near the bottom edge (even a small edge can block touches).
2) A simple restart can clear a stuck navigation bar after an update — it won’t erase anything.
Customer
Restarting is okay, right? I’m afraid it will mess up my phone. Also, what if the Home button is “gone” because of gestures?
Technician avatar Technician
Restarting is normally safe — it’s like turning the phone off and on. It doesn’t delete pictures or contacts.

About gestures: yes, some phones hide the “three buttons” when gestures are turned on, so it can feel like the Home button disappeared.

If you’re comfortable, we can do a simple check later: look for Navigation settings (often under Display or System) to see whether it’s set to Buttons or Gestures. We’ll only change one thing at a time, so you don’t get lost.
Customer
I would like something simple. Is there a temporary on-screen Home button I can use if this keeps happening? My hands shake sometimes.
Technician avatar Technician
Yes — and that’s a very reasonable request, especially for seniors.

On many phones there’s an accessibility option that adds an on-screen control you can tap instead of relying on the bottom navigation area. On iPhone it’s often called AssistiveTouch. On Android, it may be an Accessibility menu or a similar shortcut depending on the brand.

We can use that as a backup while we figure out why the Home action isn’t responding consistently.
Customer
How do I know if it’s hardware or just settings? I don’t want to pay for repairs if it’s only a setting.
Technician avatar Technician
Great question. Here’s the simplest way to think about it:

• Settings/software signs: Home works sometimes, fails in certain apps, started after an update, or the navigation mode changed (buttons vs gestures).
• Touch/screen protector signs: taps near the bottom edge don’t register well, especially right after applying a protector or if the edge is lifting.
• Hardware signs: if it’s a physical button, it feels stuck, clicks strangely, or never works at all even after basic cleaning and a restart.

Trust moment: we’ll gather a couple of simple clues first so you don’t waste money on the wrong fix.
Customer
If I do the safe checks and it still won’t go home, can this be fixed without a service center?
Technician avatar Technician
Often, yes — especially when it started suddenly or after an update and it works “sometimes.” In many cases, the issue is navigation mode, a screen protector edge, an app behaving badly, or a minor software glitch that improves after a restart and a small settings check.

If it’s a physical Home button that never responds, or it looks damaged, then service becomes more likely. But for on-screen Home problems, we usually can narrow it down with safe checks first and set up a simple on-screen backup so you’re not stuck.

Quick answer: the accepted fix

Accepted first fix for a mobile phone home button not working: start with the least risky checks (case/protector, cleaning, restart), then confirm whether navigation is set to Buttons or Gestures — and use an accessibility “on-screen Home” as a safe backup.

What usually helps most (safe steps):
• Remove the case and check the bottom edge for a misaligned screen protector or bubbles that can block taps.
• Gently wipe around the bottom area with a soft, dry cloth (don’t use liquids in ports or around buttons).
• Restart the phone to clear a stuck navigation bar or post-update glitch.
• Check Navigation settings to see if the phone switched between 3-button navigation and gesture navigation after an update.
• Turn on a temporary on-screen Home control in Accessibility so you can navigate while troubleshooting.

Why the Home button stops working (and why it can start suddenly)

A Home button can stop working suddenly after a software update, when a phone switches between navigation buttons and gestures. It can also happen if a new screen protector affects touch near the bottom edge, or if an app runs full-screen and hides the navigation bar. Dirt, lint, or a tight case can sometimes interfere with a physical button. The safest approach is to check simple, reversible causes first before assuming the phone needs repair.

What to check first: screen edge touches, navigation mode, and accessibility backup

Start by noticing whether the problem is everywhere or only inside certain apps. If the Home action works sometimes, it often points to a settings or software issue rather than hardware. Next, confirm whether your phone is using buttons or gestures for navigation, since updates can change this. Finally, consider turning on an accessibility on-screen control (like AssistiveTouch on iPhone) as a temporary way to go Home while you troubleshoot calmly.

Home button not working — gentle troubleshooting tips for seniors

Most “Home button not responding” problems come from navigation settings, screen protectors, or a small software glitch.

Keep it simple: don’t change many settings at once. Check the physical basics first (case, screen protector alignment, gentle cleaning), then restart the phone. If the Home control is on-screen, confirm whether your phone is set to buttons or gestures. If you feel stuck, an accessibility on-screen shortcut can give you a safe way to navigate while you figure out the cause.

Disclaimer: This information is AI-generated and intended for general guidance only. Avoid making multiple system changes at once. For device-specific steps, consult a verified expert on Whizz-Tech or the manufacturer’s support before making decisions.

Additional troubleshooting options

Getting Help Is Simple

Calm, step-by-step guidance

We can help you figure out whether it’s a navigation setting, a gestures change after an update, a screen protector issue, or a physical button problem — without confusing steps.

Easy to explain your symptoms

Tell us what you see (buttons vs gestures), when it started, and whether it happens in every app. That’s usually enough to narrow it down safely.

Avoid unnecessary repairs

Many Home button issues are caused by settings or touch interference. A few safe checks can help you decide if service is really needed.

FAQ

Why did my home button stop working suddenly?

It can happen suddenly after a software update, a settings change, or a new screen protector. Sometimes an app running full-screen can hide or interfere with navigation controls. If touch near the bottom edge is affected, the Home area may not register taps well. Start with simple, reversible checks before assuming it’s broken.

My home button stopped working after an update — is that normal?

It’s common for updates to change navigation behavior, especially switching between buttons and gestures. The Home action may feel different or seem missing if gestures were enabled. A restart can also help clear small post-update glitches. Checking your Navigation settings is a safe next step.

Is this a hardware problem or a settings problem?

If Home works sometimes, fails only in certain apps, or started after an update, settings/software are more likely. If it’s a physical Home button that never responds and feels stuck or damaged, hardware is more likely. Touch problems near the bottom edge can also come from a misaligned screen protector. A few safe checks can usually point you in the right direction.

Can the home button be fixed without going to a service center?

Often, yes, especially for on-screen Home issues related to gestures or navigation settings. Simple checks like removing a case, checking the screen protector edge, and restarting can improve it. Accessibility options can also provide an on-screen Home control as a temporary workaround. Service is more likely if a physical button is damaged or never works at all.

Sources

Filed under: Touchscreen & Buttons

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