Technician helping troubleshoot Motorola phone screen brightness not working

Steve H.

Reviewed for technical accuracy

Specialities: mobile phone home button not working (iPhone Touch ID Home button unresponsive, Android navigation buttons not responding, on-screen Home button options)

Home button not working? Common reasons + safe checks (stuck button, screen protector, settings, update, on-screen Home)

Technician avatar Technician
Hi — I can help. When a mobile phone Home button stops working, it can feel scary, especially if you rely on that button to get “back to safety.”

We’ll take this in a calm, low-risk order. Trust moment: I don’t want you tapping random reset options or changing things that could lock you out or make the phone harder to use.

First, a quick check so I know what kind of “Home button” you mean:
A) A physical Home button you press (older iPhone with Touch ID, some older Android phones)
B) An on-screen Home button (a circle/square icon at the bottom of the screen)
C) You use swipe gestures and “Home” is a swipe — but it stopped responding

Which one fits your phone best? And is it an iPhone or Android?
Customer
I’m older and I’m honestly upset. The Home button isn’t working and I can’t get out of apps. It’s an iPhone with the button you press. I don’t know the model.
Technician avatar Technician
Thank you — that helps a lot. So it’s an iPhone with a physical Home button (often Touch ID).

A few quick questions, and you can answer in any order:
• Did it stop working suddenly, or has it been getting worse?
• Did anything change recently (a software update, new case, screen protector, a drop, or moisture)?
• When you press the button, do you feel a normal “click,” or does it feel stuck/flat?
Customer
It started suddenly this week. I think my phone updated a few days ago. The button feels a little different, like not as clicky. I didn’t drop it, but I clean it a lot.
Technician avatar Technician
That’s very common, especially “Home button not working after update” plus a button that feels less clicky.

Two “safe checks” first — nothing risky, nothing that deletes anything:
1) Do you have a case on the phone right now? Sometimes it presses on the edges and makes the Home button feel odd.
2) Do you have a screen protector that overlaps the Home button ring?
Customer
Yes, I have a case and a screen protector. The protector is close to the button. I’m nervous to take things off.
Technician avatar Technician
You’re doing the right thing by being careful.

Trust moment: I don’t want you using liquids near the button or poking anything sharp — that can cause real damage. We’ll keep it gentle.

For now, we can do a quick test that’s easy to reverse: if you’re comfortable, remove just the case (not the protector) for a minute and press the Home button a few times. We’re only checking if the case is interfering.

If you’d rather not remove anything yet, tell me this: can you still go Home using any on-screen option, like an “easy button” or accessibility feature?
Customer
I don’t know any on-screen option. I can’t even get to the main screen easily. I just want a simple way to get Home again.
Technician avatar Technician
Totally understandable. On iPhone, there’s a built-in, senior-friendly fallback called AssistiveTouch — it can put a small on-screen button that helps you go Home without pressing the physical button.

I won’t walk you through a long set of taps if you’re stuck inside an app. Let’s confirm what you can still do:
• Can you open Settings at all?
• Or can you swipe down and see Search (the screen where you can type “Settings”)?

If either one is possible, we can check if AssistiveTouch is available — it’s a safe, reversible setting.
Customer
I can open Settings if I’m patient. But I’m afraid changing accessibility will mess things up or make the phone confusing.
Technician avatar Technician
That’s a very fair worry.

Trust moment: We’ll only use options that are easy to turn off again. AssistiveTouch is like a “temporary helper,” not a permanent change.

Before we change anything, one more quick check: when you press the Home button, does the screen react at all (even a tiny vibration), or is it completely dead?
Customer
Completely dead. No reaction. Sometimes it works once, but mostly nothing. It’s worse after the update, I think.
Technician avatar Technician
Got it — “works once in a while” is a useful clue. It can be a software hiccup, a Touch ID / Home button hardware issue starting to fail, or even pressure from a case/protector.

Safe, step-by-step logic for seniors is usually:
1) Confirm it’s not being blocked (case/protector).
2) Use an on-screen Home option (AssistiveTouch) so you’re not stuck.
3) Then decide if it looks more like settings/software or hardware.

Quick question: is this an older iPhone with the round Home button (like iPhone 6/7/8/SE style)?
Customer
Yes, it’s an older one with the round button. I think it’s an iPhone 7 or 8, not sure.
Technician avatar Technician
Thanks — that’s helpful. On iPhone 7/8, the Home button can feel different because it’s not a classic “click” button in the same way older models were, and software issues can make it seem unresponsive.

Let’s keep it safe and simple. If you can get into Settings, the best low-risk goal is to confirm whether you can enable a software Home button (AssistiveTouch) so you can navigate again while we diagnose.

Another question that helps separate “hardware vs settings”: does Touch ID (fingerprint) still work for unlocking or App Store, or is that also acting up?
Customer
Touch ID is not reliable anymore. Sometimes it reads, sometimes it doesn’t. I’m worried it means the button is broken and I’ll need service.
Technician avatar Technician
It could be hardware, but we don’t want to jump to that conclusion too fast.

A common senior-safe explanation: dirt/oils, a tight case, a screen protector edge, or a recent update can make the Home button behave strangely. If Touch ID is also unreliable, it leans more toward the Home button sensor area, but we can still keep you functional with an on-screen Home button while you decide next steps.

One more gentle check: have you recently cleaned the button with anything wet (spray, wipe that leaves moisture), or is it mostly a dry cloth?
Customer
I used a cleaning wipe a couple times. Not dripping, but maybe a little damp. I didn’t think it would matter.
Technician avatar Technician
That’s very common — and no shame in it. Even small moisture can affect how buttons and sensors behave, especially on older phones.

Trust moment: I don’t want you to press hard or “work the button” aggressively. If it’s sensitive, pushing harder can make it worse.

The safe plan is: keep it dry, remove any pressure from the case, and use an on-screen alternative so you’re not trapped. After that, if the Home button stays unreliable, we treat it as “possible hardware” and you can decide about service when you’re ready — no rush and no panic.
Customer
If I switch to an on-screen Home button, will it mess up my phone later? And what if this is Android for my husband — is it similar?
Technician avatar Technician
Great questions.

On iPhone, the on-screen Home option (AssistiveTouch) is designed for accessibility and can be turned off anytime — it doesn’t erase photos, contacts, or messages. Many seniors keep it on just for peace of mind.

On Android, it’s similar in concept: you can choose gesture navigation or 3-button navigation (Back, Home, Recent). If the Home button on Android isn’t working, sometimes it’s a setting change after an update, or the navigation bar is hidden, not true hardware damage.

If you tell me your husband’s Android brand (Samsung, Google Pixel, Motorola, etc.), we can use the same safe “settings first, hardware last” logic.
Customer
Thank you. I feel calmer. I’ll try the gentle checks and the on-screen button first. If it still doesn’t work, I’ll consider service.
Technician avatar Technician
That’s a smart plan. You’re doing exactly what I’d recommend: safe checks first, and only then deciding if it’s likely hardware.

If anything feels confusing while you’re in Settings, stop and tell me what you see — I’d rather slow down than have you press something that makes navigation harder. We’ll keep it simple and reversible.

Quick answer: the accepted fix

Accepted first approach for a mobile phone Home button not working: don’t force the button — confirm if it’s blocked by a case/protector, then use a safe on-screen Home option while you check whether it’s settings/software or hardware.

What usually helps most (safe steps):
• Remove the case briefly and test (sometimes it presses the phone edges and affects the button).
• If there’s a screen protector near the button, check that it isn’t overlapping or lifting at the edge.
• Keep the button area dry and gently wipe with a soft, dry cloth (no liquids or sharp tools).
• Turn on a software Home button (like iPhone AssistiveTouch or Android navigation buttons/gestures) so you can navigate safely.
• If it started after an update, treat it as “possible settings/software” first before assuming hardware failure.

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

Fast iPhone battery drain often starts suddenly after an iOS update because the phone may do extra background work (app updates, syncing, indexing). Battery drain can also happen if one app runs heavily in the background, if the phone is in a low-signal area, or if the device is warm. Over time, normal battery wear can reduce how long the iPhone lasts between charges. The safest first step is always to check Battery Usage and Battery Health so you’re not guessing.

What to check first: physical button vs on-screen navigation (safe checks)

Start with safe comparisons: look at Settings → Battery to identify the top drainers and whether they show “background activity.” Then check Battery Health to see if the battery capacity is reduced. If your iPhone is draining fast mainly in certain places, consider signal strength and Wi-Fi, since low signal can increase power use. If the phone feels warm, treat that as a clue that something is running hard in the background. Make one small change at a time so you can tell what actually helped.

Home button not working — gentle troubleshooting tips for seniors

Most fast drain comes from background activity, updates settling, low signal, heat, or battery age.

Best approach: check Battery Usage first, then Battery Health. Use Low Power Mode when you need the phone to last longer, and avoid changing many settings at once. If one app is using most of the battery (especially in the background), that’s your biggest clue. If the drain started right after an update, give the phone time to finish background tasks and check again later. Keep it simple and safe — small checks, one at a time.

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 started with safe checks (no pressure, no guessing)

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FAQ

Why did my phone’s Home button stop working suddenly?

It can happen after an update, a new case or screen protector, or simple wear on an older phone. Sometimes the button feels “stuck” because of pressure from the case edges or buildup around the button. If it works once in a while, it may be a software glitch or a button that’s starting to fail. The safest first step is to check for anything physically blocking it and use an on-screen Home option while you diagnose.

My Home button stopped working after an update — is that common?

Yes, many people notice navigation problems after an iOS or Android update. Updates can change settings, navigation mode (buttons vs gestures), or how the phone responds to presses. That doesn’t automatically mean the button is permanently broken. A safe approach is to confirm your navigation settings and enable an on-screen Home alternative so you’re not stuck.

How can I tell if it’s hardware or a settings problem?

If the on-screen Home options work normally, but the physical button never responds, hardware is more likely. If the Home icon or navigation bar disappears, changes position, or stops responding after an update, settings are often involved. Unreliable fingerprint (Touch ID) on older iPhones can also be a clue, but not a guarantee. The safest plan is to restore easy navigation first, then make one small check at a time.

Can this be fixed without a repair shop or service center?

Often, yes — at least enough to keep the phone usable. Many seniors use an on-screen Home button (like AssistiveTouch on iPhone) or switch Android navigation settings while they decide what to do next. Gentle checks like removing a tight case and ensuring the button area is dry can also help. Service becomes more reasonable if the button never responds and daily use is difficult.

Sources

Filed under: Touchscreen & Buttons

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