Xperia z3 Compact top and bottom Touch screen not responding

[Johnalds81]

Hi Sony,

I've got this touch screen iresponsive on the top and bottom. I was not able to pulldown the notification and shortcuts menu when in portrait mode. Now even the bottom part of the screen starting become iresponsive. Pressing the back/menu/taskmenu starting to mulfunction.

Please help me fix this issue.

[Andrewd2667]

Well after nearly 2 years and 8 mths the first Xperia z3 Compact went the same way touch screen at the top went  first, then about 20% of the top screen stopped responding, following that the bottom of the screen has packed in. Now the phone is now quite useless, having done all the workarounds by backing up and running a software repair, it is a hardware fault. My partners Z3 Compact top of the screen stopped working a little after 2 years, but as it is her non work phone it does not get much use.

My son has had a Sony Z5 since Jan 2016 that is not showing any of these issues, but it is a different phone.

It is very disappointing having made three investments in Sony Xperia phones to find that one is now beyond economic repair and a second one has the same issue.  I like so many others will NOT be investing in Sony phones as replacements, they are just not built or designed to last.

[Mrvivaro]

my z3 compact bought on Oct 2015 1 month ago the touchscreen started having a column on the right with dead zone .

Any replacement action by Sony? 

[_rene_]

That this issue with the unresponsive top bar or soft keys is not, in fact, a hardware/touch screen issue becomes very clear when following these steps:

1. In portrait orientation, the top bar cannot be dragged down and is completely unresponsive to touch.
2. Turn the phone sideways to landscape and drag the notifications down.
3. Turn the phone back to portrait.
4. Now the whole notification menu, including the icons at the very top, work without any problems. There is not even a hint of any touch screen issues.

Unitl Sony resolves this issue, here is a workaround, which at least allow using the phone, even though it's still a pain: Install Button Savior Non Root (or one of the other smart key replacements). It adds a menu overlay with the 3 soft keys and also a custom command to drag down the notification area.

If your phone is rooted, you should rather use Button Savior (Root), as this requires fewer permissions. Or try to move back to an older version of the stock rom, as the update to 6.0.1 seems to have caused the problem.

[Kiwilifter]

Same problems here.

I will never buy Sony again.

[ktkraft]

Thanks for the 'Button Saviour Non Root' Google app link that was posted* 

Sad that we have to reply on on 3rd party software to make up for Sony's lack of support.

Mine has stopped working just days after the end of warranty. Also, Sony mobile site tells me I only got 12 months warranty not the 2 years I thought UK owners were supposed to get.

I will not be buying Sony mobile products again.

[JohnPO]

I have 3 Sony Xperia Z compact devices, what is the coincidence that all 3 failed with this same issue just after 2years.

These devices are being used by different users so the apps/settinfs etc are all different...

Won't be buying any more Sony devices and would also send my friends this link so that they don't make the same mistake as we all did.

Cheers Sony. 

[Commander-Keen]

Its not programmed obselence at all. Its just very poor quality control.

The screen issue is only one major of two major problems with this phone.

The other is the camera.

On many Z3 Compacts the photos come out blurry along the right had side. Seems to be a focus issue arising from poor quality assembly of the camera.

I have two Z3 compacts with exactly the same issue and if you google the problem you will find its fairly widespread.Again Sony does not acknowledge the problem.

What a pity because my previous Z2 had an awesome camera. What a let down from Sony.  I will never buy another Sony product again.

Never had any problems with Samsung's flagship phones. No wonder they are market leaders and so far ahead of Sony.

[Desborough]

Having exactly the same problem with an almost new XA1.

Very dissapointing.

Have always been a strong advocate of Sony products, even visisted the Sony centre in Berlin when on my travels, but this experience is in danger of putting me off for life.

Other than the unresponsive areas of the touchscreen the phone is a nice bit of kit, and feels like it has a quality build, as well as looking very good. But all that means nothing if I have to look weird using voice activation while walking down the street, or go through the hassle of remote desktop access through Teamviewer.

Virgin mobile have been totally useless about fixing it and offering a courtesy phone, and I can't (and shouldn't have to) be without a phone for a month to send it off for repairs. It would be nice if Sony could officially acknowledge there is clearly a design or manufacture issue, and offer to replace these with a fully working model of similar spec.

[chri5tina]

Just wanted to chime in that I'm having a similar problem with a Sony Xperia Z5c. I've had it about 18 months, and overnight (no falls, no water exposure) the bottom portion of the screen stopped responding to touch. I just woke up and it wasn't working.

I found this walk through for trouble shooting the problem from Sony

https://support.sonymobile.com/global-en/xperiaz3/faq/the-touchscreen-isnt-working-properly/#gref

I have done everything in it so far except the Xperia Companion repair, since I only have a Chromebook and a Linux system at my disposal. I'm going to have into install a virtual Windows machine on the Linux system, which is its own drama, to try and do the Companion repair, but I'm not optimistic. So one additional request to Sony: make a Chrome app for companion as well please.

I'm going to write in and see what can be done, but since I'm on extended travel in South East Asia, I'm not optimistic about my options.

In the meantime, someone suggested using "Simple Control" as a work around, and that works for me for flipping between apps and such, but I still don't know how to access any app that I don't have a shortcut for on the home screen aread. Anyone found a work around for accessing all apps? The Glove Mode didn't help me unfortunately.

I'll post an update when I have news.

[RadJim]

Just registered so I can add my Xperience to the pile.. Top part of the touch screen on my Z3 Compact just stopped working too. I have bought a lot of Sony products over the years. Won't be buying any more unless they sort this mess out. I advise to several companies on IT purchasing, with several thousand user base - I am going to have to stop recommending Sony, one too many bad Xperiences now.