# Android phone screen displays but is unresponsive, can't shut down phone; are there any short term workarounds?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-phone-screen-displays-but-is-unresponsive-cant-shut-down-phone-are-there-any-short-term-workarounds/966660>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 23, 2022, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-phone-screen-displays-but-is-unresponsive-cant-shut-down-phone-are-there-any-short-term-workarounds/966660 "2022-06-23T05:15:48Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\
**Post date:** [June 24, 2022, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-phone-screen-displays-but-is-unresponsive-cant-shut-down-phone-are-there-any-short-term-workarounds/966660/21 "2022-06-24T19:45:17Z")

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Worst case, the battery will drain eventually.

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**Author:** ![SoToasty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sotoasty/32/2803_2.png) [@SoToasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SoToasty)\
**Post date:** [June 24, 2022, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-phone-screen-displays-but-is-unresponsive-cant-shut-down-phone-are-there-any-short-term-workarounds/966660/22 "2022-06-24T20:18:50Z")

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> [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](#):
>
> So the forced reboot works fine, but doesn’t solve the immediate problem of getting this phone powered down, or its Bluetooth disabled.

For the BlueTooth problem, this has worked for me. Take bad phone to one end of house or Apt, or leave the phone in the house and you head to store. Once the Bluetooth disconnects, pair with the other device. Normally, this will make the default to be paired with the new device. As long as you do not disconnect from the new paired device, I think you will be fine.

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**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\
**Post date:** [June 26, 2022, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-phone-screen-displays-but-is-unresponsive-cant-shut-down-phone-are-there-any-short-term-workarounds/966660/23 "2022-06-26T03:25:22Z")

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Update: The phone has finally run out of battery, and the affected area of the screen contiues to shrink.

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