A touchscreen that suddenly stops responding can be disruptive, but most causes are software or simple hardware issues you can fix yourself. If Touchscreen doesn’t work in Windows 10, this article walks you through 13 common reasons and clear, step-by-step fixes so you can get touch control back quickly.
You’ll learn what typically breaks touch input (disabled settings, drivers, power options, physical damage, etc.) and how to test, isolate, and repair each cause.
Key Takeaway
Most touchscreen problems in Windows 10 are caused by driver, settings, or power-management issues; start by checking the HID-compliant touch screen entry in Device Manager, update or reinstall the driver, and confirm touch services and power settings are enabled before moving to hardware diagnostics.
Quick Fix Guide
| Reason for the Problem | Quick Solution |
|---|---|
| Touchscreen disabled in Device Manager | Re-enable the HID-compliant touch screen device in Device Manager. |
| Outdated or corrupted driver | Update or uninstall/reinstall the touch driver from Device Manager. |
| Windows Update changed driver | Roll back driver or install manufacturer driver from their support site. |
| Power management suspends controller | Uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device for USB/HID controllers. |
| Touch services stopped | Start Touch Keyboard and Handwriting Panel Service in services.msc. |
| Multiple displays / wrong mapping | Set correct main display in Settings > System > Display and recalibrate. |
| Calibration/pen input settings wrong | Use Control Panel > Tablet PC Settings > Calibrate for touch input. |
| Physical/digitizer damage | Run hardware diagnostics and contact repair if cracked or unresponsive. |
| Loose internal cable or connector | Have a technician check internal connections or reseat the digitizer cable. |
| Touchscreen disabled in BIOS/UEFI | Enable touchscreen in BIOS/UEFI settings or update firmware. |
| Third-party software conflict | Boot into Safe Mode to isolate and uninstall conflicting apps. |
| Screen protector, dirt, moisture | Clean the screen and remove or replace the screen protector. |
| Issue after sleep/fast startup | Disable Fast Startup and update drivers; reboot to clear hangs. |
Detailed Fixes for “Touchscreen doesn’t work in Windows 10”
1) Touchscreen disabled in Device Manager
Why it causes the problem:
Windows allows you to disable individual devices. If the touch device is disabled, Windows will ignore touch input.
Step-by-step solution:
- Press Win + X and open Device Manager.
- Expand Human Interface Devices.
- Look for HID-compliant touch screen (there may be multiple HID entries).
- Right-click the entry and choose Enable device (if it shows Disable device, it’s already enabled).
- If enabling doesn’t help, right-click and choose Disable, then right-click again and Enable (power cycle the driver).
Note: If you don’t see any HID-compliant touch screen entries, proceed to driver troubleshooting below.
2) Outdated or corrupted driver
Why it causes the problem:
Drivers interface Windows with the touchscreen controller. Corrupt or old drivers may stop responding.
Step-by-step solution:
- Open Device Manager (Win + X > Device Manager).
- Expand Human Interface Devices.
- Right-click HID-compliant touch screen > Update driver > Search automatically for drivers.
- If no update helps, right-click > Uninstall device. Check Delete the driver software for this device if offered, then click Uninstall.
- Restart Windows — Windows should reinstall the driver automatically.
- If Windows does not reinstall the correct driver, download the touch driver from your device manufacturer’s support page and install it manually.
Tip: Use the manufacturer driver for laptops/tablets (Dell, HP, Lenovo, Surface) for best results.
3) Windows Update installed an incompatible driver
Why it causes the problem:
Sometimes Windows Update installs a generic or problematic driver that breaks touch.
Step-by-step solution:
- In Device Manager, right-click the touch device > Properties > Driver tab.
- Click Roll Back Driver if available.
- If rollback is not available, download the OEM-provided driver and use Update driver > Browse my computer to install it.
- Optionally hide the offending Windows Update: open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > View update history > Uninstall updates or use wushowhide.diagcab (Microsoft tool) to hide problematic driver updates.
4) Power management suspends the controller
Why it causes the problem:
Windows may turn off USB/HID controllers to save power; that can disable touch after sleep.
Step-by-step solution:
- Open Device Manager.
- For each relevant device (under Universal Serial Bus controllers and Human Interface Devices), right-click > Properties > Power Management tab.
- Uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
- Click OK and restart.
Note: If you use battery-saving modes often, consider adjusting power plans to prevent suspension.
5) Touch services stopped (Touch Keyboard and Handwriting Panel Service)
Why it causes the problem:
Windows relies on services that handle touch input; if stopped, touch can be impacted.
Step-by-step solution:
- Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
- Find Touch Keyboard and Handwriting Panel Service (or TabletInputService on some machines).
- If the service is stopped, right-click and choose Start. Set Startup type to Automatic.
- Restart your machine after starting the service.
6) Multiple displays or wrong mapping
Why it causes the problem:
When multiple displays are connected, touch input may be mapped to a different screen.
Step-by-step solution:
- Open Settings > System > Display.
- Click Identify to see monitor numbering.
- Select the monitor with touch hardware and click Make this my main display.
- Open Control Panel > Tablet PC Settings and click Setup under Configure to identify which monitor is touch-capable and map touch to the correct screen.
Tip: Run the touchscreen setup wizard if you use multiple monitors.
7) Calibration or pen/touch settings wrong
Why it causes the problem:
Incorrect calibration or pen settings can make touch inaccurate or seem unresponsive.
Step-by-step solution:
- Open Control Panel (type Control Panel in Start).
- Go to Tablet PC Settings.
- Click Calibrate > choose Touch input and follow the on-screen calibration points.
- Save the calibration and test.
Note: Re-calibrate after display scaling or resolution changes.
8) Physical/digitizer damage
Why it causes the problem:
Cracks or internal damage to the digitizer prevent touch signals from registering.
Step-by-step solution:
- Inspect the screen for visible cracks or signs of impact.
- Run your device’s built-in hardware diagnostics (OEM diagnostic tools or BIOS diagnostics).
- If diagnostics show a digitizer failure or you see dead zones, contact the manufacturer or a repair shop for replacement.
Tip: Back up your data before sending a device for repair.
9) Loose or disconnected internal cable
Why it causes the problem:
Internal flex cables can come loose with drops or after DIY repairs.
Step-by-step solution:
- If you’re comfortable opening devices, power down, remove battery (if possible), and check digitizer ribbon connections — otherwise skip to step 3.
- Reseat the digitizer cable carefully following a service manual for your model.
- If unsure, take the device to an authorized service center to avoid voiding warranty.
10) Touchscreen disabled in BIOS/UEFI or needing firmware update
Why it causes the problem:
Some systems allow disabling the touch controller in firmware, or a firmware bug can break touch.
Step-by-step solution:
- Restart and enter BIOS/UEFI (commonly F2, Delete, or F10 during boot).
- Look for options under Advanced, Built-in Devices, or Peripherals for touchscreen or internal pointing device and ensure it’s Enabled.
- Check your device manufacturer’s site for BIOS/UEFI and firmware updates and follow their instructions to update.
Caution: Updating firmware/BIOS requires care; read instructions from the OEM.
11) Third-party software conflicts
Why it causes the problem:
Some utilities (screen recorders, gesture managers, virtualization software) can capture or block touch events.
Step-by-step solution:
- Boot into Safe Mode to test: Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Advanced startup > Restart now > Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart > press 4 for Safe Mode.
- If touch works in Safe Mode, uninstall recently installed apps or utilities (Start > Settings > Apps).
- Reboot and test after each uninstall to find the culprit.
12) Screen protector, dirt, or moisture interfering
Why it causes the problem:
Thick protectors, oils, or moisture can prevent capacitive touch from detecting your finger.
Step-by-step solution:
- Clean the screen with a soft microfiber cloth and a little screen-safe cleaner.
- Remove any screen protector and test touch responsiveness.
- If you must use a protector, use a thin, high-quality one designed for touchscreens.
Tip: Avoid using the screen with wet hands, and do not use abrasive cleaners.
13) Touch not responding after sleep/fast startup (driver hang)
Why it causes the problem:
Fast startup or driver hangs after sleep/hibernation can leave the touchscreen driver in a bad state.
Step-by-step solution:
- Disable Fast Startup: Control Panel > Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do > Change settings that are currently unavailable > uncheck Turn on fast startup (recommended) > Save changes.
- Fully shut down and power on (not restart) to clear driver state.
- Update drivers and BIOS to latest versions to reduce recurrence.
- If problem repeats, consider a system restore to a point before the issue began.
Maintenance & When to Seek Professional Repair
- Regularly check Windows Update and manufacturer driver pages for driver and firmware updates.
- Avoid installing unknown system utilities that modify gestures or HID behavior.
- Keep the screen clean, and avoid heavy protective films that can affect capacitive input.
- If the device has visible physical damage, recurring touch failure after reseating drivers, or failing hardware diagnostics, contact the manufacturer or a certified repair technician. If under warranty, always use authorized service to preserve coverage.
FAQ
Can I use the touchscreen while wearing gloves?
Most capacitive touchscreens require skin contact. Use thin touchscreen-compatible gloves or enable any available glove mode if your device supports it (OEM-specific).
Will a factory reset fix touchscreen problems?
A factory reset can resolve software and driver-related issues but will not fix physical hardware or cable faults. Back up data before attempting a reset.
How do I tell if it’s a hardware or software issue?
Boot into Safe Mode — if touch works there, it’s likely software. If touch fails even in Safe Mode and diagnostics report errors, it’s likely hardware.
Can external monitors affect touchscreen mapping?
Yes. When an external monitor is connected the touch input may be mapped to the wrong display; use Settings > System > Display and Tablet PC Settings > Setup to map touch to the correct screen.
Is there a built-in Windows touch troubleshooter?
Windows removed the old “Hardware and Devices” troubleshooter UI in some builds, but you can run msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic or use Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot for hardware-related options. Manual checks (Device Manager, services, calibration) are usually faster and clearer.
Conclusion
Most touchscreen failures in Windows 10 are fixable by checking device status, updating or reinstalling drivers, adjusting power and service settings, or recalibrating touch mapping. If none of the 13 steps above restore input, the problem is likely hardware-related and will require inspection or repair. If Touchscreen doesn’t work in Windows 10, follow the checklist above from software fixes to hardware diagnostics before opting for professional service.
