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How to Fix HID Compliant Touch Screen Driver Greyed Out Issue in Windows 11

If you are using a touchscreen device with Windows 11 and notice that the HID Compliant Touch Screen driver option is greyed out, it can be frustrating. This issue prevents you from enabling or disabling the touchscreen feature directly from the Device Manager.

Thankfully, there are several straightforward solutions to fix this problem. This article will guide you step-by-step through easy methods to restore full control over your touchscreen driver.

Each step is explained clearly so that even users with basic technical knowledge can follow along. Let’s get started.

By the end, you should be able to resolve the greyed-out driver issue and get your touchscreen functioning properly again.

Quick Note

Before you begin troubleshooting, here are a few quick checks to keep in mind:

  • Make sure your Windows 11 is up to date. Updates often fix driver and hardware issues.
  • Confirm that your touchscreen hardware is properly connected and not physically damaged.
  • Restart your computer once before trying more advanced solutions; sometimes a reboot fixes temporary glitches.
  • If you are using a third-party driver or software for your touchscreen, note that it might interfere with Windows’ default driver settings.

Step 1: Run Windows Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter

Windows has built-in troubleshooters that can automatically detect and fix hardware problems. Running the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter is a simple first step.

  1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
  2. Type msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic and press Enter.
  3. This will open the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter window.
  4. Click Next and follow the on-screen instructions.
  5. After it finishes, restart your computer and check if the driver is still greyed out.

Why this helps: The troubleshooter scans for common hardware problems and can apply fixes automatically without requiring manual intervention.

Step 2: Uninstall and Reinstall the HID Compliant Touch Screen Driver

Sometimes the driver files can get corrupted or conflict with other drivers. Reinstalling the driver can refresh the system’s configuration.

  1. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
  2. Expand the Human Interface Devices section.
  3. Right-click on HID-compliant touch screen and choose Uninstall device.
  4. In the confirmation window, if there is an option to Delete the driver software for this device, make sure to check it, then click Uninstall.
  5. Once uninstalled, click the Action menu at the top and select Scan for hardware changes.
  6. Windows will automatically detect the touchscreen and reinstall the driver.
  7. Restart your computer and verify if the driver is now accessible.

Why this helps: Reinstalling removes faulty driver files and replaces them with fresh copies, eliminating corruption or conflicts.

Step 3: Check for Windows Updates and Optional Driver Updates

Windows updates often include important driver updates that can fix compatibility issues.

  1. Open Settings by pressing Win + I.
  2. Go to Windows Update from the left menu.
  3. Click Check for updates. Install any available updates and restart your PC.
  4. For optional updates, click Advanced options > Optional updates.
  5. Look under Driver updates and install any touchscreen-related updates.

Why this helps: Updated drivers provided by Microsoft can resolve bugs or add support for hardware that was previously problematic.

Step 4: Enable Touchscreen Using Registry Editor

If the device manager option is greyed out, sometimes the touchscreen is disabled at the registry level. You can manually enable it using Registry Editor.

Important: Editing the registry incorrectly can harm your system. Follow these steps carefully.

  1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
  2. Navigate to the following key:
    HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWispTouch
  3. Look for a value named TouchGate.
  4. If it exists, double-click it and set its value data to 1. If it does not exist, right-click in the right pane, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, name it TouchGate, and set it to 1.
  5. Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer.
  6. After reboot, check Device Manager to see if the touchscreen driver is no longer greyed out.

Why this helps: The TouchGate registry value controls whether the touchscreen is enabled at a system level. Setting it to 1 enables the feature.

Step 5: Update Touchscreen Driver Manually from Manufacturer’s Website

If Windows does not provide the correct driver, you can download the latest touchscreen driver directly from your device manufacturer’s support page.

  1. Identify your device model and visit the official manufacturer’s support website (e.g., Dell, HP, Lenovo).
  2. Search for your exact model and locate the touchscreen or input device drivers.
  3. Download the latest compatible driver for Windows 11.
  4. Run the installer and follow the instructions to update the driver.
  5. Restart your computer and verify if the touchscreen driver is now accessible and working.

Why this helps: Manufacturer drivers are optimized for your specific hardware and may offer better support than generic Windows drivers.

Alternative Method: Use PowerShell to Re-enable the Touchscreen

If you prefer using command-line tools, you can try re-enabling the touchscreen device using PowerShell.

  1. Right-click the Start button and select Windows Terminal (Admin) or PowerShell (Admin).
  2. Enter the following command to list input devices:
    Get-PnpDevice -FriendlyName "*touchscreen*"
  3. Note the InstanceId of the touchscreen device.
  4. Run this command to enable the device (replace DeviceInstanceID with your actual ID):
    Enable-PnpDevice -InstanceId "DeviceInstanceID" -Confirm:$false
  5. Restart your PC and check if the touchscreen driver is enabled.

FAQs

Why is the HID Compliant Touch Screen driver greyed out?

The driver option can be greyed out due to driver corruption, hardware conflicts, disabled registry settings, or outdated drivers.

Can I disable the touchscreen if the driver is greyed out?

If the option is greyed out, Device Manager won’t allow you to disable it directly. You may need to fix the driver or use other methods like registry edits or PowerShell commands.

Will updating Windows fix this issue?

Often, yes. Windows updates include driver updates and fixes that may resolve hardware driver problems.

Is it safe to uninstall the HID Compliant Touch Screen driver?

Yes, uninstalling and reinstalling the driver is a common troubleshooting step and should not harm your system.

What if my touchscreen still doesn’t work after these steps?

It could be a hardware failure or deeper system issue, requiring professional diagnosis.

When Nothing Works

If none of the above methods fix the greyed-out touchscreen driver, consider these final options:

  • Contact your device manufacturer’s support for hardware diagnostics and warranty service.
  • Use the official Microsoft support page for Windows 11 troubleshooting: Microsoft Support.
  • Consider a system restore to a date when the touchscreen was working properly.
  • Reinstall Windows 11 as a last resort if the problem is caused by system corruption.

Conclusion

The greyed-out HID Compliant Touch Screen driver issue in Windows 11 can be resolved by following a step-by-step approach, starting with simple troubleshooting and progressing to more advanced solutions.

Running the troubleshooter, reinstalling the driver, updating Windows, editing the registry, and manually updating the driver are effective ways to restore touchscreen functionality.

Always ensure to back up important data before making significant system changes. With patience and careful execution of these steps, you can regain full control over your touchscreen driver and enjoy a smooth touch experience on your Windows 11 device.

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