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How to Fix Touch Screen Not Responding Error on Windows 11: Step-by-Step Solutions

Touch screens have become an essential part of many Windows 11 devices, making navigation easy and intuitive. However, sometimes the touch screen may stop responding, causing frustration. If your touch screen is not working, don’t worry. There are simple ways to fix this issue.

This guide will walk you through easy and clear steps to troubleshoot and solve the touch screen not responding error on Windows 11. Each step is designed to be beginner-friendly and explained in detail.

By following these solutions in order, you can quickly identify and fix the problem without needing advanced technical skills. Let’s get started and bring your touch screen back to life.

Before diving into complex fixes, it’s important to check a few basic things first.

Quick Note: Basic Checks Before Troubleshooting

  • Restart your device. Sometimes a simple reboot can fix temporary glitches affecting the touch screen.
  • Clean the screen. Dirt or moisture can interfere with touch sensitivity. Use a soft, dry cloth to gently wipe the screen.
  • Remove any screen protector or case. Some protectors may reduce touch sensitivity.
  • Check for physical damage. Cracks or damage to the screen could cause malfunction.
  • Ensure your device supports touch input. Not all Windows 11 devices have touch screens.

Step 1: Enable Touch Screen in Device Manager

Sometimes the touch screen gets disabled by accident or due to driver issues. Enabling it again can restore functionality.

  1. Press Windows + X keys on your keyboard and select Device Manager from the menu.
  2. In Device Manager, expand the section labeled Human Interface Devices.
  3. Look for an entry named HID-compliant touch screen. This is the driver for your touch screen.
  4. If you see a small down arrow on the icon, it means the device is disabled. Right-click on it and choose Enable device.
  5. If it is already enabled, right-click and select Disable device first, then right-click again and choose Enable device. This resets the touch screen driver.
  6. Restart your computer and test the touch screen.

Enabling the device ensures Windows recognizes your touch screen input hardware properly.

Step 2: Update or Reinstall Touch Screen Driver

Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause the touch screen to stop working. Updating or reinstalling the driver can fix these issues.

  1. Open Device Manager again by pressing Windows + X and selecting it.
  2. Expand the Human Interface Devices section.
  3. Right-click on HID-compliant touch screen and select Update driver.
  4. Choose Search automatically for drivers. Windows will look for the latest driver online and install it if available.
  5. If no updates are found or the problem persists, right-click the same device and select Uninstall device.
  6. Confirm the uninstallation. Once done, restart your computer. Windows will automatically reinstall the driver during startup.
  7. Check if your touch screen works now.

Keeping drivers up to date ensures compatibility and fixes bugs that might affect touch input.

Step 3: Calibrate the Touch Screen

Calibration helps Windows understand the exact location of your touch on the screen. Sometimes, improper calibration can make the screen unresponsive.

  1. Press Windows + S and type Calibrate. Select Calibrate the screen for pen or touch input from the results.
  2. In the Tablet PC Settings window, click on Calibrate… under the Display tab.
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions by tapping the crosshair targets accurately.
  4. Once done, save your calibration data and exit.
  5. Test the touch screen to see if it responds correctly.

Calibration ensures your device correctly interprets your touch commands.

Step 4: Run Windows Troubleshooter for Hardware and Devices

Windows has built-in troubleshooters that can automatically detect and fix common hardware problems, including touch screen issues.

  1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
  2. Go to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
  3. Find Hardware and Devices in the list and click Run.
  4. Follow the instructions provided by the troubleshooter and apply any suggested fixes.
  5. Restart your PC and check the touch screen again.

This step is helpful because it uses Windows’ diagnostic tools to identify hidden problems.

Step 5: Check for Windows Updates

Sometimes, bugs affecting hardware support are fixed in Windows updates. Installing the latest updates can resolve touch screen problems.

  1. Open Settings by pressing Windows + I.
  2. Click on Windows Update from the left menu.
  3. Click Check for updates and wait while Windows searches for available updates.
  4. If updates are found, install them and restart your device.
  5. Test if the touch screen is now responsive.

Keeping your system updated ensures you have the latest fixes and improvements from Microsoft.

Advanced Option: Disable and Re-enable Touch Screen via Command Prompt

If the Device Manager method does not work, you can use the Command Prompt to disable and enable the touch screen device.

  1. Press Windows + X and select Windows Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin).
  2. Type the following command to list all HID devices:
    3. pnputil /enum-devices /class HIDClass
  3. Look for the device name corresponding to your touch screen (usually contains “touch screen” or similar).
  4. Note the Instance ID of the device.
  5. To disable the device, type:
    6. pnputil /disable-device "InstanceID"

    Replace "InstanceID" with the actual ID you noted.

  6. To enable the device again, type:
    7. pnputil /enable-device "InstanceID"
  7. Restart your computer and test the touch screen.

This method is for advanced users comfortable with command-line tools and provides an alternate way to reset the touch screen.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why is my touch screen not responding after a Windows update?

Windows updates can sometimes change drivers or settings, causing temporary issues. Updating your drivers or rolling back the update may help.

Can a virus cause my touch screen to stop working?

While unlikely, malware can affect system files and drivers. Running a full antivirus scan is a good precaution.

Is it safe to uninstall the touch screen driver?

Yes. Windows will reinstall the driver automatically upon reboot. This process can fix corrupted driver files.

My touch screen works in BIOS but not in Windows. What does that mean?

This indicates a software or driver issue in Windows. Follow the driver update and troubleshooting steps to fix it.

Can I use external tools to fix touch screen problems?

Some third-party tools claim to fix hardware issues, but it’s best to rely on Windows built-in tools and official drivers to avoid risks.

When Nothing Works: Final Options

If none of the above steps restore your touch screen, consider these options:

  • Perform a System Restore: Roll back your system to a point when the touch screen was working properly.
  • Reset Windows: Use the Reset this PC feature in Windows Settings to reinstall Windows without affecting your files.
  • Contact Manufacturer Support: Hardware issues might require professional repair or replacement. Visit your device manufacturer’s official support page for assistance.
  • Check Windows Forums: Microsoft’s official forums and communities often have solutions shared by other users.

Conclusion

Touch screen issues on Windows 11 can often be fixed with simple troubleshooting steps like enabling the device, updating drivers, or calibrating the screen. Starting with basic checks and moving towards more advanced options helps you systematically identify the cause.

Always keep your system and drivers updated, and use Windows’ built-in tools for diagnostics. If the problem persists beyond software fixes, hardware repair might be necessary.

By following this guide, you can confidently address touch screen problems and restore smooth touch functionality to your Windows 11 device.

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