If your laptop touch screen isn't working correctly, here's a breakdown of common troubleshooting steps you can follow to try and resolve the issue, based on typical procedures.
Laptop Touch Screen Troubleshooting Steps
Troubleshooting a touch screen involves checking both hardware and software aspects. Start with the simplest checks and move to more complex steps.
Here are the recommended steps:
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Confirm Touchscreen Functionality:
- First, verify that your specific laptop model is equipped with a touchscreen feature. Not all laptops have touch capabilities. Check your device's specifications or the manufacturer's website.
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Clean the Screen:
- Dust, grime, or debris on the LCD screen can sometimes interfere with touch recognition. Use a soft, lint-free cloth specifically designed for electronics to gently clean the screen. Avoid using harsh chemicals.
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Manage the Touchscreen Driver:
- Open Device Manager in Windows (you can search for it in the Start menu).
- Look for "Human Interface Devices". Expand this section.
- Locate the listing for your touch screen (it might be named "HID-compliant touch screen" or similar).
- Enable: If it's disabled, right-click on it and select "Enable device".
- Reinstall: If it's already enabled or enabling doesn't work, right-click and select "Uninstall device". Do not check the box to delete the driver software. Restart your laptop. Windows should automatically reinstall the driver upon boot.
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Update System Software and Drivers:
- Ensure your laptop's BIOS, Windows packages, and other drivers are updated to the latest versions.
- You can typically find updates through Windows Update or by visiting your laptop manufacturer's support website and downloading the latest drivers specific to your model.
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Configure the Touch Display:
- Sometimes the system needs to know which display is the touch one, especially with multiple monitors connected.
- Search for "Tablet PC Settings" in the Windows search bar and open it.
- Click on "Setup" under the "Display" section.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to identify your touch screen display.
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Reset Touch Calibration:
- Incorrect calibration can cause inaccurate touch responses or prevent touch from working in certain areas.
- In the "Tablet PC Settings" window (as mentioned in step 5), click on "Calibrate" under the "Display" section.
- Choose "Pen" or "Touch input" and follow the calibration prompts to reset it to default settings or recalibrate it properly.
These steps cover common software and basic physical issues that can affect touchscreen functionality on a laptop, based on widely accepted troubleshooting methods.
For more detailed information, you can often find model-specific guides on your laptop manufacturer's support website, such as the steps outlined by ASUS Support.
