Hey guys! Is your touch screen not working on Windows 10? Don't worry, we've all been there. Sometimes, Windows can be a bit finicky, and the touch screen might just decide to take a break. But fear not! This guide will walk you through the steps to get your touch screen back up and running in no time. We'll cover everything from basic troubleshooting to more advanced solutions. So, let's dive in and get that touch screen working again!

    Why is My Touch Screen Not Working?

    Before we jump into the solutions, let's quickly look at some common reasons why your touch screen might not be working on Windows 10. Understanding the cause can help you narrow down the fix.

    • Driver Issues: Often, the problem lies with outdated, corrupted, or incompatible touch screen drivers. Drivers are the software that allows your hardware (in this case, the touch screen) to communicate with the operating system.
    • Disabled Touch Screen: It might sound obvious, but sometimes the touch screen is simply disabled in the settings. A quick check can save you a lot of trouble.
    • Hardware Problems: In rare cases, there might be a physical issue with the touch screen itself. This could be due to damage or a manufacturing defect.
    • Windows Updates: Occasionally, a Windows update can mess with your drivers or settings, causing the touch screen to stop working.
    • BIOS Settings: In some devices, touch screen functionality can be controlled through the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System). If it's disabled there, it won't work in Windows.

    Basic Troubleshooting Steps

    Okay, let's start with some basic troubleshooting steps. These are quick and easy to try, and they often resolve the issue.

    1. Restart Your Computer

    Yes, I know, it sounds cliché, but restarting your computer is often the first and most effective solution. It can resolve temporary glitches and refresh the system. So, go ahead and give it a try. Click on the Windows icon, select the power button, and then click "Restart."

    2. Check if Touch Screen is Enabled

    Sometimes, the touch screen might be accidentally disabled. Here's how to check:

    1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
    2. Type devmgmt.msc and press Enter to open Device Manager.
    3. In Device Manager, expand the "Human Interface Devices" category.
    4. Look for "HID-compliant touch screen." If you don't see it, make sure to check "View" -> "Show hidden devices".
    5. If you see it, right-click on it and select "Enable" if it's disabled. If it's already enabled, try disabling and then re-enabling it.

    3. Run the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter

    Windows has a built-in troubleshooter that can automatically detect and fix hardware problems. Here's how to run it:

    1. Press Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
    2. Click on "Update & Security."
    3. Select "Troubleshoot" from the left-hand menu.
    4. Click on "Hardware and Devices" and then click "Run the troubleshooter."
    5. Follow the on-screen instructions.

    The troubleshooter will scan your system for hardware issues and attempt to fix them automatically. This can often resolve common touch screen problems.

    Advanced Solutions

    If the basic troubleshooting steps didn't work, don't worry. Let's move on to some more advanced solutions.

    1. Update or Reinstall Touch Screen Drivers

    As mentioned earlier, driver issues are a common cause of touch screen problems. Here's how to update or reinstall your touch screen drivers:

    Updating Drivers

    1. Open Device Manager (as described in the previous section).
    2. Expand the "Human Interface Devices" category.
    3. Right-click on "HID-compliant touch screen" and select "Update driver."
    4. Choose "Search automatically for drivers." Windows will search for the latest drivers online and install them.
    5. If Windows can't find a driver, you can try searching for it manually on the manufacturer's website.

    Reinstalling Drivers

    If updating the drivers doesn't work, try reinstalling them:

    1. Open Device Manager.
    2. Expand the "Human Interface Devices" category.
    3. Right-click on "HID-compliant touch screen" and select "Uninstall device."
    4. Confirm the uninstallation.
    5. Restart your computer. Windows will automatically reinstall the touch screen drivers when it restarts.

    2. Calibrate Your Touch Screen

    Sometimes, the touch screen might be miscalibrated, causing it to be inaccurate or unresponsive. Here's how to calibrate it:

    1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
    2. Type control and press Enter to open Control Panel.
    3. In Control Panel, search for "Calibrate the screen for pen or touch input."
    4. Click on "Calibrate" under the "Display" tab.
    5. Follow the on-screen instructions to calibrate your touch screen.

    3. Check Power Management Settings

    Sometimes, power management settings can cause the touch screen to stop working. Here's how to check them:

    1. Open Device Manager.
    2. Expand the "Human Interface Devices" category.
    3. Right-click on "HID-compliant touch screen" and select "Properties."
    4. Go to the "Power Management" tab.
    5. Uncheck the box that says "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power."
    6. Click "OK."

    This will prevent Windows from turning off the touch screen to save power, which can sometimes cause it to stop working.

    4. Check BIOS Settings

    In some devices, the touch screen can be disabled in the BIOS settings. Here's how to check:

    1. Restart your computer.
    2. As your computer starts up, press the key that takes you to the BIOS setup (usually Delete, F2, F12, or Esc). The key to press is shown on the screen during startup. Consult your motherboard or computer manual for the correct key.
    3. In the BIOS setup, look for a setting related to the touch screen or HID devices. It might be under "Advanced" or "Peripheral Settings."
    4. Make sure the touch screen is enabled. If it's disabled, enable it.
    5. Save the changes and exit the BIOS setup. Your computer will restart.

    5. Roll Back Windows Updates

    If the touch screen stopped working after a Windows update, try rolling back the update:

    1. Press Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
    2. Click on "Update & Security."
    3. Select "Recovery" from the left-hand menu.
    4. Under "Go back to the previous version of Windows 10," click "Get started."
    5. Follow the on-screen instructions.

    This will uninstall the latest Windows update and revert your system to the previous version, which might fix the touch screen issue.

    6. Perform a System Restore

    If all else fails, you can try performing a system restore. This will restore your system to a previous point in time when the touch screen was working.

    1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
    2. Type rstrui and press Enter to open System Restore.
    3. Follow the on-screen instructions to choose a restore point and restore your system.

    Preventing Future Issues

    To prevent future touch screen issues, here are a few tips:

    • Keep Your Drivers Updated: Regularly check for and install the latest drivers for your touch screen and other hardware components.
    • Install Windows Updates: Keep your Windows operating system up to date with the latest updates.
    • Be Careful with Third-Party Software: Some third-party software can interfere with your hardware drivers. Be cautious when installing new software.
    • Protect Your Screen: Use a screen protector to prevent damage to the touch screen.

    Conclusion

    So, there you have it! A comprehensive guide to fixing touch screen problems on Windows 10. By following these steps, you should be able to get your touch screen back up and running in no time. Remember to start with the basic troubleshooting steps and then move on to the more advanced solutions if necessary. And don't forget to take preventive measures to avoid future issues. Good luck, and enjoy your touch screen!