Symptoms
- Touch input does nothing while the display still shows images normally
- Touch works in some areas of the screen but not others
- Touch worked before and stopped after an update
- Screen registers touches inaccurately, off from where you actually tapped
Likely causes
- CommonTouchscreen driver crashed or became outdatedTouch functionality relies on a separate driver from the standard display driver.
- CommonTouchscreen calibration has driftedCalibration can shift slightly over time or after a driver update, causing inaccurate touch points.
- PossibleScreen protector interfering with touch sensitivityThick, low-quality, or improperly applied screen protectors can block touch input.
- PossiblePhysical damage to the touch digitizer layerMore likely after a drop or impact, especially if only part of the screen is affected.
What to do
- Restart the laptop to rule out a temporary driver glitch.
- Update the touchscreen driver from Device Manager or the manufacturer's support site.
- Run the built-in touchscreen calibration tool if your laptop or OS offers one.
- Remove any screen protector temporarily to see if touch sensitivity improves.
- Clean the screen surface with a microfiber cloth, since oils or moisture can sometimes affect sensitivity.
- Note if only certain areas of the screen fail to register touch, which can help pinpoint physical digitizer damage.
Tools and parts
- Microfiber cloth
Replacement touchscreen digitizer/assemblySearch: “[laptop model] touchscreen digitizer replacement”
When to call a pro
If touch remains unresponsive or inaccurate after driver updates and calibration, especially in specific areas, a technician can check for digitizer damage.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.