What to try if your Surface touchscreen doesn't work (2023)

Table of Contents
If your Surface touchscreen doesn’t work, try these steps first Solution 1: Check for Windows and Surface updates Solution 2:Boot to UEFI and test touch functionality Solution 3:Reinstall the touchscreen driver Solution 4:Reset Surface Is your touchscreen still not responding? If touch still won't work on your Surface, submit a service order Related topics If your Surface touchscreen doesn’t work, try these steps first Solution 1: Check for Windows and Surface updates Solution 2:Boot to UEFI and test touch functionality Solution 3:Reinstall the touchscreen driver Solution 4:Reset Surface Is your touchscreen still not responding? If touch still won't work on your Surface, submit a service order Related topics Videos

Windows 11Windows 10

Tip:Having problems with your Surface? Try fixing it with the Surface Diagnostic Toolkit.

If you are experiencingSurface touchscreen issues such as: touch not responding on part or all of the screen, multi-touch gestures not working or your Surface Pen not inking, touch behaving inaccurately, your Surface experiencing"phantom" touches, touch beingslow to respond, or not knowing how to disable touch on Surface, here are some solutions you can try.

Note:Depending on your issue, you may need to connect a keyboard or a mouse to perform these steps. We recommend using a Surface Type Cover, USB keyboard or mouse, or Bluetooth keyboard or mouse.

If your Surface touchscreen doesn’t work, try these steps first

  • Solution 1: Check for Windows and Surface updates

  • Solution 2:Boot to UEFI and test touch functionality

  • Solution 3:Reinstall the touchscreen driver

  • Solution 4:Reset Surface

Solution 1: Check for Windows and Surface updates

  1. Go to Start > Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates.

    Go to Windows Update

  2. Select Install now to install any updates that have been downloaded, if any are available.

  3. After the updates are installed,at the right under Windows Update, select Restart now. Your Surface may restart several times,depending on the updates that were installed.

To check whether this solution resolved the issue, use touch to open an application like Microsoft Edge or another web browser, and try to scroll, pinch to zoom, swipein from the right, and long-pressto test touch functionality. If your touchscreen does not work after you do this, boot to UEFI and test touch functionality.

(Video) 5 Remarkably Easy Fixes For Surface Pro Touch Screen Not Working

Solution 2:Boot to UEFI and test touch functionality

Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) is a type of software that helps Windows communicate with your Surface’s hardware. Because UEFI operates independently of Windows, testing hardware in UEFI will work if you have a hardware issue.

  • If touch does not work in UEFI, your device likely has experienced a hardware failure and needs servicing.

  • If touch works in UEFI, the issue probably involves Windows or the touch driver.

Follow these steps to boot to UEFI and test touch functionality:

  1. Go to Start > Power> Shut down .

    See Also
    Camera doesn't work in Windows

  2. When Surface is off, press and hold the volume up button and press the power button untila Microsoft or Surface logo appears onscreen.

  3. Once you are in UEFI, touch your Surface screen and see if it responds normally. Try to navigate in UEFI by tapping various menu items. Then, depending on how your Surface responds to touch, follow one of these steps:

    • If touch doesn't work on your Surface, your touchscreen most likely experienced a hardware failure. Go to If touch still won't work on your Surface, submit a service order to submit a service order.

    • If touch works on your Surface, select EXIT, follow any onscreen instructions, and restart Windows. Then go on to Solution 3.

What to try if your Surface touchscreen doesn't work (1)

Note:This video is available in English only.

Solution 3:Reinstall the touchscreen driver

Warning:Do not perform this step on a Surface Pro X;it can put your Surface in an unusable state and put your data at risk. Please proceed to Solution 4.

  1. In thesearch box on the taskbar, enterdevice manager, and then select Device Managerin the list of results.

  2. Expand the Human Interface Devices category.

  3. Right-click Intel(R) Precise Touch Device, select Uninstall device, and then, in the Uninstall Device dialog box, select Uninstall.

  4. Right-clickHID-compliant touch screen, selectUninstall device, and then, in theUninstall Devicedialog box, selectUninstall.If you see two HID-compliant touchscreen drivers, right-click the first, select Uninstall device, select Uninstall, and then repeat the process for the second driver.

    What to try if your Surface touchscreen doesn't work (2)

  5. From the Actionmenu, select Scan for hardware changes.You may also need to restart your Surface. It will automatically download and install the touchscreen driver when connected to the internet.

    (Video) Super quick repair for a faulty touch screen on a Surface Pro 3 or Pro 4

  6. Use touch to open an application like Microsoft Edge or another web browser, and try to scroll, pinch to zoom, swipein from the right, and long-pressto test touch functionality.

Still having an issue? Go on to Solution 4.

Solution 4:Reset Surface

If you’re still having a problem with your touchscreen, try resetting your Surface. To learn how, see Restore or reset Surface for Windows and follow the recommended steps for "Reset this PC."

After the reset and device setup, use touch to open an application like Microsoft Edge or another web browser, and try to scroll pinch to zoom, swipe in from the right, and long-press to test touch functionality.

If the touch screen issue is not resolved, go on to "Is your touchscreen still not responding?"

Is your touchscreen still not responding?

Check in the table below which is the description that best explains the issue you are facing, and find the appropriate next steps to follow. If your issue isn't listed, and you did the troubleshooting above, you might be experiencing a hardware failure. Go to If touch still won’t work on your Surface, submit a service order to submit a service order.

Touch doesn't respond on part or all of the screen

Multi-touch gestures don't work or touch is inaccurate

Your Surface experiences "phantom" touches

  • When you tap in certain spots, or in some cases anywhere, on the screen, nothing happens.

  • Neither multitouch (pinch-to-zoom, for example) nor single-touch gestures work.

  • Pen inking doesn't work.

  • Clicking, other mouse actions, and typing all work.

Recommended next step: If touch still won’t work on your Surface, submit a service order

  • Multi-touch gestures like pinch-to-zoom and swiping don't work.

  • Single-touch gestures such as scrolling and tapping to open apps work.

  • Pen inking doesn't work.

  • Clicking, other mouse actions, and typing all work.

  • When you touch the screen, a different part of the screen responds. For example, if you tap the right side of the screen, something on the left side of the screen responds.

Recommended next step: If touch still won’t work on your Surface, submit a service order

  • Your Surface acts as if someone is touching the screen, but no one is.

  • White dots appear on part or all of the screen.

  • Phantom touches interfere with mouse actions, clicking, or typing.

Recommended next step: If touch still won’t work on your Surface, submit a service order

Touch is slow to respond

How to disable touch on Surface

Surface Pen doesn't ink

  • When you tap to open an app or file, the app or file takes a long time to open.

  • Touch input takes a long time to respond.

Recommended next step: What to do if Surface is running slower

Note:Touch performance depends on your device’s ability to process actions and tasks, not on its touchscreen.

  • You may want to disable all touch functionality on your Surface.

  • Note that disabling touch also disables touch accessories such as Surface Pen, Surface Dial, and Windows Touch Keyboard.

Recommended next step: Enable and disable your touchscreen in Windows

  • When you try to use Surface Pen to draw or ink on Surface, the pen doesn't ink, and it's not recognized by the Surface.

  • Additionally, your Surface touchscreen might not work.

Recommended next step: Troubleshoot your Surface Pen

Surface Touch driver or firmware is missing from Device Manager

  • When you open Device Manager, you don't see Surface Touch firmware listed.

  • The HID-Compliant Touchscreen driver is missing from Device Manager.

  • You have a yellow bang or error next to Surface Touch firmware or drivers that are listed in Device Manager.

Recommended next step:Manually install drivers; seeDownload drivers and firmware for Surface

Warning:During troubleshooting, it may be determined that your Surface must be reset or replaced. For more information about how to back up your data, see Back up and restore in Windows.

If touch still won't work on your Surface, submit a service order

There's one last step you can take.

If these steps don't resolve the problem, you can submit a service order to Microsoft to access available repair or replacement options. Go to Device Service and Repair, register, and then select your Surface to start a service order.

DEVICE SERVICE AND REPAIR >

Related topics

  • Cracked screen and physical damage

  • Use touch with Windows

Tip:Having problems with your Surface? Try fixing it with the Surface Diagnostic Toolkit.

If you are experiencingSurface touchscreen issues such as: touch not responding on part or all of the screen, multi-touch gestures not working or your Surface Pen not inking, touch behaving inaccurately, your Surface experiencing"phantom" touches, touch beingslow to respond, or not knowing how to disable touch on Surface, here are some solutions you can try.

Note:Depending on your issue, you may need to connect a keyboard or a mouse to perform these steps. We recommend using a Surface Type Cover, USB keyboard or mouse, or Bluetooth keyboard or mouse.

If your Surface touchscreen doesn’t work, try these steps first

  • Solution 1: Check for Windows and Surface updates

  • Solution 2:Boot to UEFI and test touch functionality

  • Solution 3:Reinstall the touchscreen driver

    (Video) Surface touchscreen not working | Microsoft

  • Solution 4:Reset Surface

Solution 1: Check for Windows and Surface updates

  1. Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security >Windows Update > Check for updates.

    Go to Windows Update

  2. Select Install now to install any updates that have been downloaded, if any are available.

  3. After the updates are installed,at the right under Windows Update, select Restart now. Your Surface may restart several times,depending on the updates that were installed.

To check whether this solution resolved the issue, use touch to open an application like Microsoft Edge or another web browser, and try to scroll, pinch to zoom, swipein from the right, and long-pressto test touch functionality. If your touchscreen does not work after you do this, boot to UEFI and test touch functionality.

Solution 2:Boot to UEFI and test touch functionality

Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) is a type of software that helps Windows communicate with your Surface’s hardware. Because UEFI operates independently of Windows, testing hardware in UEFI will work if you have a hardware issue.

  • If touch does not work in UEFI, your device likely has experienced a hardware failure and needs servicing.

  • If touch works in UEFI, the issue probably involves Windows or the touch driver.

Follow these steps to boot to UEFI and test touch functionality:

  1. Go to Start > Power> Shut down .

  2. When Surface is off, press and hold the volume up button and press the power button untila Microsoft or Surface logo appears onscreen.

  3. Once you are in UEFI, touch your Surface screen and see if it responds normally. Try to navigate in UEFI by tapping various menu items. Then, depending on how your Surface responds to touch, follow one of these steps:

    • If touch doesn't work on your Surface, your touchscreen most likely experienced a hardware failure. Go to If touch still won't work on your Surface, submit a service order to submit a service order.

    • If touch works on your Surface, select EXIT, follow any onscreen instructions, and restart Windows. Then go on to Solution 3.

What to try if your Surface touchscreen doesn't work (3)

Note:This video is available in English only.

Solution 3:Reinstall the touchscreen driver

Warning:Do not perform this step on a Surface Pro X;it can put your Surface in an unusable state and put your data at risk. Please proceed to Solution 4.

(Video) How To Fix Touchpad (touch screen) Not Responding on Windows 10, 8, 7 (fix touch screen problem)

  1. In thesearch box on the taskbar, enterdevice manager, and then select Device Managerin the list of results.

  2. Expand the Human Interface Devices category.

  3. Right-click Intel(R) Precise Touch Device, select Uninstall device, and then, in the Uninstall Device dialog box, select Uninstall.

  4. Right-clickHID-compliant touch screen, selectUninstall device, and then, in theUninstall Devicedialog box, selectUninstall.If you see two HID-compliant touchscreen drivers, right-click the first, select Uninstall device, select Uninstall, and then repeat the process for the second driver.

    What to try if your Surface touchscreen doesn't work (4)

  5. From the Actionmenu, select Scan for hardware changes.You may also need to restart your Surface. It will automatically download and install the touchscreen driver when connected to the internet.

  6. Use touch to open an application like Microsoft Edge or another web browser, and try to scroll, pinch to zoom, swipein from the right, and long-pressto test touch functionality.

Still having an issue? Go on to Solution 4.

Solution 4:Reset Surface

If you’re still having a problem with your touchscreen, try resetting your Surface. To learn how, see Restore or reset Surface for Windows and follow the recommended steps for "Reset this PC."

After the reset and device setup, use touch to open an application like Microsoft Edge or another web browser, and try to scroll pinch to zoom, swipe in from the right, and long-press to test touch functionality.

If the touch screen issue is not resolved, go on to "Is your touchscreen still not responding?"

Is your touchscreen still not responding?

Check in the table below which is the description that best explains the issue you are facing, and find the appropriate next steps to follow. If your issue isn't listed, and you did the troubleshooting above, you might be experiencing a hardware failure. Go to If touch still won’t work on your Surface, submit a service order to submit a service order.

Touch doesn't respond on part or all of the screen

Multi-touch gestures don't work or touch is inaccurate

Your Surface experiences "phantom" touches

  • When you tap in certain spots, or in some cases anywhere, on the screen, nothing happens.

  • Neither multitouch (pinch-to-zoom, for example) nor single-touch gestures work.

  • Pen inking doesn't work.

  • Clicking, other mouse actions, and typing all work.

Recommended next step: If touch still won’t work on your Surface, submit a service order

  • Multi-touch gestures like pinch-to-zoom and swiping don't work.

  • Single-touch gestures such as scrolling and tapping to open apps work.

  • Pen inking doesn't work.

  • Clicking, other mouse actions, and typing all work.

  • When you touch the screen, a different part of the screen responds. For example, if you tap the right side of the screen, something on the left side of the screen responds.

Recommended next step: If touch still won’t work on your Surface, submit a service order

  • Your Surface acts as if someone is touching the screen, but no one is.

  • White dots appear on part or all of the screen.

  • Phantom touches interfere with mouse actions, clicking, or typing.

Recommended next step: If touch still won’t work on your Surface, submit a service order

Touch is slow to respond

How to disable touch on Surface

Surface Pen doesn't ink

  • When you tap to open an app or file, the app or file takes a long time to open.

  • Touch input takes a long time to respond.

Recommended next step: What to do if Surface is running slower

Note:Touch performance depends on your device’s ability to process actions and tasks, not on its touchscreen.

  • You may want to disable all touch functionality on your Surface.

  • Note that disabling touch also disables touch accessories such as Surface Pen, Surface Dial, and Windows Touch Keyboard.

Recommended next step: Enable and disable your touchscreen in Windows

  • When you try to use Surface Pen to draw or ink on Surface, the pen doesn't ink, and it's not recognized by the Surface.

  • Additionally, your Surface touchscreen might not work.

Recommended next step: Troubleshoot your Surface Pen

Surface Touch driver or firmware is missing from Device Manager

  • When you open Device Manager, you don't see Surface Touch firmware listed.

  • The HID-Compliant Touchscreen driver is missing from Device Manager.

  • You have a yellow bang or error next to Surface Touch firmware or drivers that are listed in Device Manager.

Recommended next step: Manually install drivers; seeDownload drivers and firmware for Surface

Warning:During troubleshooting, it may be determined that your Surface must be reset or replaced. For more information about how to back up your data, see Back up and restore in Windows.

If touch still won't work on your Surface, submit a service order

There's one last step you can take.

If these steps don't resolve the problem, you can submit a service order to Microsoft to access available repair or replacement options. Go to Device Service and Repair, register, and then select your Surface to start a service order.

DEVICE SERVICE AND REPAIR >

Related topics

  • Cracked screen and physical damage

  • Use touch with Windows

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5. Microsoft Surface Pro X: Stuck, Frozen or Unresponsive Screen? Fixed!
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