To calibrate a touch screen in Windows 10, type calibrate in the Start menu, open Calibrate the screen for pen or touch input, click Calibrate on the Display tab, and tap each crosshair as it appears. When you’re finished, choose to save the calibration data. This fixes touches that land slightly off from where your finger is.
Windows 10 reached end of support on October 14, 2025. Consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU) now run until October 12, 2027. The same tool is available in Windows 11.
Quick Answer
Start > type calibrate > Calibrate the screen for pen or touch input > Calibrate > tap the crosshairs > Yes to save.
How to Calibrate the Touch Screen
- Click Start and type calibrate.
- Open Calibrate the screen for pen or touch input. This opens Tablet PC Settings.
- On the Display tab, pick the touch screen in the Display list if you have more than one monitor.
- Click Calibrate. If asked, choose Touch input (or Pen input for a stylus).
- Tap the center of each crosshair with your finger as it appears. Hold your usual position and tap precisely.
- When prompted, click Yes to save the calibration data.
Fix Touches That Register on the Wrong Monitor
If tapping one screen moves the pointer on another, Windows has matched the touch sensor to the wrong display.
- In Tablet PC Settings, click Setup.
- Choose Touch input.
- Tap the screen when the instructions appear on it. Press Enter to skip screens that aren’t touch screens.
Reset Calibration to Default
If calibration made things worse, open Tablet PC Settings and click Reset on the Display tab. Approve the admin prompt, and Windows returns to the factory calibration.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Try this |
|---|---|
| Calibrate option isn’t found | Windows doesn’t detect a touch screen; check Device Manager for HID-compliant touch screen |
| Calibrate button grayed out | Select the touch display in the Display list, or sign in as an administrator |
| Touch doesn’t respond at all | Enable the touch screen in Device Manager (see below) |
| Accuracy is off only near edges | Recalibrate carefully, and remove a thick or bubbled screen protector |
| Ghost touches | Clean the screen, unplug the charger to test, and update the touch driver |
Check the Touch Screen Driver
- Right-click Start and open Device Manager.
- Expand Human Interface Devices and find HID-compliant touch screen.
- If it has a down arrow, right-click it and choose Enable device. Otherwise, try Disable device, then Enable again.
- Install the latest touch or chipset drivers from your PC maker’s support site if problems continue.
HP owners can follow our guides to turn on the touch screen or turn it off.
Related: How to disable Windows Ink in Windows 11.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does calibration fix a touch screen that doesn’t work at all?
No. Calibration adjusts accuracy. If nothing responds, check the driver and that the device is enabled.
Is this the same as color calibration?
No. Color calibration (search for Calibrate display color) adjusts how colors look. Touch calibration adjusts where taps land.
Do I need to calibrate a new touch screen?
Usually not. Built-in touch screens come calibrated. Recalibrate only if taps are consistently off.
Summary
- Search Start for calibrate.
- Open Tablet PC Settings and click Calibrate.
- Tap each crosshair accurately.
- Save the data, or click Reset to undo.
Matthew Burleigh is the head writer at solveyourtech.com, where he covers topics like the iPhone, Microsoft Office, and Google apps. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has over 15 years of IT experience.
He has been writing online since 2008 and has published thousands of articles that have been read millions of times.