If your Windows 10 touch screen has stopped responding, it has usually been switched off in Device Manager or needs its driver reinstalled. Windows controls the panel through a device called HID-compliant touch screen, and turning it back on takes about a minute. This guide covers the steps for any Windows 10 laptop or all-in-one, including HP models, and what to try when touch is enabled but still doesn’t work.
Note: Windows 10 reached end of support on October 14, 2025. Consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU) now run until October 12, 2027. These steps still work on Windows 10, but upgrading to Windows 11 is the long-term way to keep getting security fixes.
Quick Answer
Right-click Start and choose Device Manager. Expand Human Interface Devices, right-click HID-compliant touch screen and choose Enable device. Touch should work immediately.
Step 1: Confirm Your PC Has a Touch Screen
Open Settings, System, About and look at Pen and touch. “Full Windows Touch Support with 10 Touch Points” (or similar) means Windows can see a touch panel. “No Pen or Touch Input is available for this display” means it can’t: either the model has no touch screen, or the hardware isn’t being detected. Check your exact model on the manufacturer’s support site, using the product name or serial number from the label underneath.
Step 2: Enable the Touch Screen in Device Manager
- Right-click Start and choose Device Manager.
- Expand Human Interface Devices.
- Find HID-compliant touch screen. A small down-arrow on the icon means it’s disabled.
- Right-click it and choose Enable device.
- Tap the screen to test. Some PCs list two touch screen entries; enable both.
Step 3: If It’s Enabled but Doesn’t Respond
- In Device Manager, right-click HID-compliant touch screen and choose Uninstall device, then restart. Windows reinstalls it automatically.
- If the entry is missing, click Action, Scan for hardware changes.
- Run Windows Update, including optional driver updates, and restart.
- Install the latest touch, chipset and firmware (BIOS) updates from your PC maker’s support page.
HP Laptops and All-in-Ones
HP touch screens use the same Device Manager entry, so the steps above apply. HP also offers extra tools:
- HP Support Assistant can install the correct touch and chipset drivers for your exact model.
- HP PC Hardware Diagnostics includes a touch screen test that tells you whether the panel itself is faulty.
- HP’s support site lists the touch screen driver, if your model needs one, under Software and Drivers for your product.
If diagnostics report a hardware fault, contact HP support, especially if the computer is under warranty.
Fix Touches in the Wrong Place
If taps register slightly off from where you touch, recalibrate the screen: search Start for Calibrate the screen for pen or touch input, click Calibrate and follow the prompts. See how to calibrate a touch screen in Windows 10 for detail.
Touch Settings Worth Checking
- Tablet mode: in Action Center (Windows + A), turn Tablet mode on for larger touch targets and full-screen apps.
- Touch keyboard: right-click the taskbar and choose Show touch keyboard button so you can type without a physical keyboard.
- Clean the screen: smudges, a damp screen or a thick screen protector can cause missed or phantom touches. Wipe it with a dry microfibre cloth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I turn the touch screen off?
Yes. Use the same Device Manager entry and choose Disable device.
Why did it turn off by itself?
A Windows or driver update, a BIOS reset, or someone disabling it to prevent accidental taps are the usual causes.
Does tablet mode matter?
No. Touch works in both desktop and tablet mode; tablet mode just makes the interface easier to use with fingers.
Is this the same on Windows 11?
Yes, the Device Manager steps are identical. See turning on the touch screen on an HP laptop in Windows 11.
Summary
- Check Pen and touch in Settings, System, About.
- Enable HID-compliant touch screen in Device Manager.
- Reinstall the device and update drivers if it still fails.
- Use your PC maker’s tools and diagnostics for hardware checks.
- Calibrate if touches land in the wrong place.
Kermit Matthews runs Live2Tech from just outside Philadelphia. He started on a university help desk, spent years as the IT person for small businesses, and has been writing tech guides full time since 2020. Each guide is checked on a device he owns, and re-checked when a menu moves. More about Kermit.