How to Calibrate a Touch-Enabled Display in Windows GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Software & Apps > Windows
How to Calibrate a Touch-Enabled Display in Windows
If your touchscreen isn't working correctly, it might just need calibration
By Jeremy Laukkonen Jeremy Laukkonen Writer Shoreline Community College Jeremy Laukkonen is automotive and tech writer for numerous major trade publications. When not researching and testing computers, game consoles or smartphones, he stays up-to-date on the myriad complex systems that power battery electric vehicles . lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on November 28, 2021 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Windows The Ultimate Laptop Buying Guide What to Know
Access the Windows calibration tool by searching for calibrate in the Start menu. Select Calibrate and choose Touch input. Tap the crosshair in the upper-left corner of the screen, then tap it again each time it moves. Select Save the calibration data. If your touchscreen doesn't work after calibration, you may have to do some troubleshooting. Windows 10, 8, and 7 are designed to work well with touch-enabled displays, but things can go wrong. When you tap the screen, and it behaves as if you tapped a different place, that usually indicates a calibration issue. Touchscreen calibration usually takes care of that type of problem. How to Calibrate Windows Touchscreen Devices
The touchscreen calibration tool works by displaying a pattern on the screen and then overlaying it with a series of crosshairs. By tapping each crosshair in sequence, you show Windows exactly how to configure the touchscreen. When calibrating a touchscreen, it's essential to tap the actual location of each crosshair. If you tap anywhere else, you end up with an improperly configured touchscreen that may be unusable. In that case, connect a keyboard and mouse to reactivate the configuration tool. Press the Windows logo key on the keyboard. This opens the Start menu and allows you to search for the screen calibration tool. If you don't have a keyboard or you don't see the Windows logo button, swipe up from the bottom of the screen in Windows 10 or swipe from the right in Windows 8 to access the menu. Type calibrate. In Windows 8, you might need to type tablet, and in Windows 7, you might need to type touch. In all three cases, select Calibrate the screen for pen or touch input in the search results. When you search for calibrate, the first result is typically calibrate display color. Even if Windows highlights this result, this is not what you need. Make sure to select Calibrate the screen for pen or touch input. Select Calibrate. If you haven't connected a keyboard and mouse or trackpad to your computer, connect them at this time. Having these devices connected makes it easier to undo any accidents or mistakes that occur during the calibration process. Select Touch input. If you have a device like a Surface that came with a stylus, select Pen input. If a User Account Control message appears, select Yes. Tap the crosshair in the upper-left corner of the screen, then tap it again each time it moves. You'll tap the crosshair 16 times to complete this process. Select Save the calibration data if you're satisfied, or select the option to reset if you made a mistake during the calibration process. What to Do If Your Touchscreen Still Doesn' t Work Correctly
Configuration issues don't cause all touchscreen problems. For instance, if the touchscreen doesn't work at all, it might be turned off or disabled, or the correct driver might not be installed. In that case, enable the touchscreen or update the drivers. In other cases, figuring out why a touchscreen doesn't work can be more complicated. If calibrating your touchscreen didn't help, check out our in-depth guide to fixing a broken touchscreen. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Calibrate the Touchscreen on Your Android How to Fix It When the Cursor Disappears in Windows 10 How to Screen Record with Audio in Windows 11 How to Test and Calibrate a Monitor's Settings How to Enable the Touchscreen in Windows 10 How to Connect a Mouse and Keyboard to Steam Deck How to Fix a Chromebook Touchscreen That's Not Working How to Disable the Touchpad on Windows 10 How to Calibrate the Compass for Android How to Open Command Prompt (Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, etc.) How to Use the Photoshop Background Eraser Tool How to Delete Temporary Files in Windows How to Enable or Disable the On-Screen Keyboard in Windows 10 How to Use Problem Steps Recorder in Windows Should You Buy an iPad Keyboard? 3 Reasons Why You Might Want To How to Use the Charms Bar in Windows 8 Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies