How to Calibrate the Touchscreen on a Dell Computer

The following article helps you to identify and resolve Touchscreen related issues on a computer running Windows operating system. Learn to re-calibrate touch panel on your laptop or desktop. This article has instructions on how to adjust sensitivity, toggle touch feature, and use Tablet mode.

This article applies to Dell systems equipped with a touchscreen. Before you proceed, confirm if your Dell system has a touchscreen by checking the original system configuration or monitor specifications on Dell Support website.

Table of contents

1. Touchscreen Calibration
2. Touchscreen Sensitivity
3. The cursor moves erratically
4. How to Disable the Touchscreen
5. How to Enable Tablet Mode

Touchscreen Calibration

If you are having issues with your Touchscreen, this may include being unable to access items to the edge of the screen. For example, your screen may require re-calibration.

Below are the steps that are required to calibrate your Touchscreen:

1. Restart the Computer and the Monitor.

2. Go to Control Panel, and select Tablet PC Settings.

   

   (Figure.1 Tablet PC Settings icon in Control Panel window.)

   NOTE: If Tablet PC Settings is not seen, then make sure that your touchscreen USB cable is attached if using external display. Also check that any touchscreen drivers are installed, you can download these from the Dell Support site.

3. Under Display tab, select Calibrate.

   

   (Figure.2 Tablet PC Settings dialog box shows Calibrate button on Display tab.)

4. Choose Pen or Touch input.

   

   (Figure.3 Calibrate button prompts to select Pen or Touch.)

5. Perform the point calibration that appears on the screen to correct the linearity problems.

   

   (Figure.4 Digitizer Calibration Tool. Follow instructions on screen for point calibration.)

6. Save the calibrated data.

   

   (Figure.5 Calibration Tool prompts to save new calibration data.)

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Touchscreen Sensitivity

The touch screen may start to lose its sensitivity due to foreign particles (such as sticky notes) that are blocking the touch sensors. To remove these particles:

1. Turn off the computer.

2. Disconnect the AC adapter cable from the wall outlet.

3. Use a clean, lint-free cloth to wipe the surface and sides of the touch screen to remove any dirt or fingerprints. You may spray mild, non-abrasive cleaner or water on the cloth if needed, but not on the screen.

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The cursor moves erratically

1. Ensure that there is nothing blocking the touch screen, remove any protective film on the screen.

2. Clean the touch-panel surface with cloth, ensure that there is no dirt, dust, oil, fingerprints etc.

3. Move metal objects and conductive items away from the screen.

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How to Disable the Touchscreen

1. Press Windows Key + X on your keyboard and click on Device Manager.

2. Expand the Human Interface Devices field.

3. Right click on HID-Compliant Touch Screen.

4. Click Disable.

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How to Enable Tablet Mode

1. If you have Cortana search box within your taskbar, simply type Tablet Mode in the search field and click on Tablet Mode settings.

2. If you do not have Cortana enabled, Then either click the Start button on screen or use Windows key on keyboard. Then click Settings icon (cog). Then type Tablet Mode in the settings search box and select Tablet Mode Settings.

3. Within the Tablet Mode settings screen, you can select how Tablet Mode is enabled when you sign-in to your system.

4. You can also set how the system behaves when Tablet Mode is Enabled and Disabled.

5. Lastly there are options to configure how the taskbar behaves when in Tablet Mode.

NOTE: Alternatively, see Microsoft article Turn tablet mode on or off.

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Recommended Articles

Here are some recommended articles related to this topic that might be of interest to you.

• Touch Screen May Have Intermittent Issues or Stop Working Due to Power Management Settings
• How to Troubleshoot Touch Screen or Touch Panel Issues
• Windows 8 and 10: Touchscreen Functionality Issues With Multiple Touch Displays
• Touch Screen Not Responding Intermittently or has a "Ghost touch" Issue affecting Latitude 13 3379 or Inspiron 13 5368, 5378, 7368 and 7378 2-in-1