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how to turn off touch screen on hp

  • admin983369
  • Sep 17
  • 3 min read

capacitive touch screen

Many HP Spectre, ENVY, Pavilion, and All-in-One PCs come with versatile touch screens. However, you may want to disable this feature to prevent accidental touches, save battery life, or because you prefer using a keyboard and mouse. The process is universal across Windows devices, but some HP-specific considerations can help.

Here are the primary methods to turn off the touch screen on your HP computer.


Method 1: The Standard Method via Device Manager (Recommended)

This is the most reliable and permanent method and works on all versions of Windows, including Windows 10 and 11, which are common on HP machines.

  1. Open Device Manager:

    • Right-click on the Start button (the Windows icon) on your taskbar.

    • From the menu that appears, select Device Manager.

  2. Locate the Touch Screen Driver:

    • In the Device Manager window, look for the category called Human Interface Devices and click the arrow next to it to expand it.

    • Scroll through the list to find your touch screen device. It is typically called:

      • HID-compliant touch screen

      • Intel(R) Precise Touch Device (common on newer HP models)

      • Or a manufacturer-specific name like ELAN Touch or Synaptics Touch Device.

  3. Disable the Device:

    • Right-click on the touch screen device.

    • From the context menu, select Disable device.

    • A confirmation dialog box will appear. Click Yes to confirm.

  4. Verification:

    • The touch screen will be immediately disabled. You will notice a small black arrow pointing down on the device's icon, indicating it is disabled.

    • Try touching your screen to confirm it no longer responds.

To Re-enable: Simply return to the same device in Device Manager, right-click, and select Enable device.


Method 2: Using the Windows Settings App (Quick Toggle)

Microsoft offers a simpler toggle within the Settings app, though its availability can depend on your specific HP model and Windows version.

  1. Open Settings:

    • Press the Windows key + I on your keyboard to launch the Settings app.

  2. Navigate to Device Settings:

    • In Windows 11: Go to Bluetooth & devices > Touch.

    • In Windows 10: Go to Devices > Touch.

  3. Toggle Off Touch:

    • On the Touch settings page, look for a setting that says "Touch" with a toggle switch beneath it.

    • If this option is present, click the toggle to switch it to Off.

Note: If you don't see this option, it means your HP's driver doesn't support this quick toggle. Proceed to Method 1.


Method 3: Updating or Rolling Back the Driver (A Troubleshooting Tip)

If your HP touch screen is acting erratically ("ghost touches"), the problem might be a corrupt or buggy driver. Instead of disabling it, you can try to fix it.

  1. Follow steps 1 and 2 from Method 1 to open Device Manager and find the touch screen device.

  2. Right-click on it and select Update driver.

  3. Choose Search automatically for drivers. Windows will look for a better, updated driver.

  4. If the problem started after a recent update, you can select Properties > Driver tab > Roll Back Driver (if the option is available).

For the best results, always check for drivers directly on the HP Support Website. Enter your specific HP model number, and download the latest touch screen or input device drivers from there.


HP-Specific Considerations:

  • Keyboard Shortcuts: Some HP laptops have a function key (Fn) shortcut to disable the touchpad (like Fn + F11), but this does not typically affect the touch screen. There is generally no dedicated HP keyboard shortcut for the touch screen.

  • HP Command Center/Software: Most HP utilities do not have an option to control the touch screen functionality. The methods above are your best bet.

  • BIOS/UEFI Setting: It is usually not possible to disable the touch screen from the HP BIOS setup utility. This setting is managed by the Windows operating system.


Why Disable Your HP Touch Screen?

  • Battery Life: Disabling hardware you aren't using can contribute to slightly longer battery life on your HP laptop.

  • Cleaning: Safely clean your screen without triggering accidental clicks or opening applications.

  • Focus: Eliminate distractions and accidental input while working intensively with a keyboard and mouse, especially on smaller HP Spectre x360 or ENVY models.

  • Troubleshooting: Determining if erratic screen behavior is a hardware fault or a software/driver issue.


By following these methods, you can easily manage the touch screen functionality on your HP device to suit your workflow and preferences.


 
 
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