Is your HP Chromebook touchscreen not working? Learn effective troubleshooting steps and solutions to get your touchscreen back to normal in no time!
The touchscreen feature on your HP Chromebook is an essential tool that enhances your interaction with the device, making navigation more intuitive and seamless. However, when this feature stops working, it can be incredibly frustrating. In this guide, we’ll walk you through a step-by-step process to troubleshoot and fix the touchscreen on your HP Chromebook.
1. Restart Your HP Chromebook
Before diving into more complex solutions, it’s always a good idea to start with the basics. Restarting your HP Chromebook can often resolve minor software glitches that might be affecting the touchscreen.
- Click on the time in the bottom right corner of the screen.
- Select the power icon and choose Shut down.
- Once the device is off, wait for a few seconds, and then press the power button to turn it back on.
After the restart, check if the touchscreen is responsive. If not, move on to the next steps.
2. Ensure the Touchscreen is Enabled
Sometimes, the touchscreen may be disabled accidentally. To make sure it’s enabled, follow these steps:
- Open the Chrome browser on your Chromebook.
- In the address bar, type
chrome://flagsand press Enter. - In the search bar at the top of the screen, type touchscreen.
- Look for an option called Touchscreen Mode and make sure it’s set to Enabled.
- If it’s disabled, select Enabled from the dropdown menu and restart your Chromebook.
If the touchscreen still isn’t working, proceed to the next step.
3. Update Chrome OS
An outdated operating system might cause your touchscreen to malfunction. To ensure your Chromebook is up-to-date, follow these steps:
- Click on the time in the bottom right corner of the screen.
- Select the Settings gear icon.
- Scroll down and click on About Chrome OS.
- Click on Check for updates.
- If an update is available, your Chromebook will begin downloading it automatically.
- Once the update is installed, restart your device.
After updating Chrome OS, check if the touchscreen is functioning properly. If not, let’s move on to more advanced troubleshooting.
4. Perform a Hardware Reset
A hardware reset can help resolve issues related to the Chromebook’s internal components, including the touchscreen. Here’s how to do it:
- Turn off your Chromebook completely.
- Press and hold the Refresh button (which looks like a circular arrow) and the Power button simultaneously.
- Release both buttons when your Chromebook starts up.
After the hardware reset, check if the touchscreen is working. If not, try the next solution.
5. Run Diagnostics on Your Chromebook
If the touchscreen issue persists, running diagnostics can help identify if there’s a hardware problem. Here’s how you can do it:
- Press Esc + Refresh + Power to enter Recovery Mode.
- When prompted, press Ctrl + D to bypass the recovery screen.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to run diagnostics.
The diagnostics will provide you with information on whether the touchscreen hardware is functioning properly. If the test indicates a hardware issue, you may need to get the device repaired or replaced.
6. Check for External Interference
Sometimes, external factors like connected peripherals (e.g., a mouse or keyboard) can cause the touchscreen to become unresponsive. To rule this out:
- Disconnect all external devices from your Chromebook.
- Restart your Chromebook.
- Check if the touchscreen starts working without any external devices connected.
If the touchscreen works after disconnecting peripherals, one of the external devices might be causing the issue. Reconnect them one by one to identify the culprit.
7. Check for Screen Damage
If your Chromebook has been dropped or has suffered physical damage, it’s possible that the touchscreen has been affected. Inspect the screen carefully for any cracks, chips, or other signs of damage.
- If you notice any damage, it’s likely that the touchscreen is malfunctioning due to hardware damage.
- In this case, you’ll need to take your Chromebook to a professional repair service to get the screen replaced.
If there’s no visible damage, continue with the troubleshooting steps.
8. Reset Your Chromebook to Factory Settings
As a last resort, you can try resetting your Chromebook to factory settings. This will erase all your data, so make sure to back up any important files before proceeding. Here’s how to do it:
- Click on the time in the bottom right corner of the screen.
- Select the Settings gear icon.
- Scroll down and click on Advanced.
- Under the Reset settings section, click on Powerwash.
- Click on Restart to begin the reset process.
- Once the Chromebook restarts, follow the on-screen instructions to set it up again.
After the reset, check if the touchscreen is working. If it is, the issue was likely related to software. If it’s still not working, you may need to seek professional help.
9. Contact HP Support
If none of the above steps resolve the issue, it’s time to contact HP support. They can provide you with further assistance and help you determine if your Chromebook needs to be repaired or replaced.
- Visit the HP Support website and select your device model.
- Follow the instructions to get in touch with a support representative.
Provide them with detailed information about the issue and the steps you’ve already taken to troubleshoot it. This will help them diagnose the problem more quickly.
Conclusion
Dealing with a non-responsive touchscreen on your HP Chromebook can be frustrating, but with the steps outlined in this guide, you should be able to diagnose and potentially fix the issue. Remember to start with the simplest solutions, like restarting your device, before moving on to more advanced troubleshooting. If all else fails, don’t hesitate to reach out to HP support for professional help.
