Left side of screen keeps clicking on the touchscreen without any input. [Heavy computer restrictions]

Allen 20 Reputation points
2026-05-21T20:26:23.7766667+00:00

The left side of the screen on my laptop keeps selecting/tapping the screen as if someone is tapping on the touchscreen.
Is there any way to fix this with heavy computer restrictions?
The device school computer, but we're on a week long break right now, so I have no way of bringing the device in to the tech support people. Rendering me unable to do basic work without de-selecting whatever it is that I am trying to do.

The issue is not a persistent issue though. It just appears randomly every few seconds to minutes.
Wiping the screen down has not fixed the issue, and the school restrictions block me from running command prompts or accessing the device manager, or even calibrating the display.

Thank you!

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Devices and drivers
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Answer accepted by question author
Alex-L 12,660 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
2026-05-24T13:49:01.45+00:00

Hi Allen

I completely understand how disruptive this is, especially when you’re trying to get work done. Have you got the chance to review the AI Answer suggestions? If you haven't already, please give those a try, and in addition to the points already covered, a few small things that may help stabilize the situation temporarily:

  • Do a full shutdown (not restart) and leave the device off for ~30 seconds before powering it back on. This can sometimes reset the touch controller when the issue is intermittent.
  • If you’re using the laptop while charging, try switching between plugged-in and battery mode, in some cases, power conditions can affect touch sensitivity.
  • Check if the issue worsens when the device is warm; if so, allow it to cool down before using it again.
  • Keep your active work area (windows, buttons, text fields) away from the left edge of the screen to reduce accidental selections.
  • Rely more on keyboard navigation (Tab, arrow keys, Alt shortcuts) or an external mouse to stay productive when the issue occurs.

These won’t resolve the root cause, but they can make the device more usable until proper servicing is available.

Hope this helps you manage it in the meantime.

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  1. AI answer

    2026-05-21T20:34:12.5633333+00:00

    The random taps on the left side of the screen are consistent with "phantom" or "ghost" touches on a touchscreen.

    Given the heavy restrictions on a school-managed device (no Device Manager, no calibration, no command prompt), only non-admin steps are possible without school IT:

    1. Eliminate possible interference
      • Ghost touches can be caused by nearby electronic interference.
      • Move the laptop to a different physical location (another room, another part of the house, away from power strips or chargers) and test whether the issue continues.
      • Keep other electronics away from the left edge of the screen while testing.
      • If the phantom taps stop or reduce significantly in a different area, continue using the device where interference is lowest.
    2. Treat it as a likely hardware issue if it persists The official guidance for Surface and Windows touch devices is:
      • When phantom or ghost touches continue after basic checks (like cleaning the screen and checking for interference), the touchscreen may have a hardware fault.
      • In such cases, the recommended next step is to submit the device for service.
      On a school computer, that means:
      • As soon as school resumes, report the problem to the school’s IT or tech support staff.
      • Explain that the screen is registering ghost touches on the left side and that restrictions prevent trying driver or calibration fixes.
      • They can run the required diagnostics, update or reinstall drivers, or arrange repair/replacement if the touchscreen hardware is failing.

    Because of the restrictions, there is no supported way to disable touch, reinstall drivers, or run deeper troubleshooting without admin access. Until school IT can service the device, the only practical workaround is to minimize interference and, when possible, use an external mouse/keyboard and avoid relying on touch.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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