Surface 7 wobbly lines after Windows 11 update, can't open Digitizer Calibration Tool (tabcal.exe) to even try and fix it...

Question

I have barely had this Surface 7 Pro for 6 months when I noticed that the lines would come out wobbly after updating to Windows 11. I've reset my pen, reverted back to windows 10, uninstalled all of my HID drivers that could be affecting it, checked for updates, ran diagnostics, and tried other pens... Nothing has worked.

Answer 1

Hi gigantkranion,

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community.

I understand that you'd like to use the Pen on your Surface with clear and clean ink result. I appreciate the effort in performing the troubleshooting methods.

Just want to confirm few questions:

• What type of Surface Pen you're using?
• When you uninstalled the HID drivers, did you uninstall the HID-Compliant Touch Screen and the Intel(R) Precise Touch Device?
• Does it happen to built-in writing apps, like OneNote, Microsoft Word and etc.?
• Does it happens when connected to a charger?

Please also perform the methods below:

• Try to uninstall the display adapter. Go to device manager > expand the display adapter > right-click then choose uninstall > restart the device.
• Adjust the Pen writing sensitivity. Go to search > Search for Surface App > on the Left side, find the pen logo > then adjust the pressure.
• If you are using a Surface Pen, try to reseat the Pen Tip.
• Install the drivers manually.

1. Check the specific OS build of your Windows Settings> System> About.
2. Download the driver and firmware for Surface, choose Surface Pro 7 and click download on the next page.
3. Please choose the .msi file that matches your current OS Build and click Next.
4. After the download, runand installthe .msi then Restart the Surface Device.

Let me know how this goes.

Answer 2

Hello Mr. Neil,

I will state that my surface/surface pen was working perfectly prior to updating to the Windows 11 upgrade.

To answer your questions:

- What type of Surface Pen you’re using?

A “Surface Pen, No Clip” (seems to be a standard model).

- When you uninstalled the HID drivers, did you uninstall the HID-Compliant Touch Screen and the Intel(R) Precise Touch Device?

Yes. I believe so... I uninstalled almost any HID driver that seemed to be related to inputs…was I overzealous?

- Does it happen to built-in writing apps, like OneNote, Microsoft Word and etc.?

I have only attempted in MS applications that seem to be meant to be used with the pen (Word, Onenote, Paint, Paint3d, StickyNote).

- Does it happens when connected to a charger?

Yes.

I uninstalled the display as you mentioned and nothing happened aside from the screen becoming really small (I do like that resolution size though).

I also had already adjusted the pressure sensitivity/reseated the pen/ and did a manual installation of the “.msi” drivers previously but, had forgotten to put it down this morning. Nothing suggested above worked.

I did accidentally download the Windows 11 .msi package and wondered if reinstalling Windows 11 and using that package would be a good idea or am I possibly overlapping the issues I am having?

Thank you for your time,

Alex

Answer 3

I appreciate the details, gigantkranion. May I confirm your Windows 11 build? When you installed the Windows 11 package, did it make any difference?

Try to roll back the Intel Precise touch driver and HID compliant touch driver on your device manager and see how it goes.

If the issue still persists, reinstall the Windows system through USB recovery process. This process will wipe everything out on your device and install a fresh operating system. Please make sure that you have back up your files and data either in an External Hard drive or use your OneDrive app. You’ll need a USB (USB stick) with at least 16GB/32 GB and format it clean (make sure that you have chosen FAT32 as the file system while formatting the USB). You'll need a PC running Windows 10 or Surface Device to download the system files/recovery image on the Microsoft Website.    Note: USB/Flash drives are the only required device for you to perform the follow steps below successfully.After formatting the USB to FAT32 USB, convert the FAT32 USB stick as a bootable device. Go to search > search for create a recovery drive > then follow the on-screen instructions. Please proceed to the steps below after converting your USB to a bootable USB stick:• Download the System Files or Recovery Image:1. Go to the Download a recovery image for your Surface.2. If you’re signed in with your Microsoft account, you will be prompt to choose the device from the list of devices on your Microsoft Account. If you’re not signed in, choose a product on the drop-down menu and provide the Serial Number of the device.3. Once the download is finished, go to the file, right-click and choose Extract all then choose the USB/Flash drive.

• Perform the USB recovery:

1. Shutdown the device by pressing/holding the power button for 10 seconds until it’s off. 
2. Insert the USB recovery drive into the USB port. 
3. Press and hold the volume-down (-) rocker. 
4. Press and release the power button. 
5. When the Surface logo appears, release the volume-down (-) rocker. 
6. Choose your language options and keyboard layout. 
7. Select Troubleshoot. 
8. Select Recover from a Drive. Choose Remove Everything and Fully Clean the Drive. Recovering this PC. If prompted for BitLocker Key, tap Skip this Drive. 
9. Select “Recovery”.

Answer 4

Mr. Neil,

Unfortunately, it seems that I will have to wipe my Surface clean. That is unfortunate but, it is not the first time I've done it. However, I have an important mid-term coming up and will reinstall it next week as I have too much on my plate this week.

I'll keep you updated after I am done.

Alex

Answer 5

Thank you for confirming. If you have questions in the future, please feel free to let us know.