My Surface Pro 7 touchscreen shows all open windows on top of each other (ghost like), even the main page . WHen on a monitor the computer is fine. Is this a hardware issue?

Anonymous
2024-01-22T18:56:04+00:00

The touch screen is showing all open windows at the same time making it almost impossible to work. When connected to an external monitor there is no issue. I normally am hooked up to a monitor but recently travelled with my Surface and discovered this issue; all the windows appear on the touch screen in a ghost like way and you almost can't use the computer. Has anyone seen this issue before?

Surface | Surface Pro | Display and screen

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  1. Anonymous
    2024-01-22T22:10:54+00:00

    Hello Ed,

    Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community.

    I am aware about the issue you’re experiencing with your Surface Pro 7. The issue you described could be related to what’s commonly referred to as “phantom touch” or “ghost touch”. Based on the issue you described, it is possible that this is a hardware issue with the touchscreen of your Surface Pro 7.

    However, before we conclude that it is a hardware issue, we can try some troubleshooting steps to see if it resolves the issue.

    Boot to UEFI and test touch functionality: UEFI is a type of software that helps Windows communicate with your Surface’s hardware. Testing hardware in UEFI will work if you have a hardware issue.

    • Go to Start > Power > Shut down.
    • When Surface is off, press and hold the volume up button and press the power button until a Microsoft or Surface logo appears onscreen.
    • Once you are in UEFI, touch your Surface screen and see if it responds normally. Try to navigate in UEFI by tapping various menu items.
    • If touch doesn’t work on your Surface, your touchscreen most likely experienced a hardware failure.

    For other troubleshooting guide, see What to try if your Surface touchscreen doesn't work - Microsoft Support.

    If none of the solutions works, you may need to disable the touchscreen drivers as a work around.

    Kind regards,

    Lavenia

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-01-23T20:55:20+00:00

    Thanks for the suggestion. I tried that boot up. During boot up or after is there an indication that you are in a UEFI mode? It appears to be the same as a regular boot up. The touch screen works when I touch it but I am still seeing all windows as phantoms. I can touch items and they respond but it is difficult to see as all windows are visible. What is the hardware issue associated with this? Is it repairable?

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  3. Anonymous
    2024-01-23T21:51:29+00:00

    Would you mind sharing a screenshot of your Surface device screen?

    Kindly try the following steps below:

    Run Surface Diagnostic Toolkit and check any pending updates available.

    See: Fix common Surface problems using the Surface Diagnostic Toolkit (microsoft.com)

    To check for updates: Go to Settings >> Windows updates >> Check for updates.

    Update drivers and firmware.

    1. Go to Download driver and firmware for Surface, choose Surface Pro.
    2. Then click the link next to Surface Pro 7 then click Download on the next page.
    3. Choose the .msi file that matches your current OS Build and click Next.
    4. After downloading, run and install the .msi then Restart.
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  4. Anonymous
    2024-01-25T20:46:25+00:00

    Here is a snip of the screen I took with my camera. I hope you can see the ghosts. I do not see them when I am using a monitor. Only when using the surface by itself.

    Would you mind sharing a screenshot of your Surface device screen?

    Kindly try the following steps below:

    Run Surface Diagnostic Toolkit and check any pending updates available.

    See: Fix common Surface problems using the Surface Diagnostic Toolkit (microsoft.com)

    To check for updates: Go to Settings >> Windows updates >> Check for updates.

    Update drivers and firmware.

    1. Go to Download driver and firmware for Surface, choose Surface Pro.
    2. Then click the link next to Surface Pro 7 then click Download on the next page.
    3. Choose the .msi file that matches your current OS Build and click Next.
    4. After downloading, run and install the .msi then Restart.

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  5. Anonymous
    2024-01-25T22:19:48+00:00

    Thanks for sharing the photo, Ed. This could be a problem on its display driver. Is this happening regardless of if the device is plugged in or while on battery?

    Kindly try the following steps below:

    1. Force a restart: Press and hold down the power button until your Surface shuts down and restarts and you see the Windows logo screen (about 20 seconds), then release the power button.
    2. Reinstall the display adapter and OEM panel driver:
    3. Select and hold (or right-click) Start and select Device Manager.
    4. Expand the Monitorsection, select and hold (or right-click) the Surface panel driver(s), then select Uninstall device. Read the warning, then select Uninstall and restart your PC.
    5. Expand the Display adapters section, select and hold (or right-click) the listed adapter (Intel and NVIDIA graphics drivers), then select Uninstall device. Confirm by selecting Attempt to remove the driver for this device, then select Uninstall and restart your PC.
    6. After your PC restarts, select Start > Settings.
    7. From Settings, select Windows Update > Check for updates, and install any available updates.

    You may try the other suggestions from this article What to try if your Surface screen is distorted, is flickering, or has lines running through it - Microsoft Support.

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