Too many issues to count

Question

About a year after I got my laptop (XPS 13 9310), around late 2022 to early 2023, the touchscreen capabilities started going haywire, I've since had the driver disabled.

Not long after, there was an issue where windows or something won't update (Windows 11, version 23h2), which is still a problem currently

Twice in the span of around a year, about a year after the issue with updating, my laptop unexplainably shut down and wouldn't turn back on (the first time I sent it in to dell to be fix it, second time I got a professional to take what I think was the hard drive out and put it back in)

Now, in the last month & a 1/2 or so, The wifi icon has all but completely disapeared; can't turn it on or off. The bluetooth one has also been seemingly disabled several times having the same issue as the wifi. and in the last month, my snipping tool won't work, despite trying all the recommended options to fix it.

Answer 1

Hi, good day!

• Have you checked and tried the methods suggested by AI?
• Have you tried visiting your manufacturer's support page first and downloading and installing all the latest drivers for your device?

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If the issue still persists, please try performing an In-place Upgrade. It will definitely help in resolving update errors. Performing this can repair broken operating system files while your personal files, settings and installed applications will not be removed.

Few things to check on the PC

• Unplug all external peripherals except for the Mouse, Keyboard, and LAN cable before starting
• Disable or uninstall any third-party Antivirus program to prevent it from interfering with the upgrade

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/4252110/how-to-run-in-place-upgrade-in-windows-11?forum=windows-all&referrer=answers

I look forward to receiving your update and I'm willing to collaborate with you till we resolve the issue. Do keep me informed by clicking "Add comment" below.

Answer 2

The symptoms point to deep system corruption and likely driver/firmware issues. Given the number and variety of problems (touchscreen, Windows Update, random shutdowns, Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth disappearing, Snipping Tool broken), incremental fixes are unlikely to fully stabilize the system. The most effective path is to:

1. Back up data, then perform a repair/reset install of Windows 11.
2. If issues persist after a clean OS, suspect hardware and involve the device manufacturer.

Because there are unfixable symptoms (Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth stack broken, Snipping Tool and touch issues) and Windows Update has been failing for a long time, this is similar in severity to the malware‑damaged and repeatedly corrupted systems described in the context, where the recommended resolution is a reset/clean reinstall rather than piecemeal troubleshooting.

Actionable steps, in order of least to most disruptive:

1. Ensure Windows is fully updated (if possible)

• Go to Settings > Windows Update.
• Turn on Receive updates for other Microsoft products and install all available and optional updates, then restart.
• If Windows Update is inaccessible or fails repeatedly, skip to step 3. Relevant guidance: keeping Windows fully updated is the first step for touch issues and general stability.

2. For the touchscreen specifically

• If the touchscreen is still disabled in Device Manager, re‑enable it and test after updates.
• If touch remains non‑functional or erratic after updates, this is treated as a likely hardware issue and requires manufacturer service.

3. Use built‑in troubleshooters (if still accessible)

• Open Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
• Run troubleshooters for Windows Update, Internet Connections, Network Adapter, Bluetooth, and Keyboard/Other as applicable.
• If these cannot run or do not resolve the issues, move on.

4. Reset/repair Windows while keeping files Given the breadth of failures, a reset similar to the malware‑damaged system in the context is appropriate:

• Open Settings > System > Recovery.
• Under Recovery options, choose Reset this PC.
• Select Keep my files (this preserves personal files but removes apps and settings).
• Prefer Cloud download to get fresh system files.
• Let the process complete and then immediately install all Windows and driver updates.

This approach is explicitly recommended in the context when a system shows multiple, persistent, unexplained issues even after other attempts.

5. If problems continue after reset If, after a reset/repair install and full updating, any of the following persist:

• Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth adapters missing or non‑functional.
• Touchscreen still erratic or dead.
• Random power‑offs or failure to power on.
• Windows Update still broken.

Then the pattern matches the hardware‑suspect scenarios in the context. At that point:

• Treat it as likely hardware failure (motherboard, wireless module, or storage/firmware path).
• Contact the laptop manufacturer for hardware diagnostics and potential repair or replacement.

This is preferable to repeated formats and ad‑hoc fixes, which did not resolve similar complex failures in the referenced cases.

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References:

• What to try if a touchscreen doesn't work in Windows
• How to fix touch issues on your Surface touchscreen
• Troubleshoot problems updating Windows
• Plethora of issues relating to windows and possibly security. - Microsoft Q&A I'm not sure where to start.
• WinSxS Corruptions Despite Numerous Formats to Windows, Silent Corruption and Deletion of Windows Update Files - Microsoft Q&A