If your touchscreen works in other apps but not in Chrome, restart Chrome, update it, turn off extensions and try turning off graphics acceleration. If touch doesn’t work anywhere on your computer, the problem is the touchscreen driver or Windows itself, so start with the driver steps below. There are no Chrome flags to fix touch: the old “Touch Events API” and “Pointer Events” flags no longer exist.
Quick Fixes to Try First
- Restart Chrome and your device.
- Update Chrome: select More (the three dots at the top right) > Help > About Google Chrome.
- Clear browsing data: select More > Delete browsing data, check Cached images and files, then Delete data.
- Turn off extensions that might interfere with touch, at
chrome://extensions.
Updating Device Drivers to Fix Touch Issues
Outdated drivers can cause touchscreen problems.
Windows
- Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
- Expand the Human Interface Devices section.
- Right-click your touchscreen device (often named “HID-compliant touch screen”) and select Update driver.
- Follow the prompts. Your computer maker’s website may also have a newer driver.
Linux
Install your distribution’s updates. On Debian or Ubuntu, run sudo apt update and then sudo apt upgrade in a terminal. Check your distribution’s documentation for touchscreen support.
Chromebook
Chromebook updates include touchscreen drivers. Restart your Chromebook and install any waiting update.
Disabling Hardware Acceleration in Chrome
Google lists turning off hardware acceleration as a fix when Chrome and your computer’s hardware don’t work well together.
- Select More > Settings.
- On the left, select System.
- Turn off Use graphics acceleration when available. Older versions of Chrome call it “Use hardware acceleration when available”.
- Relaunch Chrome. If touch still doesn’t work, turn the setting back on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my touchscreen not responding in Chrome?
The usual causes are an outdated touchscreen driver, an extension, or a problem between Chrome and your graphics hardware.
How do I update Chrome to fix touch issues?
Select More > Help > About Google Chrome. Chrome checks for updates, and you select Relaunch to finish.
Can extensions affect touchscreen performance in Chrome?
Yes, some extensions can interfere with touch. Turn them off to see if that fixes it.
Should I change Chrome flags to fix touch?
No. The touch-related flags older guides mention have been removed from Chrome, and touch support is built in.
Does Chrome on iPhone or Android have touch settings?
No. Chrome on phones uses your device’s touch settings. Update the app from the App Store or Google Play, and restart the phone if touch stops working.