How to Restart Video Driver in Windows 10

Windows 10 comes with a special keyboard shortcut which allows restarting graphics drivers without ending your user session. The method supports NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel drivers.

To restart a video driver in Windows 10, do the following.

1. Press the Win + Ctrl +Shift + B keys.
2. The screen will go blank for a second and you will hear a beep.
3. Everything will go back to normal immediately.

Let’s troubleshoot and isolate this issue together.

• Will you confirm the Surface device do you have? a Surface Laptop or a Surface Pro?
• May I know what version of Windows your device is currently running?

Here are some steps you can try:

1. Show Hidden Devices in Device Manager:

• Open device manager.
• Go to the View tab and select Show hidden devices.
• Then, go to the Actions tab and choose Scan for hardware changes.
• Check if the HID-compliant touch screen appears under Human Interface Devices now.

2. Boot to UEFI and test touch functionality. Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) is a type of software that helps Windows communicate with your Surface’s hardware. Because UEFI operates independently of Windows, testing hardware in UEFI will work if you have a hardware issue.

• Follow these steps to boot to UEFI and test touch functionality:
  1. Go to Start > Power > Shut down.
  2. When Surface is off, press and hold the volume up button and press the power button until a Microsoft or Surface logo appears onscreen.
  3. 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

Surface Touchpad Not Working

Here are some potential causes and solutions for a non-functional Surface touchpad:

1. Dust or dirt on the touchpad: Check the touchpad for any debris or obstructions. Clean it gently with a soft cloth or a can of compressed air to ensure proper functionality.
2. Outdated drivers or firmware: Ensure your Surface is running the latest Windows updates and Surface drivers. You can check for updates in Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update (Windows 10) or Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Optional updates (Windows 11).
3. Touchpad settings: Adjust the touchpad settings to see if it resolves the issue. On Windows 10, go to Start > Settings > Devices > Touchpad. On Windows 11, go to Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Touchpad. You can toggle settings like tap delay, gesture recognition, or disable accidental touches.
4. Connection issues: If your touchpad connects via Bluetooth, try disconnecting and reconnecting it. For Surface devices with a Type Cover, ensure it’s properly attached and detached.
5. Battery depletion: If your touchpad connects via Bluetooth and stops working, it might be due to low battery power. Check the battery level and recharge or replace the batteries as needed.

Additional Tips

• If you’re experiencing issues with text selection, try using an external mouse to see if it functions correctly. This can help isolate the problem.
• If none of the above solutions work, you can try resetting the touchpad settings to their default values or seeking further assistance from Microsoft Support.

Remember to always refer to the official Microsoft documentation and support resources for the latest information and guidance on troubleshooting and maintaining your Surface device.

Fix touchpad problems in Windows 10

If your touchpad isn’t working, it may be a result of a missing or out-of-date driver.

• On Start Windows logo Start button, search for Device Manager, and select it from the list of results. Under Mice and other pointing devices, select your touchpad, open it, select the Driver tab, and select Update Driver. If Windows doesn’t find a new driver, look for one on the device manufacturer’s website and follow their instructions.
• If those steps didn’t work, try uninstalling your touchpad driver: open Device Manager, right-click (or press and hold) the touchpad driver, and select Uninstall. Restart your device and Windows will attempt to reinstall the driver.
• If that didn’t work, try using the generic driver that comes with Windows. Here’s how: in Device Manager, right-click (or press and hold) your touchpad driver > Update driver software… > Browse my computer for driver software > Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer, select HID compliant mouse, select Next, and follow the instructions to install it.
• If changing your driver doesn’t help, there may be a problem with the touchpad itself. Contact your PC’s manufacturer for help.