Chromebooks are widely used in both educational and professional settings due to their convenience, affordability, and simplicity. One of the most useful features of a Chromebook is the touch screen, which makes it easy to navigate the device and perform tasks. However, there are certain situations where you may want to disable the touch screen on your Chromebook. Maybe you’re using a stylus or mouse and don’t want accidental touches to interfere with your work. Or perhaps you’re letting a young child use the device and want to prevent them from accidentally deleting files or changing settings. Whatever your reason may be, this guide will show you how to turn off the touch screen on your Chromebook in just a few easy steps.
Steps to turn off touch screen on Chromebook
- Using the Settings Menu
The easiest way to turn off the touch screen on your Chromebook is through the settings menu. To do this, click on the status area in the lower-right corner of the screen and select the Settings icon. From there, click on the Device section, then select the Displays option. - With a Keyboard Shortcut
Another quick and easy way to turn off the touch screen on your Chromebook is by using a keyboard shortcut. Simply press and hold the “Search” key (which is typically located next to the “Alt” key) and then press the “Shift” key. You should see an on-screen message notifying you that the touch screen has been disabled. - Using Accessibility Settings
If you have accessibility settings enabled on your Chromebook, you can also use those to turn off the touch screen. To do this, click on the status area and select Settings, then navigate to the Accessibility section. There, click on “Manage accessibility features,” then toggle off the switch labeled “Touchscreen Accessibility.” - Via Command Prompt
For those who are comfortable with using command prompt, you can turn off the touch screen on your Chromebook via a few simple commands. First, open up the command prompt by pressing the “Ctrl” + “Alt” + “T” keys together. Then, type in the command “sudo modprobe -r elo” followed by “sudo modprobe -r usbtouchscreen” and press enter. This should disable the touch screen on your device. - Using Device Manager
If you’re using a Chromebook with a detachable keyboard, you can also turn off the touch screen by going into the device manager. To do this, press the “Search” + “ESC” keys together, then select “Device Manager” from the menu. From there, scroll down to the “Human Interface Devices” section and find the touch screen device. Right-click on it and select “Disable.” - Using Third-Party Apps
There are also various third-party apps available that can help you turn off the touch screen on your Chromebook. One such app is “Touch Blocker,” which allows you to disable the touch screen with a single click. Another popular app is called “TouchDisable,” which not only turns off the touch screen but also disables the touchpad and keyboard. - Changing Power Settings
Some Chromebooks may have the option to turn off the touch screen when the device is in tablet mode or when the lid is closed. To check if this is an option for your device, go to the power options and look for a setting labeled “When I close the lid.” If you see an option for “Disable Touch Screen,” select it and save your changes. - Disabling Hardware
If you’re comfortable opening up your Chromebook and tinkering with the hardware, you can physically disconnect the touch screen by unplugging it from the motherboard. However, this is not recommended for novice users and can potentially damage your device if done incorrectly. - Changing Chrome Flags
Another option to disable the touch screen on your Chromebook is by changing certain Chrome flags. To do this, type “chrome://flags” into your browser’s address bar and hit enter. Then, search for the flag “Touchable Web” and select “Disabled” from the drop-down menu. This should disable the touch screen in all web pages. - Resetting Your Chromebook
As a last resort, you can always reset your Chromebook to its factory settings. This will wipe all data from your device and revert it back to its original state, including touch screen settings. To reset your Chromebook, click on the status area and select Settings, then navigate to the “Advanced” section and select “Reset settings.” Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many different ways to turn off the touch screen on your Chromebook, depending on your comfort level and specific needs. Whether you prefer using the settings menu, keyboard shortcuts, or third-party apps, you can easily disable the touch screen to suit your preferences. Just remember to use caution when tinkering with hardware or settings, and always back up your data before making any significant changes. With this guide, you now have all the tools you need to turn off the touch screen on your Chromebook and customize your device to your liking.