Touchpad, Touchscreen problems that started with disappearing mouse. Now no control at all

nigel judd 20 Reputation points
2026-09-22T21:39:09.15+00:00

I have a Surface Book 2 that I think I bought direct from MS in 2020, in any event it is Ser No 024679775075 model 1832.17, It has an I7 processor/16GB RAM and 1 TB SSD.
A few weeks ago the mouse arrow started disappearing, after a little research I found with ctrl-alt-del I could get the mouse back, It has now deteriorated to the point where after a brief period after start-up during which I am able to control trackpad and or mouse, I lose all control. Once this happens it is as if there are random clicks activating various different programs and shortcut from the desktop. The only option is to hard-close and start MS SBook 2 Screenshot 2026-09-22 220111

a little later.
One of the things I noticed was most of the short-cuts and programs being fired-up by the random clicks seemed to be on the top line of the screen. So during the brief window of "good operation" I moved all the icons away from the top row.
Having done this and the decaying performance occurred there were a series of white circles popping up along the top row. This is most visible against a black background, so ctrl-alt-delete to step towards the task-manager..... I have videoed this happening - unable to upload the video as the file was too large, I've uploaded a still taken from the video.

My question, is this a hardware problem, a software problem or a combination of both. Is it curable/repairable, if so, how and if not what is the best method of controlling the Surface Book 2 from another PC on the same network to be able to retrieve all my data etc

I hope I have provided enough details to enable a diagnosis

I look forward to any feedback

Surface | Surface Book | Display and screen
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Answer accepted by question author
S.Sengupta 32,991 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
2026-09-23T00:10:43.8866667+00:00

Those white circles aren't cursor artifacts — they're Windows' touch-feedback indicators, which only appear when the digitizer registers an actual touch. That's the key clue: this isn't your mouse or trackpad driver acting up, it's the touchscreen digitizer itself generating phantom touch events, concentrated along the top edge of the panel.

Hardware or software?

This pattern — worsening shortly after boot, clustered along one edge, confirmed by real touch-feedback circles — points strongly to hardware, not software. Two likely culprits for a 2020 Surface Book 2:

Digitizer/display flex cable degradation — a known failure mode on this generation, often worse after the device has warmed up (heat expansion on a marginal connection).

Battery swelling — very common on aging Surface Book 2 units. The battery sits directly behind the screen, and swelling can physically press against the digitizer layer, causing exactly this kind of ghost-touch behavior along an edge. If you can see any doming, gap, or separation at the seams of the screen (tablet portion), stop using it and don't charge it — a swollen lithium battery is a fire/puncture risk, not just an annoyance.

Quick way to confirm hardware vs. software: watch the UEFI/BIOS setup screen (power off, then power on holding Volume Up) before Windows loads. If phantom touches/clicks happen there too, it's 100% hardware — Windows isn't even running yet.

If it's the digitizer/cable: repairable, but it means replacing the screen assembly — an expensive, glue-heavy job on this model. Not something to DIY without experience; a Microsoft Store or authorized repair center would need to do it, and out-of-warranty cost is often close to a used replacement unit's value.

If it's a swollen battery: also a screen-assembly-level repair (battery is glued in), and it needs professional handling due to the fire risk — don't attempt this yourself.

A cheap first step: in Device Manager, under Human Interface Devices, disable the touchscreen entry. If phantom touches stop, that confirms the digitizer and gives you a usable workaround (external mouse/keyboard, no touch) while you decide on repair vs. replace.

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  1. AI answer

    2026-09-22T21:39:32.4733333+00:00

    The symptoms point most strongly to a touchscreen hardware issue, not the touchpad or mouse alone.

    The key detail is the white circles and the random clicks along the top of the screen. That matches the documented phantom or ghost touches behavior on Surface devices. Microsoft’s guidance for that condition is:

    1. Check for nearby electronic interference
      • Move the Surface Book 2 away from nearby electronic equipment.
      • If possible, move the interfering equipment instead.
      • If the ghost touches continue, proceed to service.
    2. Test touch in UEFI to separate hardware from Windows
      • Go to Start > Power > Shut down.
      • When the Surface is off, press and hold Volume Up, then press Power until the Microsoft or Surface logo appears.
      • In UEFI, test the screen by tapping different areas.
      Expected result:
      • If touch does not work correctly in UEFI, the touchscreen most likely has a hardware failure and the next step is to submit a service order.
      • If touch works correctly in UEFI, the problem is more likely related to Windows or the touch driver.
    3. If touch works in UEFI, reinstall the touchscreen driver
      • Open Device Manager.
      • Expand Human Interface Devices.
      • Right-click Intel(R) Precise Touch Device > Uninstall device > Uninstall.
      • Right-click HID-compliant touch screen > Uninstall device > Uninstall.
      • If two HID-compliant touch screen entries appear, uninstall both.
      • Select Action > Scan for hardware changes.
      • Restart the Surface if needed.
      • Connect to the internet so Windows can automatically download and install the touchscreen driver.
    4. Check for Windows and Surface updates
      • Open the Surface app.
      • Expand Help & support.
      • If updates are available, select Check for updates to open Windows Update and install them.
    5. If the issue remains, submit a service order Microsoft’s Surface guidance says these cases should be serviced when:
      • touch does not respond on part or all of the screen
      • touch is inaccurate
      • multi-touch does not work
      • phantom or ghost touches continue

    Based on the described behavior, this is likely repairable only through service if UEFI shows the same problem.

    For data retrieval, the provided material does not include remote-control steps. Before any reset, repair, or replacement, back up data because troubleshooting may lead to reset or replacement.

    If the device is still usable long enough, support options include the Surface app, Get Help, or creating a service order.

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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