The fastest way to disable your touchscreen

You can turn off your Chromebook's touchscreen through the Settings menu in about two minutes. The exact steps depend on whether your Chromebook uses Chrome OS or a Linux environment, but the Chrome OS route is what most people need.

If your touchscreen is broken, unresponsive, or you simply prefer using the trackpad and keyboard, disabling it stops the screen from registering accidental touches. This is especially useful if you have a crack in the screen or a child who keeps poking it during video calls.

Key Takeaways

  • Chrome OS Chromebooks can disable the touchscreen through Settings > Device > Touchpad and mouse, then toggle off the touchscreen option.
  • Some Chromebooks do not have a built-in toggle and require you to disable the device through the Linux terminal using command lines.
  • Disabling the touchscreen does not affect your keyboard or trackpad — both continue to work normally.
  • You can re-enable the touchscreen at any time by returning to the same menu and toggling it back on.

Disable touchscreen in Chrome OS settings

Open the Settings app by clicking the time in the bottom right corner, then selecting the gear icon. You can also press the search key (magnifying glass) and type "Settings" to find it faster.

Once Settings opens, click Device in the left menu. Then select Touchpad and mouse. Look for the option labeled Touchscreen — if you see it, toggle the switch to the off position. Your touchscreen is now disabled.

If you do not see a Touchscreen option in this menu, your Chromebook model may not have a built-in toggle. Move to the next section for the terminal method instead.

Disable touchscreen using the Linux terminal

If the Settings menu does not show a touchscreen toggle, you will need to use the terminal. Press Ctrl + Alt + T to open the terminal window. A black box with white text will appear.

Type the following command exactly as shown, then press Enter:

xinput list

This command shows all input devices connected to your Chromebook. Look through the list for an entry that contains the word "touch" or "touchscreen" — it will have a number next to it, usually something like "id=12" or "id=15". Write down that number.

Now type this command, replacing the number with the one you found:

xinput disable [number]

For example, if your touchscreen was listed as "id=12", you would type: xinput disable 12

Press Enter. Your touchscreen is now disabled. Close the terminal by typing exit and pressing Enter.

Re-enable your touchscreen when you need it

If you used the Settings menu, open Settings again, go to Device > Touchpad and mouse, and toggle the Touchscreen option back on.

If you used the terminal method, open the terminal again with Ctrl + Alt + T, then type:

xinput enable [number]

Use the same number you wrote down earlier. Press Enter, and your touchscreen will work again.

What to do if the terminal method does not work

Some Chromebook models use different device names or drivers that do not respond to the standard xinput commands. If you run the xinput list command and do not see anything labeled "touch" or "touchscreen," your device may use a different system.

Try searching for your specific Chromebook model number plus "disable touchscreen" — you can find your model number in Settings > About Chrome OS. Different manufacturers sometimes use different methods, and a search result for your exact model will show the right steps.

If disabling through Settings worked but you want more control, you can also explore Chrome OS's developer mode, though this is rarely necessary for a simple touchscreen toggle.

Troubleshooting if your touchscreen stays on

If you disabled the touchscreen through Settings but it still responds to touches, restart your Chromebook. Press the power button, wait for it to shut down completely, then turn it back on. Settings changes sometimes require a restart to take effect.

If the terminal method did not work, double-check that you typed the number correctly. Run xinput list again and verify the ID number matches what you used in the disable command. Common mistakes include using a dash instead of the number, or disabling the wrong device by accident.

If restarting does not help and you are certain you disabled the right device, your touchscreen hardware may have a separate physical switch or your Chromebook model may not support software disabling. Check the underside of your device or the edges of the screen for a small switch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will disabling the touchscreen affect my keyboard or trackpad?

No. Disabling the touchscreen only turns off that one input method. Your keyboard and trackpad will continue to work exactly as before. You can still type, click, and navigate your Chromebook normally.

Can I disable the touchscreen permanently, or does it turn back on after a restart?

If you used the Settings toggle, the change stays permanent until you toggle it back on. If you used the terminal command, the change lasts until you restart your Chromebook — after a restart, you would need to run the command again. For a permanent terminal solution, you can add the command to your startup script, though this is more advanced.

What if I accidentally disabled the wrong device in the terminal?

Run xinput enable [number] with the number of the device you disabled, and it will turn back on. If you are not sure which number was wrong, you can enable all devices by running xinput list again and enabling each one until the right device works again.

Does disabling the touchscreen save battery life?

Slightly, but the difference is minimal on most Chromebooks. The touchscreen uses very little power compared to the display itself. If battery life is your main concern, lowering screen brightness or closing unused tabs will make a much bigger difference.

Can I disable only part of the touchscreen, like just the edges?

Not through the standard settings or terminal commands. You can only turn the entire touchscreen on or off. If you want to prevent accidental touches in specific areas, you would need to use third-party software or protective screen covers that physically block certain regions.