For a Galaxy Tab S9, Tab S10 Ultra or Tab A9+ whose touch works oddly, Samsung's touchscreen article lists causes in order: a temporary system error (restart; hold the buttons more than 7 seconds if it freezes), screen protectors and non-genuine accessories (remove them, or raise Touch sensitivity if a protector is fitted), a damaged charger, accessibility settings such as TalkBack, touch and hold delay, ignore repeated touches and the Magnification triple-tap shortcut, full-screen gestures that swallow touches, moisture on the screen, and outdated software. Samsung also suggests connecting a mouse so you can navigate while touch is faulty. If it continues, use Samsung Members diagnostics or visit a service center.
Differential
Likely causes of “Samsung Galaxy Tab S9, S10 Ultra and A9+ screen or touch input is not working correctly”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A screen protector or case
What separates it Touch is patchy near the edges of the screen while the middle of the display responds normally
How to confirm Remove it, or raise Touch sensitivity if a protector is fitted
- 2
A damaged charger
What separates it Touch misfires or triggers itself only while the phone is charging and is normal off the charger
How to confirm Samsung says to use a different, undamaged charger and avoid using touch while charging
- 3
An accessibility setting
What separates it Voice guidance speaks when you touch, or touches are missed
How to confirm Turn off TalkBack and Magnification triple-tap, and restore touch-and-hold defaults
- 4
Full-screen gestures reading touches as swipes
What separates it Edge taps do nothing because full screen gestures are reading touches as swipes
How to confirm Samsung says to disable the full screen gesture function
- 5
Moisture on the screen
What separates it Random taps or ghost touches appear when the screen is wet or has moisture on it
How to confirm Wipe the screen with a soft, dry cloth
- 6
A damaged display
What separates it Lines, dead patches or a visible crack appear on the display and touch is unreliable near them
How to confirm Book service; the panel is not a home repair
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Whether the fault is one area, an edge or the whole screen
- Whether a protector, case, S Pen or keyboard cover is on
- Whether the screen is cracked or the tablet was dropped or wet
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedRestart
ReversibleRestart, by holding the buttons more than 7 seconds if the screen is frozen, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Remove protector and case
ReversibleRemove protector and case, then test bare, and raise Touch sensitivity if a protector stays on.
Use a different charger
ReversibleUse a different charger, since touch on a charger with noise can misfire on the screen.
Check accessibility settings
ReversibleCheck accessibility settings, such as TalkBack, touch and hold delay, ignore repeated touches and Magnification.
Disable full-screen gestures
ReversibleDisable full screen gestures, and then retest the edge taps on the screen, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Dry the screen
ReversibleDry the screen, by wiping it with a soft, dry cloth, and then test the touch again.
Update and run diagnostics
ReversibleUpdate and run diagnostics, by updating the software, then running Samsung Members diagnostics, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Screens
- Tab S9: 11-inch 2560 by 1600 Dynamic AMOLED 2X; Tab S10 Ultra: 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X; Tab A9+: 11-inch TFT LCD, per Wikipedia.
- Water resistance
- IP68 on the Tab S9 and S10 Ultra, per Wikipedia. iFixit says opening an A9+ breaks its seals and adhesives must be replaced.
- Part numbers
- No part number is needed. The model number, such as SM-X710 for the Tab S9, is in Settings, About tablet.
- Tools and supplies
- A microfibre towel, clear tape for a cracked screen, a flashlight and a USB mouse for navigating. iFixit's A9+ opening needs a heat gun, Phillips #00 screwdriver and spudger: repairer's tools.
- Repair cost
- The Tab A9+ launched at $220 to $320 per iFixit; weigh a quote against that.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra, Galaxy Tab A9+.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If Samsung Members diagnostics report a touch fault, book service
- !If the screen is cracked or shows lines, do not delay a repair
- !If touch fails only in one app, update or reinstall it and contact its developer
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Restart, protectors and accessories, charger, TalkBack and touch settings, moisture, software updates and diagnostics.
Restart and Safe mode steps shared by Samsung's troubleshooting articles.
Tab S9 8,400 mAh battery, 45 W USB Power Delivery PPS, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, 11-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, microSDXC up to 1 TB, IP68, S Pen and Wi-Fi with Bluetooth 5.3.
Tab S10 Ultra 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 11,200 mAh battery, 45 W fast charging, Dimensity 9300+, IP68 and dedicated microSDXC slot.
Tab A9+ 11-inch TFT LCD, 7,040 mAh battery, Snapdragon 695 5G, 64 to 256 GB storage and its update commitment of three OS upgrades and four years of security updates.
Opening the A9+ takes a heat gun, a Phillips #00 screwdriver and a spudger, and breaks the water-resistant seals.
Exact questions
Common questions
Does the Tab S9's S Pen change touch?+
Wikipedia lists the S Pen as an input alongside the capacitive touchscreen. Detach or put away the S Pen when testing finger touch.
Is a screen protector a common cause?+
Samsung's article lists protectors, cases and non-genuine accessories, especially around the edges, and says to remove them or raise touch sensitivity.
How do I navigate if touch is broken?+
Samsung suggests connecting a mouse, which lets you move around the device while the touchscreen is not working.
What is TalkBack?+
An accessibility feature that speaks the screen. Samsung says if voice guidance plays when you touch, TalkBack may be on, and you tap once to select and double-tap to open.
What is Magnification triple-tap?+
Samsung says if the shortcut is set to triple-tap, quick touches may be missed or slowed. Turn it off or change it.
Can touch fail while charging?+
Yes. Samsung says a damaged charger may not supply power properly and cause the touch screen to malfunction, so use a different charger.
Does the A9+ display differ?+
Wikipedia lists an 11-inch TFT LCD for the Tab A9+, whereas the S9 and S10 Ultra use Dynamic AMOLED 2X. Samsung's touch steps are identical.
Does the S10 Ultra's size cause accidental touches?+
Samsung's battery article mentions Accidental touch protection for dark places, and a hand resting on a big 14.6-inch panel can register touches, so test flat on a table.
Can I repair a cracked screen myself?+
iFixit's A9+ guide says opening the tablet needs a heat gun and breaks the water-resistant seals, and that a cracked screen needs safety glasses, gloves and tape.
What tools does a screen job need?+
iFixit lists a heat gun, a Phillips #00 screwdriver, a spudger and adhesive for the A9+ opening. It is a repairer's job.
How much does a repair cost?+
iFixit gives the Tab A9+ a launch price of $220 to $320.
Should I update the software?+
Samsung's article says outdated software or apps may cause compatibility issues or abnormal display behavior, so update both.
Will Safe mode help?+
Yes. If touch works in Safe mode, a downloaded app is the cause.