Tired of all the touchscreen problems: returning my N7

**30014** · 08-22-2012, 06:47 PM

My screen also loses it's responsiveness if i leave my tablet on for days on end, but a quick power-off and restart has always a solved my issues.

**Traveler5** · 08-23-2012, 12:31 AM

Originally Posted by booyahsaki

I believe that what you were reading is called "sarcasm".

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

It's hard to tell, right?

**Traveler5** · 08-23-2012, 12:34 AM

Originally Posted by dave1812dave

not saying cleaning will fix it, but don't draw ANY inference from the fact you have other devices that work when the screens are dirty--that's falling into the trap of TOO MUCH ASSUMPTION. trust me on that one. Not all screens have the same level of sensitivity.

Yeah, I agree.

**Traveler5** · 08-23-2012, 12:48 AM

Originally Posted by 6tr6tr

I highly doubt a replacement will fix it because of a few things:

1. People with both c70 and c60 devices have this issue (and those were different runs of the tablet)

2. A number of replacement tablets have the same screen issues as the problem ones (e.g. my replacement flickers just like the original)

Keep in mind that most N7's out there work just fine. Getting a new one is better than keeping what I have now that I know doesn't work.

**Traveler5** · 08-23-2012, 01:08 AM

Try turning off all the animation settings. I did an hour ago and so far no problems. Not sure what the drawback is to doing that but it seems to be doing the trick. So far.

**devilshunter** · 08-23-2012, 04:46 PM

I seem to have narrowed down what causes multitouch issues, at least for my nexus 7. All tests were done on Multitouch Visible Test

1) There were issues when my nexus 7 was in the leather case that I bought very recently. Touch registrations were on and off, and sometimes displaying incorrect points (ie showing 3 dots when i only had 2 fingers on) When i took it out of the case, the problems seem to have went away. Im thinking the magnets in the case may have something to do with it.

2) With tablet out of the case, i laid the device flat on a desk surface. At first, no problems were seen with the test. However, i started applying more pressure to the tablet and the touch registrations started going wack.

3) Tablet is still out of the case, and holding it with hand. No issues at all, regardless of pressure.

I was freaking out today cuz i started seeing touchscreen problems during gaming and during this test. At the end of the day, the solution for me was to take it out of the leather case and hold the tablet in my hand for best results during gaming that requires multitouch. Maybe some of you will have the same luck as me?

**Traveler5** · 08-23-2012, 05:12 PM

Originally Posted by Traveler5

Try turning off all the animation settings. I did an hour ago and so far no problems. Not sure what the drawback is to doing that but it seems to be doing the trick. So far.

Edit: Did not work. Still having problems.

**Traveler5** · 08-23-2012, 05:22 PM

Originally Posted by devilshunter

I seem to have narrowed down what causes multitouch issues, at least for my nexus 7. All tests were done on Multitouch Visible Test

1) There were issues when my nexus 7 was in the leather case that I bought very recently. Touch registrations were on and off, and sometimes displaying incorrect points (ie showing 3 dots when i only had 2 fingers on) When i took it out of the case, the problems seem to have went away. Im thinking the magnets in the case may have something to do with it.

2) With tablet out of the case, i laid the device flat on a desk surface. At first, no problems were seen with the test. However, i started applying more pressure to the tablet and the touch registrations started going wack.

3) Tablet is still out of the case, and holding it with hand. No issues at all, regardless of pressure.

I was freaking out today cuz i started seeing touchscreen problems during gaming and during this test. At the end of the day, the solution for me was to take it out of the leather case and hold the tablet in my hand for best results during gaming that requires multitouch. Maybe some of you will have the same luck as me?

Mine is not in a case when I use it so I'm always holding the N7 "naked" -- (not me, the device). I do have a neoprene zippered case I put it in when not using it. Maybe it's static causing the problem? I don't know. What I do know is that my replacement, according to UPS' website, was delivered to my home about 20 minutes ago. I'll give N7#2 a whirl when I get home from work.

**1812dave** · 08-23-2012, 07:29 PM

this all reminds me of the issues with the BB Storm's touch screen--if you set the phone down on a hard surface and tried to click on something, pretty much every sample of the phone would exhibit a distinct inability to register a click. if you picked up the phone, it worked fine. I had several Storms and sure enough they did that very same thing.

Moral of the story: don't use the product in a manner that will probably cause problems and irritate you.

(ie, I can't set my N7 on the arm of my lazyboy,, because if I'm not holding it, the screen response goes to hell)

**InclusionInnovates** · 09-16-2012, 09:49 AM

Just receive my Nexus 7 and having the same issues ... the screen has become very unresponsive to the point I have to tap commands 2 or 3 times ... very disappointing ... just got my refund email ... I think I will simply wait for the next model

**InclusionInnovates** · 09-18-2012, 06:03 AM

I found this solution on XDA Developers

I purchased my Nexus 7 from Staples during business trip to San Francisco. My device started having touch screen issues after few hours. Factory reset did fix it and I liked the device a lot so I didn't return it as I thought touch screen issue was just a SW glitch. Issue came back at the airport . Unfortunately I didn't have time to return the device at that point. Issue wasn't manifesting itself all the time, but seemed to come up every time I plugged the device in charger. Symptoms were exactly as in this video:

and the other one in which multitouch is demonstrated. I suspected different applications as a reason to the problem as well as faulty charger. Then I found this thread and became assured that this must be a HW problem.

As I'm living in Finland and don't know when my next business trip to USA will take place I decided to try and fix the problem myself. I took off the back cover and touch screen worked perfectly. Initially I suspected grounding problem but pretty soon came to conclusion that it can not be the case. The problem in my case was the "sponge" pushing (what I assume is) display / touch flex. I have marked that in the attached picture. Even a very light touch to sponge caused touch screen to go crazy. As I don't have the luxury of immediate warranty repair I decided to remove the sponge and my Nexus 7 has been working flawlessly ever since. I can even charge and everything works as expected. When I started charging the device I placed my Nexus 7 on the table. It probably caused slightly increased pressure on back cover and therefore to "sponge". After removing the sponge I can't see any of the touch screen problems I was having. Couldn't be happier as I don't have any of the other problems people have found and device is working as it should, at least for now.
I don't encourage anyone to do what I did, but if you are in the same situation as I was with imported device, you can try to take off back cover and see if the problems are fixed. You should be very careful though not to break the device especially when it's powered on with back cover off. Hope this helps someone.

EDIT: 22.8.2012. Forgot to mention, that turn of WiFi if using device with back cover off. Turning off NFC and GPS won't hurt, although GPS is receiving only. Reason is that antennas are located on back cover.

**timothyh** · 09-18-2012, 08:14 AM

JD914----Very Helpful! Sure is nice to see that many problems are caused by the user. I'm trolling to decide if I really want a Nexus 7. Posts like this help no one.

**InclusionInnovates** · 09-18-2012, 09:23 AM

Originally Posted by timothyh

JD914----Very Helpful! Sure is nice to see that many problems are caused by the user. I'm trolling to decide if I really want a Nexus 7. Posts like this help no one.

If this solution works out, I am definitely keeping my Nexus 7.

I understand people being frustrated, however, as long as one doesn't just rant but also keeps looking for a solution the effort helps the Android community.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

It did not work for me, so I am still on a mission

**InclusionInnovates** · 09-18-2012, 12:57 PM

Okay, the only thing that returns touch screen sensitivity is when I totally shut down nearly all running apps.

**Toast95135** · 09-18-2012, 01:19 PM

Some of this may be bad digitizers, but I had some serious touch issues on my Nexus when I first got it. After reading a lot on here and XDA I found the issue that fixed it (for me at least). The flash memory they used isn't the best and when there is a lot of data being downloaded in the background it effects performance, from a tiny amount of lag to touches not registering (especially noticeable when typing). I disabled Play Magazines because for some reason it's a data hog, and I disabled Currents from auto syncing (do it from within the app theres a background data setting, but uncheck it in the main settings as well). Both of those apps download tons of data in the background constantly... After doing this I haven't had any issues with touch responsiveness or lag.

Before I would pick up my Nexus and wake it up from deep sleep and it would be SOOO slow, because a bunch of apps would start syncing. Or I would leave it for a few mins and my wifi would grey out (connected but not to Google) and once I switched wifi on and off it would lag horribly for a minute after. Doing the fix I mentioned got rid of all my issues. The only time I notice any lag is if my browser crashes because I have multiple tabs open with large images open and it is trying to reload them all at once, or when updating from the market (every android phone I've had gets a little laggy when something is installing though).

**InclusionInnovates** · 09-18-2012, 01:43 PM

This syncs up with what I am experiencing, now that I have shut down some apps, it is running fine. I wonder if there is a way to set a limit on background running apps usage so you don't have to wait until you hit a problem.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

**Grtchn** · 10-12-2012, 11:14 AM

Same problems, the touch screen quit working a couple of weeks after receiving, called Customer service, they sent a replacement tablet
in less than 2 wks it has started failing, do any of the google tablets work? Looks like I will be returning this one also, dont know if I should
even reorder?

**Ryuuie** · 10-12-2012, 11:34 AM

Originally Posted by Grtchn

Same problems, the touch screen quit working a couple of weeks after receiving, called Customer service, they sent a replacement tablet
in less than 2 wks it has started failing, do any of the google tablets work? Looks like I will be returning this one also, dont know if I should
even reorder?

Consider how many people own the Nexus 7 and don't post online about every little problem.

I'd say you're safe. It only seems widespread because pretty much every thread here and on XDA is about how bad the tablet is for a minority of people.

**ricktat** · 10-12-2012, 12:49 PM

The ASUS hardware is bad!
If Amazon or Best Buy sold this device you would see in the reviews. So many people complain here and XDA because there are so many problems.

I purchased 3 Kindle Fires for the family last November and all 3 still work flawlessly. I purchased 3 defective Nexus 7's and gave up. One had touch screen issues, one dead pixels, 3rd light bleed.

**mweba** · 10-12-2012, 07:25 PM

Have two 7's. One with the touch issue and one without so far. Very frustrating issue to be sure.

**TraderGary** · 10-12-2012, 11:35 PM

We have two Asus Nexus 7's in the family here. Both are C80 serial numbers and two months old. Both are perfect with no problems. We love them.

Sent from my Asus Nexus 7.

**MaddSkillz** · 10-13-2012, 06:57 AM

Had mine for two weeks now with absolutely no problems. Loving it so far.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Android Central Forums

**Wayne52** · 11-19-2012, 12:49 AM

that's very deep. something about my fingers…my fingers need fixing

**TemporalBeef** · 11-19-2012, 10:14 AM

I had this problem, but 4.2 fixed it. No issues whatsoever after having a lackluster touch-responsiveness left and right.

**Yuri Pavlov** · 01-24-2013, 09:37 PM

Hi...this is my 1st post but just had to respond!!

Whoever suggested that fabric thing and my body not being conductive I thought what a stupid suggestion when I first read it (!!) - but I got out of my seat anyway which was fabric, took off my hoody which was fabric, washed my hands, touched a metal lamp - then the Nexus 7 screen works again!! I was at a loss and already planning to take the device back to the shop after only a week of usage. I knew it was a touch screen problem when even after a hard factory reset, swiping down on the country list didn't work, my finger would touch somewhere but another area would respond....

This was after scouring all the forums for an answer and thinking it was a pirated app, the screen guard (which i took off and now cant put back on without bubbles!) or the pattern lock software that was the problem. Well I hope it doesn't happen again when I'm sat on a metal chair....then it must be the screen problem. It might just be a huge coincidence that the screen started working again after I earthed myself....but like Master Ugwei said in Kung-Fu panda, there are no accidents in life.

Thanks again for the suggestion!!