Why is my touch screen only working part of the time?

I have a pattern lock on my RCA tablet. I can scroll up to get to the pattern part to unlock, however I can not make the pattern on the touch screen. I can touch the screen and move the lock up to get to the pattern part, but can not make the pattern. I don't understand.

Welcome to Android Central! What do you mean by scrolling up to get to the pattern part? Do you mean there's an initial swipe to get to the pattern unlock, then you have to enter your pattern? Does this persist after a reboot?