Written by Jason Feemster, POS specialist with 15+ years of experience helping restaurants and retailers troubleshoot POS systems, payments, and hardware issues.
Common Issue: MICROS touchscreen stops responding, is slow to react, or only registers some touches.
Fast Fixes: Reboot the workstation, check for physical damage, clean the screen, verify USB/serial connections, and recalibrate the touchscreen.
Need official help? See our MICROS POS Support Guide
Want guided troubleshooting? Try the POSUSA POS Support Assistant (Free).
MICROS touchscreen not responding? Taps may not register, the screen might select the wrong buttons, or it may feel extremely laggy. When the touchscreen fails, your staff can’t ring up orders or close checks efficiently.
Here’s a quick, practical guide to get your MICROS touchscreen working again.
Table of Contents
- 1 Common Reasons MICROS Touchscreens Stop Responding
- 2 How to Fix MICROS Touchscreen Issues
- 2.1 1. Reboot the MICROS Workstation
- 2.2 2. Inspect and Clean the Screen Surface
- 2.3 3. Check Touchscreen Cable Connections
- 2.4 4. Recalibrate the Touchscreen
- 2.5 5. Test with External Input Devices
- 2.6 6. Check for Physical Damage or Screen Flicker
- 2.7 7. Restart CAL and Related Services (If System Is Very Sluggish)
- 3 When to Contact MICROS Support
- 4 MICROS Touchscreen Issues – FAQs
- 5 Try the POSUSA POS Support Assistant
- 6 Thinking About Switching POS Systems?
Common Reasons MICROS Touchscreens Stop Responding
- Frozen or overloaded operating system
- Loose or damaged touchscreen cable (USB or serial)
- Touchscreen driver or calibration issue
- Physical damage to the panel or glass
- Moisture, grease, or debris interfering with touch
- Power supply issues affecting performance
How to Fix MICROS Touchscreen Issues
1. Reboot the MICROS Workstation
A simple restart can fix unresponsive or laggy touchscreens by clearing hung processes and refreshing drivers.
- Use the keyboard (if attached) to navigate to shutdown
- Power off the workstation completely
- Wait 10–15 seconds, then restart
If the touchscreen responds normally after a reboot, the issue was likely software-related.
2. Inspect and Clean the Screen Surface
Grease, moisture, or foreign objects can interfere with touch detection—especially in busy kitchens or bars.
- Wipe the screen gently with a soft, lint-free cloth
- Avoid harsh chemicals that can damage the panel
- Remove any items resting against the screen (tickets, pens, etc.)
If the screen responds better after cleaning, make regular wipe-downs part of your closing checklist.
3. Check Touchscreen Cable Connections
Most MICROS terminals use an internal or external cable to connect the touchscreen controller to the main board.
- Carefully check USB or serial cable connections
- Verify the cable is secure on both the touchscreen and the workstation
- Look for visible damage, pinching, or fraying
A loose or damaged cable can cause intermittent or total loss of touch response.
4. Recalibrate the Touchscreen
If touches are detected but register in the wrong place (e.g., you tap one button and another activates), the calibration is likely off.
- Open the touchscreen calibration tool from the operating system or MICROS utilities
- Follow the on-screen prompts to tap the calibration points
- Save changes and test buttons on the MICROS GUI
Recalibration is often required after hardware changes, OS updates, or display replacements.
5. Test with External Input Devices
To confirm whether the issue is touchscreen-specific or system-wide, test with a keyboard or mouse.
- Plug in a USB keyboard and/or mouse
- Verify you can move the cursor and navigate MICROS screens
- If those work but touch does not, the problem is isolated to the touchscreen hardware or driver
This helps separate MICROS software issues from physical hardware failure.
6. Check for Physical Damage or Screen Flicker
Cracks, lines, or flickering can indicate a failing screen, controller, or backlight.
- Look closely for cracks, discoloration, or dead zones
- Check if the display flickers when touched or bumped
- If visible damage is present, plan for repair or replacement
Physical damage cannot be fixed through software—contact a MICROS hardware provider for service options.
7. Restart CAL and Related Services (If System Is Very Sluggish)
If the entire system feels slow or frozen, the touchscreen may appear unresponsive even though it’s working.
- On BOH server, restart “MICROS CAL” and related services
- Check CPU and memory usage on the workstation if accessible
- Reboot both the terminal and BOH if sluggishness affects multiple devices
Heavy load or runaway processes can make every input—touch included—feel unresponsive.
When to Contact MICROS Support
- Touchscreen is completely dead after multiple reboots
- Visible cracks or heavy flickering are present
- Calibration and driver checks do not resolve misaligned touches
- Multiple terminals show the same touchscreen failure pattern
👉 MICROS POS SUPPORT – Phone & Online Customer Service
MICROS Touchscreen Issues – FAQs
Why does my MICROS touchscreen only respond sometimes?
Can cleaning the screen really fix touch issues?
How do I know if the touchscreen is broken?
Try the POSUSA POS Support Assistant
Need help walking through MICROS touchscreen troubleshooting step by step?
- POSUSA POS Support Assistant
- Select MICROS
- Type: “touchscreen not responding”
- Follow the guided flow
Perfect for busy shifts when you don’t have time to dig through manuals.
Thinking About Switching POS Systems?
If you’re dealing with repeated POS issues, it might be time to compare more reliable options built for restaurants and retail businesses.
Takes 30 seconds • No sales pressure
