Can’t Enable Tablet Mode on Windows 11? Here’s What’s Going On
Tablet interface appears suddenly or fails to start on 2-in-1 devices running Windows 11, even when touch input is available and the keyboard is detached. This shows that Windows 11 no longer offers a manual tablet mode switch and instead relies only on automatic hardware detection for switching modes.
The most common cause is faulty or missed keyboard detach detection; other causes include firmware bugs, registry errors, or old system components.
What’s going on with Tablet Mode on Windows 11?
Let’s face it, Tablet Mode was never a strong suit of Windows. Unlike other features, it didn’t change much in the last two versions, and I always felt it was due for a redesign.
On Windows 11, instead of a dedicated Tablet Mode toggle that you can turn on or off yourself, the system detects when a keyboard is removed and auto-switches to a more touch-friendly UI.
Removing the dedicated Tablet Mode toggle might confuse some users, but it’s a step in the right direction.
Windows 11 is designed to be used with and without a touchscreen without forcing big changes to the UI—unlike older Windows versions.
When Windows 11 switches to its tablet-friendly view, icons and buttons space out a bit more so you don’t accidentally tap the wrong thing. But that’s about it.
How to Enable Tablet Mode
If your Windows 11 device has touch capabilities, you’ve probably already triggered the tablet-friendly view without realizing it.
All you need to do is disconnect the keyboard from your tablet, and Windows will auto-enable touch-friendly behavior.
The thing is, you won’t see dramatic changes. Don’t expect a full-blown Tablet Mode that completely changes how your OS looks and behaves. You’ll mainly notice that UI elements spread out a little to make touch easier.
Windows 11 is built as a hybrid for both traditional use and touch, so no manual toggle is needed. And it works well (for the most part).
How to Fix Tablet Mode Screen Not Rotating on Windows 11
Windows 11 is still evolving, so some inconsistencies are expected while Microsoft streamlines the experience.
Right now, the most common issue is that the screen sometimes refuses to auto-rotate with the device orientation after you disconnect the keyboard and switch to the touch-friendly view.
This behavior is mostly reported on Surface and Surface Pro devices.
After looking into it, we realized this isn’t really a bug—it’s a setting. Rotation lock is often enabled by default in Windows 11. If you turn it off and restart your PC, auto-rotation should start working.
- Press Windows key + I to open the Settings screen.
- Once you’re inside Settings, open the System tab from the vertical menu on the left.
Accessing the System tab Note: If you can’t see the vertical menu, click the action icon (three lines) in the top-left corner to show it.
- Inside the System tab, click Display.
- In the Display settings, scroll down to Scale & layout and turn off the toggle for Rotation lock.
Disabling the Rotation lock Note: If the Rotation lock toggle is grayed out, detach any keyboard or cover and try rotating the device once, then check again.
- After you turn off Rotation lock, restart your PC to apply the change.
Update: Auto-rotate can still fail even after you disable Rotation lock. In that case, a simple restart usually helps. Microsoft is working on a permanent fix, so keep Windows 11 updated with the latest updates.
The Problem with the Tablet Mode Behavior on Windows 11
This auto-switching behavior is great for most users, but what about those using a GPD micro gaming PC or a different device that doesn’t let you detach the keyboard from the touchscreen?
Right now, these users are essentially prevented from using a classic Tablet Mode in Windows 11—even if their device has a touchscreen.
As of now, there’s no way to manually enable a traditional Tablet Mode on Windows 11. We’ll have to wait and see if Microsoft decides to add this option in the future.
