Intuos Tablet turning touch on and off constantly
I have an intuos pro medium tablet on a Mac running OS Monterey. I'm working in graphics heavy programmes like photoshop, premiere and zbrush, but this problem is not specific to any software. My tablet is driving me absolutely crazy by turning touch on and off. It freezes the pen and tells me "Touch Off" on screen before working for a few minutes and then doing it again.
I've done all the usual things: reinstalled drivers, touch is disabled both on the hardware and in the preference panels as I prefer not to use it, but I have tried having it on to see if it will stop doing this but is just tells me "Touch On" instead. I also wear a glove when I'm working as I don't like my skin making the tablet greasy.
Has anyone else experienced this?
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Official comment
Hello Mary,
Very sorry to hear this. Rest assured there is nothing wrong with your tablet or pen.
This is a recent known issue where something is causing the driver to crash and restart (this is why you see a "Touch On" message). Normally this happens so fast that most users wouldn't even notice this but in some specific situations, the driver is not able to properly start again, leaving you without being able to use the pen.
In the meantime, there are 2 workarounds to get the driver working again:
- Log out and log back into the Mac user account.
- Use the Activity Monitor app and Force Quit the running com.wacom.IOManager process - this will force the process to restart correctly
I have created a support ticket for you so you can get notified once there is a fix for this issue.
UPDATE (10th Aug):
This issue has been addressed in the latest driver release 6.4.3-2
See all details here: https://cdn.wacom.com/u/productsupport/drivers/mac/professional/releasenotes/Mac_6.4.3-2.html
UPDATE (20th Oct):
New driver has been released where this issue is again addressed. Please download and install from here: https://www.wacom.com/en-de/support/product-support/drivers
Release notes: https://cdn.wacom.com/u/productsupport/drivers/mac/professional/releasenotes/Mac_6.4.4-2.html
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I too had this issue, and it made working with my Wacom tablet (Intros Pro) impossible. I could not do any Illustration or Design work, as my Wacom stopped working every 30 seconds -- showing the "TOUCH OFF" message and freezing for ten-fifteen seconds.
Unfortunately in my case, the solution as mentioned here by João did not work for me.
What worked for me -- hopefully as a temporary fix until the issue is addressed properly in an update -- is the following: unplug the Wacom. Select the Wacom Center in the Application Folder. Delete Wacom Center (move to bin/trash or Uninstall the app) then connect the Wacom again.
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Unfortunately both workarounds didn't work for me, so I thought, my Wacom is broken. I bought new one, but it doesn't help. João do you know when this issue will be fixed?
It's impossible to work with the tablet when it's constantly switching.1 -
Hi Ania,
Very sorry to read that the workaround is not working for you.
I have created a support ticket (1592606) so the team can follow up with you and help you.
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Luckily I just noticed this forum on a search. We have the same problem on all our Mac Studio editing systems withe the PTH constantly disconnecting. It's been happening for months and is so disruptive that we have to use the Apple magic mouse for editing and After Effects design work. Originally we though it was the Bluetooth connection, but even a wired connection disconnects. It's really not good, particularly when the company 's primary product can't be used for the purpose it's designed for. Is it a compatibility issue with the Ventura OSX?
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Hi Peter,
It's is not a compatibility issue. It's is a bug that is affecting users in certain conditions.
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Hi, I have the same problem with a brand new Intuos Pro working on Mac. I think that the connection is what causes problems with the drivers. When I unplug the cable using only bluetooth is much more better but soon or later the battery is over. I hope there will be a solution...
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Hi, I am having the same issue. Is there any idea of when the bug will be fixed? Thanks
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I've been having the same issue forever, but recently the tablet has become virtually unusable.
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Or sometimes it will just freeze mid-activity and the whole system has to shut down and rebooted. It really is the flakiest piece of post-production equipment I own.
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Hi, having the exact same problem, with a Wacom intros pro M and macOS Ventura. The tablet goes unresponsive for 5 seconds every 10 minutes or so. I work full time on Photoshop and this is a very frustrating bug, I would appreciate to get updated when there is a permanent fix for this. Thanks so much.
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This is really not acceptable. I cannot go on more than 1 day or 2 without having to restart the computer or using Activity Monitor to kill and restart all Wacom processes. A product that does not work as advertised.
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This is a nightmare, how you can be so flippant in regards to a catastrophic issue that renders your product useless is beyond me. Get it fixed.
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I posted my own history about this bug at https://support.wacom.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/15543049753111-Intuos-Pro-S-keeps-disconnecting-reconnecting-plus-keeps-external-drives-from-mounting-in-Ventura, but I'd just like to say "me, too"! I found that logging out & back in causes problems with my Apple Mail, so I actually have to reboot to get tablet functionality back. It's a major pain that I've been having to deal with for months.
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Good afternoon,
I am a Wacom user since 2003 (happy customer for twenty years). It's been two months of working with a Wacom that I have to disconnect and connect about every five minutes. You can imagine what this does to the creative workflow. It's frustrating.
I was wondering if you have heard about any updates, or any word of Wacom solving this problem? I know you have made a support ticket, I think I don't speak only for myself when I say that I am eager to hear an update on this issue :-D
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Potential solution found:
This problem occurred frequently when i had my Wacom plugged into my monitors USB port.
An OS-level notification popped up this morning (first time i've seen it, and its been months of this issue happening sporadically) explaining that the USB port was struggling to provide enough power.
Now that i've plugged it directly into my MacBook (with a usb-c converter), it seems to be working fine. Will update should anything change.
Hopefully this helps!
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Yyyyep! Me as well. The tablet had been working great up until I believe until Monterrey for me. Running latest Ventura and still same as all report here. I am about to dump it and go back to the ol wireless mouse or find another tablet that may not be buggy. Lets hear it for an update on fixing this problem...
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My problem with the driver crashing seems to have been resolved, in a way that jibes with Gera's findings.
I've ordered an M1 iMac to replace my current 2017 iMac, and since that means I'm losing a couple of ports, I bought a powered USB 3.0 hub, which replaces two non-powered USB 2.0 hubs that I've been using for years. My Intuos Pro is still plugged into its own USB 3 port, but all my other peripherals are now drawing off the powered hub. And since I set that up yesterday, I don't believe my driver has crashed even once.
As I related at https://support.wacom.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/15543049753111-Intuos-Pro-S-keeps-disconnecting-reconnecting-plus-keeps-external-drives-from-mounting-in-Ventura, I'd also had a conflict between the Intuos and my external hard drives that was resolved when I followed João's advice to reset my SMC-- presumably correcting some issue with power management.
It sounds like this, too, had something to do with power management. Maybe upgrading my hub to USB 3.0 helped, too. But anyway, I'm hoping that's the last I'll have to deal with this particular headache.
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Unfortunately none of these fixes helped me.
I have an M2 MBP and was previously plugging it into a USB 3.0 hub that was plugged into my new monitor. I tried plugging it directly into the macbook with the usb-c adapter and it still has the same issue. I also tried using a few USB-C to USB-C cables I had lying around but still have the same issue.
It's getting especially annoying with touch on/off flickering because it also means if my hand is touching the tablet, then it's starting to register the touch as well, which is messing up my workflow. I bought a glove for now and try not to look at the laptop screen that has the text pop up every 30 seconds, but it's frustrating for sure.2 -
Sam issue here. Constantly restarting, making it impossible to get anything done. I've tried various USB hub solutions, but doesn't seem to make any difference.
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Same problem for 2-3 years now. I've been waiting for a new release/generation of the Intuos Pro line, thinking that my tablet was the problem and I needed to upgrade. Even with chat support a while ago, they never acknowledged the problem and only recommended sending the tablet to fix it for around $200.
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I have an Intuos Tablet BT S on a Mac running OS Monterey. I'm working in Art Rage 6 but this problem is not specific to the Art Rage 6 software, I am able to draw and use icons with my mousepad. My tablet is driving me absolutely crazy by turning touch on and off. It is fully charged, I see a blue light flashing on, but it cuts off after 3 or so seconds.
I have updated my computer to the most recent software update. I have also tired deleting all Wacom drivers and installments and re-downloaded them to my computer. I have looked at my charger and tablet to see if there are any damages on them, and they both look to be in great shape!
Both work around solutions listed, is not working for my tablet it continues to turn on and off:
- Log out and log back into the Mac user account.
- Use the Activity Monitor app and Force Quit the running com.wacom.IOManager process - this will force the process to restart correctly
I also tired another solution that was on Wacom Support, and it also did not work in my favor:
- If your tablet is connected to your computer by USB, disconnect the USB cable.
- Open your computer's Bluetooth menu and turn on Bluetooth
- Press the power button on your tablet until the blue LED starts to blink.
- If your tablet was previously connected to a computer which is now off or out of range, the blue LED above the power button will blink quickly for 15 seconds.
- The blue LED slowly blinking indicates the tablet is discoverable by Bluetooth.
- In your computer's Bluetooth menu, select your tablet's name when it appears.
- Click Pair or complete the pairing process per your operating system's instructions.
- The blue LED will stop blinking when your tablet is connected.
- Close the Bluetooth menu.
- After you pair your computer to your tablet, you can switch between a Bluetooth and USB connection by plugging and unplugging the USB cable.
Please let us all know how this bug can be fixed. I was in the middle of a project, and now I cannot proceed. I thought I was going crazy, until I saw, unfortunately, others dealing with the same problem. I love the Wacom product and have been using it for 4 years now! I just would love it even more, if I can create some art!
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Please ready my official response on this thread. This is a recent bug so it is not possible that you have been having the same exact issue for over 2 years.
The issue with your device is probably Hardware related as support suggests but I would recommend reaching out for further troubleshooting if you are still not sure.
Cheers
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Really sorry to ear that. Thanks for trying all the workarounds.
Unfortunately, this can only be fixed with a driver update. I know the driver team is working on it and this is high priority but I don't have any other additional details for now.
I will update this thread once there is an update so feel free to follow so you can get a notification when the new driver is available.
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The driver team need to pull their finger out, this is ludicrous.
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João,
Thank you for getting back to me. I have tried restarting the driver multiple times- and it still does not work. It doesn’t even pick up that my Wacom Intuos BT S tablet is on because it turns on and then off after three seconds.
Wacom needs to get this fixed as soon as possible. I do not have the luxury of investing in a new tablet- as I got this one for the sole purpose of use and longevity. I am in the middle of a project, and want to work on others! This is so frustrating they haven’t found a solution yet- as multiple people have been inquiring about this issue. I will be sure to follow for updates.
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Then your issue is not related with this bug at all otherwise a reboot would help you recover.
Reading your description again, seems you might have a power related issue. Please confirm:
- Are you connecting the tablet directly to your Mac with the USB cable?
If yes, try a different port or a different cable
If you are using a USB adapter, try to connect directly to the Mac, or replace the adapter if possible
0 - Are you connecting the tablet directly to your Mac with the USB cable?
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I'm having this same issue, tried everything listed above and still nothing works - PLEASE FIX THIS ASAP.
Please include me in your response when you find a work around João1 -
I also have this problem with my own Intuos Pro, PTH 660. The issue persists regardless of whether I've got it plugged directly into the computer or connected via Bluetooth. I'm pretty sure I didn't have this problem until I updated my (a few years out of date) driver to the most recent one a few months back, and it's still happening in the latest version of the driver. I use a MacBook, if that's any help.
I have to stop every three minutes to restart my tablet, make my laptop connect to the Intuos bluetooth, and then wait for the Wacom software to start working again. It's borderline unusable right now... hope the issue gets resolved soon.
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This is a three-year-old problem and I can assure you that they are lying about the so-called recent problem. This problem occurs on two devices at my home and work. And on my colleague's computer at the next table, it was three years ago, it’s just that the latest one is more serious. The touch will even flash a dozen times in 2 seconds. I even smashed the switch on the left side, because it interfered with my work to the point of hysteria. However, there was nothing Useful. I just want to know, how can I physically destroy the switch on the left, and it can still flash? Wacom's inability to drive is historical. In the past, it would need to restart the computer frequently to restore the function. Now it has completely changed. Became job harassment. I'm thinking about buying another brand. Wacom doesn't value its reputation. This is my 4th and last Wacom product. Don't quibble. I can provide pics of the physically broken left switch, and touch prompt but still keep flashing the video to Youtube. The only temporary solution I found is to right-click and restart a service like "WtabletServicePro" in the service tab of the task manager. This can persist for a while.
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