What to do if the S Pen isn’t working properly on your Tab S8

Image of S Pen next to galaxy device

If the S Pen isn’t being recognised on parts of your Tab S8, or you’re having problems with S Pen connectivity or air actions, read the guide below to help solve your issues.

Alternatively, you can find out more about the S Pen and how to use it.

If there is a screen protector on your device, it may be that the S Pen touch isn’t recognised on parts of your device’s display. To enhance the touch sensitivity of your device:

1 Go to Settings, then tap Display
Display selected in settings menu
2 Tap the toggle next to Touch sensitivity to enable it
Touch sensitivity option toggled on

If ‘Swipe gestures’ mode in the Navigation bar menu is switched on, your S Pen may not work properly on the bottom part of your device’s display. This is because your S Pen action may be being recognised as a ‘Swipe gesture’. In order for your S Pen to work properly on the bottom part of your device’s display, try the two options below: 

 

1: Enable ‘Block gestures with S Pen’ so that S Pen actions are recognised

1 Go to Settings, then tap Display
Display selected in settings menu
2 Tap Navigation bar
Navigation bar selected in Display settings
3 In Swipe gestures section slide the toggle to enable Block gestures with S Pen
Block gestures with S pen toggled on

2: Change to ‘Buttons’ option in the Navigation bar menu

1 Go to Settings, then tap Display
Display selected in settings menu
2 Tap Navigation bar
Navigation bar selected in Display settings
3 Select the option next to Buttons
Buttons option selected

If your Tab displays a message that the S Pen is disconnected, it may be that external factors are interfering with the function of the S Pen. Magnetic phone cases or metallic covers around the device and S Pen can cause problems with recognition. Make sure to remove these before using the S Pen with your Tab.

Find out more about what do if your S Pen often disconnects from your device

If you are experiencing issues with S Pen air actions it may be that the S Pen permissions are not set properly, follow the steps below to enable S Pen air actions and physical activity settings.

 

Enable S Pen air actions

1 Go to Settings, then tap Advanced features
Advanced features selected in settings menu
2 Tap S Pen
S Pen selected in Advanced features menu
3 Tap Air actions
Air actions selected in S Pen menu
4 Tap the toggle next to On to enable Air actions
Air actions toggled on

Enable S Pen physical activity setting

1 Go to Settings, then tap Apps
Apps selected in settings menu
2 Tap the Sort by icon (top right in apps list)
Sort by icon selected in Apps list
3 Tap Show system apps and then OK to turn on
Show system apps option selected
4 Tap Air command
Air command selected in apps list
5 Tap Permissions
Permissions selected
6 Tap Nearby devices and select Allow
Allow selected in Nearby devices permissions menu
7 Go back to the App permissions menu
App permissions menu displayed
8 Tap Physical activity and select Allow
Allow selected in Physical activity permissions

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