Pen pressure issues are almost always caused by a mismatch between the Windows Ink setting in Wacom Tablet Properties and what the application expects. Check the app-specific table below first.
App compatibility
Windows Ink setting per application
| Application | Windows Ink | Additional setting |
|---|---|---|
| Photoshop CC 2019+ | ON | Edit → Preferences → Performance → Advanced → Drawing Mode: Basic |
| Photoshop CS6 and older | OFF | None needed |
| Clip Studio Paint | Either | File → Preferences → Tablet → select Wintab or Windows Ink to match |
| Krita | OFF | Settings → Configure Krita → Tablet → WinTab |
| Procreate (iPad) | N/A | Not applicable on Windows |
| Blender | OFF | Blender uses WinTab by default |
| Affinity Photo/Designer | ON | None needed |
| Medibang Paint | Either | Check app preferences for tablet API |
Fix 1
Toggle Windows Ink in Wacom Tablet Properties
- 1
Open Wacom Tablet Properties
Right-click the Wacom icon in the system tray → Wacom Tablet Properties. Or search for it in the Start menu.
- 2
Go to the Pen tab
Click the Pen tab. Look for the Use Windows Ink checkbox at the bottom.
- 3
Toggle to match your app
Check the table above for your app. Enable Windows Ink for Photoshop CC, disable for Krita and older apps.
- 4
Restart the app
Close and reopen your drawing application after changing this setting. The change does not take effect in a running app.
Fix 2
Adjust the pressure curve
If pressure is detected but feels wrong (too hard to get full pressure, or too sensitive), adjust the pressure curve in Wacom Tablet Properties → Pen tab → Tip Feel or click Customize for fine control.
Drag the curve to the left for a softer feel (less force needed for full pressure). Drag right for firmer (needs more force). Most digital painters prefer a slightly soft curve.
Fix 3
Restart the Wacom service
C:\> net stop WTabletServicePro && net start WTabletServicePro
# Then restart your drawing app
Fix 4 — Photoshop specific
Fix pen pressure in Photoshop
- Enable Windows Ink in Wacom Tablet Properties
- In Photoshop: Edit → Preferences → Performance → Advanced Settings → Drawing Mode: Basic
- In brush: Window → Brush Settings → Shape Dynamics → Size Jitter → Control: Pen Pressure
- Make sure
psicon.dllis not blocked: checkC:\Program Files\Tablet\Wacom\32\psicon.dllexists
FAQ
Pressure questions
Pressure works in one app but not another
Different apps use different tablet APIs. Check the app-specific table above and match the Windows Ink setting. You may need to configure the app's own tablet preferences too — Clip Studio Paint and Krita both have dedicated tablet API settings in their preferences.
Pressure was working then suddenly stopped
Most likely the Wacom service crashed or a Windows update reset tablet settings. First: restart the Wacom service. Second: check if Windows Ink setting changed. Third: reinstall the driver.
Pressure levels seem to max out too easily
Adjust the pressure curve in Wacom Tablet Properties → Pen → Customize. Drag the curve anchor toward the upper-left to make pressure ramp up faster with less physical force. This is a personal preference setting.