A system for failure diagnostics for a Human Machine Interface (HMI) includes a physical knob, a button, and a touchscreen interface. The physical knob and the button disposed on the touchscreen interface and in communication with the touchscreen interface. The system further includes a touch sensor in communication with the touchscreen interface, and a controller in communication with the touch sensor, the controller having memory for storing control logic and a processor configured to execute the control logic, the control logic including a first logic for determining a state of the touchscreen interface, and a second logic for determining a state of a portion of the touchscreen interface smaller than a full area of the touchscreen interface.