How to Fix Laptop Touchpad in (2024)
Hello, today here I will teach you how to fix a laptop touchpad, It can be really annoying when your touchpad stops working, especially if you need it for daily tasks. It’s surprising how simple it is to understand the solution, though. This post will discuss several possible causes of your laptop’s touchpad malfunction and provide you detailed information on how to resolve it. We will also go through how to turn on the touchpad on your laptop in Windows 10 and 11.
How to Fix Laptop Touchpad in (2024)
If your laptop touchpad is not working, there are several steps you can take to troubleshoot and fix the issue. First, ensure the touchpad hasn’t been accidentally disabled. Many laptops have a function key (often in combination with the “Fn” key) that can toggle the touchpad on and off. Look for a key with a touchpad icon and press “Fn” + that key to re-enable it.
If the touchpad still doesn’t work, the next step is to check and update the drivers. Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause the touchpad to malfunction. To update the drivers in Windows,
go to Device Manager by right-clicking the Start button.
Then, expand the Mice and other pointing devices category, right-click on your touchpad device,
and select Update driver.
Choose Search automatically for updated driver software to let Windows find and install the latest driver. If this doesn’t work, you might need to visit your laptop manufacturer’s website and download the drivers manually.
How to Uninstall and Reinstall Touchpad Drivers
- Open Device Manager:
- On your keyboard, press Windows + X and select Device Manager from the menu.
- Alternatively, you can type “Device Manager” into the search bar and click on it.
- Locate the Touchpad Driver:
- In Device Manager, scroll down and expand the Mice and other pointing devices category.
- Find your touchpad driver (it might be listed as Synaptics, ELAN, or simply HID-compliant touchpad).
- Uninstall the Driver:
- Right-click on the touchpad driver and select Uninstall device.
- A prompt will appear asking for confirmation. Check the box that says Delete the driver software for this device, if available, and click Uninstall.
- Restart Your Laptop:
- After the driver is uninstalled, restart your computer. This is important because Windows will automatically reinstall the touchpad driver upon reboot.
- Verify Driver Installation:
- Once your laptop restarts, the system should automatically detect the touchpad and reinstall the appropriate driver.
- You can check if the driver is reinstalled by going back to Device Manager and confirming that the touchpad appears under Mice and other pointing devices.
- Manually Reinstall the Driver (if needed):
- If Windows doesn’t automatically reinstall the driver, go to your laptop manufacturer’s website.
- Download the latest touchpad driver for your model and operating system.
- Follow the installation instructions from the manufacturer’s site to reinstall the driver manually.
This process helps resolve touchpad issues that might be caused by corrupted or outdated drivers.
Another which is common issue it could be interference from an external device. If you have an external mouse or other peripherals connected, make sure you disconnect them all and restart your laptop to see if the touchpad is beginning to work or not. Sometimes, the system automatically disables the touchpad when an external mouse is connected.
- If these steps not working, you may need to check the touchpad settings in Windows. For Windows 10, or 11
- go to Settings > Devices > Touchpad and ensure the touchpad is enabled. For Windows 11, the path is Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Touchpad.
- Make sure the toggle is switched on. and then if these solutions fail,
- check the BIOS settings or run the built-in Windows troubleshooter under Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot to diagnose and fix hardware-related issues.
- If your touchpad is still unresponsive, that sign it could indicate a hardware problem that may need a technician to repair.
Step-by-Step Solutions to Fix a Non-Working Laptop Touchpad
Follow these steps to troubleshoot and fix your laptop touchpad:
1. Make Sure the Touchpad Isn’t Disabled by a Function Key
Many laptops come with a keyboard shortcut to disable or enable the touchpad. This shortcut is usually a combination of the “Fn” key and one of the function keys (F1-F12). The specific key varies by laptop model, but it often has an icon that looks like a touchpad.
Steps to Enable the Touchpad Using Function Keys:
- Look for a key on your keyboard that has an icon resembling a touchpad.
- Press the “Fn” key and this function key simultaneously.
- Check if the touchpad starts working.
2. Update Your Touchpad Drivers
Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause touchpad issues. Updating your drivers is often the most effective solution.
Steps to Update Touchpad Drivers:
- Right-click on the Start button and select Device Manager.
- Expand the Mice and other pointing devices category.
- Right-click on your touchpad device and select Update driver.
- Choose Search automatically for updated driver software and follow the on-screen instructions.
If Windows does not find a new driver, visit your laptop manufacturer’s website to download and install the latest driver manually.
3. Check for Interference from External Accessories
Sometimes, connecting an external mouse or keyboard can cause the touchpad to become unresponsive. To check if this is the case:
- Disconnect any external accessories (mouse, keyboard, USB devices).
- Restart your laptop and see if the touchpad works.
If your touchpad starts working after removing the external devices, consider updating their drivers or changing their settings.
How to Enable Your Laptop Touchpad in Windows 10 and 11
If your touchpad is disabled, you can enable it through the settings in Windows 10 and 11. Here’s how:
Steps to Enable Touchpad in Windows 10:
- Go to Settings by pressing Win + I.
- Click on Devices.
- Select Touchpad from the left panel.
- Make sure the toggle under Touchpad is turned on.
Steps to Enable Touchpad in Windows 11:
- Open Settings using Win + I.
- Go to Bluetooth & devices.
- Click on Touchpad.
- Toggle the switch to turn on the touchpad.
Bonus Tips
- Check BIOS Settings: Some laptops have touchpad settings in the BIOS menu. Restart your laptop and enter the BIOS (usually by pressing F2 or Del during boot) to ensure the touchpad is enabled.
- Run Hardware Troubleshooter: Windows has a built-in troubleshooter that can help identify and fix hardware-related issues. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot and run the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter.
Save Yourself the Headache and Use a Mouse
Using a mouse can save you time and frustration when working on a computer. It makes it easier to move around the screen, select items, and do tasks quickly. While some people prefer using touchpads or keyboards for shortcuts, a mouse offers better control and precision, especially for tasks like editing, drawing, or clicking on small items. Instead of struggling with other methods, using a mouse can make your work smoother and more comfortable, helping you avoid mistakes and work faster. how to Fix a Jumpy or Inaccurate Laptop Trackpad read more
FAQs
1. Why is my laptop touchpad not working even after updating drivers?
If your touchpad isn’t working even after updating the drivers, it could be due to a hardware issue or a more in-depth software conflict. Consider running the Windows Troubleshooter, checking the BIOS settings, or contacting your laptop’s manufacturer for support.
2. How do I unlock my touchpad on Windows 11?
You can unlock your touchpad by going to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Touchpad and turning on the touchpad toggle.
3. Can an external mouse disable my laptop touchpad?
Yes, in some cases, an external mouse can disable the touchpad, especially if the settings are configured that way. Disconnect the external mouse and check if the touchpad starts working.
4. How do I know if my touchpad is disabled by a function key?
Look for a touchpad icon on the function keys (F1-F12). Press the “Fn” key along with this function key to enable or disable the touchpad.
Conclusion
I hope you got all the points discussed above, but by following the steps outlined above, you should be able to identify and fix the problem quickly. Whether it’s updating drivers, enabling the touchpad in Windows settings, or checking for interference from external devices, now you have several methods to resolve the issue. Feel free to explore these solutions and get your laptop touchpad back to normal functionality
