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Published on: 30.05.2024 | updated on: 30.05.2024
If you are thinking, ‘why my laptop touchpad is not working?’, you’re not alone. The touchpad is an essential part of any laptop, providing a convenient way to navigate and interact with your device. However, there are times when your laptop touchpad may suddenly stop working, causing frustration and impacting the user experience. Understanding why your touchpad might fail and knowing how to address these issues can save you time and hassle. This article explores the common causes behind a non-functional touchpad and provides practical solutions to get it back up and running smoothly.
If the touchpad is not working on laptop, it could be due to several reasons, including accidental disabling through settings or function keys, outdated or corrupted drivers, or disabled touchpad settings in the BIOS. Additionally, physical damage or hardware issues can also be the culprits. To resolve these issues, ensure the touchpad is enabled, update or reinstall drivers, keep your Windows system updated, or seek professional help if needed, especially if you notice any visible damage to the touchpad.
A laptop’s touchpad is an easy way to interact with the device and get things done without requiring an external mouse. However, as helpful as they are, touchpads are not error-free and may stop working due to different reasons. But knowing why the touchpad isn’t working can help you fix it timely.
Listed below are some common reasons why is touchpad on laptop not working;
The driver may be missing or require an update.
The touchpad itself or its internal components may have malfunctioned.
There may be a software glitch or error disrupting the touchpad’s functionality.
Some laptops automatically turn off the touchpad when an external mouse is connected.
The touchpad may be disabled from the settings.
Touchpads are a huge convenience when it comes to scrolling, pinching, and other similar gestures. Luckily, enabling the touchpad on a laptop is pretty simple;
Here is how you can do so;
If the driver is not working, you can update it by going to Start > Type “Device Manager” > Mice and other pointing devices > Update Driver.
Go to Settings > Bluetooth and devices > Touchpad and toggle it on.
Some laptops offer function key combinations (Fn + one of the F1 to F12 keys) that allow users to turn touchpads on or off.
If you have an external mouse connected, disable it from Bluetooth and devices under settings. Some laptops disable the touchpad automatically when an external mouse is detected.
For a MacBook, click the Apple icon > System Preferences > Software Update.
Here is how you can fix the laptop touchpad not working issue:
Check if the touchpad is enabled on your laptop. You can do this by going to settings. Then click on “Devices” or “Touchpad” settings. Ensure the touchpad is enabled. Sometimes, a function key (like Fn + F5) can toggle the touchpad on and off.
You can also enable the touchpad via BIOS settings. You can do this by following these steps:
Restart your laptop, and as it starts up, press the BIOS key repeatedly, which can be one of these: F2, F10, F12, Del, or Esc. The correct key will often be displayed on the screen during startup (e.g., "Press F2 to enter BIOS setup").
Once in the BIOS setup, look for a menu related to integrated peripherals or device configuration. This might be under "Advanced," "Main," "Integrated Peripherals," or a similar section.
Find the option for the touchpad (it might be listed as "Internal Pointing Device" or "Touchpad").
Change the setting to "Enabled." Use the “Enter” key to change the setting if needed.
After enabling the touchpad, navigate to the "Exit" menu or press the key specified for saving changes (often F10).
Select "Save Changes and Exit" and confirm if prompted.
The laptop will restart with the touchpad enabled.
Update or reinstall touchpad drivers by going to “Device Manager.” The settings may be different for each brand.
Ensure the touchpad area is free of dust, debris, or physical damage. If you see dirt, clean the touchpad gently with a microfiber cloth.
Connect an external mouse to navigate while troubleshooting the touchpad issue.
Here is why your touchpad mouse is not working on Laptop and how to fix it:
The touchpad may have been accidentally disabled.
The laptop may not have a correct, compatible, and up-to-date touchpad driver.
Dirt or dust may have accumulated on the touchpad.
Physical damage to the touchpad or its internal components can cause it to malfunction.
To check if the touchpad is enabled, go to the Control Panel or Settings, find the touchpad section under "Devices" or "Mouse & Touchpad," and ensure it is turned on. You can also check by pressing the "Fn" key along with the touchpad function key (usually one of the F keys with a touchpad icon).
Update or reinstall your touchpad drivers in Device Manager.
Clean your touchpad to remove any dirt or dust.
In case of physical damage, take it to a nearby repair store such as Simply Fixable.
Here is why your Laptop touchpad scrolling not working and how to fix it:
The touchpad's scrolling feature might be disabled in the settings.
The touchpad drivers might be outdated or corrupt.
External applications on your PC might have interfered with your touchpad.
Go to Control Panel or Settings, find touchpad settings, and enable the scrolling feature.
Download and install the latest touchpad drivers from the laptop manufacturer's website.
Check for any external applications that might interfere with your touchpad and disable them.
Here is why your touchpad is not clicking and how to fix it:
The touchpad might not be properly enabled from the settings.
There could be issues with the touchpad drivers preventing it from functioning correctly.
Software conflicts or updates can affect the touchpad functionality.
Check if the touchpad is enabled in your laptop's settings.
Update or reinstall your touchpad drivers.
Restart your laptop or perform a system restore to resolve software conflicts.
Here is why your Laptop touchpad is not working with Windows 10 and how to fix it:
The touchpad might be turned off via the function keys or settings.
Outdated, missing, or corrupted drivers can lead to malfunctioning.
Recent Windows updates can sometimes conflict with touchpad drivers.
Physical damage or internal component failure can cause the touchpad to stop working.
Check the touchpad settings in the Control Panel or Settings and use the function key (Fn + touchpad key) to enable it.
Visit the laptop manufacturer's website to download and install the latest touchpad drivers, or use Device Manager to update/reinstall them.
Ensure your system is up-to-date with the latest patches and updates from Microsoft or MacOS.
If the above steps don't work, contact your PC’s manufacturer or a repair store for further assistance.
Here is why your Laptop touchpad is not working Windows 11 and how to fix it:
The touchpad might be disabled under settings.
The touchpad drivers might be outdated or corrupted.
The touchpad might be disabled in the BIOS settings.
Physical damage or internal faults can lead to touchpad issues.
Ensure the touchpad is enabled in your laptop's settings. You can go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Touchpad and ensure it is turned on. Use the function key (Fn + touchpad key) to enable it if necessary.
You can download the latest touchpad drivers from the laptop manufacturer's website or use Device Manager to update/reinstall them.
Enter the BIOS setup during startup and ensure the touchpad is enabled in the BIOS settings. You can do this by following the method mentioned above.
If the touchpad on your Dell laptop has stopped functioning, it could be due to various reasons, such as an outdated driver, software, or hardware issues. To solve this, check for any available driver updates from Dell's website for your specific laptop model. Also, ensure the touchpad is not disabled through a keyboard shortcut or settings.
When the touchpad mouse on your Dell laptop stops working, first try restarting the laptop, as a temporary glitch may be causing the issue. If that doesn't help, check if an external mouse is connected, as some Dell laptops disable the touchpad when an external mouse is detected. Next, update the touchpad drivers from Dell's website and ensure that the touchpad is not disabled through settings.
If you've recently upgraded to Windows 11 and are facing issues with your Dell laptop's touchpad, the problem could be caused by compatibility issues or outdated drivers. Check if Dell has released any touchpad driver updates specific to Windows 11 for your laptop model.
If the touchpad on your HP Elitebook laptop is not working, start by checking if it's disabled through a keyboard shortcut or from settings. If it's enabled and still not working, look to update the touchpad drivers from HP's website. If the issue persists, you may need professional assistance, as it could be a hardware failure.
If the touchpad on your MacBook is unresponsive, try restarting the device first. Check if the touchpad is disabled through System Preferences > Accessibility > Software Update. Update to the latest macOS version and ensure that the trackpad drivers are up-to-date. You can also reset the SMC and NVRAM/PRAM to clear any hardware-related glitches. If the issue persists, it may be a hardware failure, and you should contact a reliable repair store for further assistance.
If the touchpad on your Asus laptop stops working, check for any available touchpad driver updates from Asus's website. Ensure that the touchpad is not disabled through a keyboard shortcut or settings. Contact Asus support if the issue remains unresolved.
In most cases, you can fix it by updating the touchpad drivers from HP's website. However, if the drivers are up to date, check if any external devices are connected to the laptop and toggle the touchpad off and on from the settings. If the issue persists, you should seek professional help.
If the touchpad on your HP Pavilion laptop is not working, first check if the drivers are up to date and whether the touchpad is enabled from the settings. Next, update the touchpad drivers from HP's website if the drivers are old and toggle the touchpad off and on from the settings.
When the touchpad on your Acer laptop stops working, you might want to check if it's disabled. To check, go to Settings > Bluetooth and Devices > Touchpad and toggle it off and on. Other reasons could be out-of-date touchpad drivers, which can be downloaded from Acer's website.
If your Lenovo laptop's touchpad isn't working, start by checking if an external device is connected. If yes, unplug it, and the touchpad should work fine. If no device is plugged in, there may be issues with the driver or with the touchpad itself. The driver can be updated by downloading the latest ones from Lenovo's website. Still, if the touchpad itself is damaged, you would have to visit a professional technician to help you.
When the touchpad on your Lenovo IdeaPad laptop stops working, follow the same steps as above for Lenovo laptops. Enable the touchpad using keyboard shortcuts, or click Settings > Bluetooth and devices > Touchpad and toggle it on. Also, check for the driver and update the touchpad drivers if an update is available. If everything fails, seek professional assistance, as chances are that there may be hardware damage.
If the touchpad on your Lenovo Yoga laptop stops working, try these steps: First, check if it's disabled using a keyboard shortcut or go to Settings > Bluetooth and devices > Touchpad, and toggle it off and on. Also, visit Lenovo's website to check for and update the touchpad drivers if there's an update available. If these steps don't fix the problem, you might need professional help as there could be hardware damage.
The touchpad on your Samsung laptop may stop working if the driver is outdated, corrupted, or disabled. It may also not work if an external device is connected. To fix it, check if an external mouse is connected. Next, see if the touchpad is turned off from settings. To update, visit Samsung's website and install the latest touchpad drivers.
If the keyboard and touchpad on your Microsoft Surface laptop are not working, it could be due to a hardware or software issue. First, try restarting the device and check for any updates from Microsoft. Ensure that the keyboard and touchpad are not disabled through the settings. Clean the touchpad surface, and if the issue persists, you may need to reset the device or seek assistance from Microsoft support.
If the touchpad on your Toshiba laptop is not working, update the touchpad drivers from Toshiba's website and ensure no external mouse is connected to the device. You can also toggle the touchpad off and on from the settings to fix any glitches. Also, consider cleaning the touchpad surface to remove any dirt or debris that may hamper its functionality. If nothing works, let a professional take care of it.
Follow these steps to prevent laptop touchpad issues in the future:
Regularly update your touchpad drivers from the laptop manufacturer's website to ensure compatibility and functionality.
Ensure that your Windows operating system is always up-to-date.
Periodically check your BIOS settings to ensure the touchpad is enabled, especially after BIOS updates.
Keep your laptop clean and free of debris, and handle it carefully to avoid physical damage to the touchpad.
A non-functional touchpad can be a major inconvenience, but with the right approach, you can usually identify and fix the problem by yourself at home. By understanding the potential causes, as mentioned in this article, you can take steps to keep your touchpad in working order. Regular updates, careful configuration, and timely troubleshooting are key to ensuring the smooth operation of your laptop touchpad. If you encounter persistent issues, consult professional support such as Simply Fixable to avoid further complications. Their skilled technicians are experts in handling any laptop touchpad issue and can fix it quickly.
Tech Writer | Photographer
LinkedIn: Madiha Khadim
Madi is a dynamic tech writer with a passion for simplifying complex concepts. Her expertise lies in creating clear and concise guides, blogs, manuals, and tutorials that empower users to navigate the technological landscape with ease. Throughout her career, Madi has worked with numerous leading tech companies, collaborating with engineers, developers, designers and marketers to create user manuals, FAQs, troubleshooting guides, and tech articles, on the websites such as "Technology Castle" and "Bilzimo". She can transform intricate technical jargon into user-friendly language, empowering users to understand and utilize products effectively.
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