A laptop is one of the best portable computing devices that you can carry around with you. You will be able to run any software from your desktop on the laptop and with its keyboard and touchpad combination you will be able to perform various productivity tasks with ease. Although this is quite a solid device there are instances when you will experience certain issues with it. In this latest installment of our troubleshooting series we will show you how to fix the laptop touchpad not working issue.
How To Fix Laptop Touchpad Not Working Issue
Before performing any of the recommended troubleshooting steps listed below it’s best to restart your computer first. This action refreshes the operating system and remove any corrupt temporary data that could be causing the problem.
There are several factors that can cause this particular problem ranging from a corrupt driver to a wrong setting. Listed below are the troubleshooting steps you need to do to fix this problem.
Check the settings
The first thing you will need to do in this case is to make sure that the touchpad is enabled from the settings.
- On the search bar type “Control Pane” and hit Enter and then go to Mouse .
- In the Mouse Properties window, locate your touchpad settings, which is usually at the extreme right tab next to the Hardware tab. The name of the tab is the name of the touchpad manufacturer (Synaptic, ELAN, etc)
- Ensure the checkbox named Enable Touchpad is enabled or the Enable Device button is active.
- Adjust any other setting you wish to change, click Apply and then OK
Check if the laptop touchpad not working issue still occurs.
Use the Windows Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter
One of the best ways to fix this problem is by using the Windows hardware and devices troubleshooter. This tool automatically checks for any errors and attempts to fix it.
- On the search bar type “Control Pane” and hit Enter
- Go to System and Security > Security and Maintenance > Troubleshooting > Configure a device (Under Hardware and Sound).
- A troubleshooting wizard will appear
- Follow the prompts to scan for problems and provide fixes.
Check if the laptop touchpad not working issue still occurs.
Reinstall the touchpad drivers
One of the reasons why this problem occurs is due to a corrupted driver. To check if this is the culprit you should try reinstalling the driver.
- Visit the official website of your laptop’s vendor.
- Click the Support page on the vendor’s website
- Enter your model number, service tag number, or serial number in the field requesting for it. You can also use the model chooser utility on the website if available.
- Select Drivers and search for the touchpad/mouse driver for your laptop. This is usually under the Mouse or Touchpad.
- Download the latest driver and install it.
- Restart your computer.
Check if the laptop touchpad not working issue still occurs.
Try updating the touchpad driver
- Press Windows Key + R on your keyboard, type devmgmt.msc and then hit Enter.
- Click on the arrow next to ‘Mice and other pointing devices’.
- Locate your touchpad and right click the icon and select Properties.
- Click the Driver tab and first make sure the Disable button is active. This is to make sure the touchpad is enabled.
- Click on Update Driver in the same tab and then select ‘Search automatically for updated driver software’. You need to be connected to the Internet for this to work.
- Follow the prompts to complete updating your touchpad drivers.
- Restart the computer.
Check if the laptop touchpad not working issue still occurs.
Enable touchpad from the BIOS
There’s a possibility that the touchpad is disabled from the BIOS. Follow the steps listed below to enable this.
- Shutdown your computer and reboot into the BIOS. This is device specific and is usually displayed when the POST screen comes up. The Esc, Delete, F2, F8, F10, F12 keys are most common keys pressed to enter the BIOS.
- Check the hardware device settings and enable the touchpad if it’s disabled.
- Exit the BIOS and reboot your computer.
Check if the laptop touchpad not working issue still occurs.
Check the touchpad switch
Most laptops will have a touchpad switch which can be easily turned on or off.
- Find the FN key on the keyboard and press it. This is usually next to the “ctrl” key at the bottom.
- While pressing the FN key, find the Function Keys (F1 – F12), one key in particular with the icon of a touchpad with a finger on it or a touchpad with a diagonal line across it.
- Press the Fn key and the touchpad Function Key simultaneously to reactivate the touchpad on your laptop.
Check if the laptop touchpad not working issue still occurs.