Is Your Laptop Touchpad Not Working? Here’s a Guide to Help

Reinstall and Update Device Drivers

The laptop touchpad is not working properly, and it could be either a technical fault or an issue associated with the hardware. To fix this problem, you will need to install updated drivers for your device so that the error does not occur again in the future.

Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Launch’ device manager’ by right-clicking the windows icon in the main menu or launch it via run utility. Click windows key+R, and type ‘devmgmt.msc‘ in the run command box. It will open the device manager. 

Step 2: In the device manager window, navigate to ‘human interface devices’ and expand it. 

Step 3: In the next step, right-click the ‘HID-compliant touchpad’ to select the option of ‘uninstall device’ from the drop-down menu. 

Step 4: Once uninstalled, now select option f, ‘scan for hardware changes,’ and it will help to reinstall the compatible driver. 

Step 5: Repeat the same steps till step 3 and right-click ‘HID-compliant touchpad’ to select the option of ‘update driver.’ 

Step 6: In the next window, select the option of ‘search automatically for drivers or Browse manually for drivers.’ It will automatically search and install the latest update available for the drivers.

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Check Other Accessories Disabling the Touchpad

Any other hardware device connected to your PC can also cause the ‘My touchpad not working error.’ Devices like external mice, touchpads, or tablets will automatically disable the built-in touchpad and other pointing devices. Hence, all external and USB devices should be disabled to avoid this error. All connected devices should be unplugged, and Bluetooth should be turned off to resolve the error. Here are the steps to turn the Bluetooth off. 

Step 1: Launch the ‘settings’ menu from windows +I. 

Step 2: In the settings menu, select the option of ‘devices’ followed by selecting ‘Bluetooth and other devices’ from the left pane. 

Step 3: In the Bluetooth window, toggle the button off. 

Enable the Touchpad In Settings

Before looking for other quick-fix methods, check if the touchpad is enabled in settings. Here is how you can check it in windows. 

Step 1: Launch ‘settings’ from the main menu, i.e., click on the windows icon and search for ‘settings icon.’ Double-click the icon to launch it. In the settings menu, click on ‘devices.’ 

Step 2: In the devices menu, select the option of ‘touchpad’ from the left pane. 

Step 3: Toggle the button on under the touchpad option in the next window. 

Check BIOS Setup

If the methods mentioned above are not working, then touchpads can be enabled from BIOS. Here is how you can enable the touchpad from BIOS settings. 

Step 1: Restart your device and open the BIOS settings menu. In the BIOS menu, locate the option of ‘touchpad settings,’ i.e., ‘internal pointing device.’ 

Step 2: In the window of ‘internal pointing device,’ enable the option. Save changes and ‘exit’ BIOS. 

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Disable Tablet PC Services

The touchpad may also not work due to enabled tablet input services. If the touchscreen option and function keys are turned on, it won’t allow the touchpad to work, presenting an error. A touchscreen controls the stylus. Therefore, disabling tablet PC services can help to resolve the problem. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Launch the ‘Run’ command box via windows key+R. In the command box, type ‘services.msc’, and it will launch the ‘windows services manager.’ 

Step 2: In the ‘services manager’ window, navigate to ‘tablet PC input service’ and right-click the option to select ‘stop.’ 

Step 3: Right-click the ‘tablet PC input service’ again and select ‘properties.’ In the properties pop-up window, click on the ‘general tab’ in the ‘startup type section. Click on the option to select ‘disabled.’  

Step 4: Select ‘apply’ and click ‘ok’ to complete the action. 

Reset Touchpad Settings

Resetting touchpad settings could also resolve the touchpad not working error. This could be done with windows settings. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Launch ‘setting’ via windows key+I. In the settings menu, select the option of ‘devices.’

Step 2: In the devices window, select the option of ‘Bluetooth and devices’ from the left pane.

Step 3: Click on ‘touchpad’ and select the option of ‘reset’ in the Bluetooth and devices window. Once the reset is complete, check if the error persists. 

Repair System Files

Corrupted system files linked to any outdated or malware-attacked driver for the touchpad can cause functionality errors. Using the SFC scan to check the error and methods to resolve the error can help. Here is how you can use the SFC scan to fix the touchpad not working error. 

Step 1: Launch the command prompt by typing ‘command’ in the taskbar’s search box and double-click the option to launch it. Run it as an administrator with full privileges. 

Step 2: Type ‘sfc /scannow’ in the command prompt. Click enter to continue. The SFC scan will initiate, and the issue will be resolved as soon as it completes. 

Update Windows for Updated Driver Software

As the outdated driver couldn’t support appropriate communication between devices and operating systems, the same goes for outdated windows. Hence, updating windows to the latest version can resolve the touchpad not working error. Here are the steps to follow: 

Launch settings via the main menu and select the update and security option from the settings window. In the update and security window, choose the option of windows update. And check for updates—select update to resolve errors. 

Frequently Asked Questions About My Touchpad Not Working