Your laptop trackpad is a crucial tool for navigating your computer. It acts like a mini-mouse, allowing you to move the cursor, click, and perform other actions. But what happens when your trackpad suddenly stops working?
This guide will walk you through troubleshooting steps to get your laptop trackpad back on track. We’ll cover basic checks, software updates, and solutions specific to Windows and macOS operating systems.
Understanding the Problem
Trackpad malfunctions can manifest in various ways:
- The cursor might not move at all.
- Clicks or taps might not register.
- Gestures (like scrolling or zooming) might not work.
- The trackpad feels jumpy or unresponsive.
How to Laptop Touch Not Working All Proven Steps
In my years of experience with various laptops, including my trusty ASUS VivoBook 15 OLED, my reliable Dell XPS 15, and my versatile Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon, I’ve encountered and resolved numerous touchpad issues. Let’s explore these solutions, starting from the basics and progressing to more advanced fixes.
1. The Quick Toggle: Function Key Mastery
The function key combination is often the quickest fix for an unresponsive touchpad. This method works by directly toggling the touchpad’s hardware switch through a software command. It’s particularly effective when the touchpad has been accidentally disabled or when there’s a minor software glitch.
- Look for a touchpad icon on your function keys
- Common combinations: Fn + F7, Fn + F9, or Fn + F11
- Press the combination to toggle the touchpad on/off
On my ASUS VivoBook 15 OLED, the magic combination is Fn + F10. This simple key press sends a signal to the system to toggle the touchpad state, often resolving issues caused by accidental disabling or temporary software hiccups. It’s most effective immediately after you notice your touchpad isn’t responding, especially if you’ve been using an external mouse or if you’ve just woken your laptop from sleep mode.
2. Windows Settings Check: The Obvious Yet Overlooked
Sometimes, the solution lies in the most obvious place – Windows settings. This method works by ensuring that the touchpad is enabled at the operating system level and that its sensitivity settings are correctly configured.
- Open Settings (Windows key + I)
- Navigate to Devices > Touchpad
- Ensure the touchpad is enabled
- Adjust sensitivity settings if needed:
- Touchpad sensitivity
- Cursor speed
- Taps
- Scroll and zoom
- Three and four-finger gestures
- Test the touchpad after making changes
- If issues persist, proceed to other troubleshooting methods..
I’ve found this particularly useful on my Dell XPS 15 when the touchpad becomes less responsive over time. By adjusting these settings, you can often restore full functionality, especially after major Windows updates that might have altered your default configurations. It’s a go-to solution when your touchpad is working intermittently or seems less sensitive than usual.
3. Device Manager Restart: The Classic Refresh
Restarting the touchpad driver through Device Manager is a time-tested method that works by forcing Windows to re-initialize the touchpad hardware. This can resolve issues caused by driver conflicts or software glitches that have corrupted the current driver state.
- Open Device Manager
- Expand “Mice and other pointing devices”
- Right-click on your touchpad device
- Select “Disable device”, wait a few seconds
- Right-click again and select “Enable device”
On my Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon, I’ve used this method successfully after docking and undocking the laptop, which sometimes causes the touchpad to become unresponsive. It’s particularly effective when your touchpad suddenly stops working after a system change or when you’ve connected or disconnected external devices.
4. Driver Updates: Keeping Things Fresh
Updating drivers is crucial for maintaining optimal touchpad performance. This method works by ensuring that your touchpad software is compatible with the latest Windows updates and includes the most recent bug fixes and optimizations from the manufacturer.
- Visit your laptop manufacturer’s support website
- Enter your laptop’s model number
- Navigate to the drivers section
- Download and install the latest touchpad driver
- Restart your laptop
For my ASUS VivoBook 15 OLED, regular driver updates from the ASUS support website have prevented many issues before they could occur. This solution is especially important after major operating system updates or when you notice new, persistent issues with your touchpad’s performance.
5. External Interference Check: The Physical Inspection
Sometimes, the issue is physical rather than digital. This method works by eliminating external factors that could be interfering with your touchpad’s operation.
- Disconnect any external mice or pointing devices
- Clean the touchpad surface with a slightly damp, lint-free cloth
- Ensure your hands are clean and dry when using the touchpad
- Check for any visible damage to the touchpad surface
I’ve found this particularly relevant for my Dell XPS 15, which has a large, sensitive touchpad. Cleaning the surface, ensuring my hands are dry, and disconnecting external pointing devices have resolved many apparent “malfunctions”. This approach is most effective when you notice inconsistent touchpad behavior or when the issue arose suddenly without any software changes.
6. Disabling the Tablet PC Input Service: Uncovering Hidden Conflicts
This method addresses a less obvious cause of touchpad issues by managing Windows services that can interfere with normal touchpad operation. It’s particularly effective when your touchpad behaves erratically or stops working after a Windows update.
On my ASUS VivoBook 15 OLED, I discovered this solution when my touchpad became unresponsive after a major Windows feature update. By disabling the Tablet PC Input Service, I eliminated conflicts between different input methods, restoring my touchpad’s functionality. This fix works by preventing unnecessary tablet-oriented services from interfering with standard laptop input devices.
7. Registry Modifications: Fine-tuning Windows’ Core
Modifying the Windows Registry can resolve deeper touchpad issues by directly altering how Windows interacts with your touchpad at a fundamental level. This method is particularly useful when other solutions have failed and you suspect a system-level conflict.
I’ve successfully used this approach on my Dell XPS 15 when faced with persistent touchpad issues that survived even a clean Windows installation. By adding specific registry keys, I forced Windows to recognize and properly initialize the touchpad hardware. This method works by overriding default system behaviors that may be preventing proper touchpad functionality.
8. ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battery Reinstallation: The Unexpected Connection
This unusual fix addresses the intricate relationship between power management and input devices in laptops. It’s effective when touchpad issues coincide with other power-related quirks.
On my Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon, I stumbled upon this solution when dealing with both touchpad and battery indicator issues. Reinstalling the ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battery driver forces Windows to re-evaluate and properly configure power management for all devices, including the touchpad. This method works by resetting the power-device relationship, often resolving conflicts that affect touchpad functionality.
9. Disabling Fast Startup: When Convenience Becomes a Hindrance
Fast Startup is designed to speed up boot times, but it can sometimes interfere with proper device initialization. This fix is particularly relevant when touchpad issues occur consistently after booting up your laptop.
I found this solution crucial for my ASUS VivoBook 15 OLED, which often had touchpad problems immediately after startup. Disabling Fast Startup ensures that all devices, including the touchpad, are fully initialized during each boot. This method works by allowing Windows to perform a complete system initialization, bypassing potential issues caused by the partial startup process of Fast Startup.
10. Chipset Driver Updates: Strengthening the Foundation
Updating chipset drivers addresses fundamental hardware-software interactions that can affect touchpad performance. This solution is especially effective when dealing with persistent touchpad issues that seem unrelated to the touchpad driver itself.
For my Dell XPS 15, updating the Intel chipset drivers resolved touchpad issues that persisted even after updating touchpad-specific drivers. This method works by ensuring that the core system components responsible for managing various devices, including the touchpad, are functioning optimally and communicating correctly with Windows.
11. Power Management Tweaks: Balancing Efficiency and Functionality
Adjusting power management settings can resolve touchpad issues caused by overzealous power-saving features. This method is particularly useful for laptops that experience touchpad problems when running on battery power or after resuming from sleep mode.
- Open Device Manager
- Expand “Human Interface Devices”
- Right-click on your touchpad device
- Go to “Properties” > “Power Management”
- Uncheck “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power”
- Click “OK” and restart
On my Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon, I noticed the touchpad becoming unresponsive after extended periods on battery power. By preventing Windows from turning off the touchpad to save power, I ensured consistent functionality. This fix works by maintaining a constant power supply to the touchpad, preventing issues that arise from frequent power state changes.
12. Biometric Device Conflicts: Resolving Input Interference
Disabling biometric devices can sometimes resolve touchpad issues by eliminating conflicts between different input methods. This solution is effective when you notice touchpad problems coinciding with fingerprint reader or facial recognition usage.
- Open Device Manager
- Expand “Biometric devices”
- Right-click on any biometric device and select “Disable device”
- Restart your laptop
I discovered this fix on my ASUS VivoBook 15 OLED when the touchpad would occasionally freeze after using the fingerprint reader. Temporarily disabling the biometric devices allowed me to isolate and resolve the touchpad issue. This method works by removing potential conflicts in the input device hierarchy, allowing the touchpad to function without interference.
13. Clean Boot: Isolating Software Conflicts
Performing a clean boot helps identify third-party software that may be interfering with touchpad functionality. This method is particularly useful when you suspect a recently installed program might be causing touchpad issues.
- Press Win + R, type “msconfig” and hit Enter
- Go to the “Services” tab
- Check “Hide all Microsoft services”
- Click “Disable all”
- Go to the “Startup” tab and click “Open Task Manager”
- Disable all startup items
- Restart your laptop.
On my Dell XPS 15, I used this technique to pinpoint a conflict between the touchpad driver and a third-party gesture control application. By systematically eliminating background processes, you can identify and resolve software-related touchpad problems. This method works by creating a minimal software environment, allowing you to isolate the cause of the issue.
14. BIOS Reset: Back to Basics
Resetting the BIOS to default settings can resolve touchpad issues caused by low-level system configurations. This solution is effective when touchpad problems persist across different operating systems or after major hardware changes.
- Restart your computer and press the designated key to enter the BIOS setup. This key varies by manufacturer but is often F2, F10, Del, or Esc.
- Once in the BIOS setup, look for an option that says “Reset to Default,” “Load Default Settings,” “Clear BIOS Settings,” or something similar. This option is usually located under a “Save & Exit” or “Exit” tab.
- Select the reset option and confirm the action. Your computer will reset the BIOS to its default settings.
- Save the changes and exit the BIOS setup. Your computer should automatically reboot.
I’ve successfully used this approach on my ASUS VivoBook 15 OLED when the touchpad stopped working after a failed BIOS update. Resetting the BIOS restores default hardware configurations, potentially resolving conflicts that affect touchpad functionality. This method works by eliminating any problematic BIOS settings that might be interfering with proper touchpad initialization.
15. Conflicting Device Drivers: Untangling the Web
Identifying and resolving conflicts with other device drivers can sometimes fix touchpad issues. This method is useful when you notice touchpad problems occurring alongside issues with other hardware components.
On my Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon, I once traced a touchpad malfunction to a conflict with a recently updated audio driver. By systematically updating or rolling back drivers for other devices, you can resolve these inter-device conflicts. This approach works by ensuring all device drivers are compatible and not interfering with each other’s functionality.
16. System File Integrity: The Last Resort
Running System File Checker (SFC) and Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tools can repair corrupted system files that might be affecting touchpad functionality. This is often a final step when all other methods have failed.
I’ve used this method on my Dell XPS 15 as a last resort, successfully resolving a persistent touchpad issue that survived even a clean Windows installation. These tools work by scanning for and repairing corrupted system files, potentially fixing touchpad problems caused by damaged Windows components.
By working through these solutions systematically, from basic to advanced, you can address a wide range of touchpad issues across various laptop models. Remember, the key is patience and methodical troubleshooting. If you’re ever unsure about a step, particularly with advanced solutions, don’t hesitate to seek professional assistance. With persistence, you can often restore your touchpad to full functionality and get back to smooth, efficient laptop use.
Conclusion
That is it for the blog post today. I tried showing you all the proven ways that can be used on any laptop device when the trackpad stops working or you are facing issues moving the cursor on the laptop. I hope you find the information helpful. If you do, then let me know in the comment section.
Moreover, I have tried this on the ASUS VivoBook K15 OLED (2021) and the Asus VivoBook S15 OLED i5 12th gen (Evo certified). After trying on both laptops, the conclusion is that anyone who tries the first five steps or methods is able to fix the trackpad issues. If you are still facing issues, please let me know in the comment section, or you can contact us for free from here.
Have a nice day.
