Incorrectly set up settings and outdated/corrupt drivers could be responsible if your laptop’s touchpad doesn’t respond, the pointer acts strangely, or you can’t get certain gestures to register. External touchpads can experience the same issues.
Follow the steps below to troubleshoot and repair the Windows 10 touchpad not working. Aside from that, you can use the Mouse Keys or an external mouse to move about.
How to FIX Touchpad Problems in Windows 10
Fix touchscreen difficulties by first trying these instructions.
To test if Windows 10 has frozen, press the Alt+Ctrl+Delete keys simultaneously and check if the Task Manager appears.
To enable touchpad, enter the Function key keyboard shortcut (Fn + F3, for example) if your laptop has one. (Double-tapping the touchpad interface on some laptops toggles the touchpad on and off.)
Restart Your Windows Computer
Turn off your laptop using the Windows 10 shutdown menu, and then turn it back on. To completely power down, hit and press the SHIFT key and then go to Start > Power > Shutdown. Sometimes the problem with the touchpad will go away once the operating system has been rebooted.
Is Touchpad Accidentally Disabled
A standard key combination activates or deactivates the touchpad. Typically, you’ll need to press the Fn key and another key. You may have disabled the touchpad inadvertently, which is causing the problem.
The Fn key will re-enable the touchpad; however other keys, such as F8, F6, F1, or F12, may serve the same purpose on other systems. It’s not simple to figure out. You can try pressing the keys; if you make a mistake, just click the same keys again. Look into the simple method of activating the touchpad once more.
Here’s how to reactivate the touchpad In Mouse Properties:
- Open the Run command by pressing the Windows key + R.
- In the Run dialog, type main.cpl and press Enter.
- Choose the touchpad, click Enable, Apply, and OK in the Device Settings menu.
Is the Whole Laptop Frozen?
The first thing you might do if you find out the Windows 10 touchpad not working is to launch the troubleshooting settings. But before you get too far, ensure the whole laptop isn’t frozen. The computer might have crashed or stopped to the point where nothing, such as the keyboard and touchpad, would respond to your inputs.
If that’s the case, it’s probably just a mistake in the system that won’t happen again. If the touchpad is acting up, restarting the laptop (by pushing and holding the power button until the screen resets) frequently fixes the problem. But if the whole system isn’t frozen, apply the troubleshooting tips to solve the touchpad issue. Meanwhile, you can use an external touchpad.
Update your Touchpad drivers
If it isn’t a matter of accidentally switching between mouse and touchpad modes, then the problem may rest with your laptop’s touchpad driver. Updated driver software is important for things to work smoothly.
Type “Device Manager” in the search bar.
Once it appears in the search, select “Device manager.” In Device Manager, select Mouse and other pointing devices. Then right-click on the touchpad’s entry.
A driver update can be performed by selecting the appropriate option.
Last, select Search instantly for drivers, and then follow the on-screen instructions to update the touchpad device driver. You can also download the required driver from the laptop manufacturer’s website.
To access System Preferences on a MacBook, select the Apple menu item from the top menu bar. If an update is available, select Software Update and let it run. Sometimes it is important to uninstall device first and then reinstall its drivers. Usually, the driver update resolves the touchpad working condition.
Revive Touchpad
1) Go to the Start menu, choose Settings, and then Devices.
2) Select Human Interface Devices or Mouse & touchpad from the left pane, then Additional mouse options from the submenu that appears.
3) The Mouse Properties dialog box will pop up. Ensure the touchpad is turned on by selecting the option farthest to the right (this may be labeled Device Settings or ELAN).
4) The ELAN or Device Settings or manufacturer + Touchpad tab may appear on some laptops. You need to immerse yourself in the situation to determine your choices.
5) From this menu, choose the touchpad you wish to enable and select the Enable option.
6) Check for a button or switch that activates or deactivates the touchpad on your laptop.
Seek further information from the laptop manufacturer’s support website if you need assistance determining which of the two is the button.
Replace the Touchpad Module
A malfunctioning touchpad module is likely the cause of your touchpad’s failure to function. It sounds like the touchpad module needs to be replaced. If your laptop’s touchpad stops working, you have two options: order a replacement from an online laptop parts store, or take it into a repair shop to have a qualified expert do it for you.
The touchpad module can be replaced by removing the battery and the bottom case. The touchpad module is typically located under the battery; to remove it, you must first remove the screws securing it and then unplug the touchpad cable from the motherboard.
The Touchpad Has Been Disabled in the BIOS
A Windows laptop typically has an option in the BIOS to turn off the touchpad. Touchpad settings have been known to fluctuate occasionally due to BIOS flashing or updates. Booting into the BIOS configurations is one way to double-check.
Turn on the laptop and press the key to access the BIOS setup menu. The specific function keys, such as F2, F10, or F12 to click differ depending on the laptop model. Examine the “Advanced” BIOS options for “Touchpad” or “Internal Pointing Device” to ensure it has not been disabled. Before leaving the BIOS menu, save your modifications to ensure they remain.
Your Touchpad or Hands Are Dirty
The touchpad is probably capacitive, provided you have a really old laptop. In other words, it “reads” the minor electrical charges on your fingertips to function. The capacitive surface on a touchpad can fail to register touches if the surface is dirty or greasy.
Isopropyl alcohol on a soft or laptop cleaning cloth is a great way to disinfect a grimy touchpad carefully. To avoid damaging your laptop’s battery and its charging port, turn it off and disconnect it before proceeding.
Compared to other types of cleaning fluid, isopropyl alcohol does not cause damage to electronic parts. Turn on the laptop after the touchpad has dried.
The Final Thoughts
These are some things you could try if the Windows 10 touchpad not working. The methods mentioned earlier can be used to correct a malfunctioning laptop touchpad, and together they form a thorough guide to this typical issue.
Several potential solutions have been proposed for repairing the touchpad. Take your laptop to a repair shop and seek to speak to a laptop professional if the solutions as mentioned earlier don’t work.
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