How to Fix a Laptop Touchpad That Is Not Responding
Is your laptop touchpad unresponsive, lagging, or completely stopped working? This can happen due to disabled settings, driver issues, or hardware problems. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best solutions to fix your laptop’s touchpad quickly.
1. Enable the Touchpad Using Shortcut Keys
Many laptops allow you to disable the touchpad using function keys.
✔ Press Fn + (F1–F12 key) with a touchpad icon (varies by laptop brand).
✔ On some laptops, double-tap the top-left corner of the touchpad to enable it.
🛑 If this doesn’t work, continue with the next steps.
2. Check Touchpad Settings
The touchpad might be disabled in the system settings.
✔ Windows:
- Go to Settings > Devices > Touchpad.
- Ensure Touchpad is turned ON.
✔ Mac:
- Go to System Settings > Trackpad.
- Check if the touchpad is enabled.
3. Restart Your Laptop
A simple restart can resolve temporary software glitches.
✔ If your touchpad stopped working suddenly, restart your laptop and test it again.
4. Update or Reinstall Touchpad Drivers
Faulty drivers can prevent the touchpad from functioning.
✔ Update Drivers (Windows):
- Open Device Manager (Win + X > Device Manager).
- Expand Mice and Other Pointing Devices.
- Right-click your touchpad driver and select Update Driver.
✔ Reinstall Drivers (Windows):
- In Device Manager, right-click the touchpad driver and select Uninstall Device.
- Restart your laptop, and Windows will reinstall the touchpad driver automatically.
🛑 If your touchpad still doesn’t work, try an external mouse for further troubleshooting.
5. Disable External Mouse (Windows Only)
Some laptops disable the touchpad when a USB mouse is connected.
- Go to Settings > Devices > Touchpad.
- Uncheck Disable touchpad when a mouse is connected.
6. Check BIOS/UEFI Settings
If the touchpad is disabled in BIOS, it won’t work in Windows.
✔ Restart your laptop and press F2, F10, or DEL to enter BIOS.
✔ Look for Internal Pointing Device and ensure it is enabled.
✔ Save changes and restart your laptop.
7. Check for Physical Damage
If your touchpad is physically damaged, it may need replacement.
✔ Signs of hardware issues:
- The touchpad is completely unresponsive.
- It clicks by itself or moves erratically.
✔ If your laptop is under warranty, contact the manufacturer for repairs.
Final Thoughts
A non-working touchpad is often due to disabled settings, driver issues, or BIOS settings. By following these steps, you can easily troubleshoot and fix your touchpad. If it’s a hardware issue, professional repair may be necessary.
