The TouchPad comes on all laptops. It is a pointing device that lets the user move the pointer like a mouse. It is built directly into the laptop body. However, it becomes painful to use the computer when this TouchPad stops working. Many factors can cause this, including hardware faults, driver issues and more. This issue can arise at different times. It can occur after the installation of an operating system or during a driver update, after waking up from sleep, or at any other random moment.
TouchPad not working on Windows 11
If Synaptics or any other TouchPad is not working after Sleep, BIOS Update, Connecting Mouse or Windows or Drive Update., and the gestures are not working on your Windows 11/10 laptop, then you can try the following suggestions in order to fix the issue:
- Update, Rollback or reinstall drivers.
- Enable TouchPad from the configuration utility.
- Enable TouchPad from the hardware key.
- Run Hardware and Devices troubleshooter.
- Other fixes.
Laptop Touchpad is locked, disabled, gets stuck or scroll not working
1] Update, Rollback or reinstall the Touchpad driver
The basic fix is to update, roll back or reinstall the driver. There can be instances where the installed driver might have becomes incompatible with the operating system or corrupt. If you have just updated your driver, the new version might not be stable enough for your machine.
From the WinX Menu, open Device Manager and expand Mice and other pointing devices. Here you should be able to see your Touchpad driver.
- You can try to update the driver. In case, the installed driver is no longer compatible, this method will apply the fix.
- You will have rollback the installed driver in case this problem arises after the existing driver has been updated.
- You can uninstall and then reinstall the latest version of the driver from your manufacturer’s website.
- You can directly visit Synaptics to download the touchpad drivers for Windows 11 or Windows 10.
2] Enable TouchPad from the configuration utility
If the TouchPad driver on your computer installed a TouchPad configuration utility, there may be a chance that its configuration might have been modified. You can open that utility and have the Touchpad settings reset to default in order to normally get the TouchPad working.
Read: Touchpad getting disabled automatically.
3] Enable TouchPad from the hardware key
If your computer comes with a dedicated hardware key, it may have got pressed accidentally and disabled the TouchPad. You can look for that key as it is denoted by an icon of a TouchPad and press it again to enable the TouchPad. This method is applicable to selected laptops only.
4] Run Hardware and Devices troubleshooter
You can fix Windows Hardware and Devices problems with the Hardware Troubleshooter, This will automatically detect and fix any issues caused by hardware or peripherals attached to your computer.
Related: Touchpad gestures are not working on Windows
5] Other fixes
There are some minor fixes that sometimes help in fixing the issue which a user encounters on their computer. Some of them are as follows:
- Your hardware may be physically damaged. You can visit a qualified technician to have it fixed.
- Moisture or dirt may have built up on the hardware. You can try cleaning it with a rough cotton swab, then try using it.
- If you want to get work done right away, you can connect a USB Mouse to your computer and use it until you get the TouchPad fixed.
- This post will help you if your Laptop Touchpad is locked, disabled, gets stuck, or scroll not working.
I hope this guide helped you get your TouchPad working.
How do I enable my Touchpad on Windows 11?
To enable or disable the touchpad on Windows 11/10, open Windows Settings by pressing Win+I. Then go to Bluetooth & devices and select Touchpad. Here you need to toggle the corresponding button to turn Touchpad on or off on your computer.
Related: List of Touch Screen and Touchpad Gestures in Windows 11
Why has my Touchpad suddenly stopped working?
If malware or something else disables the Touch setting, your Touchpad may stop working. Otherwise, hardware issues in your laptop could cause similar problems. On the other hand, if software automatically turns off the touchpad when a mouse is connected, you might face the same problem.
How do I fix an unresponsive touchpad?
First, check for adware or malware on your computer. Use reliable antivirus software to scan your computer. Next, check the hardware, which plays a vital role in whether your touchpad responds. If you are using an Insider preview build of Windows 11/10, you might run into the same issues at times.
How do I Reset my Touchpad driver in Windows 11?
You can reset your touchpad driver in Windows 11/10 using the Device Manager and Windows Settings. You can continue following this article to know how to reset your Touchpad driver/settings in your PC.
Why is my touchpad not working after Windows Update?
If you use an Insider Preview build of Windows 11/10, your touchpad may be unresponsive or stop working after an update. In that case, use an external mouse to navigate everything until Microsoft releases a new patch. However, if youare on a stable version, you may need to search for a driver update or install a new touchpad driver from your laptop manufacturer’s official website.
