5 Ways To Troubleshoot If Your Laptop Touchpad Is Not Working
Test your touchpad for responsiveness and functionality with Device Checker's easy-to-use tool for quick and accurate results.
If you find the touchpad on your Mac or Windows laptop isn't working, there are a few ways you can fix it.
The touchpad may have been disabled using a Function key combination on the keyboard, or it's turned off in your computer's settings or preferences.
You can also check to see if an external input device has disabled the touchpad or try to update the device drivers.
You may be one of those people who tend to ignore the touchpad on your laptop and instead head straight for a mouse.
But if you mainly rely on your touchpad and discover that it's not working, that's bad news — you could be locked out of controlling your Mac or Windows computer entirely.
There are a handful of common reasons why your touchpad might not be working, so try each of these troubleshooting tips in turn until you get your laptop back up and running again.
Is More Than The Touchpad Frozen?
First things first. When you discover the touchpad isn't working, your first instinct might be to panic and go into troubleshooting mode exclusively for the touchpad, but before you go too far, make sure the entire computer isn't locked up.
The computer may have crashed or frozen in a way that nothing is working, including the keyboard and touchpad.
In that case, it's probably a fairly unusual one-off computer glitch. Force your computer to restart (usually by pressing and holding the power button until the screen resets) and when it reboots, the touchpad will probably be back to normal.
The Device Checker website offers a touchpad test to diagnose and troubleshoot touchpad issues on laptops. Test your touchpad for responsiveness and functionality with Device Checker's easy-to-use tool for quick and accurate results.
Before diving into touchpad-specific troubleshooting, it's a good idea to check if the entire computer is locked up. Here are some steps you can take:
Check for any signs of activity: Look for any indication that your computer is still running, such as lights on the keyboard or the sound of the fan. If there are no signs of activity, it's possible that your computer has crashed.
Try pressing the Caps Lock key: Pressing the Caps Lock key on your keyboard can be a quick way to check if your computer is still responsive. If the Caps Lock light toggles on and off when you press the key, it's a good sign that your computer is still functioning.
Attempt a keyboard shortcut: Some computers have built-in keyboard shortcuts that can help you determine if the system is still working. For example, pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete on a Windows computer can bring up the Task Manager, which can confirm if the computer is still operational.
Perform a hard reset: If you're unable to determine if your computer is still working, you can try performing a hard reset. This involves powering off the computer, unplugging it from the power source, and removing the battery (if applicable) for a few minutes. Then, plug the computer back in and restart it to see if the touchpad and keyboard are now functioning.
By taking these steps to determine if your entire computer is locked up, you can avoid spending unnecessary time troubleshooting the touchpad alone.
If you're still unable to determine the cause of the issue, it may be helpful to seek assistance from a knowledgeable friend or a professional technician.
Make Sure The Touchpad Isn't Disabled By Function Key
Many laptops include a function key combination (press the Function key plus an F-key atop the keyboard) that toggles the touchpad on and off. It's relatively easy to disable the touchpad by accident, especially if you are trying to access a nearby function key combination.
Look on your keyboard's Function key row atop the keyboard for a touchpad control. If you see it, try toggling it back on by pressing Function + that key. On some laptops, you might need to press the Windows key instead of the Function key, so be sure to try that as well.
Check To See If Another Accessory Has Disabled The Touchpad
If you have another accessory connected to your laptop, particularly a controller like a mouse, tablet, or external touchpad, it might automatically disable your built-in touchpad.
To make sure this isn't happening, unplug any USB devices which might be affecting your touchpad and also disable Bluetooth to disconnect wireless accessories.
In Windows, click Start and then click Settings, then click Bluetooth & Devices. Finally, turn off Bluetooth by swiping the button to the left.
On a Mac, click the Apple icon in the menu bar, then click System Preferences. Click Bluetooth and then click Turn Bluetooth Off.
Enable The Touchpad In The Settings
It's also possible that the touchpad has gotten disabled in settings. To check on that in Windows, click Start and then Settings. Click Bluetooth & Devices and then Touchpad.
Make sure that the Touchpad is turned on by swiping the button to the right. If the touchpad is enabled but behaving strangely, you can also explore the other options on this page to make sure the touchpad isn't misconfigured.
Likewise, the trackpad might be disabled on a MacBook. It might be disabled because it senses an external mouse, or it might be off when Mouse Keys is on. You can easily check the trackpad settings and turn it back on in the Mac's Accessibility controls.
Update Your Drivers
If it doesn't appear to be a simple case of misconfigured settings, there might be something amiss with your laptop's touchpad drivers.
On a Windows laptop, click Start and then type "Device Manager." Click Device Manager when you see it appear in search results. In the Device Manager window, expand Mice and other pointing devices and right-click on the touchpad entry.
Choose Update Driver. Finally, choose Search automatically for drivers and follow the instructions to update the touchpad drivers.
If you're on a MacBook, click the Apple icon in the menu bar, then click System Preferences. Click Software Update and allow the update to install, if there is one.
FAQ
Que: I've confirmed that my computer is not locked up, but the touchpad is still not working. What can I do?
Ans: Try some basic troubleshooting steps, such as cleaning the touchpad surface with a soft cloth, checking the touchpad settings in the control panel or settings menu, and updating the touchpad driver. You can also try disabling and re-enabling the touchpad using a keyboard shortcut or a designated touchpad button on your laptop. If these steps do not resolve the issue, proceed to further troubleshooting.
Que: I've tried the basic troubleshooting steps, but my touchpad is still not working. What else can I do?
Ans: You can try performing a system update to ensure your operating system and drivers are up to date. Additionally, you can try booting your laptop in safe mode to see if the touchpad works in that mode, which can help identify if any third-party software or driver is causing the issue. If the problem persists, you may need to consider hardware-related issues and seek assistance from a professional technician or the laptop manufacturer.
Que: Can I use an external mouse as an alternative if my touchpad is not working?
Ans: Yes, you can connect an external USB or Bluetooth mouse to your laptop and use it as an alternative to the touchpad while troubleshooting the issue. This can help you continue using your laptop until the touchpad is fixed.
Que: How can I prevent touchpad issues in the future?
Ans: Regularly cleaning the touchpad surface, keeping your operating system and drivers up to date, avoiding excessive pressure or tapping on the touchpad, and being cautious while installing new software or drivers can help prevent touchpad issues in the future. Using a protective laptop case or sleeve can also prevent dirt or dust from accumulating on the touchpad surface.
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