laptop touchpad not working or suddenly unresponsive? Whether you’re using Windows 10 or Windows 11, this is a common issue and in most cases, you can fix it yourself without going to a repair shop.

Laptop Touchpad Not Working Common Reasons

Before jumping into fixes, here are the most likely causes:

1. Touchpad is turned off (via Fn key or Windows settings)
2. Windows disabled it when a mouse was connected
3. Driver glitch or faulty update
4. Power-saving settings turned off the device
5. Touchpad is disabled in BIOS/UEFI
6. App or start-up conflict
7. Hardware issues like moisture, loose internal cable, or battery swelling

Laptop Touchpad Not Working Quick Fixes to Try First

1. Press Fn + key with touchpad icon (often F5/F6/F7/F9/F10; varies by HP Laptops, Dell laptops, Lenovo laptops).
2. Settings toggle
   • Win + I → Bluetooth & devices → Touchpad → ON.
   • If you only see “Mouse,” click it and look for a Touchpad / Device Settings tab.
3. Unplug/turn off external mouse, then restart.
4. Reboot once—even if you already did.

If the cursor is completely dead

1. Enable from Mouse Properties
   • Win + R → type main.cpl → Enter
   • Go to Touchpad / Device Settings tab (use Tab/Arrow keys) → Enable → Apply.
2. Device Manager re-enable
   • Win + X → M (Device Manager)
   • Expand Mice and other pointing devices (Arrows)
   • Look for Synaptics / ELAN / Precision / HID-compliant touch pad
     • If Disabled → Enter → Enable
     • Otherwise Enter → Update driver → Search automatically.
3. Power Management fix (stops Windows from sleeping the device)
   • In Device Manager, for the touchpad and for HID-compliant touch screen and I2C HID Device (if present):
     • Enter → Properties → Power Management → uncheck “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power” → OK.

4. Driver fixes (most common solution)

6. Device Manager: enable/update/rollback

• Press Win + X → Device Manager.
• Expand Mice and other pointing devices.
• Look for HID-compliant touch pad, Synaptics, ELAN, or Precision Touchpad.
  • If you see a down arrow on it → Right-click → Enable device.
  • Update driver: Right-click → Update driver → Search automatically.
  • If it broke after a recent update: Right-click → Properties → Driver tab → Roll Back Driver (if available).
  • Still bad? Uninstall device (tick “Delete driver software” if offered), then Restart. Windows will reinstall a clean driver.

7. Windows Update (incl. Optional updates)

• Win + I → Windows Update → Check for updates.
• Open Advanced options → Optional updates and install Touchpad/Synaptics/ELAN drivers if listed. Restart.

If the cursor moves but taps/clicks/gestures don’t

1. Reset touchpad settings
   • Win + I → Bluetooth & devices → Touchpad → Turn Off then On.
   • Expand Taps & Gestures → Enable Tap to click, Two-finger click, Scroll & Zoom.
2. Turn off “disable when mouse is connected”
   • Same page → look for Leave touchpad on when a mouse is connected → On.
3. Sensitivity
   • Touchpad sensitivity → Medium/High.
4. Brand utility
   • If you see Synaptics/ELAN panel (via main.cpl) → Restore Defaults.

If it breaks after sleep/updates or is intermittent

1. Roll back driver
   • Device Manager → Touchpad → Properties → Driver → Roll Back Driver (if available).
2. Windows Update driver
   • Win + I → Windows Update → Check for updates (often ships touchpad firmware/driver).
3. Clean boot test (conflicting app)
   • Win + R → msconfig → Services tab → Hide Microsoft services → Disable all
   • Startup tab → Open Task Manager → Disable all startups
   • Restart.
   • If it works now, re-enable items in batches to find the culprit.
4. Safe Mode test
   • Settings → System → Recovery → Advanced startup → Restart now
   • Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart → press 4.
   • Works in Safe Mode? Likely third-party conflict/driver.

BIOS/UEFI checks (important if nothing above works)

1. Enter BIOS/UEFI: Reboot → tap F2 / F10 / F12 / Del (varies by brand).
2. Find Internal Pointing Device / Touchpad → set to Enabled (or Advanced) → Save & Exit.
3. Optional: Load Setup Defaults, then re-enable touchpad and boot.

Repair system files (if symptoms started after crashes/updates)

1. Open elevated Command Prompt
   • Win + X → Windows Terminal (Admin)
2. Run:
3. sfc /scannow
4. DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
5. Restart.

Laptop Touchpad Not Working Hardware checks (do safely)

1. Clean & dry
   • Power off. Wipe pad with slightly damp microfiber, then dry. Oils/moisture can stop gestures/taps.
2. Static reset
   • Shut down → unplug charger → hold Power for 15–20s → power back on.
3. Battery swelling? (urgent)
   • Signs: touchpad sits raised, feels “spongy,” click won’t press, chassis gaps, unusual heat.
   • Stop using, don’t press on the pad, seek service immediately. Swollen batteries are hazardous.
4. Recent drop/repair?
   • The ribbon cable may be loose. If you’re comfortable and warranty allows: remove bottom cover, reseat the touchpad cable. Otherwise, visit service.

Brand tips (hotkeys often used)

• HP/Dell/Acer: Fn + F5/F7 (or key with pad icon).
• Lenovo: Fn + F6/F8, and Press the small dot above the pad on some ThinkPads.
• ASUS/MSI: Fn + F6/F9.
  
• Note – Always follow the touchpad icon on the key.

When to consider a full reset when Laptop Touchpad Not Working

• System Restore to a date before the issue began.
• In-place repair install of Windows (keeps files and apps) if system corruption is suspected and SFC/DISM didn’t help.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Why is my laptop touchpad not working suddenly?

Most of the time, it’s caused by the touchpad being disabled accidentally, a recent update, driver issues, or connection of an external mouse. Start by checking the touchpad settings, Fn key, and driver status.

2. How do I enable my touchpad again?

You can enable it by:

• Pressing Fn + F5/F6/F7/F9/F10 (depending on brand), or
• Going to Settings → Bluetooth & Devices → Touchpad → Turn ON, or
• Using Win + R → main.cpl to enable it in Mouse Properties.

3. Why is my cursor not moving on my laptop?

This happens when the touchpad is disabled, the driver crashes, or Windows has turned it off to save power. Check Device Manager and turn off power-saving options.

4. How do I fix an unresponsive touchpad in Windows 10/11?

Try these fixes in order:

1. Restart the laptop
2. Re-enable touchpad via settings or function key
3. Update or reinstall touchpad driver
4. Disable power-saving for the device
5. Check BIOS/UEFI settings

5. My touchpad moves but clicking doesn’t work why?

The tap/click gestures may be disabled. Go to:
Settings → Bluetooth & Devices → Touchpad → Taps & Gestures
Turn on:

• Tap to click
• Two-finger click
• Scroll & Zoom

6. Does connecting a mouse disable the touchpad?

Yes, on many laptops, Windows automatically disables the touchpad when a USB or Bluetooth mouse is connected. You can change this in:
Settings → Touchpad → Leave touchpad on when mouse is connected

7. Can a driver update cause touchpad issues?

Yes. Sometimes Windows or manufacturer updates can break touchpad functionality. You can fix it by:

• Rolling back the driver
• Reinstalling the driver
• Updating via Windows Update

8. How do I fix the touchpad in BIOS?

1. Restart your laptop
2. Press F2 / F10 / F12 / Del repeatedly during startup
3. Find Internal Pointing Device / Touchpad
4. Make sure it’s Enabled
5. Save and exit

9. What if the touchpad stopped working after sleep mode?

This often happens due to driver or power management issues. Disable power-saving in Device Manager and update or reinstall the driver.

10. When should I suspect a hardware problem?

If you notice:

• A raised or spongy touchpad
• Touchpad not clicking physically
• Gaps in the laptop frame
• Overheating or bulging