Imagine this: you’re in the middle of an important task on your laptop. You are running your fingers over the touchpad, only to realize… nothing happens. The cursor is frozen. Whether you rely solely on your touchpad or switch between a mouse and touchpad, a malfunctioning laptop touchpad can be incredibly frustrating.
Before you start worrying about expensive repairs, know that many touchpad issues can be fixed with simple troubleshooting steps. And if things get tricky, Soldrit – Bangalore’s top-rated laptop repair service – is here to help you get back on track quickly and efficiently. Whether it’s a touchpad issue or any other hardware problem, our laptop repair Bangalore experts ensure a seamless repair experience.
Common Causes of Laptop Touchpad Problems
To understand why your laptop cursor is not working, you may need to analyse the possible reasons that can cause it and apply the relevant fixes.
Accidental Disabling of Touchpad
Many laptop brands come with a keyboard shortcut for enabling or disabling the touchpad. Your laptop should ideally have a function key designated for enabling or disabling the touchpad. It is possible that you might have accidentally disabled the touchpad.
Driver Issues
In case it is not about the settings, it can be because of the drivers. The outdated or corrupted drivers can play havoc with your system and its peripherals. There must be something with your laptop drivers, or specifically the touchpad and mouse drivers. The recent breed of laptops come with their touchpads handled by Windows instead of a third party driver.
Operating System Bugs
Any issues with the operating system itself can lead to the laptop touchpad not working. Any missing update or even an update that contains bugs can also make the laptop mouse or touchpad stop working. However, when your system has operating system glitches, you would typically notice a host of other issues along with the touchpad not working.
Hardware Problems
The hardware itself on your touchpad or mouse might be a culprit. If you find a touchpad or working even after applying all the troubleshooting tips, it can be an indicator to damaged hardware. If that is the case, the only option to fix it would be to replace the hardware.
Third-Party Software Conflicts
There are times when a software installed on your system might have developed issues. You can disable the third-party tools one by one and check if it resolves the issue for you. Of course, it can be a tough task if you have a large number of important software tools installed.
How to Fix Laptop Touchpad Not Working: Step-by-Step Solutions?
Having understood what can cause your laptop touchpad not working, we will now check out the best options for resolving the problem with ease.
Step 1: Check If the Touchpad is Disabled
Have a look at your keyboard and find if there is any icon for the touchpad. Usually, it involves the use of a function key along with the relevant key. For instance, on a HP laptop, the F5 key is used for enabling or disabling touchpads. You will need to use the key combination of Fn+F5. Remember that some brands and laptops do not have a key for enabling the touchpad.
Step 2: Restart Your Laptop
Restarting your laptop can be an excellent means to help fix most of the issues. Not only the touchpad and mouse issues, but, it can be useful in the case of practically every other glitch if they are minor. Restarting will clear the system cache and gets your system back to a working condition.
Step 3: Update or Reinstall Touchpad Drivers
If you suspect outdated drivers to be the cause, you can check if the touchpad has updated drivers. You can go to the support page for your device manufacturer and model and download the latest drivers. Installing them can help you fix the issues.
You can also check the latest drivers through Device Manager. Follow the steps here below –
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- Go to your Device Manager
- Touchpad is generally listed under Mice and other pointing devices. It may also be listed under Human Interface Devices if it is a HID compliant device.
- Right click on it and select the option Update driver software.
Follow the instructions to update the driver.
Step 4: Enable Touchpad via Control Panel Settings
Most of the Control Panel items have now moved into the Settings app on Windows today. However, if you still have the Control Panel settings for touchpad, you can follow the steps here below –
- Open Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Mouse.
- Navigate to the Touchpad tab and ensure it is enabled.
- Adjust sensitivity settings if necessary.
Step 5: Check for Windows or Mac Updates
Outdated Windows or Mac devices can also be a concern. You can check out if you have any pending updates. Keeping your device constantly updated can be helpful in achieving the best results in fixing the touchpad not working. For Windows: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
- For Mac: Go to System Preferences > Software Update.
- Install any available updates and restart your system.
Step 6: Disconnect External Devices
If you suspect that the external devices are the possible cause, you can disconnect the external devices and check if the touchpad begins working properly. If it works with no external devices, you can begin connecting each of those devices one by one and check touchpad functionality after each device. This will let you find the device that may be a culprit.
Step 7: Boot in Safe Mode
Safe mode can be a good option to help you rule out and diagnose the third party tools and software. If you find the touchpad working perfectly in safe mode, it can be an indicator that the issues are due to the third party applications.
Step 8: Perform a System Restore
System Restore should ideally be the last resort for you to fix any issues. If you know when the touchpad was working properly, you can simply restore your system to the status at the time. Generally, system restore does not affect your system, but any apps and devices added after the particular date may be affected and need reinstallation.
| Note – System Restore is a very complex procedure and may even break your laptop if you do not follow the steps properly. It is recommended to use it with caution. It may be a good idea to consult a reliable laptop repair service like Soldrit for assistance. |
Step 9: Inspect for Hardware Damage
If you have any issues with hardware, it is advisable to inspect and check for the hardware damage if any. You can connect with a professional repair service for a proper assistance in repair or replacement of the touchpad.
Additional Tips to Prevent Future Touchpad Issues
In addition to above, you can follow a few tips here below –
- Regularly update touchpad drivers and OS.
- Keep your laptop clean and avoid spills on the touchpad.
- Use an external mouse without disabling the touchpad to avoid conflicts.
- Run regular malware scans to prevent software conflicts.
When to Seek Professional Help?
If you find none of the above methods work, it may be advisable to opt for a professional service. Some touchpad issues may be due to deep rooted hardware malfunctions. A simple tweak in settings may not fix the error. In such a case, professional assistance would be highly recommended.
If you suspect a hardware-related issue, it’s best to take your laptop to an authorized service center or a professional repair technician. Delaying necessary repairs could worsen the problem and lead to higher costs in the future.
Conclusion
Most touchpad issues can be resolved with simple troubleshooting steps like enabling the touchpad, updating drivers, or performing system updates. If the problem persists, professional repair may be necessary. By following these steps, you can quickly restore your laptop’s functionality and improve your overall user experience. If you need further assistance, consider reaching out to a professional laptop repair service!
We at Soldrit have been known for providing an excellent range of services both in hardware and software. Check us out for the outstanding range of professional service in addressing all the issues that you may be facing. We excel as the best laptop repair in Bangalore.