A laptop touchpad stops working due to disabled settings, drivers, Fn toggles, dirt, or hardware faults; start with settings and drivers.
Your cursor freezes, jumps, or clicks refuse to register. Don’t panic. Most touchpad failures trace back to a few repeat causes: an off switch in software, a function-key toggle, a stuck gesture setting, or a flaky driver. The steps below walk you from the quickest checks to deeper tweaks you can do in minutes.
Quick Answers By Symptom
Use this table as a fast triage, then jump to the matching section for details.
| Symptom | Likely Cause | First Fix To Try |
|---|---|---|
| No cursor at all | Touchpad disabled, driver missing, Fn toggle | Enable touchpad in settings; check Fn key or switch |
| Cursor moves, no click | Tap-to-click off, physical button fault, Force Click setting | Turn on tap-to-click; press down near the lower edge |
| Erratic jumps | Dirt or moisture, palm rejection too low | Clean surface; raise palm rejection / sensitivity |
| Works then stops | Power saving, driver crash | Update or reinstall the touchpad driver |
| Only external mouse works | Auto-disable when mouse present | Turn off “disable internal pointing device when external mouse is attached” |
| Gestures fail | Three-finger settings off | Reset gestures to defaults |
Why My Laptop Touchpad Doesn’t Work: Common Reasons
Most laptops ship with a software switch for the internal pointing device. A function key or vendor app can flip it off. Drivers age out. A crumb under the lower edge can block a click. Good news: you can rule out each cause quickly.
Check The Basics
Look For A Touchpad Toggle
Many keyboards include a touchpad icon on F1–F12. Hold Fn and tap that key. Some models use a small lamp near the pad; double-tap the corner to toggle. If your laptop has a side switch marked with a hand icon, flip it on.
Check Settings Fast
In Windows, open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Touchpad and make sure the master toggle is on. If you prefer a guide, see Microsoft’s page Fix touchpad problems in Windows. On a Mac, go to System Settings > Trackpad and confirm tracking, tap-to-click, and Force Click settings; Apple lists advice at If the pointer doesn’t move when using the trackpad.
Rule Out Bluetooth Mice And Tablets
Some vendors pause the pad when a mouse is connected. Unplug USB receivers and turn off Bluetooth accessories, then test again. In Windows touchpad settings, uncheck any option that disables the pad while a mouse is present.
Turn The Touchpad Back On (All Platforms)
Windows 11/10
Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Touchpad and slide the switch on. Click “More touchpad settings” to open Mouse Properties. If you see a tab named Device Settings, ELAN, Synaptics, or Precision, enable the device and apply. If the device is missing, reinstall the driver as shown later.
macOS
Open System Settings > Trackpad. Turn on “Tap to click,” adjust tracking speed, and disable “Force Click and haptic feedback” for a quick test. If clicks still fail, press lower left and lower right to check the mechanical click. If the pointer refuses to move at all, connect power and a USB mouse, then test again from a new user account.
ChromeOS
Open Settings > Device > Touchpad. Verify tap-to-click and scrolling. If the pad is unresponsive, press Esc several times, drum your fingers on the pad for ten seconds, then restart. Google lists these steps on its help page for Chromebooks.
Update Or Reinstall Drivers (Windows)
Windows updates deliver modern Precision drivers for many laptops. Start with Windows Update. If the pad still misbehaves, open Device Manager. Expand “Mice and other pointing devices.” Right-click your touchpad (often named Precision, Synaptics, ELAN, HID, or I2C) and choose Update driver. If nothing changes, choose Uninstall device, check “Delete the driver software,” restart, and let Windows reload a clean driver. Microsoft documents these paths on the support article linked above.
When Device Manager Shows Nothing
If the pad vanishes from Device Manager, check the BIOS/UEFI for “Internal Pointing Device” and set it to Enabled. Power off fully, wait ten seconds, and boot. Still missing? Install the touchpad package from your laptop maker’s support page using a USB mouse.
Fix Erratic Movement And Jitter
Clean The Surface
Oils and moisture confuse sensors. Power down. Wipe with a barely damp lint-free cloth, then dry. Keep liquids away from the lower edge where the click bar lives.
Tune Sensitivity And Palm Rejection
Lower pointer speed a notch, raise palm rejection, and reset gestures to defaults. Toggle “tap to click” off for a test, then bring it back once the cursor feels steady.
Clicks Don’t Register
Try Both Styles Of Click
Many pads support a light tap and a firm press. Try a firm press near the lower edge. Then turn on “tap to click” so you can work even if the switch feels stiff.
Turn Off Force Click On Mac
Force Click adds pressure sensing. If a click feels dead or the pad buzzes oddly, turn Force Click off in System Settings > Trackpad. Test normal taps and presses again.
Gestures Stopped Working
Reset To Defaults
Open your touchpad panel and restore defaults. Re-enable three-finger swipe, pinch-to-zoom, and three-finger tap. On Windows Precision pads, use the “Reset” button under Gestures. On Macs, toggle each gesture off and back on to refresh.
Touchpad Works Only Until Sleep
Power saving can park the I2C or HID controller. In Device Manager, open the touchpad’s Power Management tab and clear “Allow the computer to turn off this device.” Update the chipset and storage drivers from the maker’s page, then retest.
Second Brain: Keyboard Shortcuts And BIOS
Accidental key combos are common. Besides Fn+Touchpad, toggles can hide behind F6, F7, F8, or F9. Some vendors add a pad icon on the space bar. In setup firmware, look for Internal Pointing Device or Trackpad Mode and set it to Advanced or Enabled.
Paths To The Right Setting
Keep this table handy when you’re coaching a friend or switching systems.
| Platform | Where To Enable | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 11/10 | Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Touchpad | Look for Precision, ELAN, or Synaptics tabs in Mouse Properties |
| macOS | System Settings > Trackpad | Test with “Tap to click” on; try turning off Force Click |
| ChromeOS | Settings > Device > Touchpad | Press Esc repeatedly; try a hard reset if unresponsive |
Boot Checks That Narrow The Cause
Safe Mode
In Windows, boot to Safe Mode and test the pad. If it works there, a startup app or third-party driver is the culprit. Use a clean boot to isolate the entry. On a Mac, start up in Safe Mode and test again; if the pad wakes up, remove add-ons and cleanup tools.
Another Account
Create a new local account and sign in. If the pad behaves under a fresh profile, the issue lives in per-user settings. Reset gestures and rebuild preferences under your main account.
Vendor Utilities And Firmware Matter
Many makers ship control apps that can hide or turn off the pad. Open Dell Touchpad, HP Control Panel, Lenovo Vantage, MyASUS, or Acer Care Center and scan the pointing section. Restore defaults, then enable every pad item you need. While you are there, check for BIOS or firmware updates from the same app or the support site. A newer BIOS can restore a missing I2C device, improve palm rejection, and fix wake issues. During a BIOS flash, keep the laptop on AC power and wait until it restarts twice and the progress bar disappears.
Accessibility Settings That Can Block Input
On Windows, open Settings > Accessibility > Mouse. Turn off Mouse Keys if the cursor moves only with the number pad, and turn off ClickLock if clicks seem to latch. In the main Mouse page, set pointer speed to a middle value and turn off pointer trails for a clean test. On a Mac, open System Settings > Accessibility > Pointer Control. Turn off Mouse Keys and any alternative pointer methods while you test. On ChromeOS, open Settings > Accessibility and temporarily disable Enable Tap Dragging and Automatic Clicking during tests.
When Hardware May Be At Fault
Check For Physical Interference
Grit along the front edge can block the click. Tiny drops under the glass can trigger ghost movement. Keep the surface clean and dry. If the pad clicks only on one side, the switch may be worn.
Heat, Bulging, Or Noisy Clicks
Unusual warmth near the pad, a spongy press, or grinding sounds point to hardware. Use a USB mouse and arrange a repair. Avoid pressing hard until a technician checks it.
Speedy Fix Order You Can Reuse
Work through these steps from top to bottom. This sequence solves most cases without guesswork.
Minute-By-Minute Plan
- Toggle the pad with Fn or the corner double-tap.
- Turn the pad on in Settings > Touchpad / System Settings > Trackpad.
- Disconnect mice and tablets; retest.
- Reset gestures and turn on tap-to-click.
- Clean the pad; dry the lower edge.
- Windows: Update or reinstall the touchpad driver via Device Manager.
- Windows: Turn off device power saving for the pad.
- Check BIOS/UEFI for “Internal Pointing Device.” Enable it.
- Test in Safe Mode and with a new user account.
- If still dead, book service and use a USB mouse in the meantime.
Keep Your Touchpad Happy
Update your OS and vendor drivers on a regular schedule. Avoid eating over the keyboard. Pack a microfiber cloth in your sleeve. If you use heavy click pressure, switch to tap-to-click to cut wear. When you plug in an external mouse for gaming or editing, uncheck any option that disables the pad, so it returns the moment you pull the dongle. Keep backups before driver changes always.