If your laptop touchpad is not working, you may not be able to move the cursor, click, or scroll. In most cases, the cause is a simple setting or a driver problem. Less often, it is a hardware fault. This guide gives you 12 fixes for Windows 10 and Windows 11, starting with the easiest.
Quick answer: Press the touchpad key on your keyboard, turn the touchpad on in Settings, and restart your laptop. If that does not help, check the driver in Device Manager. Try the fixes in order and stop when your touchpad works.
Safety warning: If the touchpad is raised, the case is bulging, or the touchpad is hard to click, stop using and charging the laptop. A swollen battery may be pushing up against it. Do not press on it, puncture it, or try to remove the battery yourself. Contact the laptop maker or a qualified repair shop.
Why Is My Laptop Touchpad Not Working?
A touchpad can stop working for a few common reasons. The cause may be a setting, a driver, or a fault inside the laptop. The table shows what each cause often looks like.
| Possible cause | What you may notice |
|---|---|
| Touchpad turned off | The cursor does not move, but an external mouse works |
| Driver problem | The touchpad stops after a driver change or Windows update |
| External mouse setting | The touchpad turns off when a mouse is connected |
| Sleep or power issue | The touchpad stops after sleep or wakes up slowly |
| BIOS or firmware setting | Windows cannot find the touchpad |
| Hardware damage | Clicking, movement, or one area of the touchpad fails |
In Device Manager, your touchpad may appear as HID-compliant touchpad, Synaptics, or ELAN. Look under Human Interface Devices and Mice and other pointing devices. You may also see an I2C HID Device entry, which can be related to how the touchpad connects to Windows. Names and locations vary by laptop. Start by checking whether a key or a Windows setting turned the touchpad off. If it is already on, move on to the driver and hardware fixes.
How to Fix Laptop Touchpad Not Working
Work through these fixes from top to bottom. Each one is more involved than the last, so you may not need all 12.
1. Use the Touchpad Keyboard Shortcut
Many laptops have a key that turns the touchpad on or off, and it is easy to press by accident. Look at the top row of your keyboard for a key with a touchpad symbol. It often looks like a small rectangle with a finger or a line through it.
Press that key. If nothing happens, hold Fn and press it. Some laptops use Fn with F6, F7, or F9, but the right key depends on your model, so check your manual if you are unsure.
Wait a few seconds, then slide your finger across the touchpad. If the key does nothing, your laptop may need the maker’s hotkey software. Check your model’s support page before you install anything.
2. Turn On the Touchpad in Windows Settings
Windows has its own switch for the built-in touchpad. It may be off even if you never touched it.
In Windows 11, press Windows + I, select Bluetooth & devices, and then select Touchpad. In Windows 10, press Windows + I, select Devices, and then select Touchpad. Make sure the Touchpad switch is on, then test it.
No mouse? You can still use the keyboard. Press Tab to move between controls, use the arrow keys to pick an option, and press Spacebar to flip a switch. If you cannot find a Touchpad page at all, go to the Device Manager steps below.
3. Restart Your Laptop
A restart can clear a short-term Windows or driver glitch. Save your files, close your apps, and select Start, then Power, then Restart. Test the touchpad as soon as Windows loads, before you plug in other devices.
Use Restart instead of Shut down. A restart gives Windows a fresh start, while a shutdown may keep some system state on some PCs. If the touchpad works and then fails again later, note when it happens. For example, it may stop each time the laptop wakes from sleep, which points to a driver or power problem.
4. Disconnect the External Mouse
Some laptops turn off the touchpad when a USB or Bluetooth mouse is connected. This can be a normal setting, not a broken touchpad. To test it, unplug any wired mouse, remove the wireless receiver, and turn off a Bluetooth mouse. If you use a dock or USB hub, unplug that too.
If the touchpad now works, open the touchpad settings again. Look for an option that keeps the touchpad on when a mouse is connected, and turn it on. Not every laptop has this option, so check the maker’s touchpad software if you do not see it. If the touchpad still does not respond, move on to the next fix.
5. Check Touchpad Options in Control Panel
Some laptops add extra touchpad controls to Control Panel. These usually come from Synaptics or ELAN software. They can include an on/off option, tap settings, sensitivity, and scrolling.
Press Windows + R, type control, and press Enter. Select Hardware and Sound, then Mouse. Look for a tab named Touchpad, ELAN, Synaptics, or something similar. If you see an option to enable the touchpad, turn it on and select Apply, then OK.
Many newer laptops use Windows Precision Touchpad settings instead, so this tab may not exist. That does not mean your touchpad is broken. If the cursor moves but tapping or scrolling does not, look through the gesture and sensitivity options in Settings.
If the cursor moves but clicking does not work, check whether tap-to-click is turned on in your touchpad settings. If physical clicks also fail, test the touchpad with your laptop maker’s diagnostic tool. If two-finger scrolling stops working, open the gesture settings and make sure it is turned on.
6. Update the Touchpad Driver
A driver lets Windows talk to the touchpad. If it is old, damaged, or made for a different laptop, the touchpad may stop responding. Start with Windows Update, which is the safest way to get most drivers.
Open Settings and go to Windows Update. In Windows 11, select Advanced options, then Optional updates. In Windows 10, select Update & Security first, then Windows Update, then View optional updates. Install any touchpad or pointing-device driver you see, then restart.
You can also update the driver by hand. Right-click Start and open Device Manager. Expand Human Interface Devices and Mice and other pointing devices, since the touchpad can appear in either one. Right-click the touchpad, select Update driver, and follow the prompts.
If Windows says the best driver is already installed, go to your laptop maker’s official support page. Enter your exact model or serial number and download the driver made for your version of Windows. Avoid random driver-updater apps and unknown download sites, because they can install the wrong driver or unwanted software.
7. Uninstall and Reinstall the Touchpad Driver
If an update does not help, a fresh install may fix a damaged driver. You will need a keyboard or an external mouse for this fix. If you can, first download the right driver from your laptop maker’s support page.
Right-click Start and open Device Manager. Find the touchpad under Human Interface Devices or Mice and other pointing devices. Right-click it, select Uninstall device, and confirm. Do not tick any box to delete the driver software unless you know why you need to. Then restart the laptop, and Windows should install the driver again.
If the touchpad is missing, select View, then Show hidden devices, and check both groups again. An I2C HID Device with a warning symbol may mean a problem with the touchpad’s connection to the laptop. Do not uninstall random items under System devices. Use your maker’s instructions to find the right chipset, Serial IO, I2C, or touchpad driver. If Windows still cannot find the touchpad after a restart, install the model-specific driver you downloaded.
8. Install Windows Updates or Roll Back the Driver
A Windows update can fix a device problem, but a driver change that arrives with an update can also cause one. Which fix to try depends on when the trouble began. If it did not start right after a driver change, open Settings, go to Windows Update, select Check for updates, and install what it finds. Restart and test the touchpad.
If the touchpad stopped right after a driver update, try a rollback instead. In Device Manager, right-click the touchpad and select Properties. Open the Driver tab and select Roll Back Driver. Restart when it finishes. The button is greyed out when Windows has no earlier driver saved.
If you cannot roll back, check your laptop maker’s support page for a compatible driver. Do not remove a Windows update unless you have a clear reason.
9. Check the Touchpad Setting in BIOS or UEFI
BIOS, or UEFI, is the setup menu that opens before Windows starts. Some laptops let you turn the internal touchpad on or off there. This fix helps most when Windows cannot find the touchpad at all.
Restart the laptop and press your maker’s setup key as it starts. Common keys are Esc, F2, F10, and F12. Look for a setting named Touchpad, Internal Pointing Device, or Pointing Device. If it is disabled, change it to Enabled, then save and exit.
Leave all other BIOS settings alone. If you do not see a touchpad option, check the manual for your exact model. If the touchpad is enabled here but still fails in Windows, the cause is more likely a driver or a hardware fault.
10. Run a Hardware Diagnostic Test
Many laptop makers include a built-in test that can check the touchpad. A test can show whether the laptop detects the touchpad and whether it passes the maker’s checks. For example, some HP laptops have PC Hardware Diagnostics UEFI, and some Dell laptops have SupportAssist. The tools and menus differ by brand and model, so look for the one on your laptop’s support page.
If a test reports a failure, write down the error code or result. Give it to the laptop maker or a repair shop. If your laptop has no test, that does not prove the touchpad is fine or broken. Go on to the next two fixes or contact support.
11. Do a Power Reset
A power reset can clear a short-term power or device problem. The right method depends on your model and battery type, so use your maker’s instructions. Do not open the case to remove an internal battery.
In general, a reset starts like this. Save your work, shut down Windows, and unplug the charger. Disconnect USB devices, memory cards, and other add-ons. Then follow your maker’s reset steps, reconnect the charger, and turn the laptop on.
Some older laptops have a removable battery. Take it out only if the maker says you can and shows you how. A power reset is not a factory reset, and it will not erase your files. If it does not help, do not repeat it. Move on to the physical check.
12. Check for Physical Damage
If no software fix works, the touchpad may have a hardware problem. Look for a cracked or loose surface, a touchpad that will not click, or movement that works in only one area. Think about whether the trouble began after a drop or a liquid spill. Also check whether the laptop rocks on a flat table.
A loose internal cable can cause these problems too. Checking it means opening the laptop, which can damage parts, so it is not a good first repair for most people.
If the touchpad or keyboard is pushed up, or the case is bulging, treat it as the battery warning at the top of this guide. Stop using and charging the laptop, and do not press on the touchpad. If you see liquid or impact damage, or a test fails, get a professional inspection. A good shop will check the battery and cable before it replaces the touchpad.
Brand-Specific Touchpad Tips
The steps above work on most laptops. Shortcuts and tools differ by brand, though, so use the tips for your own model rather than a shortcut you saw for another laptop.
HP
Some HP laptops let you turn the touchpad on or off by double-tapping a small spot in the upper-left corner. Not every HP model has this feature. To run the built-in test, shut down the laptop, turn it on, and press Esc over and over to open the Startup Menu. If your model offers PC Hardware Diagnostics UEFI, press F2 and choose the mouse or touchpad test. If the touchpad is missing from Device Manager, get the driver for your exact model from HP’s support site.
Dell
On Dell laptops, the Windows touchpad page may include the option to keep the touchpad on when a mouse is connected. Check it if you see it. If SupportAssist is on your laptop, you can run its hardware test for the touchpad. Dell’s support site also lists driver and BIOS updates for each model, so choose your exact model before you install anything.
Lenovo
Lenovo laptops use different function keys depending on the model. Try the touchpad key on its own first, and then with Fn. If the touchpad is missing, turn on Show hidden devices in Device Manager and check for an I2C HID Device with a warning symbol. This may indicate a related connection or controller problem. Leave unrelated system devices alone. Use Lenovo’s support page to find the driver for your model.
ASUS
Some ASUS laptops use a function key such as F6 or F9 for the touchpad, but it depends on the model. On some models, that key needs ASUS System Control Interface or similar software to work. Open ASUS support, select your exact model, and look at its driver list. Check this list before you decide the touchpad is damaged.
Touchpad Not Working in Windows 11 vs. Windows 10
Most fixes in this guide apply to both Windows 10 and Windows 11. However, some settings, driver options, and maker diagnostic tools may differ by laptop model and Windows version.
Windows 11
In Windows 11, the touchpad switch is under Settings, then Bluetooth & devices, then Touchpad. If the touchpad stops working every time the laptop wakes from sleep, check Device Manager for an I2C HID warning. Then install the touchpad and chipset or Serial IO drivers listed for your exact laptop model. If the problem continues, contact the maker, because the cause may be device firmware or the I2C controller.
Windows 10
In Windows 10, the touchpad switch is under Settings, then Devices, then Touchpad. The driver steps are the same as in Windows 11.
Microsoft ended standard support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. Regular feature updates and free security updates are no longer provided through standard support. However, eligible users who enroll in the Consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU) program can keep getting important security updates through October 12, 2027, according to Microsoft’s ESU page. Windows 10 will still run, and the touchpad fixes in this guide still apply.
Microsoft’s Windows 10 support page lists your options, including upgrading to Windows 11 if your laptop qualifies. Do not upgrade just to fix a touchpad, though. Check the settings and driver first.
Touchpad Not Working but External Mouse Works
If your mouse works but the touchpad does not, Windows can still use a pointing device. That does not mean the touchpad is broken. A setting may simply turn the touchpad off while a mouse is connected.
Unplug the mouse and its receiver, or turn off a Bluetooth mouse, and then test the touchpad (Fix 4). Check the touchpad switch and the mouse-connected option in Settings (Fix 2). If the touchpad still does not respond, update or reinstall its driver (Fixes 6 and 7).
If the touchpad is missing from Device Manager, even with hidden devices shown, the cause may be a driver, the I2C connection, firmware, or hardware. Run your maker’s diagnostic test next (Fix 10).
Touchpad Not Working After a Windows Update
If the touchpad stopped right after a Windows update, a driver change is a likely cause. Check the driver before you decide the touchpad has failed. Open Windows Update, look at your update history, and see whether a driver was installed around the time the problem began.
Then open the touchpad’s Properties in Device Manager and try Roll Back Driver (Fix 8). If that option is greyed out, download the touchpad driver for your exact model and Windows version from your laptop maker’s support page.
If Device Manager shows an I2C HID error, you may also need a model-specific chipset, Serial IO, or I2C driver. If the touchpad driver looks normal, check whether your maker has posted a known issue or a newer driver. Avoid unofficial driver tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I unlock my laptop touchpad?
Press the key with the touchpad symbol on your keyboard. If nothing happens, hold Fn while you press it. If the touchpad is still locked, turn it on in Windows Settings.
Which key turns on the laptop touchpad?
No single key works on every laptop. Common ones are F6, F7, and F9, but it depends on the brand and model. Look for the touchpad symbol on your keys, or check your manual.
Why did my laptop touchpad suddenly stop working?
A shortcut key or a Windows setting may have turned it off. A driver change, a Windows update, an external mouse setting, or a sleep problem can also be the cause. Check the touchpad switch first, and then restart the laptop.
How do I fix a touchpad that is not responding?
Turn it on with the shortcut key and in Settings. Then unplug any external mouse, restart, and check the driver in Device Manager. If the touchpad is missing or has a warning symbol, install the right driver from your laptop maker.
How do I know if my touchpad is damaged?
Signs include a cracked surface, a touchpad that will not click, liquid damage, or a touchpad that works in only one area. A failed hardware test can also point to a fault. If the touchpad is raised or the case is bulging, stop using the laptop and contact a repair service.
Final Thoughts
When your laptop touchpad is not working, start with the shortcut key, the Windows setting, and a restart. Next, check for an external mouse setting and look at the touchpad driver. If the trouble began after an update, try rolling back the driver.
If Windows cannot find the touchpad, use the diagnostic tool for your laptop brand. A failed test, liquid damage, or a raised touchpad may need a professional repair. You do not have to replace the touchpad just because it stopped responding. For more driver help, see Microsoft’s guide to fixing touchpad problems in Windows.
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I’m Emma Rose, the founder of Punstation. I cover technology, digital trends, business, and online tools, creating practical guides and thoughtful reviews to help readers understand their options and make informed decisions. For more on how I approach my content, see our Editorial Standards.