Your laptop touchpad no longer moves the cursor, clicks, scrolls, or recognizes gestures, while the keyboard still works. This applies to Windows laptops from Dell, HP, Lenovo, Acer, Asus, MSI, and similar brands.
Does This Affect You?
A touchpad that suddenly stops is often disabled rather than broken. A function-key shortcut, a setting that turns the pad off when a mouse is connected, or a driver update can all make it look dead.
Check for an Accidental Disable
This is the most common cause, especially after using the function row.
- Look for a touchpad icon on the top row, often on F5, F6, F7, or F9. Press it, sometimes with Fn, to toggle the touchpad.
- Disconnect any USB or Bluetooth mouse. Some laptops disable the touchpad automatically when a mouse is attached.
- Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Touchpad. On Windows 10, use Settings > Devices > Touchpad.
- Make sure the main touchpad toggle is on.
- Enable Leave touchpad on when a mouse is connected if you want both devices active.
Fix the Touchpad Driver
Use this if settings show the touchpad is enabled but it still does not respond.
- Open Device Manager and expand Mice and other pointing devices.
- Look for Synaptics, ELAN, Precision Touchpad, HID-compliant touchpad, or a warning icon.
- Right-click the touchpad and choose Update driver.
- If that does not help, choose Uninstall device, then restart the laptop so Windows reloads the driver.
- Download the exact touchpad driver from the laptop manufacturer if the generic Windows driver restores movement but not gestures or scrolling.
If clicking works but gestures do not, open the Touchpad settings page and enable scrolling, taps, and multi-finger gestures individually. A missing manufacturer driver often leaves only basic movement. Adjust cursor speed and sensitivity if palm contact makes the cursor jump while typing.
A cracked touchpad, sticky surface, uneven click, or spill residue points to hardware. Shut the laptop down and clean the surface gently with a barely damp microfiber cloth. If the pad still registers nothing with drivers current and no mouse connected, the internal ribbon cable or touchpad assembly may need repair.
Sources
- Dell Support – Touchpad not working troubleshooting (2025)
- Microsoft Support – Fix touchpad problems in Windows (2025)
- HP Support – Touchpad does not work on HP laptops (2025)