A touchpad is an essential tool for laptop users. It is the primary method for navigating and interacting with the device.
However, when the touchpad stops working, it can be frustrating. Fortunately, fixing a non-functioning touchpad on Windows 11 is straightforward.
You can watch the YouTube video or continue reading the article below for the fix:
Here’s what we will cover:
- Enable Touchpad in Windows settings
- Use the physical touchpad toggle key
- Update or reinstall touchpad drivers
- Use the hardware troubleshooter
- Modify Registry settings
- Check for Windows updates
Enable Touchpad in Windows settings
The first step is to ensure that your touchpad is enabled in the Windows 11 settings.
Step 1: Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings menu. Here, head to Bluetooth and Devices and then scroll down to select Touchpad.
Step 2: Here, check if the touchpad slider is on or not. If it’s off, enable it.
Also, you can enable an additional setting by checking the box next to Leave touchpad on when a mouse is connected option.
Also read: How to turn off Windows Security in Windows 11?
Use the physical touchpad toggle key
Many laptops have a physical key to enable or disable the touchpad. Look for a key on your keyboard that has a touchpad icon. Pressing this key might toggle the touchpad functionality on or off.
Also read: How to install Ubuntu on Windows 11?
Update or reinstall touchpad drivers
Driver issues can often cause touchpad malfunctions. Here’s how to update or reinstall your touchpad drivers:
Step 1: Open Device Manager by right-clicking the Start menu and selecting the option.
Step 2: Expand Mice and other pointing devices and identify which entry corresponds to your touchpad. Now, right-click on the touchpad entry and select Update driver.
Step 3: After that, choose Search automatically for drivers.
If updating doesn’t work, you can uninstall the drive by right-clicking on the touchpad and selecting Uninstall device. Restart your computer, and Windows should reinstall the default drivers.
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Use the hardware troubleshooter
Depending on your version of Windows 11, the hardware troubleshooter might help diagnose and fix the issue:
Step 1: Press the Windows key + R, type msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic, and press Enter.
Step 2: You’ll see a Hardware and Devices notification on your screen. Here, press Next and follow the on-screen instructions.
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Modify Registry settings
Sometimes, Registry settings can interfere with touchpad functionality. Here’s how to check and adjust them:
Step 1: Press the Windows key + R, type regedit, and press Enter to open Registry settings.
Step 2: Copy and paste the following path into the registry editor:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\PrecisionTouchPad\EnableCursorSuppression
Step 3: Now, double-click EnableCursorSuppression and set the value data to 0 (zero). Click Ok, then restart your computer.
Also read: Linux vs Windows: Should you prefer Linux for a low-spec PC?
Check for Windows updates
Windows updates can often include driver updates that will fix the touchpad issue:
Press the Windows key + I and then head to Windows Update from the left panel. Now, click on Check for updates.
By following these steps, you should be able to resolve most issues with a non-functional touchpad in Windows 11. Regularly updating your system and drivers can also help prevent future problems.
Also read: How to take screenshots in Windows 11?
