What can I do if my laptop mousepad is not working?

Fix

5 min. read

Updated on October 4, 2023

by Milan Stanojevic

updated on October 4, 2023

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10 quick solutions to fix laptop mousepad issues

Update mousepad or touchpad drivers
Uninstall and reinstall mouse drivers
Use Windows generic mousepad driver
Run an System File Checker scan
Run Hardware and Devices troubleshooter
Roll back the driver
Check your keyboard
Get drivers form manufacturer’s website
Install mousepad drivers in compatibility mode
Disconnect all peripherals

One of the benefits of owning a laptop is its built-in mousepad. This works especially where you’re constantly moving about, and your physical mouse device has failed you.

The mousepad, however, can also be frustrating especially when it’s not working because it isn’t a plug and play device, like its predecessor, the USB mouse device.

Why is my touchpad not working in Windows 10?

This issue can be as a result of a missing or outdated driver.

In order to fix your mousepad when it’s not working, you’d have to check on a number of troubleshooting resolutions before you can resolve the issue. Here are solutions that can help you work around this issue.

What to do if your mousepad won’t respond

1. Update mousepad or touchpad drivers

Follow the steps below to do this:

Right click Start
Select Device Manager
Click on Mice and other pointing devices to expand the list
Right click on the mousepad driver
Click Update Driver Software
Follow on-screen instructions to update the mousepad driver

If the issue persists, try the next solution.

2. Uninstall and reinstall mouse drivers

Here’s how to do this:

Right click Start
Select Control Panel
Double click System
Click Hardware tab
Select Device Manager
Expand Mice and other pointing devices to open the list

Right click the mouse device you want to remove
Click Uninstall
Click Yes when you get a confirmation message
Restart your computer. Windows automatically detects the change in your hardware.
Install the mouse driver
Check for its functionality

Note: contact your device’s manufacturer for the latest mouse drivers.

ALSO READ: The best gaming mouse pads to enhance your gaming experience

3. Use Windows generic mousepad driver

Right click Start
Click Device Manager
Right click your mousepad driver
Click Update driver software
Click Browse my computer for driver software
Choose Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer</li>

Select HID compliant mouse
Click Next
Follow the prompts to install it

In case you tried changing your driver and it didn’t help, there is probably a problem with the mousepad itself, so you need to contact your computer’s manufacturer for further assistance.

4. Run an System File Checker scan

Here’s how to do this:

Click Startg
Go to the search field box and type CMD
Select Command Prompt

Press Enterong
Right click and select Run as Administrator

Type sfc/scannow
Press Enter
Restart your computer

If your mousepad still won’t work, try the next solution.

ALSO READ: SteelSeries QcK Prism dual-surface RGB gaming mousepad costs only $59.99

5. Run Hardware and Devices troubleshooter

If you’re experiencing problems with your computer’s mousepad, then run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter to resolve the issue. This checks for commonly occurring issues and ensures any new device or hardware is correctly installed on your computer.

Here’s how to go about it:

Right click Start
Select Control Panel
Go to View by option on the top right corner
Click the drop down arrow and select Large icons

Click Troubleshooting
Click View all option on the left pane
Click Hardware and Devices
Click Next

Follow the instructions to run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter. The troubleshooter will begin detecting any issues.

Solution 6: Roll back the driver

Right click Start
Select Device Manager
Expand Mice and other pointing devices
Right click Properties
Go to Driver tab
Click Roll Back Driver

In the Driver Package rollback dialog box, select Yes
Restart your computer

Does the mousepad problem persist? Try the next solution.

7. Check your keyboard

Right click Start
Select Device Manager
Go to Mice and other pointing devices
Click Mousepad or touchpad drivers
Double click on it to check its status
Go to Driver tab
Click Update Driver and follow the instructions

ALSO READ: 7 best mini wireless keyboards for PC

8. Get drivers form manufacturer’s website

You can download the latest mousepad drivers from the manufacturer’s website, and then install it on your computer and see if it works.

9. Install mousepad drivers in compatibility mode

Follow these steps to install in compatibility mode:

Download the latest mousepad/touchpad driver from the manufacturer’s website
Save it on your local disk
Right click on the set up file of the downloaded mousepad driver
Click Properties
Click Compatibility tab
Check the box next toRun this program in Compatibility mode

Select the Operating System from the drop down list
The driver will install, then check its functionality.

10. Disconnect all peripherals

Some peripherals may automatically disable the mousepad function. Fortunately, you can quickly fix this problem by disconnecting all the peripherals. Then reboot your computer and test to see if the problem persists. You can then plug the peripherals back in one by one to identify the culprit.

We’d love to hear from you if these solutions helped. Let us know your experience by leaving your comment in the section below.

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