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How to Fix Touchpad on Windows 10 Laptop

Is your touchpad not working suddenly? If your mouse cursor won’t move or respond, using your laptop becomes extremely difficult. Whether the problem appeared after a Windows update or started randomly, it’s a common issue faced by many users.

If you’re dealing with a laptop touchpad not working, don’t worry — most of the time, the problem is software-related and fixable with a few simple steps. At Same Day Mac Repairs, we help Melbourne users troubleshoot this issue on both Windows and macOS devices. In this blog, we’ll walk you through proven solutions to fix a touchpad not working Windows 10 problem.

What Causes the Touchpad Not Working Issue?

Before jumping to solutions, it helps to know what might cause a trackpad not working in Windows issue. Here are the usual culprits:

Touchpad disabled in Windows settings
Accidental function key press
Corrupt or outdated drivers
Issues after system updates
BIOS settings misconfigured
Hardware malfunction

Identifying the cause can save time and effort.

Step 1: Check If the Touchpad Is Enabled in Windows Settings

Sometimes, the issue is as simple as a disabled setting. You might have accidentally turned off the touchpad.

How to check:

Press Windows + I to open Settings.
Go to Devices > Touchpad.
Check if the Touchpad toggle is turned On.

If the toggle is missing or grayed out, Windows may not be detecting your touchpad properly. In that case, driver troubleshooting is the next step.

Step 2: Use Function Keys to Re-enable the Touchpad

Most laptops have a function key that controls the touchpad. This is often pressed by accident, especially when using the Fn keys.

How to enable using keyboard:

Look for a key with a touchpad icon (often on F1 to F12).
Press Fn + [Touchpad key], such as Fn + F7 or Fn + F9.

This simple method resolves many trackpad not working issues, especially after system updates or restarts.

Step 3: Restart Your Laptop

Sometimes, a simple restart solves the problem. Temporary software glitches can cause the mouse pad not working on laptop issue.

Restart properly:

Click on Start > Power > Restart.
Wait for the system to reboot and check the touchpad again.

It’s a basic step, but it’s always worth trying before diving deeper.

Step 4: Update or Reinstall Touchpad Drivers

Driver problems are one of the main reasons behind a laptop touchpad not working. Outdated or incorrect drivers can prevent Windows from detecting your touchpad.

To update drivers:

Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
Expand Mice and other pointing devices.
Right-click your touchpad device.
Click Update Driver > Search automatically.

If that doesn’t work, try uninstalling the driver:

Right-click the device again.
Select Uninstall device.
Restart your laptop.

Windows will try to reinstall the driver automatically during the restart. This can fix cases where your touchpad stopped working after an update or software conflict.

Step 5: Enable Touchpad in BIOS Settings

Sometimes, the touchpad is disabled at the hardware (BIOS) level, especially after BIOS updates or resets.

How to check BIOS settings:

Restart your laptop.
While it’s booting, press the BIOS key (usually F2, Del, or Esc).
Navigate using arrow keys to Advanced or Device Configuration.
Look for Internal Pointing Device or similar.
Set it to Enabled.
Save changes and exit.

This fix is particularly useful if the touchpad is completely unresponsive and not detected in Windows.

Step 6: Roll Back to a Previous Driver

Did the issue start after a driver update? If yes, rolling back to the previous version may help.

Rollback steps:

Open Device Manager.
Right-click your touchpad and select Properties.
Go to the Driver tab.
Click Roll Back Driver (if the option is available).
Follow the on-screen instructions and restart.

This can often fix a touchpad not working Windows 11 or Windows 10 issue that started after a recent update.

Step 7: Run Windows Troubleshooter

Windows 10 includes built-in troubleshooters to detect and fix common device issues.

Use the troubleshooter:

Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
Click on Additional troubleshooters.
Select Hardware and Devices.
Click Run the troubleshooter.

Follow the instructions and apply any recommended fixes. This tool can help if your laptop touchpad not working is due to a minor configuration glitch.

Step 8: Check for Windows Updates

Installing the latest Windows updates can solve compatibility problems with your touchpad.

How to update:

Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
Click Check for updates.
Download and install available updates.
Restart the laptop.

If your trackpad not working Windows system recently updated and then failed, this might be the easiest way to restore functionality.

Step 9: Disable External Mouse Input Settings

Some laptops automatically disable the touchpad when an external mouse is connected.

Disable this feature:

Go to Settings > Devices > Touchpad.
Scroll down and uncheck Leave touchpad on when a mouse is connected.

Unplug any USB mouse or Bluetooth devices and check again.

Step 10: Perform a System Restore

If none of the above steps work, consider rolling back your system to a restore point when the touchpad was working.

System Restore:

Type System Restore in the search bar.
Open Create a restore point > System Restore.
Choose a restore point from before the issue started.
Follow the prompts and wait for the restore to finish.

This method can undo recent changes that may have affected the touchpad’s functionality.

What If the Touchpad Still Doesn’t Work?

If you’ve tried all these steps and your touchpad is still not working, the issue may be hardware-related.

Signs of a hardware fault:

Touchpad doesn’t show in Device Manager.
No response in BIOS or safe mode.
Physical damage or spills on the touchpad.

In this case, it’s best to consult a professional technician. At Same Day Mac Repairs in Melbourne, we specialize in both Microsoft and Apple laptop repairs. Our team can diagnose whether the touchpad needs replacement or if a deeper board-level issue exists.

Conclusion

Dealing with a touchpad not working issue on a Windows 10 laptop can be inconvenient, but it’s usually solvable with the steps above. From simple settings adjustments to driver updates and BIOS checks, these solutions address most causes of a touchpad not working Windows 10 error.

If the problem persists, it may point to a hardware fault. In that case, professional help from a certified technician,Same Day Mac Repairs in Melbourne, may be the best next step. You are experienced in both Apple and Microsoft device repairs.