How to Fix Windows 11 Touchpad Not Working: Step-by-Step Guide

If your touchpad is not working properly on Windows 11, it can significantly affect your productivity and user experience. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide that you can follow to fix the "touchpad not working" issue.

Step 1: Preliminary Checks (Hardware Issues)

Before jumping into software solutions, perform these quick preliminary checks:

• Check Touchpad Enable Key

  • Most laptops have a shortcut key (Fn key combined with F6/F9/F3 or another Function key) to enable and disable the touchpad accidently. Typically, it has a touchpad icon.
  • Press the combination (e.g., Fn + F6) once to see if the touchpad becomes responsive.

• Restart Your PC

  • Sometimes, temporary glitches in the system can prevent touchpad functions from working correctly.
  • Restart Windows 11: Click on the Start menu → Power → Restart.

• Check Touchpad for Physical Damage

  • Check visually to see if there is any dirt, oil residues, dust, or liquid accumulated.
  • If yes, clean gently with a damp microfiber cloth.

Step 2: Verify Touchpad Settings in Windows 11

Windows 11 allows you to enable or disable the built-in touchpad. Check if it’s inadvertently disabled.

1. Click the Start button and select Settings (⚙️ icon).
2. Click on Bluetooth & devices from the left sidebar.
3. Select Touchpad on the right pane.
4. Make sure the toggle next to Touchpad is switched On.
5. Scroll below and review additional settings like:

   • Cursor speed, Touchpad sensitivity, Tap gestures — adjust these settings to verify if they restore functionality.

Step 3: Update or Reinstall the Touchpad Drivers

Faulty or outdated drivers are among the common reasons for this issue. Updating drivers will resolve most software-related issues.

A. Update Touchpad Driver via Device Manager

1. Right-click on the Start button and choose Device Manager.
2. Expand the section labeled as Human Interface Devices or Mice and other pointing devices.
3. Locate your Touchpad driver (commonly labeled as Synaptics Touchpad, ELAN Touchpad, or similar names).
4. Right-click your touchpad device, and select Update driver.
5. Choose Search automatically for drivers.

   • Windows will now search and install the latest touchpad drivers online.

6. Restart your computer once the process is complete and check if the touchpad is working normally again.

B. Reinstall Touchpad Drivers

If updating didn’t help, reinstall touchpad drivers.

1. Go to Device Manager again.
2. Expand the Mice and other pointing devices or Human Interface Devices.
3. Right-click your touchpad option and select Uninstall device.
4. Confirm the action by choosing Uninstall.
5. Restart your laptop.
6. Windows 11 will automatically reinstall the touchpad driver.

   • If it doesn’t automatically install:
   • Visit your laptop manufacturer’s official website.
   • Search for your device model and Windows 11 drivers.
   • Download & Install the latest available touchpad driver manually from there.

Step 4: Check for Windows Updates

Microsoft frequently releases updates that include bug fixes and compatibility improvements. Ensuring you have the most current update installed may fix many issues.

1. Go to Start → Settings.
2. Open Windows Update.
3. Click the Check for updates button.
4. Install any available updates; once finished, restart your device.

Step 5: Run Built-in Windows Troubleshooting Tools

Windows 11 has built-in troubleshooters for hardware issues.

• Go to Settings → System → Troubleshoot → Other troubleshooters → Hardware and Devices.
• Click Run next to Hardware and Devices troubleshooter and follow on-screen instructions to complete the troubleshooting process.

If "Hardware and Devices" troubleshooter is not listed, run it manually by:

1. Press Win + R, type msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic and press Enter.
2. Click Next and follow the prompts to finish troubleshooting.

Step 6: Disable Tablet Input Service (If Applicable)

Sometimes, conflicts happen due to additional input services. Try disabling tablet-input service temporarily:

1. Press Win + R keys, type services.msc and hit Enter.
2. Locate Tablet PC Input Service, right-click on it, and select Properties.
3. Select the Stop button. Next, set startup type to Disabled.
4. Click Apply → OK and reboot system to test your touchpad.

You can re-enable this later if it did not fix your issue.

Step 7: Modify BIOS Settings (Advanced step)

If your BIOS has accidentally disabled your touchpad, you may need to re-enable it from the BIOS:

1. Shut down your laptop completely.
2. Restart and immediately press the specific BIOS entry key (F2, F10, ESC, or DEL key depending on the laptop brand).
3. Navigate through BIOS menus using arrow keys and look for an option labeled "Internal Pointing Device," "Touchpad," or "Trackpad".
4. Ensure it’s marked as Enabled.
5. Press F10 to save changes and exit BIOS. Then restart Windows 11.

Step 8: Perform a Windows System Restore (Optional Advanced Step)

If your touchpad issue started recently after system changes, Windows System Restore enables you to roll back your system to a point before the problem started. Your personal files won’t be affected.

1. Type "Create a Restore point" in Start and select the available option.
2. Click on "System Restore."
3. Select "Choose a different restore point," pick a date before your touchpad issue started, and follow prompts.
4. Confirm and apply the restore point; the system will reboot to complete the process.

Step 9: Contact the Manufacturer’s Support (Last Resort)

If none of these methods resolve the issue, it could be a hardware defect. Reach out to your device manufacturer’s official support, explaining everything you’ve tried. They might need to assist you with warranty service or repair.

Conclusion

Follow the steps above one-by-one to thoroughly troubleshoot and fix your Windows 11 touchpad issues. In most cases, updating drivers, verifying settings, or checking for updates usually resolves problems.

In rare situations, reaching out to your hardware manufacturer or seeking a hardware replacement is required.