A touchpad not working means the cursor will not move, click or scroll when you slide a finger across the pad. People describe the same fault as "mouse not working in laptop", "laptop mouse not working", "mouse not working on laptop", "trackpad not working" or "cursor not working on laptop", and the fixes are the same.
In most repair cases the pad itself is fine. It has been turned off by a function key, switched off in Windows settings, or confused by a driver or a plugged-in mouse. Work through the steps below in order. You can do the first few even without a working pointer, because every step has a keyboard route.
Common causes
1Touchpad switched off with a function key
How to tellPad died suddenly after you pressed a key row shortcut by mistake
What fixes itPress the touchpad key, often on F5, F6, F7 or F9, together with Fn
2Touchpad turned off in Windows settings
How to tellA toggle shows Off under Touchpad settings, or a plugged-in mouse switched it off
What fixes itTurn the toggle on in Settings, Bluetooth and devices, Touchpad
3Driver glitch after an update
How to tellWorked yesterday, stopped after Windows Update or a restart
What fixes itRestart, then update or roll back the touchpad driver in Device Manager
4Temporary freeze of the system
How to tellKeyboard keys also respond slowly and the whole laptop feels stuck
What fixes itWait a minute, then restart the laptop from the power menu
5Dirt, grease or wet fingers
How to tellCursor jumps, drifts or only works in some spots of the pad
What fixes itWipe the pad with a dry or barely damp soft cloth and dry your hands
6Loose cable or swollen battery under the pad
How to tellPad feels raised, the case bulges, or the pad is dead after a knock or a repair
What fixes itStop using the laptop on charge and take it to a service centre
How to fix it, step by step
Check the touchpad key on the top row
Many laptops have a key with a small touchpad drawing, usually on one of the F keys. Press it once, and if nothing happens, hold Fn and press it. Some models use Fn + F6 or Fn + F9, but this differs by make, so look for the little pad icon.
Unplug any USB mouse or dongle
Some laptops are set to turn the pad off when an outside mouse is connected. Pull out the USB mouse or receiver, wait ten seconds and touch the pad again. If it wakes up, change the setting in the next step so both can work together.
Turn the touchpad on in Settings
Press Windows key, type touchpad, press Enter, and use the Tab and Space keys to switch the Touchpad toggle to On. On Windows 10 the path is Settings, then Devices, then Touchpad. On Windows 11 look under Bluetooth and devices, then Touchpad. Also tick the option to leave the touchpad on when a mouse is connected, if you see it.
Restart the laptop properly
Press Alt + F4 on the desktop, choose Restart and press Enter. A full restart clears most small driver freezes. Use Restart, not Shut down, because on Windows the Shut down option keeps some drivers loaded for a faster start.
Update the touchpad driver in Device Manager
Open Device Manager from the Start button menu, then expand "Mice and other pointing devices". Use the arrow keys to select your touchpad, press the Menu key or Shift + F10, and choose Update driver, then search automatically. This only uses Windows itself, so no extra download tools are needed.
Go back to the old driver or reinstall it
If the pad stopped right after an update, open the same device, choose Properties, then the Driver tab, and use Roll Back Driver if it is available. Otherwise choose Uninstall device and restart; Windows rebuilds the driver by itself at the next boot.
Run the Windows hardware troubleshooter
The built-in troubleshooters in Settings may list a keyboard or hardware item worth trying. It is not perfect, but it can fix a switched-off service in a minute.
Check the BIOS setting and the pad itself
Restart and press the BIOS key shown at start-up (it differs by make). Some BIOS screens list "Internal pointing device" and it can be set to Disabled. If the pad still shows nothing there and the case looks swollen, stop and go to a technician.
Why a touchpad not working is rarely a hardware fault
Think of the pad as a flat sensor that sends position data to a driver. Because the driver and the settings sit between your finger and the cursor, a software slip can kill the pointer while the sensor is perfectly healthy. A quick test: if the pad works in the BIOS screen or in the Windows sign-in screen but not after login, the hardware is fine and the cause is a setting or driver.
You press a key to wake the laptop after lunch and the cursor will not move, though the keys type normally. You tap Fn plus the key with the pad icon and the cursor appears. A shortcut had turned it off in your bag.
Moving around Windows with no cursor
While you fix things you need a way to click. These keys work everywhere in Windows:
- Windows key opens search; type what you want and press Enter.
- Tab and Shift + Tab move between buttons; Space or Enter presses the one you are on.
- Alt + Tab switches windows, and Alt + F4 closes one.
- A cheap USB or Bluetooth mouse also works as a stand-in; see mouse not working if that one fails too.
Touchpad faults that look alike
| What happens | Likely cause | Where to go |
|---|---|---|
| Cursor moves but two finger scroll is dead | Gesture setting or driver | two finger scroll |
| Pad moves but clicking fails | Tap setting or worn button | Settings, Touchpad |
| Keyboard and pad both dead | System freeze | Hold power button to restart |
| Only some keys fail | Keyboard fault | keyboard keys |
| Whole screen frozen | Software hang | laptop not working |
When to take the laptop to a repair shop
If the pad is dead in the BIOS too, the ribbon cable under the pad may have come loose, or the pad may have failed. A technician opens the base to reseat it, which is quick work. A swollen battery under the pad is different: the case lifts, the pad clicks oddly and the laptop rocks on a table. Stop charging it and do not press on it, because a swollen battery is a fire risk.
Opening the base yourself can void the warranty. While the warranty lasts, take it to an authorised service centre of the maker. Repair cost depends mostly on whether only the pad is replaced or the whole palm rest comes with it.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my laptop touchpad not working suddenly?
The most common reason is a shortcut key or a setting that switched it off. After that comes a driver glitch following an update. Check the touchpad key and the Touchpad toggle in Settings first.
How do I fix a laptop cursor that is not working?
Restart the laptop, unplug any USB mouse, turn the touchpad on in Settings and refresh its driver. If the cursor still will not move, test it in the BIOS screen to see whether the hardware is alive.
Can I use the laptop with the touchpad off?
Yes. A USB or wireless mouse works as a full replacement, and keyboard shortcuts cover most actions. It is a fine stop-gap while you wait for a repair.
What if the touchpad is not working on my brand of laptop?
The steps are the same on every make, though the touchpad key and the BIOS key differ. Look for a small pad drawing on the top row of keys, and check the manual for the BIOS key.
Is a touchpad that clicks by itself a sign of damage?
Ghost clicks and a drifting cursor often come from dirt, a damp finger or a driver, but they can also point to a swollen battery. If the case is bulging, stop charging and get it checked.