When the trackpad cannot work, check the basic settings first: 1. Try to use the Fn function key to open the trackpad; 2. Make sure it is enabled in "Settings > Devices > Trackpad"; 3. Unplug the external mouse to see if it is restored. Then restart the computer to clear temporary failures; update or reinstall the trackpad driver: restart the system automatically after updating or uninstalling through the Device Manager; check Windows updates and install the latest patches; advanced users can enter BIOS/UEFI to confirm that the trackpad is not disabled; finally test the external mouse to determine whether it is a hardware problem. After cleaning the trackpad area is invalid, contact repair support.

Touchpad not working on your Windows 10 laptop? It's a frustrating issue, especially if you're away from a mouse. But before you jump to conclusions or starting worrying about hardware failure, try these fixes — most of them are easy and take just a few minutes.

Check Basic Settings First

Sometimes the touchpad gets turned off accidentally. On many laptops, there's a function key (like Fn F6 or another F-key) that toggles the touchpad on and off. Look for an icon that resembles a touchpad or fingertip.

Also, go to:

• Settings > Devices > Touchpad Make sure the toggle at the top says "Touchpad is On."

If you're using an external mouse and the touchpad automatically disables, that might be normal behavior — some laptops disable the touchpad when a mouse is connected. Try unplugging any connected mice and see if it comes back.

Restart Your Laptop

This might sound too simple, but a quick reboot often clears up glitches in Windows. Sometimes drivers or system processes hang temporarily, and restarting gives everything a fresh start.

Before moving on to more complex steps, always give this a shot — it takes 30 seconds and could save you time.

Update or Reinstall Touchpad Drivers

Outdated or corrupted drivers are a common cause of touchpad issues.

Here's how to check:

• Press Win X and select Device Manager
• Expand the Mice and other pointing devices section
• Right-click your touchpad device (it might say something like “Synaptics,” “Elan,” or “Precision Touchpad”)
• Choose Update driver

If that doesn't help, try uninstalling the driver:

• Right-click the same device
• Select Uninstall device
• Check the box that says Delete the driver software for this device (if available)
• Click Uninstall

After that, restart your laptop — Windows will attempt to reinstall the driver automatically.

If you're unsure which driver to install, check your laptop manufacturer's website for the latest touchpad driver.

Check for Windows Updates

Windows updates often include bug fixes and driver improvements.

Go to:

• Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update
• Click Check for updates

Install any pending updates and restart your computer afterward. This can resolve compatibility issues with your hardware.

Enable Touchpad in BIOS/UEFI (Advanced)

In rare cases, the touchpad might be disabled at the system level. To check:

• Restart your laptop and enter BIOS/UEFI (usually by pressing F2, F10, or Delete during startup)
• Look for a setting related to internal devices or pointing devices
• Make sure the touchpad is enabled

This varies by brand, so if you're not comfortable doing this, skip to the next step or consult your laptop manual.

Hardware Issues: Test with an External Mouse

If none of the above works, plug in an external USB mouse or wireless trackpad. If it works, then the issue is likely with your built-in touchpad hardware.

Try cleaning around the touchpad area — sometimes dirt or debris affects sensitivity. If that doesn't help, it might be time to contact support or bring it to a repair shop.

Most touchpad problems on Windows 10 aren't permanent and can be resolved without replacing parts. Start with the simplest checks and work your way through each step. Usually, one of these should get things moving again.

The above is the detailed content of How to fix a touchpad that is not working on a Windows 10 laptop?. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!