10 Common Causes Behind Your HP Laptop Touchpad Not Working

If you’re an HP laptop user, you might have encountered the issue where the touchpad suddenly stops working. This can be frustrating, especially if you rely on the touchpad for navigation and precise control. While this problem is common, the good news is that it’s often fixable, and the solution can range from simple settings adjustments to more advanced troubleshooting steps. In this blog, we will walk you through the 10 most common causes behind your HP laptop touchpad not working and provide you with tips on how to fix them. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced user, this guide will help you resolve the issue with ease.

1. Touchpad is Disabled in Settings

The most common reason for a non-functioning touchpad is that it has been accidentally disabled. This can happen through settings adjustments, especially if you’ve connected a mouse to your laptop and enabled the "disable touchpad when mouse is connected" option.

How to Fix It:

• Press the Windows key and type “Device Settings.”
• Select the “Mouse and touchpad settings” option.
• Ensure that the touchpad is enabled. If it’s disabled, toggle it back on.

Alternatively, on some HP laptops, you can press the Fn key combined with one of the function keys (usually F6, F7, or F8) to enable or disable the touchpad.

2. Outdated or Corrupt Touchpad Drivers

Another reason your HP laptop touchpad not working might be due to outdated or corrupt touchpad drivers. Drivers are essential for your touchpad to communicate with your laptop’s operating system. If these drivers are outdated or corrupted, the touchpad may stop functioning.

How to Fix It:

• Perform a right-click on the Start menu and choose Device Manager from the options.
• Expand the Mice and other pointing devices section.
• Right-click on the touchpad device and select the option to Update Driver.
• Select Search automatically for updated driver software and allow Windows to find and install the latest driver for your touchpad.

3. Conflicting Software or Applications

Certain applications or software can interfere with the touchpad’s functionality. For instance, third-party mouse or touchpad software, or system optimizers, might conflict with your touchpad's normal operation.

How to Fix It:

• Remove any recently installed software or drivers that could be creating the conflict.
• Boot your laptop into Safe Mode to determine if any software is causing the issue. If the touchpad works in Safe Mode, it is likely a software conflict.

To boot into Safe Mode:

• Holding the Shift key, click Restart from the Start menu.
• In the options that appear, select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart.
• Once your computer restarts, choose Safe Mode.

If the touchpad works in Safe Mode, try disabling or uninstalling the conflicting software.

4. Hardware Issues with the Touchpad

Over time, physical wear and tear can affect the touchpad's hardware. This can result in the touchpad failing to work properly, or it may not work at all. Physical damage, liquid spillage, or dirt accumulation on the touchpad surface can all contribute to this issue.

How to Fix It:

• Inspect your touchpad for any physical damage or debris. If there’s any visible dirt, gently clean it with a microfiber cloth.
• If there was a liquid spill, immediately power off the laptop and seek professional repair services, as continued use could cause further damage.
• If you suspect a hardware issue, contact your nearest HP laptop services centers for assistance.

5. Touchpad Settings in BIOS

Sometimes, the touchpad may be disabled directly through the laptop's BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) settings. This can happen after a system reset, update, or BIOS change. You can check and enable the touchpad through BIOS settings.

How to Fix It:

• Power down your laptop, then switch it back on.
• As soon as the HP logo appears, press the Esc key repeatedly to enter the startup menu.
• From the menu, press F10 to enter BIOS Setup.
• Look for the Internal Pointing Device setting under the Advanced tab. Ensure it is set to Enabled.
• Save the changes and exit BIOS. Your touchpad should now be functional.

6. System Updates and Operating System Bugs

Sometimes, a Windows update or operating system bug can affect the touchpad functionality. If your laptop has recently undergone an update, the touchpad might stop working due to compatibility issues.

How to Fix It:

• Look for any available updates that could resolve the problem.
• Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click on Check for updates.
• If your touchpad stopped working after a recent update, you might want to uninstall that specific update by going to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > View Update History > Uninstall Updates.

If your system is up to date but the issue persists, consider rolling back your touchpad drivers or restoring your system to an earlier point using System Restore.

7. Faulty Keyboard or Touchpad Connection

In some cases, a loose or faulty connection between the keyboard and touchpad can cause the touchpad to stop working. This issue is more common in laptops that have been opened for repairs or upgrades.

How to Fix It:

• If you are comfortable opening your laptop, you can try checking the ribbon cable connecting the keyboard and touchpad. Make sure the connection is secure.
• If you are not comfortable with DIY repairs, it’s best to take your laptop to an HP services centers where professionals can diagnose and fix the issue.

8. External Mouse Interference

If you’ve connected an external mouse to your HP laptop, the touchpad might be disabled by default. This is a common setting in many laptops, including HP, to avoid interference from the mouse and touchpad simultaneously.

How to Fix It:

• Disconnect the external mouse and check if the touchpad resumes working.
• If it works without the external mouse, go to Settings > Devices > Touchpad and ensure the option Leave touchpad on when a mouse is connected is enabled.

9. Accidental Touchpad Lock

Some HP laptops come with a built-in feature that locks the touchpad. This can be triggered by accident, and the touchpad might appear to be not working when, in fact, it is just locked.

How to Fix It:

• Check for a lock icon or indicator on the touchpad.
• On many HP laptops, you can toggle the touchpad lock by pressing the Fn key combined with the F6, F7, or F8 key, depending on your model.

If the touchpad is locked, pressing the correct key combination will unlock it and restore functionality.

10. Operating System Corruption

In some cases, the issue with your HP laptop touchpad not working could be caused by severe system corruption, making it difficult for the operating system to recognize the touchpad properly. This could be the result of corrupted files, malware, or a system crash.

How to Fix It:

• You can try repairing the system by running the System File Checker tool. Launch the Command Prompt with administrator privileges and enter: sfc /scannow
• This will scan for and repair any corrupted system files.
• If the issue persists, you might need to perform a factory reset or reinstall Windows. Be sure to back up your important files before proceeding.

Conclusion

A HP laptop touchpad not working can be caused by a variety of factors, ranging from simple settings adjustments to more complex hardware issues. In most cases, the issue can be resolved with some basic troubleshooting steps. However, if none of the solutions above work, it might be time to seek professional help.

If you're still facing issues with your HP laptop touchpad, or if you suspect there’s a hardware problem, don’t hesitate to reach out to HP laptop service centers. Our skilled technicians will promptly identify the issue and carry out the required repairs.

If you need assistance, feel free to reach out to us at +91-7042640351 or +91-9891868324. Our team is ready to help you restore your HP laptop's touchpad functionality! We offer door-step repair services for all laptop brands, including HP, Dell, Lenovo, and more.