Laptop Trackpad Not Working: 8 Fixes for Windows and Mac

A laptop trackpad that suddenly stops working is usually caused by it being accidentally disabled, a driver issue, or a hardware fault. Most cases are fixable in minutes.

Fix 1: Check the keyboard shortcut

Most laptops have a keyboard shortcut to enable/disable the touchpad — it's one of the most common reasons the trackpad suddenly stops working. Look for a touchpad icon on your function keys (F1–F12) and press Fn + that key.

Common shortcuts: Fn + F7 (Dell), Fn + F5 (HP), Fn + F9 (Asus), Fn + F6 (Lenovo).

Fix 2: Enable the touchpad in Windows settings

1. Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Touchpad
2. Make sure the Touchpad toggle is On
3. If it's already on, toggle it off and back on

On older Windows versions: Control Panel → Mouse → Device Settings tab → Enable.

Fix 3: Disconnect any external mouse

Some laptops automatically disable the touchpad when an external mouse is connected. Disconnect any USB or Bluetooth mice and check whether the touchpad works.

To prevent this: Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Touchpad → uncheck "Leave touchpad on when a mouse is connected".

Fix 4: Update or reinstall the touchpad driver

1. Press Win + X → Device Manager
2. Expand "Human Interface Devices" or "Mice and other pointing devices"
3. Right-click your touchpad (often listed as "Synaptics" or "ELAN" or "HID-compliant mouse")
4. Select "Update driver" → search automatically
5. If that fails, right-click → "Uninstall device" → restart; Windows will reinstall automatically

Fix 5: Roll back a recent Windows update

If the touchpad stopped working after a Windows Update, the update may have caused a driver conflict. Settings → Windows Update → View update history → Uninstall updates → remove the most recent update → restart.

Fix 6: Run the hardware troubleshooter

Settings → System → Troubleshoot → Other troubleshooters → Hardware and Devices → Run. This can detect and fix basic driver and configuration issues automatically.

Fix 7: Fix on Mac — System Preferences check

On a Mac, go to System Preferences (or System Settings on macOS Ventura+) → Trackpad. If settings are greyed out or the trackpad doesn't appear, your trackpad may not be detected by the system, indicating a hardware fault.

Also try: Apple menu → Shut Down → hold the power button for 10 seconds to reset the SMC (System Management Controller) on Intel Macs.

Fix 8: Check for physical damage or liquid damage

If the trackpad is physically unresponsive (not clicking, not moving the cursor), check for obvious damage — cracks, liquid residue, or a warped chassis pressing down on the trackpad from below. A swollen battery can push up the trackpad and disable it — if your laptop base seems raised or warped, stop using it and get the battery checked.

Frequently asked questions

Why did my laptop trackpad suddenly stop working?

The most common causes are: the touchpad was disabled via keyboard shortcut, an external mouse was plugged in and disabled it, a driver update caused a conflict, or a Windows update broke the driver. Start with the keyboard shortcut check — it takes five seconds and fixes the problem more often than you'd think.

Can I use my laptop without a trackpad?

Yes. Connect a USB mouse or Bluetooth mouse to use as a replacement while you fix the trackpad. A USB mouse works immediately with no driver installation needed on Windows.