Try these steps in order:
- Check basic hardware first.
- If the laptop has a touchpad function key, press that key or Fn + that key to make sure the touchpad was not disabled.
- If using any USB mouse, USB hub, or wireless receiver, disconnect it temporarily and test the touchpad again.
- Make sure the touchpad surface is clean and there is no dirt blocking sensors.
- Update the touchpad driver.
- The recommended method is Windows Update.
- Go to Settings > Windows Update and install available updates.
- Microsoft also states the touchpad driver can be updated through Device Manager.
- In Device Manager, look for the touchpad under:
- Human Interface Devices
- Mice and other pointing devices
- Reinstall the touchpad driver if updating does not help.
- In Device Manager, find the touchpad under Human Interface Devices or Mice and other pointing devices.
- Reinstalling the touchpad driver can help because it forces the latest drivers to download from Windows Update.
- If the touchpad is being detected only as a basic mouse or gestures are missing, install the laptop maker’s drivers.
- Install the device manufacturer’s Serial IO / Chipset driver first.
- Then install the manufacturer’s touchpad driver.
- Restart after each installation.
- If the touchpad still does not work:
- Test whether the touchpad works in Safe Mode or in the device firmware/BIOS.
- If it does not work there either, the issue is more likely hardware-related.
- At that point, contact the laptop manufacturer for service or repair help.
For Surface devices, the Surface app can be used to check driver and firmware health and install updates.
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