Windows 11 Touchpad Not Working? 8 Easy Ways to Fix it [2023]

While Microsoft’s latest desktop operating system, Windows 11, brings with it a whole host of new features and changes, it is still far from perfect.

Why? Windows 11 is still quite bug-ridden, and one such prominent bug is Windows 11 touchpad not working issue.

A touchpad is one of the most integral parts of any laptop as everyone uses it to navigate around the UI, interact with software, and a lot more.

Basically, if the touchpad on a PC stops working, then using that PC is a user’s worst nightmare. But to help you overcome this annoyance, we will look at some of the troubleshooting steps to fix the Windows 11 touchpad not working issue.

1. Restart your PC

One of the easiest and most effective ways to fix the Windows 11 touchpad not working issue is to restart your PC. Every time you restart your PC, all system services will be restarted, automatically fixing most problems. However, since the touchpad is not working, you will need to use an external mouse to navigate the UI.

I do not have an external mouse; what should I do? Well, if you do not have an external mouse, you do not need to worry, as you can still restart your Windows 11 PC. Simply press the start button on your keyboard and use the arrow keys to select the power options.

Alternatively, you can also easily press the Alt+F4 keyboard shortcut and select restart using the arrow keys on your keyboard.

2. Enable the touchpad using the function key

If the touchpad does not work despite restarting your PC, then there is a high possibility that the touchpad is disabled.

Nowadays, most modern laptops have a function key to disable the touchpad quickly, and you guessed right, if you happen to press the key unintentionally, the touchpad stops working. But, you can easily enable the touchpad again by pressing the same key.

Which key is the touchpad key? Generally, you will see a touchpad icon next to the function key in the function row. Having said that, if you still cannot find the function key with a touchpad icon, you should try pressing the F4 key once.

3. Enable the touchpad from Windows Settings

The following troubleshooting method to fix Windows 11 touchpad not working issue is to check and enable the touchpad from native Windows 11 settings on your PC. Let us have a detailed look.

1. Launch the Settings app on your Windows 11 PC.
2. Now, select the Bluetooth & Devices option from the left pane.
   
3. Here, you will see an option for a touchpad. If the touchpad option is disabled, simply toggle it on by using an external mouse.
   
4. Once done, the Windows 11 touchpad issues should get resolved.

4. Run Hardware Troubleshooter

Another reason for Windows 11 touchpad not working could be a hardware issue. But how do you know it is a hardware issue, not a software issue? Well, it is pretty easy using the Windows hardware troubleshooter. Let us have a look.

1. Launch the start menu by pressing the Windows key on your keyboard and type in CMD.
2. Now, launch the command prompt window as an administrator.
   
3. Enter the following command and press enter
   msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic
4. Once done, a troubleshooting window will pop up. Hit Next on the active window, and it will start scanning your PC for any hardware issues.
   
5. Moreover, if it finds something wrong on the software level, then you will see an option for Automatic Repair. Click on it, and your Windows 11 touchpad not working issue should get fixed.

5. Uninstall third-party anti-virus

Are you someone who uses a third-party unsecured anti-virus? If yes, you should probably uninstall it right away. Why? Actually, a lot of times, these third-party anti-virus software fiddle around with native Windows settings and drivers. As a result, the touchpad stops working altogether.

Launch the control panel from the start menu and select uninstall a program option to uninstall the anti-virus. Here, scroll down using the arrow keys and click on the anti-virus. Now hit uninstall and restart your Windows 11 PC.

6. Check and update Touchpad Drivers

Another culprit in the room for the Windows 11 touchpad not working problem is outdated drivers. To fix this, perform the following steps.

1. Launch the Start menu by pressing the Windows key on your keyboard.
2. Search for Device Manager and press enter.
3. Here scroll down using an external mouse till you see the Human Interface Device options. Click on it and look for the touchpad option.
4. Select the touchpad and right-click on it. Once done, click on the Update driver option from the drop-down list.
   
5. After the drivers are updated, the touchpad should start working again.

7. Check for Updates

Probably the most common and easiest way to fix the problem of the Windows 11 touchpad not working is to update Windows 11 to the latest version. Press the Windows+I key combination and navigate to the Updates section to update your PC.

8. Reset your Windows 11 Machine

If Windows 11 touchpad does not work even after trying all the above troubleshooting methods, your only option is to reset your Windows 11 computer.

Press the Windows + I key combination and navigate to the Reset PC option in the settings PC to reset your PC.

Touchpad Not Working Windows 11: FAQs