Laptop touchpad not working after update and how to fix it

If your laptop touchpad stops working immediately after a system or driver update, it’s usually due to driver conflicts, disabled settings, or bugs introduced by the update. To fix this, first check if the touchpad is disabled in your settings or via keyboard shortcuts. If it’s enabled but still unresponsive, try reinstalling or updating the touchpad driver. If these steps don’t help, rolling back the driver or using System Restore can undo the problematic changes and restore touchpad functionality.

Why did my laptop touchpad stop working right after an update?

A touchpad can stop working after an update for several reasons. Often, the update installs new drivers that conflict with your hardware or software, causing the touchpad to malfunction. Sometimes, the update resets your touchpad settings to default and disables it without your knowledge. Other times, bugs or compatibility issues in the latest driver or system update prevent the touchpad from responding. For example, a Windows update might install a generic driver missing features your touchpad needs, or it might disable the touchpad if it detects an external mouse. These situations typically cause the touchpad to become unresponsive as soon as the update finishes.

How can I quickly check if my touchpad is disabled or just unresponsive?

Start by checking your touchpad settings. On Windows, go to Settings > Devices > Touchpad and make sure the touchpad is turned on. If you use an external mouse, confirm that the option "Leave touchpad on when a mouse is connected" is checked.

Next, try toggling the touchpad using your keyboard. Many laptops have a function key (like F5, F7, or F9) combined with the Fn key that enables or disables the touchpad—look for a key with a touchpad icon and press it together with Fn.

If that doesn’t work, open Device Manager by right-clicking the Start button and selecting Device Manager. Expand "Mice and other pointing devices" and locate your touchpad device. If you see a warning icon or the device is missing, the driver might be disabled or corrupted. Right-click the device and check if "Enable device" is an option, which means it's currently disabled.

What should I check before starting fixes?

This guide applies to Windows laptops with touchpads that stopped working after updates. You’ll need administrator privileges for some steps, especially when changing drivers.

Before you start:

• Restart your laptop to rule out temporary glitches.
• Confirm you can access your laptop’s settings and Device Manager.
• If possible, have an external mouse handy to navigate while troubleshooting.

These checks ensure you’re ready to safely perform the fixes below.

What are the safest first steps to fix a touchpad not working after an update?

1. Restart your laptop if you haven’t already.

2. Check the touchpad settings:

Settings > Devices > Touchpad

Make sure the touchpad is enabled.

3. Use the keyboard shortcut to toggle the touchpad. Press the function key with a touchpad icon together with the Fn key.

4. In Device Manager:

• Right-click Start and select Device Manager.
• Expand "Mice and other pointing devices."
• Right-click your touchpad device and select "Enable device" if it’s available.

If these steps don’t restore the touchpad, move on to driver troubleshooting.

How do I reinstall or update the touchpad driver properly?

Reinstalling or updating the driver can fix corrupted or incompatible drivers installed by the update.

1. Open Device Manager:

• Right-click Start and select Device Manager.

2. Find your touchpad under "Mice and other pointing devices."

3. Right-click the touchpad device and select "Uninstall device."

4. Restart your laptop. Windows should reinstall the default driver automatically.

5. If Windows doesn’t reinstall the driver or the touchpad still doesn’t work, download the latest driver from your laptop manufacturer’s support website. Make sure to select the correct model and operating system.

6. Install the downloaded driver following the manufacturer’s instructions, then restart your laptop again.

This replaces faulty drivers with the correct ones and often resolves touchpad issues caused by updates.

What if the touchpad still doesn’t work — can I use system restore or rollback?

If reinstalling drivers doesn’t fix the problem, you can try rolling back the driver or using System Restore to undo recent changes.

To roll back the driver:

1. Open Device Manager and locate your touchpad.

2. Right-click it, select "Properties," then go to the "Driver" tab.

3. Click "Roll Back Driver" if the option is available. This restores the previous driver version.

If rollback isn’t available or doesn’t help, try System Restore:

1. Search for "Create a restore point" in the Start menu and open it.

2. Click "System Restore" and choose a restore point dated before the update.

3. Confirm and let Windows restore your system. This will undo recent updates that might have caused the problem.

Use these options only if earlier fixes fail, as they revert system changes and may affect other settings or software installed after the restore point.

How do I test and confirm the touchpad is working again?

After applying fixes, test your touchpad:

• Move your finger across the touchpad and see if the cursor moves smoothly.
• Tap or click to check if left and right clicks register.
• Try multi-touch gestures like two-finger scrolling or pinch-to-zoom if your touchpad supports them.

If the cursor responds correctly and gestures work as expected, your touchpad is functioning again. If it still feels laggy or inconsistent, consider repeating the driver reinstall or running hardware diagnostics, though most software issues are resolved by the steps above.

How can I avoid touchpad problems after future updates?

To reduce the chance of touchpad issues after updates:

• Create a system restore point before installing major updates so you can revert if needed.
• Back up your current touchpad drivers using Device Manager or third-party tools to reinstall if necessary.
• Check update notes or user forums for reports of touchpad problems related to specific updates before installing.
• Keep your laptop manufacturer’s support page bookmarked for quick access to the latest drivers.

These steps don’t guarantee perfect updates but make recovery faster and less stressful if problems occur.

Conclusion

If your touchpad stops working after an update, start by checking if it’s disabled in settings or via keyboard shortcuts. Then reinstall or update the driver to fix conflicts or corruption. If that doesn’t help, rolling back the driver or using System Restore can reverse problematic changes. Once your touchpad is responsive again, make it easier on yourself next time by creating restore points and backing up drivers before updates. Following these steps should get your touchpad working again quickly and safely.