What to do when your Lenovo touchpad is not working

A malfunctioning touchpad can be a hurdle when browsing for shoes or flights for your next trip. But we’re here to help you get past it. 

When your tech fails, Asurion tech care shines—from repairs to advice, we’ve got your back every step of the way. Here’s what to do when your Lenovo® touchpad does not work. 

Common causes for Lenovo touchpad not working

Before diving into fixes, it’s helpful to understand why your Lenovo touchpad might not be working. Here are some common causes:

• Touchpad settings. Sometimes, the touchpad gets accidentally turned off in the system settings.
• Outdated or missing drivers. An outdated or broken driver could prevent the touchpad from functioning correctly.
• Physical damage. Physical issues like dust or damage to the touchpad can also cause it to malfunction.
• Operating system. Problems with the Windows™ operating system can interfere with the touchpad’s performance.

How to fix Lenovo touchpad issues

Now that we’ve covered some potential reasons for your touchpad not working, let’s explore the various ways you can fix it.

Check for physical problems

Start by checking for physical damage to your touchpad or laptop. Dust or dirt accumulation can sometimes interfere with its functionality. Inspect the touchpad for any visible physical damage, and clean the touchpad using a microfiber cloth to remove dust or debris.

Try a hard restart

A hard restart, sometimes called a forced restart, can resolve issues related to the touchpad. Press and hold the Power button until the laptop shuts down completely. Then, turn the laptop back on and check to make sure the touchpad functions correctly.

Use an external mouse as a backup

It can be helpful to have an external mouse on hand while troubleshooting. Plug in a mouse or use a Bluetooth® mouse as a temporary solution while you work on fixing the touchpad.

Turn on the touchpad in Windows settings

Sometimes, the touchpad gets turned off in the settings.

1. Click the Start menu > Settings.
2. Select Bluetooth & devices > Touchpad. At the top of the page, make sure the touchpad is turned on.

Update your software

Updating your operating system can fix bugs and improve device performance, including the touchpad.

1. Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
2. Click Check for updates, and install any available updates.

Update or reinstall touchpad drivers

If your Lenovo trackpad is still not working, the issue could be with the drivers.

1. Open the Start menu, type “device manager”, and select Device Manager.
2. Click Mice and other pointing devices.
3. Right-click the touchpad device (e.g., Lenovo Touchpad), and select Update driver. Follow the prompts to search for and install any available updates.

If updating the driver doesn't work, you can try reinstalling it:

1. In Device Manager, right-click the touchpad device and select Uninstall.
2. Restart your laptop, and Windows will automatically reinstall the correct driver.

Test in Safe mode

Putting your laptop in Safe mode can help identify if the issue is related to other software. Restart your laptop in Safe mode, and if the touchpad functions correctly, it’s likely a third-party application causing the problem. Remove any recently installed programs individually, and test the touchpad after each removal.