Since users updated to Windows 11, there have been quite a few problems appearing. In some cases, services do not work. In other cases, users have difficulty in customizing features.
One of these issues is when a user changes their operating system and the touchpad or trackpad stops operating. The affected users claim that the this problem started as soon as they installed Windows 11. Use some of the below-listed troubleshooting techniques if you’re having the same problem to fix it.
Before you fix the problem…
Before we move on to software-related troubleshooting methods, it is recommended that you wipe down your touchpad to clean it. This may not always be helpful, but there are times when a laptop’s hardware components don’t work properly just because of dirt and dust on them.
You can also check your keyboard’s touchpad as you may have accidentally pressed this key, disabling the touchpad.
Continuing using the troubleshooting techniques listed below as soon as you’re certain the problem is software-related.
1. Update the touchpad driver
If your touchpad stopped working after you upgraded to Windows 11, chances are your current touchpad driver is not compatible with the latest operating system version.
If this is the true in your case, Device Manager should display a yellow exclamation mark beside the touchpad driver. It is a sign that there is a problem with the driver, so you need to update or reinstall it immediately.
2. Run Hardware and Devices troubleshooter
Running the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter is another way to fix problems with system hardware components. This tool is specifically designed to scan the system and identify any problems that might be causing your hardware to fail.
If any problems are identified, you can apply the fixes suggested by the troubleshooter in one click. You can use this troubleshooter to fix problems with your keyboard, touchpad (trackpad), mouse, and other similar components.
What you must do is as follows:
- Press the Win + R key combination to open Run.
- To open Command Prompt with admin rights, type cmd in the Run text field and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter.
- Within the UAC. prompt, select Yes.
- In Command Prompt, type the command mentioned below and press Enter to execute it.
msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic- The Hardware and Devices troubleshooter dialog box ought to now display on the screen. To start scanning, click the Next button in the box.
- To fix any problems that troubleshooter identifies, click Apply this fix. If no problem is found, click the Close the troubleshooter option then continue to the step after that in the lists below.
3. Turn on the touchpad in Windows 11’s settings.
This problem also might appear when the system’s touchpad is set up to switch off automatically when the mouse is plugged in. You just need to enable the touchpad through Windows Settings to fix this problem.
To continue, take these actions:
- To open Windows Settings, press Win + I.
- Go to Bluetooth & devices > Mouse.
- Click Additional mouse settings below Related settings in the following window.
- Then check if it works in your case by unchecking the box next to Disable internal pointing device when external USB pointing device is attached.
You could also try resetting the touchpad’s settings then see if that helps as an alternative. You should do the following:
- In the Bluetooth & devices section of Windows Settings, click Touchpad.
- Find the Reset button in the following window and click it to revert the settings.
- Use the touchpad or trackpad once again to test after the settings have been returned to their original state.
4. Enable Microsoft Keyboard Filter Service
All programs and processes on the Windows operating system are connected to a related service to help them work as intended. These services can be found in the Windows Services utility.
If any related service is down, the process associated with it will also stop working. In the case under review, some users noticed that the issue was occurring due to two services being disabled: Microsoft Keyboard Filter Service and Tablet PC Input Service.
In this method, the article will check if these services are working properly and activate if they are not.
- Press Win + R to open Run.
- Type services.msc in the text field of Run and press Enter.
- In the Services window, find the Microsoft Keyboard Filter and right-click it.
- Select Properties.
- If the service is disabled, click the Start button.
- Follow the same steps for Tablet PC Input Service.
Once done, check if you can use your touchpad or trackpad without any problems now.
5. Downgrade to Windows 10
If the above methods don’t help you and the touchpad is still not working, then you can try downgrading to Windows 10 and then upgrading again to Windows 11. Hopefully this will fix the problem once and for all. forever.
Hopefully the above troubleshooting methods will get you back to using your touchpad or trackpad without any problems. To prevent any problems like this in the future, you need to make sure of two things; always keep your touchpad clean and remember to update drivers.
