How do you disable the touchpad on a laptop?

If you prefer using a mouse and want to turn off the touchpad: Go to Settings > Touchpad > Toggle OFF. Use the touchpad shortcut key (Fn + F3, F5, F6, etc.). In Device Manager, right-click the touchpad driver and select "Disable".

How to Enable Touchpad on Laptop – Step-by-Step Guide

Published: 6 Mar 2025

Did you know that most modern laptops provide a built-in option to turn the touchpad on or off? Whether exploring the internet or working on a project, the touchpad is an important part of the laptop. Many users turn off their touchpads without realising it. If your laptop’s touchpad stops working, don’t be concerned—it’s often just a setting that needs to be changed. In this post, we’ll tell you how to enable the touchpad on a laptop in various ways, including keyboard shortcuts, Windows settings, and the BIOS.

Table of Content

Why Your Laptop’s Touchpad Might Be Disabled
Quick Fixes to Try First
Conclusion

Why Your Laptop’s Touchpad Might Be Disabled

Before fixing the issue, it’s important to understand why your touchpad stopped working in the first place. Here are some common reasons:

1. Accidental Shortcut Key Press

Many laptops have a keyboard shortcut for turning the touchpad on or off. Pressing it mistakenly can disable your touchpad without knowing it.

2. Windows or Driver Issues

A Windows upgrade, a software problem, or an out-of-date touchpad driver can immediately disable the touchpad.

3. External Mouse Connection

Some laptops automatically disable the touchpad when an external mouse is connected to prevent interference.

Now that we’ve discovered the various causes, let’s look at how to re-enable a laptop’s touchpad.

Quick Fixes to Try First

Before changing settings, try these simple solutions:

Restart Your Laptop – Sometimes, a quick restart can fix software glitches.

Check for an External Mouse – If connected, unplug it and see if the touchpad works.

Clean the Touchpad – Dirt, grease, or moisture can make the touchpad unresponsive. Wipe it gently with a dry cloth.

If your touchpad still isn’t working, follow the methods below to enable it manually.

Enable Touchpad Using Keyboard Shortcuts

Most laptops have a shortcut key to turn the touchpad on or off. This is usually a combination of the Fn key and a Function key (F1-F12) with a touchpad icon.

🔹 Try pressing Fn + F3, F5, F6, F7, F8, F9, or F10 depending on your laptop brand.

Shortcut Keys for Popular Laptop Brands:

Brand	Shortcut Key
Dell	Fn + F3 or Fn + F7
HP	Fn + F5 or a dedicated touchpad button
Lenovo	Fn + F6 or Fn + F8
Acer	Fn + F7
Asus	Fn + F9 or Fn + F10

Keyboard showing the shortcut key to enable or disable the laptop touchpad. — Quickly turn your touchpad on or off.

👉 If the shortcut doesn’t work, move on to the next method.

Enable Touchpad from Windows Settings

If the keyboard shortcut didn’t work, you can manually enable the touchpad in Windows Settings.

For Windows 10 & Windows 11:

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.

2. Click on Devices and then select Touchpad.

3. Find the Touchpad toggle and turn it ON.

4. If the touchpad is already on, try toggling it off and on again.

For Windows 7:

1. Open Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Mouse.

2. Look for a Touchpad tab (the name may vary by brand).

3. Enable the touchpad and click Apply.

If this method doesn’t work, try the next one.

Enable Touchpad from Device Manager

If your touchpad is disabled, you can enable it from Device Manager.

Steps to Enable Touchpad in Device Manager:

1. Press “Windows + X” and select Device Manager.

2. Expand Mice and other pointing devices.

3. Right-click on your touchpad driver (e.g., “Synaptics Touchpad” or “ELAN Touchpad”).

4. Click Enable (if available).

👉 If the Enable option is missing, you may need to update or reinstall the driver.

Enabled your touchpad but still facing issues? Use our Mouse Tester Tool to ensure everything is working as expected.

Update or Reinstall Touchpad Drivers

Sometimes, an outdated or missing driver can cause the touchpad to stop working. Updating or reinstalling the driver can fix the issue.

To Update the Touchpad Driver:

1. Open Device Manager by pressing “Windows + X”.

2. Right-click on your touchpad driver and select Update Driver.

Windows Device Manager and Disk Management accessed via the Win + X menu. — Manage disks and devices with ease.

3. Choose Search automatically for drivers.

To Reinstall the Touchpad Driver:

1. Right-click the touchpad driver and select Uninstall device.

2. Restart your laptop – Windows will automatically reinstall the driver.

How to Disable the Touchpad on a Laptop?

If you prefer using a mouse and want to turn off the touchpad:

Go to Settings > Touchpad > Toggle OFF.
Use the touchpad shortcut key (Fn + F3, F5, F6, etc.).
In Device Manager, right-click the touchpad driver and select “Disable”.

How to Unlock the Mouse Pad on a Laptop?

If your touchpad is locked, try:

Pressing Fn + Touchpad Function Key.

Going to Settings > Touchpad and turning it on.

How to Stop the Touchpad on a Laptop Temporarily?

To avoid accidental clicks, you can temporarily disable the touchpad:

Go to Settings > Devices > Touchpad.
Enable “Disable touchpad when mouse is connected”.

Conclusion

A disabled touchpad might be irritating, but it can be enabled in a few simple steps. Start by confirming the shortcut keys and settings, then update drivers or use Device Manager as required. If you use an external mouse, change the settings to keep the touchpad active. If the problem continues, check out hardware problems or contact support. Follow these instructions to enable your touchpad and enhance your laptop experience!