- Fn keys and Windows shortcuts allow you to reactivate and control the system without a mouse.
- Checking Windows, BIOS/UEFI and drivers resolves most touchpad issues.
- Linux Live helps to distinguish between software problems and hardware failures.
When your laptop's touchpad stops responding, it feels completely locked up: the cursor doesn't move and it seems like you can't do anything. Luckily, with a few keyboard shortcuts and some quick checks (including using PowerToys to remap keys ) , you can regain control of your computer and, in the process, figure out whether it's a software or hardware problem.
In this practical guide, you'll find everything you need to continue operating your computer without a mouse, including how to enable or disable the touchpad using function keys, how to check Windows settings, how to access the BIOS/UEFI, and how to update or reinstall drivers. You'll also learn when it's a good idea to clean the touchpad, how to troubleshoot conflicts, what to do if a mouse is connected and disabling the touchpad, and what alternatives you have if the touchpad is damaged.
Keyboard shortcuts to get you out of a bind (and reactivate the touchpad)
Many laptops include a function key combination to enable or disable the touchpad. It's usually F6 or F9 and features a divided rectangle with a line through it (the touchpad icon). Try pressing the Fn key along with that specific F key; a message like "touchpad enabled" may appear on the screen. If this doesn't work, you can navigate Windows using the keyboard: open Settings with Win + I , navigate with Tab and the arrow keys, confirm with Enter, and select/deselect with the Spacebar.
If you suspect a temporary software conflict, restart your computer without touching the mouse. Open the Start menu by pressing the Windows key, use the arrow keys to navigate to the power button, and select Restart, then press Enter. Sometimes, a simple restart fixes service or driver issues that cause the touchpad to malfunction.
Check if Windows has disabled the touchpad
Windows lets you turn off the touchpad. If it was disabled by mistake, you can check it in Settings. Press Win + I to open the app, use Tab to navigate to Devices (or Bluetooth & devices in recent versions), press Enter, and then navigate to Touchpad. At the top, make sure the switch is set to On, and if you usually connect a mouse, check "Keep touchpad on when a mouse is connected" so it doesn't disable the touchpad when you plug one in. This entire process can be completed without a mouse, using only Tab, the arrow keys, Enter, and Space.
If it still doesn't respond after activating it, return to the Start menu by pressing the Windows key, restart your computer, and check if you notice any changes upon startup. This is a quick way to rule out a software conflict between programs affecting the pointing device.
Is the touchpad locked from the BIOS/UEFI?
Some laptops allow you to disable the touchpad via the firmware. Power on or restart your laptop and enter the BIOS/UEFI by repeatedly pressing Delete, F2, F3, F4, or F10 (depending on the model). Once inside, use the arrow keys to navigate to Advanced (or similar options), find "Internal Pointing Device" or "Touchpad," and ensure it is set to Enabled. Save the changes before exiting with the appropriate setting and return to Windows. This verification is crucial to confirm that the issue is not caused by a low-level setting.
The names may vary between brands and models, especially in modern UEFI BIOS. If you're unsure, consult the manufacturer's manual to locate the exact option. Remember that the menu is navigated with the arrow keys, Enter, and Esc, so you can easily do this without a mouse.
Check if an external mouse is connected
There's a Windows setting that automatically disables the touchpad when it detects a USB or Bluetooth mouse. Unplug any connected mouse, wait a few seconds, and see if the touchpad responds again. If it works after disconnecting, go to Settings > Devices > Touchpad and check the box next to " Keep touchpad on when a mouse is connected ." This will prevent the system from disabling it again in the future.
This option is useful for preventing accidental wrist movements while typing, but if you need to use both simultaneously, it's best to keep it disabled. Prioritize comfort based on your workflow and avoid encountering an unusable touchpad when you connect a mouse.
Possible breakdowns and basic maintenance
If your cursor moves erratically or jumps around, it's not always a driver issue: often it's dirt, natural skin oils, or accumulated moisture. Turn off your laptop, and if your model allows it, remove the battery. Clean the surface with a microfiber cloth lightly dampened with isopropyl alcohol (never rubbing alcohol), paying special attention to edges and corners, and dry with another cloth. A fine polish can help on glass or acrylic surfaces, always being careful not to damage any surrounding areas.
If the touchpad continues to malfunction after cleaning, and you've ruled out Windows and BIOS settings, there may be physical damage. If it's under warranty, you should contact the official technical service for repairs. If it's not under warranty, replacing the touchpad involves labor and is usually expensive; in the meantime, connecting a USB mouse will allow you to continue using the computer without sacrificing productivity.
Update Windows or uninstall the latest update
Pending updates can cause unusual behavior, including the dashboard becoming unresponsive. Go to Settings ( Win + I) , then to "Update & Security" (or "Windows Update"), check for updates, and install them. If the power button shows an orange circle, restart your computer to complete the process. Many issues resolve after applying recent patches.
If the problem appeared right after an update, you can revert it. In Settings > Update & Security, open "View update history" and "Uninstall updates." Identify the most recent update by date and uninstall it. After doing so, restart your computer, even if the system doesn't explicitly prompt you to, and check if the touchpad is working again.
Touchpad drivers: update, reinstall, or change
The touchpad relies on specific drivers. You can force a clean reinstall in Device Manager. Open the Start menu with Win + X and choose "Device Manager" (you can also open it with Win + R and type devmgmt.msc). Under "Human Interface Devices (HID)" or "Mice and other pointing devices," locate the touchpad, uninstall the driver, and check " Delete the driver software for this device" if available. Restart: Windows will attempt to load a suitable driver after startup.
Another option is to use a tool like Driver Booster, which searches for the latest available driver and suggests other relevant ones. Its free version will be sufficient to detect and update what's needed if the system isn't properly identifying the pointing device . While it's best not to overuse third-party software, it can be a lifesaver when Windows isn't responding.
Manufacturer drivers typically enable multitouch gestures and advanced features (two-finger scrolling, zoom, etc.). If you want to take full advantage of these capabilities or troubleshoot specific issues, download the drivers for your specific model from the official website. However, when compatibility is in doubt, generic Windows drivers sometimes work better and avoid bloatware.
If you installed the manufacturer's drivers and the touchpad stopped working, they might not be compatible with your exact hardware. In that case, uninstall them from Device Manager (using the "Remove software" option) and restart your computer so the system reinstalls its generic drivers. If the touchpad responds and basic gestures work after this, the previous driver package was probably incorrect.
Specific guide for ASUS laptops (Windows 11 and Windows 10)
On ASUS computers, you have several additional checks. First, confirm that the touchpad hotkey (usually F6 or F9 ) hasn't disabled it. Press the Fn key along with that F to toggle the state and look for a "Touchpad enabled" message on the screen.
Next, check that the feature is enabled in Windows Settings: type "Touchpad settings" in the search bar, open it, and make sure the switch is turned on. If you're using a mouse, select " Keep touchpad on when a mouse is connected." Also, check the gestures and interactions, adjusting everything to your preferences.
If you have the MyASUS app, go to Personalization and find "Touchpad Lock" and set it to "Unlock." On models with a built-in NumberPad, check "Num Keypad Lock" and set it to "Unlock" if you can't use that feature. If Personalization isn't listed, your device may not support that specific setting.
If the problem persists, restore the default settings in the BIOS and perform a reset of the Integrated Controller (EC). Loading the firmware defaults helps if any settings have been corrupted; resetting the EC sometimes resolves power and input device issues. If the panel works in the BIOS/UEFI screen but fails to boot into Windows, the problem likely lies with the operating system and its drivers.
Update your BIOS and Windows before proceeding; if the problem persists, download the necessary drivers from ASUS support: Intel I2C (under Chipset, not applicable to AMD platforms) and ASUS Precision Touchpad (under Pointing Device). Install them and restart to check if the touchpad regains functionality.
If it still doesn't work, check Device Manager: under "System devices," look for "Intel(R) Serial IO I2C Host Controller," enable it if it's disabled, and if that doesn't fix it, uninstall it by checking "Delete driver software" and restart; Windows will automatically reinstall the driver (or install it manually from the ASUS website). Repeat this process for each instance if you see multiple I2C controllers.
In "Human Interface Devices," do the same for "ASUS Precision Touchpad": enable it if necessary, and if it doesn't respond, uninstall it using the "Remove software" option and restart so Windows can recover it, or reinstall it from the official support site. Also check "Microsoft Input Configuration Device": enable it, or uninstall it and restart to force its reinstallation.
If the problem appeared recently, consider restoring your system to a previous point when it was working. As a last resort, back up your files and perform a "Reset this PC" to clean up Windows. If the touchpad doesn't work even in BIOS/UEFI, it's most likely a hardware failure ; in that case, go to an authorized ASUS service center.
Uninstall the latest update and restore the system
If your touchpad stopped working right after an update, you can uninstall it from "View update history" and "Uninstall updates," prioritizing driver updates. Once uninstalled, restart your computer. If the problem persists, use " System Restore " to revert to a previous point, a measure that often restores stability without requiring a full system format.
If there's no restore point and you've tried everything else, consider "Reset this PC." This process returns Windows to its original configuration (with the option to keep personal files), and is useful when the error seems to be system -wide.
Try using a Linux Live distribution to diagnose
To determine if the problem is hardware or software-related, boot your computer with a Linux distribution in Live mode from a USB drive (you can create one using tools like Rufus). Once the graphical interface loads, try moving the cursor with the touchpad. If it moves normally, the problem is with Windows, and the most effective solution will be to format and reinstall from scratch or adjust the drivers. If it doesn't work in Linux either, the cause is almost certainly hardware-related, and you'll have to consider repair or using external peripherals.
This method is quick and doesn't affect your hard drive: boot from the USB, test the panel, and decide. It saves you hours of trial and error when you're unsure whether the problem is with the system or the touchpad itself.
External options: USB touchpad or mouse
Replacing the integrated touchpad is most cost-effective while it's still under warranty. Outside of the warranty period, labor costs often increase the price, and for just over €100, it's sometimes not worth it. A practical alternative is to buy an external USB or wireless touchpad; models like those from Perixx are available in compact sizes (for example, 59×45 mm) and larger sizes (105×55 mm), compatible with Windows 7, 10, and 11, multitouch, and requiring no specific drivers.
If you prefer better ergonomics, there are versions with a slight tilt that facilitate long sessions and connect via Bluetooth or 2,4 GHz, with USB-C charging. And, of course, you can always use an external mouse : in combination with a monitor, your laptop will behave like a desktop and you can continue working even if the integrated touchpad is no longer functional.
FAQ
Why has it suddenly stopped working?
The most common cause is accidental deactivation using the Fn + F key (touchpad icon) or a Windows setting that was left disabled. Check that first.
How do I check if it's disabled in the BIOS?
Enter the BIOS/UEFI using Delete, F2, F3, F4, or F10, navigate to Advanced, and look for "Internal Pointing Device" or "Touchpad." Make sure it is enabled and save the changes.
If the cursor moves strangely, is it the drivers?
It's possible, but often it's just dirt or grease on the surface. Clean it with a microfiber cloth and isopropyl alcohol, and try again before touching the drivers.
What do I do if no software fixes it?
Boot a Linux Live from USB: if the panel works there, the problem is with Windows; if it doesn't work, it points to hardware and it's best to repair it or use an external peripheral.
Additional Notes and Considerations
If, after checking settings, BIOS, drivers, and cleaning, the problem persists, and your device is under warranty, contact the manufacturer for an RMA for repair or replacement. If it's out of warranty, weigh the costs, as some repairs can far exceed the price of a good external mouse or touchpad . In any case, remember that some websites monetize with affiliate links, so they may earn commissions on qualifying purchases; this doesn't change the technical steps or the advisability of applying the solutions explained here.
Whenever your touchpad malfunctions, start by troubleshooting the function keys and Windows Settings, then move on to the BIOS and updates, and finally the drivers. If nothing works, run a diagnostic using Linux Live and decide between repairing the system or replacing external peripherals. With a few keyboard shortcuts and a logical order of checks, you can regain control of your computer or, at least, continue working without interruption.
