How to Fix an ASUS Touchpad Not Working: A Comprehensive Guide

Is your ASUS laptop touchpad giving you trouble? A malfunctioning touchpad can significantly disrupt your workflow, making even simple tasks feel like a chore. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. This guide will walk you through a series of troubleshooting steps to get your ASUS touchpad back in working order. We’ll cover everything from basic checks to more advanced solutions, ensuring you have the information you need to resolve the issue.

Table of Contents

Preliminary Checks: The Foundation of Troubleshooting

Before diving into more complex solutions, it’s crucial to perform some basic checks. These simple steps can often resolve the problem quickly, saving you time and effort.

Is the Touchpad Enabled?

It sounds obvious, but the first thing to check is whether the touchpad is actually enabled. Many ASUS laptops have a dedicated function key or a physical button that toggles the touchpad on or off. Look for a touchpad icon on your keyboard, often found on the F6, F7, or F9 key, and press it in combination with the “Fn” key. For example, it might be “Fn + F9”.

If that doesn’t work, look for a small physical button or switch near the touchpad itself. Sometimes, this button can be accidentally pressed, disabling the touchpad.

Clean Your Touchpad

Dust, grime, and even moisture can interfere with the touchpad’s sensitivity and functionality. Use a soft, lint-free cloth to gently clean the surface of the touchpad. Avoid using abrasive cleaners or excessive moisture, as these can damage the touchpad.

Check the Mouse Settings

Sometimes, the problem isn’t with the touchpad itself, but with the mouse settings in Windows.

Open the Control Panel. You can usually find this by searching for “Control Panel” in the Windows search bar. Navigate to “Hardware and Sound” and then click on “Mouse”. In the Mouse Properties window, look for a tab related to “Device Settings” or something similar. This tab may be labeled differently depending on your ASUS laptop model and the touchpad driver installed. Here, you should see whether the touchpad is enabled or disabled. If it’s disabled, enable it. Check for any other settings that might be affecting the touchpad’s behavior, such as sensitivity or palm rejection.

Driver Issues: The Heart of the Problem

Outdated, corrupted, or incompatible drivers are often the root cause of touchpad problems. Updating or reinstalling the touchpad driver can often resolve the issue.

Update the Touchpad Driver

Outdated drivers can lead to various problems. Follow these steps to update your ASUS touchpad driver:

Open Device Manager. You can do this by searching for “Device Manager” in the Windows search bar. Expand the “Mice and other pointing devices” category. Right-click on your touchpad device (it might be labeled “ELAN Input Device” or “Synaptics Touchpad”) and select “Update driver”. Choose “Search automatically for drivers”. Windows will search for and install the latest driver for your touchpad. After the update, restart your computer to apply the changes.

Reinstall the Touchpad Driver

If updating the driver doesn’t work, try reinstalling it. This process involves uninstalling the existing driver and then allowing Windows to reinstall it.

Open Device Manager. Expand the “Mice and other pointing devices” category. Right-click on your touchpad device and select “Uninstall device”. Confirm the uninstallation and, if prompted, check the box to delete the driver software. Restart your computer. Windows will automatically detect the missing driver and attempt to reinstall it. If it doesn’t, you can manually install the driver by downloading it from the ASUS support website.

Download and Install the Driver from ASUS Support

Downloading the driver directly from ASUS ensures you’re getting the correct and most up-to-date version.

Go to the ASUS support website (asus.com/support). Enter your laptop model number in the search bar. Navigate to the “Driver & Utility” section. Select your operating system. Download the latest touchpad driver. Run the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instructions to install the driver. Restart your computer after the installation is complete.

BIOS Settings: A Deeper Dive

In some cases, the touchpad might be disabled in the BIOS settings. The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is a firmware that controls the basic functions of your computer.

Accessing the BIOS

Restart your computer. As the computer starts up, repeatedly press the BIOS key. The BIOS key varies depending on your ASUS laptop model, but it’s often one of the following: Del, F2, Esc, or F12. The correct key is usually displayed briefly during the startup process.

Checking Touchpad Settings in BIOS

Once you’re in the BIOS, navigate to the “Advanced” or “Internal Pointing Device” section. The exact location of this setting varies depending on the BIOS version. Look for an option related to the “Touchpad,” “Internal Pointing Device,” or “PS/2 Mouse Emulation.” Ensure that the touchpad is enabled. Save the changes and exit the BIOS. Your computer will restart.

Hardware Issues: When Software Isn’t the Problem

If you’ve tried all the software-based solutions and the touchpad still isn’t working, there might be a hardware problem.

Inspect for Physical Damage

Carefully inspect the touchpad for any signs of physical damage, such as cracks, dents, or spills. If you see any damage, the touchpad might need to be replaced.

Check the Touchpad Connector (Advanced)

This is a more advanced troubleshooting step that should only be attempted if you’re comfortable disassembling your laptop. Warning: Disassembling your laptop can void your warranty and may cause further damage if not done correctly. Proceed with caution.

Disconnect the power adapter and remove the battery. Locate the touchpad connector on the motherboard. This usually involves removing the bottom panel of your laptop. Carefully disconnect and reconnect the touchpad connector. This can help reseat the connection and resolve any loose connections. Reassemble your laptop and test the touchpad.

System Restore: Turning Back Time

If the touchpad stopped working after a recent software update or system change, you can try using System Restore to revert your computer to a previous state.

Using System Restore

Search for “Create a restore point” in the Windows search bar and open it. Click on the “System Restore” button. Choose a restore point from before the touchpad stopped working. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the System Restore process. Your computer will restart and revert to the selected restore point. After the restore is complete, test the touchpad. Note: System Restore will not affect your personal files, but it will uninstall any programs installed after the selected restore point.

Why is my ASUS touchpad not working, and how do I determine the cause?

Your ASUS touchpad might not be working due to a variety of reasons, ranging from simple software glitches to hardware failures. Common causes include disabled touchpad settings, outdated or corrupted drivers, a conflict with external devices (like a mouse), or even accidental disabling of the touchpad using a function key. To determine the cause, start by checking the basics: ensure the touchpad isn’t manually disabled, then reboot your system to see if it resolves the issue.

If a simple restart doesn’t work, proceed with more in-depth troubleshooting. Check the touchpad settings within Windows to confirm it’s enabled and properly configured. Examine the Device Manager for any driver-related problems, indicated by yellow exclamation marks. Disconnect any external mice to rule out conflicts. If the problem persists after these checks, a hardware issue might be the culprit, potentially requiring professional repair.

How do I enable or disable the ASUS touchpad using the function keys?

Most ASUS laptops have a dedicated function key combination to toggle the touchpad on or off. Typically, this involves holding down the “Fn” key and pressing another key, often labeled with a touchpad icon. Look closely at your keyboard; the specific key varies depending on the model. Usually, it’s one of the F1-F12 keys, clearly marked with an icon that visually represents a touchpad being enabled or disabled.

If you are unsure, consult your ASUS laptop’s manual. The manual will explicitly state which function key combination controls the touchpad. Pressing the designated Fn key combination should immediately enable or disable the touchpad. A small on-screen notification might appear to confirm the change, though this depends on your ASUS laptop’s specific configuration and driver setup. If this method doesn’t work, the function keys themselves might be disabled or require updated drivers.

How can I update or reinstall the ASUS touchpad drivers?

Updating or reinstalling your ASUS touchpad drivers is crucial for resolving many touchpad-related issues. There are several methods to accomplish this. First, try using the Windows Device Manager. Search for “Device Manager” in the Windows search bar, open it, and locate “Mice and other pointing devices.” Right-click on your touchpad (it might be labeled “ELAN Input Device” or similar) and select “Update driver.” Choose the option to search automatically for updated drivers.

If Windows cannot find a suitable driver or if the issue persists after updating, visit the official ASUS support website for your laptop model. Download the latest touchpad driver specifically designed for your operating system. Once downloaded, uninstall the current driver in Device Manager (right-click and select “Uninstall device”), then install the downloaded driver. Restart your computer after the installation to ensure the changes take effect. This often resolves driver conflicts and compatibility problems.

What if the touchpad settings are missing in Windows settings?

If the touchpad settings are missing from the Windows Settings app, it indicates a potential problem with the touchpad driver or a deeper system configuration issue. The first step is to verify the touchpad driver is correctly installed and functioning within the Device Manager. Ensure there are no errors or yellow exclamation marks associated with the touchpad device. If there is an error, attempt to update or reinstall the driver as described in a previous answer.

If the driver appears to be installed correctly, but the settings are still missing, try performing a system file check. Open the Command Prompt as administrator (search for “cmd,” right-click, and select “Run as administrator”), then type “sfc /scannow” and press Enter. This command will scan and repair any corrupted system files that might be affecting the touchpad settings. After the scan completes, restart your computer and check if the touchpad settings have reappeared. If not, consider a system restore to a point before the issue arose.

How can external devices like a mouse interfere with the touchpad?

External devices, such as a USB mouse, can sometimes interfere with the touchpad function, leading to the touchpad being automatically disabled. Windows often prioritizes external pointing devices when connected, and the system might be configured to disable the touchpad automatically to prevent conflicting input. This behavior is usually controlled through touchpad settings.

To address this issue, navigate to the touchpad settings in Windows (if available; see previous FAQ for troubleshooting missing settings). Look for an option like “Leave touchpad on when a mouse is connected” or a similar setting related to disabling the touchpad automatically when an external pointing device is detected. Ensure this option is unchecked, allowing both the touchpad and the external mouse to function simultaneously. Disconnecting the external mouse temporarily can also help diagnose whether it’s the root cause of the problem.

What hardware issues could cause the ASUS touchpad to stop working?

Several hardware problems can prevent your ASUS touchpad from functioning correctly. These issues are typically more difficult to diagnose and resolve compared to software-related problems. One potential cause is a physical disconnection of the touchpad cable from the motherboard. This could happen due to wear and tear or accidental damage. The touchpad itself might have also sustained damage, such as liquid spills or physical impact.

Another possibility is a faulty touchpad sensor or internal circuitry. This type of failure often requires specialized repair skills and equipment. If you suspect a hardware problem, it’s advisable to avoid attempting internal repairs unless you have extensive experience with laptop hardware. Instead, consider contacting ASUS support or a qualified laptop repair technician for professional diagnosis and repair services. Attempting DIY repairs without proper knowledge could lead to further damage and void the warranty.

How do I perform a system restore to potentially fix the touchpad issue?

A system restore can revert your computer’s settings and system files to a previous state, potentially resolving touchpad issues caused by recent software changes or driver installations. To initiate a system restore, search for “Create a restore point” in the Windows search bar and open the System Properties window. Then, click on the “System Restore” button.

Follow the on-screen instructions to select a restore point. Choose a restore point created before the touchpad issue started occurring. Be aware that performing a system restore will uninstall any programs and drivers installed after the selected restore point was created, but it will not affect your personal files. After selecting a restore point, confirm your choice and allow the system to complete the restoration process. Your computer will restart during this process. After the restore is complete, check if the touchpad is functioning correctly.