One of the most frustrating things that can happen when you are using a laptop is a touchpad that stops working. This can happen for a few different reasons, and unless you have a mouse to plug into your USB port, it makes using your laptop just about impossible. Whether it’s a dirt issue, a heating issue, or you’re behind on software or updates, you can probably fix the problem without taking the computer in to a professional and spending time and money. Here are a few things you can check and fix on your own if your laptop touchpad is on the fritz, which might make your life a little easier.The Touchpad is Hot
Some laptops have unfortunate heating problems, and one thing that can be affected by a hot computer is the touchpad mouse. It sits in just the right spot to heat up, and you can feel it radiate onto your hand or wrist as you type. Then, when you try to move the mouse with your fingers, the touchpad doesn’t seem to register properly, if at all. A quick fix for this is to blow on the touchpad to get it working enough to shut the computer off properly. Then you can let it cool down for a while before turning it back on. Long term, you can look into laptop cooling options, like fans. Heating problems can cause much more serious issues in your machinery, so it may be necessary to consult tech support for a solution.
Touchpad is Dirty
Your hands have natural oils which can build up on your computer mouse or keys and cause issues. Not only will they get gunky, your mouse could lose sensitivity too. The best solution is to clean your computer by wiping it down regularly. If there is a large amount of buildup, you can dampen a cloth with rubbing alcohol. This is safe to use on your computer surfaces, and evaporates quickly. Don’t pour it onto the computer, as you may accidentally spill.
Update Your Software
If there are no heating or dirt problems, then a good place to check is the software. Updates waiting in the queue could be causing your touchpad to malfunction. The reason manufacturers have updates is to fix bugs and security risks, so you should install them as soon as you have time. The longer you put them off, the more things will be affected on your machine.
Check Your Mouse Settings
You can access the settings of your laptop touchpad in the control panel. It’s possible you or another user accidentally changed the settings, causing things to go haywire. If that’s the case, you can fix it quite easily. You can enable it if it’s been disabled, and even change the sensitivity so that it’s more to your liking. If your touchpad settings are fine, there is also the device manager. The mouse can be disabled here too, so simply access it and enable it again.
Hardware Problems
If these quick fixes don’t resolve the problem, then it may be a defect in the hardware. Unless you are tech savvy and like to take things apart, it’s probably a good idea to seek computer repair help from a professional. You can tell us everything you tried at home, and we can trouble shoot from there.