On laptops, touch mouse or touchpadIt is a fundamental piece. Rarely do people use traditional mice connected via USB or Bluetooth, so interaction from the laptop is done with this touch mouse. But what happens if it starts to fail?
Bearing this question in mind, We have compiled some of the most common solutions for errors related to the operation of the mouse on laptops. Take note of the steps and procedures to repair an error that may have causes originating in the drivers, the software or even in very specific hardware aspects. As a last solution, there is always the alternative of connecting a mouse via Bluetooth or USB cable, or a gaming mouse, but first we will try to save our touch mouse.
disabled by mistake
We need to use our computer and laptop mouse suddenly not working. In case there has been no update or accident with the device, it is possible that we have disabled it by mistake. Most laptops include a button between the "Function" keys, which disables the touchpad. Usually it is the F8 or F10.
To identify the key, you will see that it has an icon of a square divided at the bottom by two smaller squares. Press that function button to check if you hadn't accidentally disabled touchpad operation. In case the problem has not been solved, there are other alternatives.
Windows has the function disabled
The Windows operating system also has one oroption to disable laptop mouse. To check that it is activated, we will go to Settings – Devices – Touch panel. There we must select the activation option, and check that it works correctly to allow us to interact with the laptop.
irregular movements
If your touchpad has gone haywire and makes erratic or jerky movements, it may be due to dirt. In this case we will have to carry out a deep cleaning to eliminate the grease and dust that may accumulate on the touch surface. First we are going to turn off the computer and pass a dry microfiber cloth soaked with isopropyl alcohol. We must do an insistent cleaning, highlighting the area of the corners and edges, to remove as much accumulated dirt as possible.
mouse drivers
If you've done a recent update and suddenly the mouse on your laptop doesn't work, some new driver may be causing incompatibility on your device. In these cases, it is recommended to uninstall the current drivers or leave only one package to avoid errors. Some mouse drivers disable the touch function, and this causes the configuration of our computer to change unexpectedly, preventing the normal operation of the touch mouse.
Another option is to perform update our drivers. It is not usually the most normal, but in some cases when the driver version is not the newest, it can cause operating problems on our touch panel. The update can be easily done from the Device Manager menu. Select the touchpad device and choose the option to Update the driver. The system will search the Internet for the latest files for device control, or you can go to the developer's official website, download the package and install it manually from a location on your laptop.
Disable touchscreen input service on hybrid laptops
If the mouse on your laptop isn't working and the other options haven't solved your problem, you can try modify the hybrid section. This is only for laptops that have touchpad and touch screen functions. The problem arises when some kind of incompatibility appears between the touch screen input service, with which we use the stylus, and the touchpad.
This service is disabled using the Win + R key combination. We write the services.msc function and in the window that appears we need to disable the “TabletInputService” function. In this way, you can test if your Windows 10 laptop's touchpad is restored to normal.
Options to circumvent touch panel malfunction
If none of these solutions help you get your touchpad back, it's time to consider professional help. A first option would be take the laptop to the technical service if it's under warranty. We can also leave the repair in the hands of a professional even without the guarantee, but we will have to spend a few euros.
Alternatively use a traditional mouse via Bluetooth connection or USB cable. This is the cheapest option, since with a traditional mouse we can make up for the impossibility of using the touchpad.
Finally, and if we have the experience or the courage to try, we can disassemble the laptop and do the change of the touchpad in case you determine that it is a physical problem. Like replacing other laptop parts, the process requires having the tools and knowledge to know which parts to take apart and how to put them back in place.