What a touchpad is and why you might need to enable it
A touchpad (also called a trackpad or touch mouse) is the flat, rectangular surface on your laptop where you move your finger to control the cursor instead of using a separate mouse. Most laptops have one built in below the keyboard. If your touchpad stopped working or you turned it off by accident, you can turn it back on through your settings or keyboard shortcuts — the exact steps depend on whether you have a Windows or Mac laptop.
You might need to enable your touchpad if you accidentally disabled it while cleaning your laptop, if it stopped responding after a software update, or if you plugged in an external mouse and the touchpad turned off automatically. The good news is that re-enabling it usually takes less than a minute.
Key Takeaways
- Most laptops have a keyboard shortcut (usually involving the Fn key and a touchpad icon) that toggles the touchpad on and off when ready.
- If the keyboard shortcut does not work, you can enable the touchpad through your settings: on Windows, go to Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Touchpad; on Mac, go to System Settings > Trackpad.
- If your touchpad still does not respond, the driver (the software that controls it) may need to be updated or reinstalled.
- Some laptops disable the touchpad automatically when an external mouse is connected, so unplugging the mouse may turn it back on.
Using the keyboard shortcut to enable your touchpad
The fastest way to turn your touchpad back on is usually a keyboard shortcut. Look at your laptop's function keys (the row labeled F1, F2, F3, and so on at the top of the keyboard). One of them should have a small touchpad icon printed on it — it looks like a rectangle with a finger on it or a small square with dots.
Press and hold the Fn key (usually in the bottom left corner) and tap the function key with the touchpad icon. On most Windows laptops, this is Fn + F5, Fn + F6, Fn + F7, or Fn + F9, depending on the brand. On Mac laptops, there is usually no Fn requirement — just tap the key with the trackpad icon. Your touchpad should turn on when ready. If it does not, move to the settings method below.
Enabling the touchpad through Windows settings
If the keyboard shortcut does not work, open your Windows settings. Click the Start button (the Windows logo in the bottom left), then type "touchpad" in the search box. Click "Touchpad settings" when it appears.
In the Touchpad settings window, look for a toggle switch at the top that says "Touchpad" with an on/off switch next to it. If it is turned off (the switch will be gray), click it to turn it on. The switch should turn blue and your touchpad should start working. If you see a message saying the touchpad is not detected, skip to the driver section below.
While you are in this window, you can also adjust how sensitive your touchpad is and whether it turns off automatically when you plug in an external mouse. Some people prefer to leave it on so they can use both at once.
Enabling the trackpad on a Mac
On a Mac, click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select "System Settings" (or "System Preferences" on older versions). Click "Trackpad" in the left sidebar.
You should see several tabs: Point and Click, Scroll and Zoom, and More Gestures. The trackpad itself does not have an on/off toggle like Windows does — if it appears in System Settings, it is already enabled. If your trackpad is not responding, the issue is usually a hardware problem or a driver that needs updating rather than a setting you can toggle off.
Updating or reinstalling the touchpad driver
The driver is the software that tells your operating system how to communicate with your touchpad. If your touchpad does not turn on through settings or keyboard shortcuts, the driver may be outdated or corrupted.
On Windows, right-click the Start button and select "Device Manager." Look for "Mice and other pointing devices" and click the arrow next to it to expand the list. You should see your touchpad listed — it might say "Touchpad," "Trackpad," or the manufacturer's name like "Synaptics" or "ELAN." Right-click it and select "Update driver." Windows will search for the latest version. If that does not work, right-click it again and select "Uninstall device," then restart your laptop. Windows will automatically reinstall the driver when it boots back up.
On a Mac, trackpad drivers are built into the operating system and update automatically with macOS updates. If your trackpad is not responding, restart your Mac first. If that does not fix it, go to Apple menu > System Settings > General > Software Update and install any available updates.
What to do if your touchpad is disabled by an external mouse
Some laptops automatically turn off the touchpad when you plug in an external mouse or trackball. This is a power-saving feature. If you want to use both at the same time, unplug the external mouse and your touchpad should turn back on automatically.
If you want to keep the external mouse plugged in and also use the touchpad, go back to your touchpad settings. On Windows, scroll down in the Touchpad settings window and look for an option that says "Leave touchpad on when a mouse is connected" or similar wording. Turn that toggle on. On Mac, this setting is usually not available — the trackpad stays on by default even when an external mouse is connected.
Checking for hardware damage
If you have tried the keyboard shortcut, checked your settings, updated the driver, and your touchpad still does not work, the hardware itself may be damaged. This can happen if liquid spilled on your laptop, if you dropped it, or if something is physically blocking the touchpad surface.
Look closely at your touchpad. Is there visible damage, cracks, or debris? Try cleaning it gently with a soft, slightly damp cloth — sometimes dust or dried liquid can prevent it from responding. If the surface looks fine but still does not work after cleaning, the touchpad may need to be replaced. This is a repair that usually requires opening your laptop, so contact the manufacturer's support line or a local repair shop for help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I disable my touchpad on purpose to avoid accidentally touching it?
Yes. On Windows, go to Touchpad settings and toggle it off, or use the keyboard shortcut. On Mac, there is no built-in toggle, but you can use third-party software or just plug in an external mouse, which most people find easier. You can always turn it back on the same way.
Why did my touchpad turn off when I plugged in a mouse?
Your laptop is set to disable the touchpad automatically when an external mouse is detected. This saves battery and prevents accidental touches. Unplug the mouse to turn the touchpad back on, or go to your touchpad settings and change the "leave touchpad on" option.
My touchpad works but feels less responsive than before. How do I fix it?
First, clean the surface with a soft, slightly damp cloth — oils and dust reduce sensitivity. Then go to your touchpad settings and adjust the sensitivity slider. You can also try updating the driver. If it still feels wrong, the hardware may be wearing out and may need professional service.
Is there a difference between a touchpad and a touch mouse?
A touchpad is the built-in surface on your laptop. A touch mouse is a separate external mouse with a touch-sensitive top. The term "touch mouse" in your question refers to the laptop's built-in touchpad, which is what these steps cover.