Your trackpad is disabled in settings, not broken

A trackpad that does not respond is usually turned off in your operating system, not physically damaged. Windows and Mac both let you disable the trackpad through settings — often by accident, or because you plugged in a mouse and forgot about it. The fix takes less than a minute once you know where to look.

If your trackpad is completely unresponsive and you have no other way to move your cursor, you can use your keyboard to navigate to the settings you need. Both Windows and Mac support keyboard-only control.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, open Settings, go to Bluetooth & devices, then Touchpad, and toggle it on if it shows as off.
  • On Mac, open System Settings, click Trackpad, and make sure Enable Trackpad is checked.
  • If you cannot use your trackpad at all, use Tab and arrow keys to navigate menus, or plug in a mouse temporarily.
  • Some laptops have a physical trackpad button or keyboard shortcut (often Fn + a function key) that disables the trackpad separately from software settings.
  • Restarting your computer will sometimes restore a trackpad that is stuck off due to a software glitch.

Enabling trackpad on Windows 10 and 11

Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then press Enter. Click on Bluetooth & devices in the left sidebar.

Scroll down and click Touchpad. At the top of the Touchpad page, you will see a toggle switch next to "Touchpad". If it is in the off position (grayed out or pointing left), click it to turn it on. Your trackpad should respond when ready.

If the toggle is already on but your trackpad still does not work, scroll down on that same page and look for a Reset button. Click it to restore the trackpad to factory settings. Windows will restart the trackpad driver, which often fixes unresponsive hardware.

Enabling trackpad on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older Mac versions). Click Trackpad in the sidebar.

On the first tab, labeled Point and Click, look for a checkbox next to "Enable Trackpad" or "Trackpad enabled". If it is unchecked, click it to enable the trackpad. The change takes effect when ready.

If you do not see that checkbox, your trackpad may be disabled at the hardware level. Check whether your Mac has a physical trackpad button (usually at the bottom of the trackpad itself) and make sure it is not pressed in.

Using keyboard shortcuts if your trackpad is completely stuck

If your trackpad does not work and you have no mouse, you can still reach the settings you need using only your keyboard. On Windows, press the Windows key, type "Settings", and press Enter. Then press Tab repeatedly to move between options until you reach Bluetooth & devices, and use arrow keys to navigate to Touchpad.

On Mac, press Command + Space to open Spotlight search, type "Trackpad", and press Enter. This opens the Trackpad settings directly. Use Tab to move between options and Space to toggle the Enable Trackpad checkbox.

If keyboard navigation feels slow, plug in a USB mouse temporarily — even a basic one — and use it to reach the trackpad settings. Once the trackpad is enabled, you can unplug the mouse.

Checking for physical trackpad buttons or keyboard shortcuts

Some laptops have a physical button or switch that disables the trackpad separately from the operating system. Look at the bottom edge of your trackpad for a small button, or check your laptop's manual to see if there is one.

Many laptops also have a keyboard shortcut to toggle the trackpad on and off. This is often a function key (F1 through F12) combined with the Fn key. Common combinations include Fn + F5, Fn + F7, or Fn + a key with a trackpad icon printed on it. Try these combinations if your trackpad is off in settings but still does not work.

If you find a physical button or use a keyboard shortcut to re-enable the trackpad, you may still need to turn it on in settings afterward.

Restarting your computer as a last step

If your trackpad is on in settings but still does not respond, restart your computer. A software glitch can sometimes leave the trackpad disabled even when the setting shows it as on. Restarting reloads the trackpad driver and usually fixes the problem.

On Windows, click the Start menu, click the power icon, and select Restart. On Mac, click the Apple menu, select Shut Down, wait for the computer to turn off completely, then press the power button to turn it back on.

When to check for driver updates or hardware damage

If your trackpad is on in settings, you have tried restarting, and it still does not work, the trackpad driver may be outdated or corrupted. On Windows, right-click the Start menu, select Device Manager, and look for Mice and other pointing devices. Expand that section, find your trackpad (usually labeled "Touchpad" or "Synaptics"), right-click it, and select Update driver.

On Mac, trackpad drivers are built into the operating system and cannot be updated separately. If your trackpad does not work after enabling it and restarting, the hardware itself may be damaged. Contact Apple Support or your laptop manufacturer for repair options.

Physical damage to the trackpad — cracks, moisture, or unresponsive areas — cannot be fixed through settings. If you see visible damage, a mouse or external trackpad is a practical workaround while you arrange repairs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my trackpad turn off when I plug in a mouse?

Some laptops automatically disable the trackpad when a mouse is connected, to prevent accidental touches while you type. This is a convenience feature, not a problem. If you want the trackpad on even with a mouse plugged in, go to Trackpad settings and look for an option like "Allow trackpad while mouse is connected" or "Ignore built-in trackpad". Toggle it on.

Can I disable my trackpad on purpose?

Yes. If you use an external mouse and want to avoid accidentally touching the trackpad while typing, you can turn it off in the same settings where you would turn it back on. On Windows, toggle off the Touchpad switch. On Mac, uncheck "Enable Trackpad". You can turn it back on the same way whenever you need it.

What if my trackpad works but feels unresponsive or jumpy?

Unresponsiveness usually means the trackpad needs cleaning. Dust and oils build up on the surface and interfere with touch detection. Turn off your laptop, wait a few seconds, and gently wipe the trackpad with a soft, slightly damp cloth. Let it dry completely before turning the laptop back on. Jumpiness or erratic movement sometimes improves after restarting, or by adjusting sensitivity in Trackpad settings under "Pointer speed" or "Tracking speed".

Is there a way to lock my trackpad so my kids cannot use it?

Yes, by disabling it in settings — the same process as turning it off. You can also set up a separate user account with parental controls that limits what your child can do, though that does not specifically disable the trackpad. If you want to lock the trackpad temporarily without going into settings, some laptops support a keyboard shortcut (check your manual) or a physical button.