How to enable touch mouse on your laptop

Most laptops have a touchpad built into the keyboard area, and it's usually on by default. If yours isn't working, the quickest fix is to look for a dedicated key or key combination that toggles it on and off — often a function key with a touchpad icon. If that doesn't work, you'll need to check your device settings or reinstall the touchpad driver. The exact steps depend on whether you use Windows or Mac.

Some laptops also let you enable touch input on the screen itself, which is different from the touchpad. This requires checking your display settings and making sure touch drivers are installed.

Key Takeaways

  • Most laptops have a physical key or key combination (usually Fn + a function key with a touchpad icon) that turns the touchpad on and off instantly.
  • If the keyboard shortcut doesn't work, check your device settings — Windows users should look in Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Touchpad, and Mac users should check System Settings > Trackpad.
  • Outdated or missing touchpad drivers are a common reason the touchpad won't respond, and reinstalling them often fixes the problem.
  • If you have a touchscreen laptop, enabling touch input is a separate process found in display settings, not touchpad settings.

Find the physical toggle key on your keyboard

The fastest way to turn on a touchpad is to use a keyboard shortcut. Look at your function keys (F1 through F12) for one with a touchpad icon — it usually looks like a small rectangle with dots or lines on it. Press that key while holding Fn, or sometimes just press it alone depending on your laptop model.

Common key combinations include Fn + F6, Fn + F7, or Fn + F9, but the exact key varies by manufacturer. Dell, HP, Lenovo, and ASUS each use different keys. If you're not sure which one, check your laptop's manual or search "[your laptop model] enable touchpad" online.

If pressing the key once doesn't work, try pressing it again — some laptops toggle the touchpad on and off with each press, so you may have turned it off by accident.

Enable the touchpad in Windows settings

If the keyboard shortcut doesn't work, open Settings by pressing Windows key + I. Go to Bluetooth & Devices, then select Touchpad from the left menu. You should see a toggle at the top that says "Touchpad" — make sure it's switched on.

Below that toggle, you'll find options to adjust sensitivity, tap speed, and whether taps count as clicks. If the toggle is already on but your touchpad still isn't responding, scroll down and look for an option to reset the touchpad to default settings. This sometimes fixes unresponsive hardware.

If you don't see a Touchpad option in Bluetooth & Devices, your laptop may not have a dedicated touchpad driver installed. Move to the driver section below.

Enable trackpad on Mac

On a Mac, open System Settings and select Trackpad from the sidebar. You'll see several tabs: Point and Click, Scroll & Zoom, and More Gestures. The trackpad itself doesn't have an on/off toggle like Windows machines do, but you can adjust how it responds.

If your trackpad isn't responding at all, restart your Mac first — this fixes most trackpad issues. If it still doesn't work after restart, the problem is usually a hardware issue or a need to reset the System Management Controller (SMC). Look up "[your Mac model] reset SMC" for specific steps, as the process differs between Intel and Apple Silicon Macs.

Reinstall or update the touchpad driver on Windows

If your touchpad is turned on in settings but still not responding, the driver may be outdated or corrupted. Open Device Manager by pressing Windows key + X and selecting Device Manager. Look for Mice and other pointing devices and expand that section.

You should see an entry for your touchpad — it might say "Touchpad", "Trackpad", or the manufacturer's name like "Synaptics" or "ELAN". Right-click it and select Update driver. Choose Search automatically for updated driver software and let Windows search for the latest version.

If that doesn't work, right-click the same device and select Uninstall device. Restart your laptop — Windows will automatically reinstall the driver when it boots back up. This often fixes touchpads that have stopped responding.

Enable touch input on a touchscreen laptop

If your laptop has a touchscreen and you want to use touch input on the display itself, this is separate from the touchpad. Open Settings and go to Bluetooth & Devices, then select Touch from the left menu. Make sure the toggle is on.

If you don't see a Touch option, your touchscreen drivers may not be installed. Go back to Device Manager, look for Human Interface Devices, and expand it. Look for an entry that mentions "Touch" or "HID-compliant touch screen". If it has a yellow warning icon, right-click it and update the driver the same way you would for a touchpad.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my touchpad keep turning off by itself?

This usually happens when you accidentally press the toggle key while typing. Some laptops also disable the touchpad automatically when an external mouse is connected. Check your touchpad settings to see if there's an option to disable it when a mouse is present, and turn that off if you want both to work at the same time.

My touchpad works but feels too sensitive or too slow. How do I fix that?

Open your touchpad settings (Windows: Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Touchpad; Mac: System Settings > Trackpad) and adjust the cursor speed slider. You can also change tap sensitivity and enable or disable features like two-finger scrolling. Experiment with different settings until it feels right.

Can I use both a touchpad and an external mouse at the same time?

Yes, on both Windows and Mac. By default, both will work together. If your touchpad keeps interfering with your external mouse, check your touchpad settings for an option to disable the touchpad when an external mouse is connected, and turn it off.

What if my laptop has no touchpad at all?

Some older or specialized laptops don't include a built-in touchpad. In that case, you'll need to use an external mouse or trackpad. You can buy a wireless or USB mouse from any electronics retailer and connect it to your laptop.