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Do you want to know how to disable and enable the touchpad on your laptop? You’ve come to the right place.

In this simple guide, we’ll show you easy-to-follow instructions to disable and enable the touchpad without any issues.

Let’s begin.

Check This First

TouchPad Button: On certain laptops, you’ll find a dedicated button positioned near the top of the touchpad, designed to let you quickly toggle the touchpad on and off. 

TouchPad Function (Fn) Keys: Many laptops incorporate Fn keys that, when used in conjunction with specific F1 – F12 function keys, offer the capability to enable or disable the touchpad. 

PRO TIP
The symbol used to indicate the touchpad toggle often looks like a rectangle with a line under it.

How to Disable the TouchPad on a Laptop

Here are the steps to disable the touchpad on Windows, Chromebook, and macOS:

Method 1: Disabling the TouchPad on Windows:

On Windows, you can typically disable the touchpad through the Settings menu or by using keyboard shortcuts, depending on your laptop model.

Important: Keep in mind that if you turn off your touchpad, you need to make sure that you can navigate your PC using your mouse or keyboard.

  • Go to Settings by pressing Windows + I 
  • Click on Devices.
  • Select Touchpad from the left sidebar.
  • Under Touchpad, toggle the switch to the Off position.

This should turn the touchpad on your PC right off. However, if, for any reason, this doesn’t work on your computer, there are other things you can try:

Method 2: Disable the touchpad via registry

If you decide to try to disable your touchpad via Windows Registry, it’s crucial to proceed with caution and only if you’re confident in your registry editing skills.

Even for seasoned users, it’s wise to create a registry backup beforehand.

This precaution ensures that in case of any errors or missteps during the process, you have the means to restore your system to its previous state.2.

Here are the steps to take:

  • Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run command box.
  • Type Regedit and press Enter.
  • If prompted for user control access, click Yes.
  • Navigate to the PrecisionTouchPad status folder by following this path (you can also copy and paste it into the Registry):

Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\PrecisionTouchPad\Status

  • Double-click on the Enabled entry to edit its Value data.
  • Change the Value data from 1 to 0 to disable the touchpad.

Also Read: What is the Windows Registry And Why Do You Need a Registry Cleaner?

Method 3: Disable the touchpad via a third-party app

If you don’t want to bother making major changes to the Registry, consider using third-party software to disable the touchpad on your laptop

One such tool is Touchpad Blocker, which offers the ability to enable or disable the touchpad using a specific key combination, typically set  to CTRL + ALT + F9 by default.

You can activate or deactivate the blocker by simply pressing CTRL + F9 (without ALT).

To utilize this software, visit the official Touchpad Blocker website to download and install the application. Once it’s installed, press CTRL + F9 to activate it.

Subsequently, you can access the touchpad blocker through the taskbar or from the list of hidden icons as needed.

Method 4: Disabling touchpad on Chromebook

On a Chromebook, disabling the touchpad is straightforward:

  • Press and hold the Search key (usually denoted by a magnifying glass or the CAPS LOCK key).
  • While holding the Search key, press the “P” key.

This keyboard shortcut will disable the touchpad. 

Method 5: Disabling touchpad on macOS:

On a MacBook running macOS, you can disable the touchpad, also known as the trackpad, through the System Preferences.

  • Click the Apple menu and select System Preferences.
  • Choose Accessibility.
  • In the left sidebar, click on Mouse & Trackpad.
  • Under the Trackpad Options section, check the box that says Enable Mouse Keys.

This will disable the trackpad. 

How to Enable the TouchPad on a Laptop

If at some point in the future, you device that you want to bring the touchpad back, here are the steps you can take to enable the touchpad on Windows, Chromebook, and macOS:

Method 1: Enabling TouchPad on Windows:

Option 1: Keyboard + Mouse:

  • On Windows, you can typically enable the touchpad through the Settings menu or by using keyboard shortcuts, depending on your laptop model.
  • Go to Settings (you can press Windows + I).
  • Click on Devices.
  • Select Touchpad from the left sidebar.
  • Under Touchpad, toggle the switch to the On position.

Option 2: Keyboard Only:

  • Press the Windows key on your keyboard.
  • Type in touchpad and press Enter.
  • When in Touchpad Settings,  press the Tab key until the Touchpad toggle switch is selected.
  • Press the spacebar to move the toggle to the ON position.

Method 2: Enabling touchpad on Chromebook

Option 1: Enable Tap-to-click 

Click in the bottom right corner on your laptop screen: where time and battery data are displayed. 

  • In the new window, click the gear icon. 
  • In Chromebook settings, click Device.
  • Go to the Touchpad section. 
  • Switch on the toggle next to Tap-to-click.

Option 2: Enable full touchpad functionality

Use this keyboard shortcut: Search key + Shift + P.

If this doesn’t work, you may need to turn on advanced keyboard shortcuts first. Here’s how:

  • Go to Chrome.
  • In the address bar, type in: chrome://flags/#ash-debug-shortcuts.
  • Press Enter.
  • You will see a list of Chrome settings. 
  • Here, you should see Debugging keyboard shortcuts.
  • In the drop-down menu, select Enabled.

Restart Chromebook and proceed with the keyboard shortcut: Search key + Shift + P.

Method 3: Enabling touchpad on macOS:

  • On a MacBook running macOS, you can enable the touchpad (trackpad) through the System Preferences.
  • Click the Apple menu and select System Preferences.
  • Choose Accessibility.
  • In the left sidebar, click on Mouse & Trackpad.
  • Under the Trackpad Options section, uncheck the box that says Enable Mouse Keys.

This will enable the trackpad again. To disable it, check the Enable Mouse Keys box.

Please note that the exact steps may vary slightly depending on your specific laptop model and operating system version.

Why Disabling the Touchpad Can Be Useful

There are several reasons why disabling your touchpad can be handy:

  • When cleaning your laptop’s keyboard or touchpad, it can be helpful to temporarily disable the touchpad to avoid accidental clicks or cursor movement.
  • Some laptops disable the touchpad automatically when an external mouse is connected to conserve battery life. However, manually disabling it can provide further power savings.

Also Read: How to Stop Apps from Running in the Background on Windows 10 PC?

  • If you have problems with cursor drifting or erratic behavior –  disabling the touchpad can be the first solution to try. 

Also Read: [FIXED] Why Is My Keyboard Typing the Wrong Letters?

Conclusion

Managing your laptop’s touchpad has never been easier.

Whether you need to temporarily disable it while typing or quickly re-enable it for navigation, this guide has provided you with simple steps to take control.

By mastering touchpad management, you can enjoy a smoother and more efficient computing experience, tailored to your preferences.

FAQ

To adjust touchpad sensitivity in Windows 10, follow these steps:

  • Open Settings by pressing Windows + I.
  • Click on Devices.
  • Select Touchpad from the left sidebar.
  • Under Touchpad sensitivity, you can choose from options like Low sensitivity, Medium sensitivity, or High sensitivity based on your preference.

Y

Yes, you can enable or disable the touchpad on a Linux laptop. The exact steps may vary depending on your Linux distribution and desktop environment.

But it typically involves using a combination of function keys or settings in the system preferences.

Common key combinations include Fn + F7 or Fn + F9. Alternatively, you can access touchpad settings through the system settings or control center.

To update the touchpad driver on a Windows PC, follow these steps:

  • Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
  • Expand the Mice and other pointing devices category.
  • Right-click on your touchpad device and select Update driver.
  • Choose Search automatically for updated driver software and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update.

To clean a laptop touchpad, follow these guidelines:

  • Power off the laptop and unplug it for safety.
  • Use a soft, lint-free microfiber cloth or screen cleaning cloth.
  • Dampen the cloth slightly with a mixture of water and isopropyl alcohol (70% or higher).
  • Gently wipe the touchpad’s surface in a circular motion.
  • Pay extra attention to any stubborn spots, but avoid excessive pressure.
  • Allow the touchpad to air dry completely before turning your laptop back on.