Touchpad Not Scrolling? Here’s How to Fix It

If you’ve ever experienced the frustration of a touchpad that refuses to scroll, you’re not alone. The touchpad is an essential laptop component, providing a convenient and intuitive way to navigate and interact with your computer. 

However, when it malfunctions, it can quickly become a source of annoyance and hinder your productivity.

In this article, we will delve into the common causes of touchpad scrolling problems and provide you with effective troubleshooting steps to overcome them. 

Whether you’re a student, a professional, or someone who relies on your laptop for everyday tasks, we understand the importance of a functional touchpad.

So, let’s dive in and discover how to bring back the smooth scrolling experience you deserve.

Common Causes of Touchpad Scrolling Problems

1. Misconfigured Touchpad Settings

One of the common causes of touchpad scrolling problems is misconfigured touchpad settings. It’s possible that scrolling has been accidentally disabled or the scrolling speed is set too low. Checking and adjusting these settings can often resolve the issue.

2. Outdated Touchpad Drivers

Outdated or incompatible touchpad drivers can also lead to scrolling problems. As technology evolves, it’s essential to keep your drivers updated to ensure smooth functionality.

Updating the touchpad drivers to the latest version can often fix scrolling issues and quite a number of other issues around touchpad not working at all.

3. Conflicting Software

Certain third-party software or applications installed on your computer can interfere with the touchpad’s scrolling functionality. 

These conflicting programs may override or disrupt the touchpad settings, causing it to stop scrolling. Temporarily disabling or uninstalling such software can help identify and resolve the issue.

4. Incorrect Touchpad Sensitivity Settings

Touchpad sensitivity settings set too high or too low can impact scrolling behavior. Even slight touches may trigger unintended scrolling if the sensitivity is too high. 

Conversely, scrolling may only respond appropriately if the sensitivity is high enough. Adjusting the touchpad sensitivity settings can improve scrolling performance.

5. Dirty or Damaged Touchpad Surface

Over time, dust, dirt, and debris can accumulate on the touchpad surface, affecting its responsiveness. Additionally, physical damage to the touchpad, such as scratches or cracks, can impair its scrolling functionality. 

Cleaning the touchpad surface using a soft cloth or an appropriate cleaning solution can remove debris and improve scrolling. However, the touchpad may require professional repair or replacement if it is physically damaged.

Basic Trouble Shooting Steps For Touchpad Scrolling Issues

Here’s a list of steps to fix the issue of the touchpad not scrolling on a Windows 10 laptop, along with explanations for each step:

1. Enable Two-Finger Scroll in Settings

Open the Settings menu and navigate to the “Devices” section. Select “Touchpad” from the left sidebar and enable the option “Drag two fingers to scroll” option. This step ensures that the touchpad scrolling functionality is enabled in the system settings.

2. Restart Windows Explorer

Sometimes, Windows Explorer can encounter issues that affect the two-finger scroll feature. To address this, right-click on the taskbar, select “Task Manager,” locate “Windows Explorer,” and click on “Restart.” This action restarts the Windows Explorer process, which may help restore the functionality of two-finger scrolling.

3. Update or Roll Back Touchpad Driver

Outdated or recently installed touchpad drivers can cause issues with two-finger scrolling. Open Device Manager, expand the “Mice and other pointing devices” section, identify the touchpad (usually listed as an I2C HID device), right-click on it, and select “Properties.” 

From there, you can either roll back the driver to a previous version or update it by downloading the latest driver from the manufacturer’s website.

This step ensures that the touchpad driver is up to date or reverted to a stable version. However, sometimes, you might realize that your touchpad is not showing in device manager and this would require a whole different fix.

4. Reinstall Touchpad Device

If the two-finger scroll is still not working, uninstalling and reinstalling the touchpad device might help. Open Device Manager, expand “Mice and other pointing devices,” right-click on the touchpad, select “Uninstall device,” and restart your PC. 

Upon restarting, Windows will automatically detect the touchpad and install the necessary driver, potentially resolving issues affecting the two-finger scroll functionality.

Advanced Troubleshooting Steps For Touchpad Scrolling Issues

If the basic troubleshooting steps mentioned earlier did not resolve the touchpad scrolling issue, you can try the following advanced troubleshooting steps:

1. Check for Touchpad Driver Updates

Visit the manufacturer’s website or the support page for your computer model to check for any available touchpad driver updates. 

Download and install the latest drivers, as updated drivers can often address compatibility issues and improve touchpad functionality.

2. Perform a System Update

Keeping your operating system up to date is crucial for optimal device performance. Check for system updates and install any available updates. 

Sometimes, system updates include bug fixes and improvements that can help resolve touchpad scrolling problems.

3. Try an External Mouse

Connect an external mouse to your laptop and check if the scrolling function works with the external mouse. If scrolling works fine with the external mouse, the issue might be specific to the touchpad hardware or its drivers. In such cases, contacting technical support or a computer repair professional might be necessary.

4. Scan For Malware and Viruses

Malware or viruses can interfere with system components, including touchpad functionality. Run a thorough scan using reliable antivirus software to detect and remove malicious programs. Restart your computer after the scan and check if the touchpad scrolling problem persists.

5. Create a New User Profile

Sometimes, touchpad scrolling issues can be related to user profile settings. Create a new user profile on your computer and check if the touchpad scrolling works appropriately within the new profile.

 If it does, it indicates that the issue may be specific to your original user profile. You can then consider transferring your files and settings to the new profile or seeking further assistance.

6. Perform a System Restore

If the touchpad scrolling issue started recently after specific changes or installations, performing a system restore can help revert your computer’s settings to a previous state. 

Choose a restore point from before the issue occurred and follow the prompts to initiate the system restore process. Remember that a system restore will undo any changes you made after the selected restore point.

Additional Tips and Recommendations for Resolving Touchpad Scrolling Issues

To prevent the reoccurrence of touchpad scrolling issues and maintain optimal touchpad functionality, consider the following tips and recommendations:

1. Regularly Update Drivers and Software

Keep your touchpad drivers and operating system current. Check for driver updates on the manufacturer’s website or through automatic updates. Similarly, install software updates to ensure compatibility and bug fixes that can improve touchpad performance.

2. Clean the Touchpad Regularly

Clean the touchpad surface regularly to remove dirt, oil, and debris that can affect its sensitivity and responsiveness. Use a soft cloth or an appropriate cleaning solution recommended by the manufacturer to wipe the touchpad gently.

3. Avoid Excessive Pressure

Apply only gentle and moderate pressure when using the touchpad. Excessive pressure can strain the touchpad mechanism and lead to hardware issues. Treat the touchpad with care to prevent physical damage.

4. Adjust Touchpad Settings To Your Preference

Experiment with the touchpad settings to find the optimal configuration for your needs. Adjust the scrolling speed, sensitivity, and other touchpad gestures according to your preferences.

5. Use Gestures with Care

While touchpad gestures can enhance productivity, be mindful of accidental gestures that disrupt your workflow. Familiarize yourself with the gestures your touchpad supports and practice using them effectively.

6. Avoid Liquid Exposure

Keep liquids away from your touchpad to prevent accidental spills that can damage the touchpad or cause erratic behavior. In case of a spill, immediately power off your laptop, disconnect the power source, and seek professional assistance.

7. Protect The Touchpad When Not in Use

When not using your laptop, consider using a protective cover or sleeve to prevent dust, dirt, or accidental contact that can impact touchpad performance.

8. Backup Your Data

Regularly back up your important files and data to external storage or cloud-based services. In case of a touchpad or other hardware failures, having backups ensures your data remains safe.

Conclusion

This post has addressed the frustrating touchpad scrolling problems and provided valuable insights into troubleshooting and resolving them. We began by highlighting the significance of touchpads on laptops and empathizing with the reader’s experience of dealing with a malfunctioning touchpad.

The article explored common causes of touchpad scrolling problems, including misconfigured settings, outdated drivers, conflicting software, touchpad sensitivity issues, and physical damage. We then provided step-by-step instructions on enabling a two-finger scroll in the touchpad settings as a basic troubleshooting step.

For those who encountered persistent issues, we offered advanced troubleshooting steps such as checking for driver updates, performing system updates, scanning for malware, creating a new user profile, and performing a system restore. These advanced steps require more technical knowledge and may require professional assistance if the problems persist.

Following the troubleshooting steps in this article will increase the chances of resolving touchpad scrolling issues and restoring the smooth scrolling experience you deserve. 

 Remember to take preventive measures like regular driver and software updates, proper cleaning of the touchpad, and adjusting touchpad settings to your preference. However, if the troubleshooting steps do not resolve the problem or you are uncomfortable performing advanced troubleshooting on your own, it is essential to seek professional help. Technical support or computer repair professionals can offer specialized expertise and assistance tailored to your situation.

We hope this article has been informative and helpful in guiding you through troubleshooting touchpad scrolling issues. A functional touchpad is essential for smooth navigation and productivity, and we understand its impact on your daily computer usage. Don’t let touchpad scrolling problems hold you back – take action and regain control over your touchpad’s scrolling functionality.