The touchpad or trackpad on a Chromebook or laptop is a crucial system component. It functions as an in-built pointing device for quickly navigating the computer. When the touchpad starts to misbehave, it isn’t easy to use the laptop except there’s an external mouse.
If your Gateway laptop touchpad is not working, it’s not an unusual situation. Most users have experienced the same circumstances. The touchpad on a Gateway laptop is prone to dysfunctionality, but the fixing process is not overly complex.
This article contains easy and practical ways to fix the Gateway laptop touchpad that’s not working. So, if you’re in this situation, read along as we provide answers to your problem.
Gateway Laptop Touchpad Not Working: Likely Causes
Some specific factors are the main culprit of the Gateway laptop touchpad that’s not working. Unless you know these factors, fixing your laptop might become more complicated than expected. Therefore, take note of the following causes of the problem:
- Touchpad is Disabled
- The erratic movement of the cursor
- Dirty touchpad
- Incorrect touchpad settings
- Outdated drivers
Gateway Laptop Touchpad Not Working: How To Fix
When your Gateway laptop touchpad stops working, there are specific diagnoses you should explore before carrying the laptop to a repair shop. Fixing the problem isn’t a complex process, and there are many ways to correct the problem.
The following are proven tips you can use in fixing your touchpad problem. We’re sure before your exhaust the steps, your touchpad will be responsive and working again.
1. Clean The Touchpad
A clogged touchpad is a major cause of the dysfunctionality of a touchpad. The touchpad is prone to dirt and grime. It’s the finger we’re talking about here. There are some situations where you might be working on your laptop, then pick up something that deposits dirt on the finger while you continue using that same finger to operate the touchpad.
Over time, the dirt and grime might have accumulated and clogged the underneath or surface of the touchpad. As a result, the touchpad becomes sluggish or unresponsive.
The best way to fix this problem is by inspecting the touchpad. You must check to ensure there’s dirt, grime, or grease on the touchpad. Grime might have built up within the crevices and edges of the buttons.
Is there dirt on top or underneath the mouse track? Then you need to wipe them off. Use a soft clean cloth to clean the pad and the clickers.
2. Re-enable The Touchpad
Sometimes when you plug an external mouse, it automatically disables the touchpad so that it doesn’t accidentally tamper with the cursor while using it.
In other cases, you might have used the functions or key combinations on your laptop keyboard to disable the touchpad. Whatever the case it is, you’ll need to re-enable the touchpad. Explore the functions or key combinations again to enable your touchpad.
If your laptop runs Windows XP, Gateway recommends downloading and installing Service Pack from the Microsoft website. The process will automatically re-enable the trackpad on some models. When you disable it after the update, it will prevent it from turning on again unexpectedly.
You can also re-enable the touchpad from Windows settings with the steps below:
- Go to the Start Menu on your laptop
- Search for the Control Panel and click on the top result.
- From the Control Panel windows, Select Hardware and Sound.
- Click on Mouse and Touchpad option
- Now select Advanced Mouse options
- Select your device from the Mouse Properties window that opens
- Ensure the device is set to enabled. Click on “Enable Device” if the device is disabled
- Save the process and exit the screen
Afterward, check your touchpad to see if it’s now working accurately.
3. Restart Your Laptop
This method works by resolving minor issues and glitches that might be hindering the laptop’s functionality, including the touchpad. Your touchpad might not be working because of glitches or one-time malfunctions.
You must reboot your computer to fix this problem. You can also switch off your laptop, remove the battery(if applicable), and allow the computer to rest for some minutes before switching it on again.
4. Update Your Device
If your touchpad driver is not correctly installed, the touchpad will not work properly. Your laptop touchpad might not work because the driver is corrupted or outdated. Also, when a program causes the touchpad drivers to become uninstalled, the touchpad will stop working correctly. A common cause of this problem is when a new operating system is installed.
The touchpad drivers can also become corrupt through virus or registry. You’ll need a new driver installation to fix the problem. When you use the system recovery disk, your laptop might fail to install the touchpad drivers automatically.
You can install a new touchpad driver from the Manufacturer’s website or through windows settings. Follow the steps below to install the updates from the Gateway website:
- Open your web browser and go to the official Gateway online site
- Check your Gateway manual and search for the serial number of your laptop
- Input the serial number into the Gateway site search menu
- Check if there’s any available update for your touchpad driver
- If there is, click on Download and Update
- Click the file on your laptop and install it accordingly.
After successfully installing it, restart your laptop to save the changes. Your touchpad should start working afterward.
5. Check Touchpad Settings
Your touchpad settings can also affect the way it behaves. Depending on the settings, the cursor might shoot across the screen unexpectedly while operating it. Random scrolling, or unexpected behavior related to the touchpad, can easily be fixed by adjusting the touchpad.
You can adjust sensitivity setting, touchpad speed, acceleration, tap dragging, etc. Open the Control panel and select the mouse icon will allow you to make some changes to the settings. Ensure you modify the settings till you can notice your touchpad working again.
6. Contact Manufacturer Support
Your touchpad should be working now. One of the methods above should have fixed it accordingly. However, if the problem persists after you’ve applied all the methods, you’ll need to contact the Gateway customer support system for complaints and further information.