How to Activate Touchpad on ASUS Laptop | Step-by-Step Guide

Key Takeaways

• A touchpad is an integrated pointing device on laptop computers. Its multi-touch support and gesture recognition are two of its key features that make the touchpad a portable, convenient alternative to an external mouse.
• If that fails, attempt the Windows settings, BIOS settings, and Device Manager methods.
• Go to the ASUS support website to download and install the latest touchpad drivers or reinstall them. This may resolve problems and ensure it works with your laptop model.
• Windows 10 and 11 include intuitive interfaces to adjust your touchpad settings. Though both make customization a breeze, there are a few minor differences in navigation between the two versions.
• If you don’t have an external mouse, utilize keyboard shortcuts or navigation keys to navigate to touchpad settings and turn it on or adjust settings to make it work.
• Cleaning your touchpad can prevent many issues and improve its performance. This means getting them to install their Windows updates and help them troubleshoot their hardware or software failures.

To turn on the touchpad on an Asus laptop with function keys, use the appropriate function key. Most Asus laptops have a dedicated function key that controls the touchpad. You might be able to toggle the touchpad on or off using “Fn” plus “F9” (or whatever key your keyboard has a touchpad icon).

If that doesn’t do the trick, hit the Windows Settings menu. Go to “Devices” and then click on “Touchpad” to turn it back on. For additional options, you can fix the problem by reinstalling the touchpad driver via Device Manager. This is particularly useful if the driver is incapacitated due to obsolete software.

Following these steps will help you get your touchpad prepared for use so you can enjoy smooth navigation without having to connect an external mouse. As always, refer to your laptop’s user manual for specific steps related to your model.

What is a Touchpad

A touchpad is a common, laptop-specific, built-in pointing device, mounted below the keyboard. It allows you to move the on-screen cursor by tapping, swiping, or gliding your finger on its surface. Because a touchpad is always on, even the simplest navigation tasks are effortless.

Unlike an external mouse, it doesn’t require additional space or configuration. ASUS laptops are loaded with smart gesture features right on their touchpads. These capabilities allow for advanced features such as two-finger scrolling and three-finger swiping, providing fast access to many functions.

Touchpads are getting better too, with more advanced multi-touch gestures becoming an integral part of how you use a laptop. For instance, pinch-to-zoom can be used when viewing images or documents and two-finger tap actions can serve as right-click functions.

These gestures allow you to do things faster and more efficiently. This tool is ideal for mobile environments as well. You’ll appreciate it particularly when you’re working on the go, as using a mouse wouldn’t be convenient.

Touchpads can be customized to perform other actions like increasing brightness or volume, furthering streamlining your workflow. Sometimes touchpad settings are the culprit. Almost 2 out of 3 users experience issues as a result of misconfigured settings.

Thankfully, on ASUS laptops, if something messes up your gestures, you can go into settings, choose “Touchpad,” and click “Reset.” This makes sure your touchpad remains up-to-date and customized to your preferences.

Steps to Activate Touchpad

To activate ASUS touchpad, you need to follow some basic steps. Take these one at a time and you’ll set yourself up for success. Of course, there can be variations based on your laptop model, so be sure to crosscheck specific instructions for your device.

1. Check the Function Key

Search your keyboard for the touchpad hotkey, which is commonly marked with an icon that looks like a touchpad. It’s typically on the F6, F7, or F9 function key.

To turn on touchpad, hit function key in addition to ‘Fn’ key. If this fails, refer your laptop manual to find out what hotkey your model uses.

Alternatively, you can press Fn + left touchpad button + touchpad function key.

2. Enable Touchpad in Settings

Step 1. Go to Windows Settings. Look up “Touchpad settings” in the search bar and click “Open.

Set the touchpad toggle to “On.” If a mouse is connected, choose “Leave touchpad on when a mouse is connected” for a non-stop experience.

3. Update or Reinstall Drivers

If you need to download the latest Intel I2C chipset driver, please visit the ASUS support site.

Or, go to Device Manager, right-click “Intel(R) Serial IO I2C Host Controller” or “ASUS Precision Touchpad” and choose uninstall.

Either restart your system so that drivers are reinstalled automatically or manually install drivers from ASUS.

4. Use Device Manager to Enable

Open Device Manager by right-clicking the Start button.

Find “Mice and other pointing devices.” If your touchpad looks like it’s disabled, turn it back on or look for red flags.

Reinstalling drivers can fix these problems.

5. Enable Through BIOS Settings

Restart your laptop and hit the BIOS key (usually F2) at boot up.

Click on the “Advanced” or “Integrated Peripherals” tab. Make sure touchpad is activated, save changes and exit BIOS.

This saves settings and applies them immediately.

Activating Touchpad on Windows 11

1. Access Touchpad Settings in Windows 11

To begin, launch the Settings app. Press the Start button to open Settings, or search for “Settings” in the Windows search bar. Whatever the case may be, we’ve got you covered!

Once in, go to the Bluetooth & devices section, and then select Touchpad. Windows 11 is a fresh take on the touchpad activation steps, so it looks a bit different than the past. The new touchpad settings are simpler, clearer, more logical; everything is where it makes sense for it to be.

Under Touchpad settings, you’ll see options to change sensitivity, gestures, and scrolling direction. For instance, you can set three-finger gestures to switch apps or turn on right-click features.

If you require further customizations, head over to the Advanced gestures subsection to set up more complex options. If you’re new to custom touchpad creations, jump down to the Reset to defaults option under touchpad settings to erase your changes.

2. Enable Touchpad from Control Panel

If your touchpad is not working, you can use the Control Panel to turn it on another way. Open the Control Panel by searching for it from the Start menu. Go to Hardware and Sound, then select Mouse from Device and Printers.

In the Mouse settings, go to the Device Settings or Touchpad tab, depending on your laptop’s manufacturer. If so, look for an Enable button and click it.

For some ASUS laptops, you may need extra software. To avoid conflicts, install the ATK package first, then the Smart Gesture driver second. Using a USB mouse while you go through this process can make it easier to navigate.

You’ll need to look towards your keyboard for some dedicated keys. Check for a Fn + F9 like key combination, it usually disables and enables the touchpad.

3. Verify Windows 11 Updates

The most important thing you can do is keep your system updated. Open Settings, then select Windows Update. Press Check for updates and check if any downloads are pending.

Windows and drivers updates are a common fix for hardware compatibility, so install the latest updates to eliminate touchpad issues. Consider enabling automatic updates to keep your system current without manual checks.

Activating Touchpad on Windows 10

1. Open Touchpad Settings in Windows 10

First things first, you need to access your touchpad settings from the Windows Settings app on your ASUS laptop. Launch “Settings” by hitting the Windows key + I. From there, click on Devices and choose Touchpad.

To help you in this process, this section provides a straightforward and user-friendly guide to find and activate the touchpad. Ensure that the "Touchpad" toggle is set to on. Should you find that it’s enabled but still doesn’t seem to be working, you may find it useful to go through all customizable options.

You’ll be able to change things like sensitivity, turn on gestures such as two-finger scrolling, or set up multi-finger taps. Taking the time to explore these options makes for an experience personalized to your unique needs.

2. Enable Touchpad Using Keyboard Shortcuts

Another method you can use to activate the touchpad is through keyboard shortcuts. For ASUS laptops, it is usually Fn + F9, but this might be different. Look on the function key icons for a touchpad symbol.

On some models, pressing down Fn + left touchpad button + touchpad function key will activate it. Getting familiar with these shortcuts will be a big help at times when the touchpad unexpectedly stops working.

For added convenience, have a USB mouse available when troubleshooting or updating.

3. Check for Windows 10 Updates

Keeping your system up-to-date can save you from a lot of headaches. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update to download pending updates. Follow these steps through Windows Update: Install any pending updates, ideally those with driver fixes.

Follow us on Twitter @SqueezeboxDOTus for tips and updates. Enable update notifications to be notified of the next release.

Activating Touchpad Without a Mouse

1. Use Keyboard Navigation to Access Settings

It may seem intimidating to navigate settings without a mouse at first, but it can easily be done using just the keyboard. To enable the touchpad, begin by clicking the Windows key to open the Start menu. Then type in Touchpad settings and hit enter.

Use the Tab key to navigate and Arrow keys to choose. Check that touchpad function is toggled "On", then hit Spacebar. If your touchpad is still not working, try uninstalling and reinstalling the driver. Press the Arrow keys to highlight ASUS Precision Touchpad.

Then, right-click using Shift + F10 and use the prompts to uninstall it. This is where keyboard shortcuts are your best friend. For instance, Alt + Tab switches between open windows and Ctrl + Arrow Keys moves through text more quickly.

Maintaining a dry-erase cheat sheet of the most important shortcuts will help to ease you into things, though.

2. Enable Touchpad Through Shortcut Keys

Asus laptops usually have a dedicated function key that activates the touchpad. Check for touchpad enabling symbols on keys such as F6, F9, F12, or others typically denoted with a touchpad icon.

Press this key combination with Fn to enable/disable touchpad. Alternatively, Fn + Left Touchpad Button + Touchpad Function Key may succeed. Try out these shortcuts and check your laptop user guide for additional help.

3. Restart Laptop to Reset Settings

As a last resort, restart the laptop, as this can often fix the problem in just one reboot. This clears temporary settings and fixes small bugs. Uninstalling and reinstalling the Intel I2C driver included in the ASUS support site can do the trick.

Approximately 66% of users have had luck after rebooting following driver reinstallation. Test touchpad right after rebooting to ensure it works.

Adjusting Touchpad Settings for Preferences

Customize Sensitivity Settings

Touchpad sensitivity has a big effect on how smoothly your cursor reacts to your touch. To change it, begin by typing and searching [Touchpad settings] in the Windows search bar, then click [Open]. While you’re there, make sure that the Touchpad function is set to [On].

If you use an external mouse, select the [Leave touchpad on when a mouse is connected] option. Sensitivity settings let you customize how much pressure or movement is required for the cursor to respond. For instance, a more sensitive setting needs very little touch, which is beneficial for those who use a light touch.

Experiment with different levels to determine your optimal comfort level. Writing out your ideal settings will help you make things fast and easy the next time you need to change them.

Enable or Disable Gestures

Simple gestures such as two-finger scrolling and three-finger swipes will help you tackle multiple tasks at once. Go to Gestures & interaction in Touchpad settings to turn gestures on or off. Adjusting gestures allows you to customize actions to fit your workflow, whether that’s switching between apps or zooming in with ease.

A graphic designer, for instance, would love to have two-finger pinch-to-zoom enabled. By exploring these features you can make sure the touchpad will navigate the way you prefer.

Change Cursor Speed

For example, adjusting cursor speed can give a user more control and accuracy. In Touchpad settings, find the cursor speed setting. Lower speeds offer more accurate movements, which is great for jobs requiring detail and fine-tuning, while quicker settings are better for everyday web browsing.

Testing speeds ensures a good balance of comfort and usability. Keep a record of all adjustments so they can be remembered later.

Troubleshooting Touchpad Issues

Check for Hardware Damage

Begin by closely checking your touchpad for outward damage, such as cracks, dents, or any loose pieces. Accumulated dust or debris around the touchpad edges can lead to touchpad malfunctions.

Once you have updated or reinstalled the drivers, test the touchpad. Try simple gestures, such as scrolling or clicking. If any hardware doesn’t seem responsive, the issue may be physical.

In those instances, getting on top of it sooner versus later is critical to prevent a snowball effect from occurring. Taking your laptop to a professional repair service, such as uBreakiFix at Asurion, can ensure hardware issues are diagnosed and repaired properly.

If your laptop is still under warranty, see if that warranty covers touchpad repairs.

Run Troubleshooter in Windows

Windows includes a touchpad troubleshooter that’s made to repair common touchpad issues. Visit Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot and find the touchpad in the options.

Follow the on-screen instructions to detect and fix any software issues. This tool is best at addressing driver or configuration problems.

It operates smoothly across laptops including the ASUS VivoBook and ZenBook. Running the troubleshooter from time to time will be able to catch and fix small bugs before they become a problem.

Roll Back or Update Drivers

Through Device Manager, you can roll back or update your touchpad drivers. If a recent update is the culprit, rolling back can fix it.

Or, for maximum device compatibility, download the most recent drivers from the ASUS support website. Ensuring that you have the most current drivers installed will help maintain the performance of the touchpad.

Keep an eye out for conflicts with other drivers, which can occasionally break functionality.

Reset Touchpad Settings to Default

Restoring default settings will fix most configuration errors. In Windows, go to touchpad settings and scroll to the bottom and click Reset.

If you have customized settings you would like to return to after reset, make sure to document those settings first. After you reset, try using the touchpad again to see if the problem persists.

For more severe hardware problems, resetting the BIOS and Embedded Controller (EC) can be beneficial.

Disabling Touchpad on Asus Laptop

Times when you may want to disable the touchpad on an ASUS laptop for example, it prevents unintentional clicks when you’re typing or when connected to an external mouse for detailed navigation. Here are some other easy ways to disable the touchpad.

Use Function Keys to Disable

Most ASUS laptops have a convenient function key to disable your touchpad. Search for a key with a touchpad icon on it, typically one of the F-keys.

Press this key combination with the ‘Fn’ key to disable the touchpad on an ASUS laptop. Certain models will indicate successful disablement with a light or on-screen message.

After this step, make sure to check the touchpad functionality to confirm it’s disabled. If the function key doesn’t work, please check the User Manual for your specific model, as hotkeys may vary.

Turn Off in Settings Menu

The second way is through the Windows settings. Open the Start menu, click on Settings, then click Devices, and click Touchpad.

Here, flip the switch to turn the switch “Off” position. After proceeding with this change, make sure that the touchpad is disabled by attempting to use it.

Disable Through Device Manager

For a more manual method, type Device Manager into the Start menu to open it. Under Mice and other pointing devices, find the touchpad, right-click and select Disable.

Reboot the laptop to apply the changes. If you ever need to manually download or reinstall drivers, head to the ASUS support website.

This is critically important if your laptop uses an Intel I2C driver. Please be aware that AMD-powered laptops do not need this driver.

Additional Tips

Resetting the Embedded Controller (EC) to factory preset will disable the touchpad.

Keeping BIOS, Windows, and drivers regularly updated will keep the system performing optimally as well as possibly making touchpad options more user-friendly.

Conclusion

Getting your touchpad working on an Asus laptop doesn’t have to be a hassle if you know what steps to take. If you’re running Windows 10 or Windows 11, we can help with that. No mouse No problem, you can make these changes easily without a mouse—whatever the situation! By adjusting the touchpad settings to your preferences, you can enhance your overall experience, allowing for a smoother, more efficient navigation experience. If problems do arise, easy access to troubleshooting ensures you can identify and resolve the issue in no time.

Your laptop’s touchpad makes your device highly portable and convenient, so having it working at its best can save you time on everyday tasks. Remember, you can always turn it off if you like to use an external mouse. Follow along closely with your installation and take action to ensure everything is set up exactly the way you want it. To get more tips, visit our related guide or follow our updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I activate the touchpad on my Asus laptop?

You can enable the touchpad again using the Fn + F9 key combination on your laptop’s keyboard. If this doesn’t help, go to touchpad settings in Windows Settings > Devices > Touchpad and make sure it’s turned on.

How do I activate the touchpad on an Asus laptop running Windows 11?

Navigate to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Touchpad. Double-check that the touchpad toggle is enabled. If it’s not working yet, use Device Manager to update or reinstall your touchpad driver.

Can I enable the touchpad without using a mouse?

Yes, it’s the keyboard shortcut Windows key + I to open Settings. Use the arrow keys to go to Devices > Touchpad and use Enter to enable the touchpad.

What should I do if my Asus touchpad isn’t working?

Make sure that your touchpad is not disabled in settings. If it doesn’t work yet, either update driver in Device Manager or restart your laptop. If the problem still continues, you should reach out to Asus support.

How can I adjust the touchpad sensitivity on my Asus laptop?

Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Touchpad. Under the sensitivity section, select low, medium, high, or most sensitive according to your needs.

Is it possible to disable the touchpad on an Asus laptop?

Yes, you can disable it through Settings > Devices > Touchpad and turning it off. Or press keyboard shortcut Fn + F9 to disable it temporarily.

What if my Asus laptop doesn’t show touchpad settings?

If you cannot find the touchpad settings, reinstall or update the touchpad driver via Device Manager. Make sure to restart your laptop after doing so. If the problem still exists, try looking for Windows updates or Asus support.