Lenovo laptops are known for their performance and build quality, making them a top choice in schools, offices, and remote work setups. But even reliable machines have their hiccups. One frustrating issue that many users face is the Lenovo touchpad not working, sometimes after a system update, sometimes for no apparent reason at all.
In this guide, I'll walk you through how to fix the touchpad not responding on Lenovo laptops, particularly on Windows 10 and 11, using built-in tools like Event Viewer and Device Manager.
Part 1: Use Windows Event Viewer to diagnose Lenovo touchpad problems
Before diving into driver reinstalls or system resets, it's smart to start with Windows Event Viewer, a built-in tool that logs all hardware and software events. If your Lenovo touchpad is not working, this can help pinpoint whether the issue began after a specific Windows update or system conflict.
Step 1: Open Windows Event Viewer
Press Win + X, then select Event Viewer
In the left sidebar, expand Windows Logs and click System
Step 2: Look for relevant Event IDs
Focus on events marked as Warnings or Errors.
Check for Event IDs like 51, 10016, or anything referencing HID-compliant devices or Synaptics touchpad
Step 3: Match timestamps with failure
Try to remember when your Lenovo laptop touchpad stopped working (Windows 10/11)
Scroll to that date/time and check if there were driver installations, updates, or failed processes at that moment
Tip: Keep an eye out for device-related logs tied to HID or I2C; those usually relate to touchpads or pointing devices.
Last year, my Lenovo touchpad stopped working after a Windows 11 update. It wasn't just lagging; it completely froze. I opened Event Viewer and found a Device Install Failure message right after the update timestamp. That led me to realize the Synaptics driver had failed to initialize. Thanks to that log, I rolled back the driver, restarted, and boom, the touchpad back in action.
If you're in a similar situation where your Lenovo ThinkPad touchpad gets disabled automatically, Event Viewer is a goldmine. It helps you avoid guesswork and go straight to the root cause.
Part 2: Update or reinstall Lenovo touchpad drivers via Device Manager
If Event Viewer confirms that your Lenovo touchpad is not working due to driver failure, the next step is to repair or reinstall the driver through Device Manager. This method works especially well if your touchpad stops working after a Windows update or is missing from your settings entirely.
Step 1: Open Device Manager
Press Win + X and select Device Manager
Expand Human Interface Devices or Mice and other pointing devices
Step 2: Update the touchpad driver
Right-click on HID-compliant touchpad or Synaptics SMBus Touchpad
Choose Update driver > Search automatically for drivers
Restart your laptop to apply the changes
Step 3: Reinstall the touchpad driver (if update fails)
Right-click the same device and select Uninstall device
After uninstalling, restart your laptop
Windows will automatically reinstall a compatible touchpad driver during reboot
Tip: On some models, the touchpad can be accidentally disabled using function keys. Try pressing Fn + F6, Fn + F8, or a similar combination. Also, check BIOS settings to ensure the touchpad is enabled.
When I found my Lenovo laptop touchpad not working on Windows 10, I initially assumed it was a hardware issue. But after opening Device Manager, I noticed a warning icon next to the HID-compliant touchpad. Updating didn't solve it, so I uninstalled the device, restarted the system, and Windows handled the rest. Within minutes, the touchpad was back and fully responsive.
This method is especially helpful when the Lenovo touchpad stops working after an update, something that happens more often than you'd expect.
Part 3: Stay productive with an external mouse and WPS Office during downtime
If your Lenovo touchpad is not working and you're in the middle of an assignment or workday, don't panic. While you troubleshoot the issue, you can easily stay productive by connecting an external mouse and using a lightweight office suite like WPS Office.
Step 1: Connect an external mouse
Plug in a USB mouse, most will work instantly without extra drivers
Alternatively, connect a Bluetooth mouse via Settings > Bluetooth & devices
You can even use a wireless dongle mouse for a clutter-free setup
Step 2: Launch WPS Office
Download and install from the WPS Office official website
Open your files using WPS Writer, Presentation, or Spreadsheets
WPS supports DOCX, PPTX, XLSX, and even PDFs right out of the box
Step 3: Use cloud sync to secure your progress
Sign in to your WPS account for cloud backup
Your work is saved even if your laptop restarts during touchpad driver updates
Easily resume work on another device if needed
Tip: WPS Office is light on CPU and RAM, which is ideal when your system is under stress. Plus, the Premium version (just $29.99/year) adds PDF editing, file recovery, and more.
How I stayed productive during my touchpad issue
When my Lenovo ThinkPad touchpad was disabled automatically after an update, I was working on a client presentation. Thankfully, I plugged in a basic USB mouse and launched WPS Presentation. Everything opened smoothly. I edited slides, inserted charts, and even exported a PDF, all without a working touchpad.
That experience reminded me why I keep WPS Office installed on every laptop I use. It's fast, reliable, and doesn't crash when my device is under pressure.
FAQs
Q1: Why did my Lenovo touchpad stop working suddenly?
Your Lenovo touchpad may stop working due to a driver conflict, a recent Windows 10/11 update, or an accidental touchpad deactivation via a function key like Fn + F6.
Q2: How do I re-enable the touchpad on Lenovo?
Try pressing Fn + F6 or Fn + F8 first. If that doesn't work, go to Settings > Devices > Touchpad or check the BIOS to ensure the touchpad is enabled.
Q3: What if reinstalling the driver doesn't work?
If updating or reinstalling the driver doesn't fix it, try a System Restore to a point before the issue began. If the problem persists, contact Lenovo Support for a possible hardware issue.
Q4: Can I work without the touchpad temporarily?
Yes. Plug in an external mouse and use WPS Office to keep working smoothly. It's optimized for multitasking and works well on both Windows 10 and Windows 11 laptops.
Summary
If your Lenovo touchpad is not working, don't panic; there's a logical way to troubleshoot it without rushing to a repair center. Start with Windows Event Viewer to spot hidden errors or system conflicts. Next, update or reinstall the touchpad driver via Device Manager and double-check BIOS settings and function keys that may have disabled the touchpad by accident.
If the problem happened after a Windows 10 or 11 update, a rollback or system restore might be your best fix. In the meantime, stay productive with an external mouse and WPS Office. It's a fast, dependable alternative to heavier office software, perfect for getting work done even when your touchpad refuses to cooperate.
