Is your ASUS ROG STRIX touchpad not working? Find effective solutions and troubleshooting tips to fix this issue and regain smooth navigation. Explore now!
If your ASUS ROG STRIX touchpad is not working, it can be a frustrating experience. Whether it’s completely unresponsive, lagging, or acting erratically, this guide will walk you through the steps to fix the issue. The solutions range from simple troubleshooting to more advanced methods, so let’s dive right in.
1. Check if the Touchpad is Disabled
The first thing you should check is whether the touchpad has been accidentally disabled. Many laptops, including ASUS ROG STRIX, have a function key that disables the touchpad.
Steps to Enable the Touchpad:
- Locate the Fn key on your keyboard.
- Press the Fn key along with the function key (usually F9 or F6) that has the touchpad icon.
- Check if the touchpad starts working.
If this doesn’t work, there might be a deeper issue that needs addressing.
2. Update or Reinstall Touchpad Drivers
Outdated or corrupted touchpad drivers can cause the touchpad to malfunction. Updating or reinstalling the drivers can often resolve the issue.
Steps to Update Touchpad Drivers:
- Right-click on the Start menu and select Device Manager.
- Expand the Human Interface Devices or Mice and other pointing devices section.
- Right-click on your touchpad driver (often listed as ASUS Touchpad or Synaptics) and select Update driver.
- Choose Search automatically for updated driver software and follow the prompts.
Steps to Reinstall Touchpad Drivers:
- In Device Manager, right-click on the touchpad driver and select Uninstall device.
- Restart your laptop. Windows will automatically reinstall the driver.
After updating or reinstalling the driver, check if the touchpad is functioning correctly.
3. Check Touchpad Settings in Windows
Sometimes, the touchpad settings in Windows might have been changed accidentally. It’s a good idea to check these settings and ensure everything is configured correctly.
Steps to Check Touchpad Settings:
- Press Win + I to open the Settings menu.
- Navigate to Devices and then click on Touchpad.
- Ensure that the touchpad is turned on and that the sensitivity settings are appropriate.
- If you see an option for “Leave touchpad on when a mouse is connected,” make sure it’s enabled if you want to use the touchpad alongside a mouse.
If the settings were incorrect, adjusting them might solve the issue.
4. Perform a System Restore
If the touchpad stopped working after a recent update or installation of new software, performing a system restore might fix the issue. This process will revert your system back to a point when everything was functioning properly.
Steps to Perform a System Restore:
- Press Win + S and type System Restore, then select Create a restore point.
- In the System Properties window, click on System Restore.
- Select a restore point from the list (preferably one before the touchpad issue started) and follow the on-screen instructions.
Once the process is complete, check if your touchpad is working again.
5. Check for Windows Updates
Keeping your system updated can help prevent and fix many issues, including touchpad problems. A pending Windows update might contain patches or fixes for your touchpad issue.
Steps to Check for Windows Updates:
- Press Win + I to open the Settings menu.
- Navigate to Update & Security and then click on Windows Update.
- Click on Check for updates and install any pending updates.
After the updates are installed, restart your laptop and check if the touchpad issue is resolved.
6. Boot in Safe Mode
Booting your laptop in Safe Mode can help you determine if the issue is caused by third-party software or drivers. In Safe Mode, only essential drivers and services run, so if the touchpad works in Safe Mode, the problem might be related to software or drivers.
Steps to Boot in Safe Mode:
- Press Win + R, type msconfig, and hit Enter.
- In the System Configuration window, go to the Boot tab and check the box next to Safe boot.
- Select Minimal and click OK.
- Restart your laptop, and it will boot into Safe Mode.
Test the touchpad in Safe Mode. If it works, consider uninstalling any recently installed software or drivers that might be causing the issue.
7. Reset Your ASUS ROG STRIX to Factory Settings
If none of the above solutions work, resetting your laptop to factory settings might be necessary. This should be your last resort, as it will erase all your data and installed software, reverting your laptop to its original state.
Steps to Reset to Factory Settings:
- Press Win + I to open the Settings menu.
- Navigate to Update & Security and select Recovery.
- Under Reset this PC, click Get started.
- Choose whether to keep your files or remove everything, then follow the on-screen instructions.
After the reset, your touchpad should function as expected if the issue was software-related.
8. Hardware Issues: When to Seek Professional Help
If you’ve tried all the above solutions and your touchpad is still not working, the problem might be hardware-related. This could involve issues with the touchpad itself, the internal cable connections, or the motherboard.
At this point, it’s recommended to contact ASUS support or take your laptop to an authorized repair center. Attempting to fix hardware issues yourself without proper expertise can lead to further damage.
Conclusion
A non-working touchpad on your ASUS ROG STRIX can be a real inconvenience, but with the steps outlined above, you should be able to identify and fix the problem. Start with the basic troubleshooting methods, like checking if the touchpad is disabled or updating drivers, and work your way up to more advanced solutions like system restore or factory reset. If all else fails, seeking professional help is the best course of action to avoid further complications.
By following these steps, you’ll increase your chances of getting your touchpad back in working order, allowing you to use your ASUS ROG STRIX laptop to its full potential once again.
