If your Dell laptop touchpad suddenly stops working or disappears from Device Manager, the most common reason is a missing, outdated, or corrupted touchpad driver. This issue often occurs after a Windows update, system reset, or incorrect driver installation.
Without the proper touchpad device driver, gestures, scrolling, and even basic cursor movement may fail. This guide explains how to restore a missing Dell touchpad driver, starting with the most reliable and efficient solution, followed by additional proven fixes.
Update Dell Touchpad Driver Using Driver Talent X
When the touchpad driver is missing entirely, manual troubleshooting can be time-consuming. Driver Talent X automatically detects missing drivers and installs the correct Dell touchpad driver based on your system model and Windows version.
Download and Install:
Use an external working mouse or the keyboard (use the Tab key and arrow keys for navigation) to download and install the Driver Talent X application.
Run Scan:
Launch the application and go to "Drivers" > "Scan", click "Scan".
The software will perform a deep analysis of your system, focusing on peripheral and controller drivers.
Install the Update:
After the scan is complete, the software will display a list of all drivers that need attention.
Select the necessary drivers and click the "Repair Now" button. Driver Talent X will automatically download and install the official compatible touchpad driver.
Restart your computer:
Do not interrupt the driver installation or put the system to sleep.
Reboot the system to activate the restored touchpad driver.
After restarting, check whether the touchpad appears in Device Manager and test cursor movement and gestures.
Why the Dell Touchpad Driver Goes Missing
Windows updates overwrite or remove drivers
System restore or reset deletes device drivers
Incorrect or incompatible driver installation
BIOS settings disable the touchpad
Corrupted system files
Accidental device disablement
Fix 1: Enable Touchpad in Windows Settings
Sometimes the driver is installed, but the touchpad is disabled in system settings.
Open Settings.
Go to Devices.
Select "Touchpad"
Make sure the touchpad toggle is turned On.
Adjust sensitivity and gesture settings if needed.
Test the touchpad after enabling it.
Fix 2: Check for Disabled or Hidden Devices
The touchpad driver may be disabled or hidden.
Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
Expand Mice and other pointing devices and Human Interface Devices.
Look for Synaptics, ELAN, HID-compliant touchpad, or I2C HID Device.
Right-click the device and select "Enable device" if available.
If the device does not appear, click View and select "Show hidden devices".
Restart the system after making changes.
Fix 3: Reinstall the Touchpad Driver Manually
If the driver appears but does not function correctly, reinstalling it can help.
Open Device Manager.
Right-click the touchpad device, select "Uninstall device".
Check "Delete the driver software for this device" if available, click "Uninstall".
Restart your computer.
Allow Windows to reinstall the driver automatically or use Driver Talent X to reinstall it.
Fix 4: Check BIOS Touchpad Settings
Dell laptops allow touchpad control from BIOS.
Restart your computer.
Press F2 repeatedly to enter BIOS.
Navigate to System Configuration or Advanced Settings.
Locate "Touchpad" or "Internal Pointing Device", make sure it is set to "Enabled".
Save changes and exit BIOS.
Once Windows loads, test the touchpad again.
Fix 5: Run Windows Hardware Troubleshooter
Windows can sometimes detect and fix driver-related issues.
Open Settings > Update & Security.
Go to Troubleshoot.
Click Additional troubleshooters.
Find Hardware and Devices, click "Run the troubleshooter".
Follow on-screen instructions.
Restart your system after troubleshooting.
Fix 6: Check for System File Corruption
Corrupted system files can prevent drivers from loading.
Open Command Prompt as Administrator (Win + R > type "cmd" > right-click and choose "Run as administrator").
Type the following command and press Enter: sfc /scannow.
Wait for the scan to complete.
Restart your computer.
How to Prevent Dell Touchpad Driver Issues
Keep drivers updated using Driver Talent X.
Avoid interrupting Windows updates.
Do not install incompatible third-party drivers.
Periodically check BIOS settings after updates.
Create a system restore point before major updates.
Conclusion
If your Dell touchpad device driver is missing, the fastest and most reliable way to restore it is by using Driver Talent X. It automatically detects missing drivers and installs the correct version without guesswork.
Combined with BIOS checks, Windows settings adjustments, and manual reinstallation methods, these solutions ensure your Dell touchpad works properly again and stays stable after future updates.
