Touchpad stuck in drag mode

[Blev12]

I recently had an incident where my touchpad on my laptop was physically pushed down with force. The touchpad was visibly lower than it was before this happened. When I moved my cursor around with the touchpad everything began to highlight and drag. I know this isn’t a software issue, because I have since opened my computer a few times to push it back up. It seems to solve the problem temporarily, but it always starts to highlight things again. I would like to know if there’s a way I could resolve this issue myself.

[Rachel571 · Accepted solution]

Hi @Blev12 

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

It sounds like your touchpad is physically damaged or misaligned, which is causing it to behave erratically, like being stuck in "drag mode." The issue seems to be more related to the hardware (the touchpad itself or its mechanism) rather than the software, especially given the physical impact you mentioned.

Here are a few steps you can try to fix the issue yourself:

1. Check for Physical Damage

• If the touchpad was pushed down with force, it could have damaged the mechanism or the internal components, like the flex cable that connects the touchpad to the motherboard.
• Try gently pressing around the edges of the touchpad to see if there’s any noticeable gap or misalignment. If there is, it may indicate the touchpad has shifted out of place or come loose.

2. Re-seat the Touchpad (If Comfortable Opening the Laptop)

• Since you mentioned opening the laptop before, you could try reseating the touchpad. Here’s a general approach (make sure the laptop is powered off and unplugged before starting):
  • Remove the back panel (or the appropriate panels based on your laptop's design).
  • Locate the touchpad connection to the motherboard. This will usually be a flat, flexible cable (often labeled as a "FPC" or "flex cable").
  • Disconnect and reconnect the cable—sometimes, a loose connection can cause erratic touchpad behavior. Make sure the cable is securely connected to both the touchpad and the motherboard.
  • Check the touchpad mount: If it's loose, it might need to be gently adjusted or re-positioned to sit properly in its mounting bracket.

3. Inspect for Dirt or Debris

• Sometimes dirt, dust, or debris can get under the touchpad and cause it to malfunction. Use a soft brush (like a small paintbrush or toothbrush) to gently clean around the edges and beneath the touchpad.
• Avoid using liquids directly on the touchpad, as moisture could damage it further.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

Rachel571

HP Support

[Blev12]

Hi Rachel! This was very helpful and it resolved my issue!! I appreciate your assistance, thank you!

[Riddle_Decipher]

Hi @Blev12,
 

A huge thank you for marking this post as the 'Accepted Solution'! We're thrilled that we could help resolve your issue.

If you have any more questions or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to ask. We're here to help!

Thanks again for your confirmation, and we wish you an amazing day ahead!

Regards,
@Riddle_Decipher 
HP Support