Disappearance of keyboard and touchpad control with Windows 11 update August 2026

[Phaedrus51]

Not a question, but a question and answer, in case it helps anyone:

A Windows 11 update in AUG2026 resulted in loss of keyboard and touchpad on my HP Envy x360 -- 15bpxx. I was able to turn it on in tablet mode, using an onscreen keyboard. I hunted for an answer (using another computer).

First, I learned to my dismay that HP does not provide Keyboard or Touchpad drivers for my laptop in Windows 11.

Then, I ruled out hardware issues by verifying that keyboard worked in BIOS:

1) Switch on laptop.

2) Press ESC key repeatedly until a screen appears showing various function keys.

3) Press F10 on keyboard. It changes the screen, proving that the keyboard works, and it is not a hardware issue. What appears is the BIOS Screen. Can further verify by scrolling using arrow keys, typing (e.g., password), etc. Make sure to "Exit without saving".

Then, Google and its AI suggested the following, which worked for me:

"Re-link the I2C Controller Driver

The communication bridge between the motherboard and your touchpad is handled by the I2C controller. If this bridge reverts to a generic Microsoft controller, the settings disappear. [1, 2]

1. Right-click the Start menu and open Device Manager.
2. Click View at the top and select Show hidden devices.
3. Expand Human Interface Devices (HID).
4. Look for I2C HID Device. (If it has a hidden or functioning status, right-click it anyway).
5. Select Update driver > Browse my computer for drivers > Let me pick from a list.
6. Switch it from the generic device to the specific Intel Serial IO or Synaptics controller if visible, then click Next and restart. [1, 2, 3, 4]"