touchpad, cursor and now touchscreen not working properly - is it a software or hardware problem?

[ctrlfreak]

a month ago my touchpad started to lose sensitivity which progressed to the right side not working & then the entirety of the touchpad was touchy-feely/sometimes would stop working. I would left click on it & it might work for a few seconds.

1-2 weeks ago my cursor disappeared (tried restarting computer, fn + various f[#] keys, redowloading drivers, updating windows, rebooting computer). touchpad doesn't work. sometimes my cursor will appear like the ghost of christmas past on my screen though (still cant control it).

I have been supplementing loss of cursor through touchscreen but now that's starting to spaz out. i.e. the last place on my screen which i have tapped will start to sense intereference & spam tap the screen/scroll/highlight in that one spot, messing with my tabs. 

is this a software or hardware problem? any tips? 

[Garp_senchau]

@ctrlfreak,

Thanks for reaching out to the HP Support Community! 🎉

I’m here to help you troubleshoot your issue and get things back on track. Just follow these steps below, and we’ll have you running smoothly in no time:

Based on your description, it sounds like the issue could be both hardware and software-related, especially since you're seeing touchpad issues, a disappearing cursor, and touchscreen problems. Here's a breakdown of troubleshooting steps to help determine the root cause and possibly fix it:

Check for Updates:

• Ensure your Windows 11 is fully up to date. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and make sure everything is up to date.
• Check if any updates are pending, especially for drivers.

Reinstall or Update Touchpad Drivers:

• Device Manager:
  1. Right-click the Start button and choose Device Manager.
  2. Expand Mice and other pointing devices.
  3. Right-click on your touchpad (it might be listed as Synaptics, ELAN, or something else) and click Uninstall device.
  4. Restart your laptop to let Windows automatically reinstall the drivers. If that doesn't work, go to the laptop manufacturer’s website and download the latest touchpad drivers for your model.

Adjust Touchpad Sensitivity Settings:

• Go to Settings > Devices > Touchpad and check if any sensitivity settings or gestures are causing the issue. Try adjusting the settings or turning off certain features to see if that helps.

Disable Touchscreen Temporarily: Since your touchscreen is also acting erratic, you could disable it to see if that affects the issue:

1. Open Device Manager.
2. Expand Human Interface Devices.
3. Right-click HID-compliant touch screen and select Disable device.
4. Restart the laptop and check if the issue persists.

Check for Malware/Interference:

• Run a complete system scan using Windows Defender or any third-party antivirus software to rule out any malware or programs that might be interfering with input devices.

Check the Touchpad Settings in BIOS: Sometimes, touchpad issues may stem from BIOS settings. Try resetting BIOS to default:

1. Restart your computer and press Esc or F10 (varies by manufacturer) to enter BIOS.
2. Look for an option related to the touchpad or input devices.
3. Reset BIOS settings to default and save.

[Garp_senchau]

External Mouse Test:

• Plug in an external USB mouse and check if it works without any issues. If the mouse works fine, it’s likely a touchpad or touchscreen hardware issue.

Check for Physical Damage:

• Inspect your touchpad and screen for physical damage or dirt. Dirt, moisture, or even subtle damage can cause erratic behavior.
• Clean the touchpad and screen with a soft microfiber cloth to remove any dust or residue.

Test Touchpad Using External Software:

• Run software designed to help test touchpad behavior. It might reveal any inconsistencies with touchpad performance.

Test the Touchpad in Safe Mode:

• Boot into Safe Mode to check if a third-party program or service is causing the issue. Safe Mode loads only essential drivers.
  1. Press Shift + Restart from the Start menu.
  2. Select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings and click Restart.
  3. Once your system restarts, select Safe Mode.
• In Safe Mode, test the touchpad to see if it behaves differently. If it works in Safe Mode, a software conflict is likely causing the issue.

Hardware Diagnostics:

• HP laptops often come with built-in diagnostics. Press Esc (or F2) during startup to run HP’s hardware diagnostics. Check the results for any issues with the touchpad or other components.

If the issue persists after all these steps:

Touchpad Hardware Failure: It’s possible the touchpad or the touchscreen is starting to fail physically, especially if the cursor randomly appears and disappears or the touchpad stops working entirely.

Loose Connections: There could be a loose connection between the motherboard and the touchpad.

I’m pretty confident this will do the trick! But hey, if you run into any bumps along the way or need a little extra help, just give me a shout! I’ve got your back. 💪

And if this reply solved your problem (or made you feel like a tech wizard 😎), please click "Accepted Solution". It helps others, and I promise I’ll do a little happy dance. 🕺 Also, if you could click 'Yes' under ‘Was this reply helpful?’—that’s like giving me a virtual high-five. 🙌

Thanks again for being awesome, and I hope you have an amazing day ahead! 🌟

Cheers,