Touchpad Failure

[deductress]

Hello All,

So about a week ago, my touchpad kept randomly stopping working. I searched for answers and first tried driver updates and  reinstalled the entire touchpad driver. When I check Control Panel, the touchpad doesn't even show up as if it exists. The mouse I am using temporarily does, but even if I disconnect it - the touchpad still does not appear.

Next I referred to the HP support website, it suggested downloading the hardware diagnostic tool - did that and ran an extensive scan; no issues identified at all.

I read on a random forum, that one person said it could be due to a faulty battery - expanding with heat and pushing against the touchpad connections. So I removed my battery, and as it happens - it had expanded. So I bought a replacement battery, and that did seem to solve the problem for about a day. Then the touchpad stopped working again.

So now I'm out of answers. I've tried software, tried hardware and considered external problems - none seem to make a difference. Any advice or support on the matter would be well received.

Just to add, I bought the laptop one year ago as a refurb and it was in top working order - and has working completely flawlessly up until the last week.

Thank you.

[deductress]

The complete and total lack of replies suggests my laptop is dying, I'm going to assume.