Fix Ubuntu Touchpad Issues: Simple Guide Inside!

If your touchpad is not working on Ubuntu, here are some troubleshooting steps:

Check Basic Settings

• Ensure the touchpad is enabled: Go to "Settings" -> "Mouse & Touchpad". Make sure the "Touchpad" slider is in the "On" position.
• External Mouse Conflict: If an external mouse is connected, disconnect it to see if the touchpad starts working. Sometimes, Ubuntu might disable the touchpad automatically when an external mouse is detected.

Synaptics Driver Issues

• Reinstall Synaptics driver: Open a terminal and run the following commands:

  sudo apt-get update
  sudo apt-get install --reinstall xserver-xorg-input-synaptics

• Restart the system: After reinstalling, reboot your computer.

libinput Driver Issues

• Reinstall libinput driver: If you are using libinput instead of Synaptics, run:

  sudo apt-get update
  sudo apt-get install --reinstall xserver-xorg-input-libinput

  

• Restart the system: Reboot your computer after reinstalling.

GRUB Configuration

• Edit GRUB file: Open the GRUB configuration file with administrative privileges:

  sudo nano /etc/default/grub

• Add kernel parameter: Find the line starting with GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT= and add *=1 *_intertouch=1 inside the quotes. For example:

  GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash *=1 *_intertouch=1"

• Update GRUB: Save the file (Ctrl+X, then Y, then Enter) and update GRUB:

  sudo update-grub

• Reboot: Restart your computer.

Check for Disabled Touchpad

• Using `xinput`: Open a terminal and list input devices:

  xinput list

• Find touchpad ID: Identify your touchpad in the list (e.g., "SynPS/2 Synaptics TouchPad"). Note its ID.
• Enable touchpad: If it's disabled, enable it using:

  xinput enable [touchpad ID]

  Replace [touchpad ID] with the actual ID of your touchpad.

Kernel Issues and Updates

• Update kernel: Ensure your kernel is up to date. Sometimes, touchpad issues are resolved in newer kernel versions:

  sudo apt-get update
  sudo apt-get dist-upgrade

• Consider a newer kernel: If the issue persists, consider installing a newer kernel version.

Check for Hardware Issues

If none of the above steps work, there may be a hardware problem with your touchpad. Consider seeking professional hardware repair.