If you are experiencing issues with your Chromebook's touchpad, such as the cursor not moving, gestures not working, or the pointer behaving erratically, there are a few troubleshooting steps you can try to determine whether the issue is software related or if it's a hardware issue.
Step 1: Restart the Chromebook
- The easiest way to determine if you're experiencing a software issue is to restart the Chromebook.
Step 2: Clean the Touchpad
- Dirt, moisture, or residue can interfere with touch detection. Power off the device and gently clean the touchpad with a dry, lint-free cloth.
Step 3: Disconnect External Devices
- Unplug any external devices like a mouse, keyboard, or USB device, then restart the device.
Step 4: Check Touchpad Settings
- Select the time in the bottom right corner of the screen, then select the gear⚙️ icon.
- On the left side of the window, select Device.
- Then on the right side, select Touchpad.
- In the Touchpad settings, test and verify the following settings:
- Tap-to-click
- Touchpad acceleration
- Touchpad speed
Step 6: Check for a ChromeOS update
- Open Settings⚙️.
- Select About ChromeOS.
- Click Check for updates.
- Install any available updates and restart the device.
Step 7: Test in Guest Mode
- Select the time in the bottom right corner of the screen.
- Locate and select the Power icon.
- Select Sign out.
- Near the bottom left corner of the lock screen, select Browse as Guest.
If the touchpad works in Guest mode, the issue may be caused by user-specific settings or extensions.
Step 8: Reset the Chromebook (Powerwash)
If the issue persists, performing a full factory reset, or Powerwash can help reset any settings that you may have missed and remove any third-party settings that may be affecting the touchpad.
- Open Settings⚙️.
- Select System preferences.
- Scroll down and locate Powerwash.
- Select Reset and follow the prompts to Powerwash the Chromebook.
Note: This will erase local data for all users. Make sure that any important files are backed up or synced to your Google Drive.