Symptoms
- Trackpad worked fine before the update and stopped immediately after
- Trackpad may move the cursor but not click, or vice versa
- Trackpad settings look different or reset to default after the update
- External mouse works fine, confirming it's specific to the trackpad
Likely causes
- CommonUpdate replaced the manufacturer's trackpad driver with a generic oneThis is a known side effect of some major OS updates.
- CommonTrackpad settings reset to default, including disabling itUpdates can sometimes reset preferences, including whether the trackpad is enabled.
- PossibleDriver incompatibility introduced by the updateA newer OS version may need an updated driver that hasn't been released yet.
- PossibleUpdate process was interrupted, leaving some drivers only partially installedAn interrupted update can leave the system in an inconsistent state.
What to do
- Check trackpad settings first to confirm it wasn't simply disabled by the update.
- Check Device Manager (Windows) for the trackpad driver status and reinstall it if it shows an error.
- Download and install the latest trackpad driver from the manufacturer's support site, since it may be newer than what shipped with the update.
- Restart the laptop fully after reinstalling drivers.
- Check the manufacturer's site for a known issues list related to the specific update version.
- If it's macOS, check System Settings > Trackpad and try toggling settings off and back on.
Tools and parts
- External mouse (for testing)
When to call a pro
If reinstalling the correct driver doesn't fix it, check the manufacturer's support site for a known compatibility issue with that specific update, or contact them directly.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.