When a Dell touchpad or keyboard stops working, Dell's touchpad article separates causes: outdated or corrupt drivers, wrong settings, hardware failure or a physical cause. Its order: check the touchpad is turned on (a function key or Windows setting can disable it), clean the pad and your finger of grease or liquid, save your work and restart, and do not touch the pad until the laptop has fully booted, because it calibrates at startup. If Dell has no touchpad driver listed for your model, it says Microsoft provides the driver through Windows Update. Dell also warns that an erratic or dead touchpad can be a sign of a swollen battery; if the pad or keyboard feels raised or the laptop wobbles on a flat surface, stop using it.
Differential
Likely causes of “Dell laptops keyboard or trackpad is not working correctly”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
The touchpad is switched off
What separates it The pointer does not move but the keyboard works
How to confirm Dell says to make sure the touchpad is turned on, with the function key or in Windows settings
- 2
Dirt, grease or liquid on the pad or finger
What separates it The pointer is erratic or stops because of dirt, grease or liquid on the pad or finger
How to confirm Dell says the touchpad needs good contact; clean the pad and your finger
- 3
A touching-during-boot calibration
What separates it The pointer is off after startup because of a calibration made by touching during boot
How to confirm Dell says not to touch the touchpad until the laptop has fully booted, as it calibrates then
- 4
A driver problem
What separates it The touchpad settings are missing or gestures fail because of a driver problem
How to confirm Dell says if no driver is listed, Microsoft provides it through Windows Update; update Windows or reinstall from Device Manager
- 5
A swollen battery
What separates it The trackpad or keyboard feels raised or clicks poorly, and the laptop wobbles
How to confirm Dell's warning signs: bulging, gaps, a raised trackpad, wobbling, a screen that will not close; stop using it
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Which Dell laptop you have and its Service Tag and Windows version
- Whether the touchpad is off, erratic or dead, and whether an external mouse works
- Whether any swelling sign is present (gaps, raised pad, wobble, screen not closing)
- Whether the fault began after an update or a spill
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedCheck the touchpad is on
ReversibleCheck the touchpad is on, by using the touchpad function key and Settings, Bluetooth and devices, Touchpad.
Clean the pad
ReversibleWipe with a dry cloth and clean your finger; Dell says grease and liquid disturb it.
Restart without touching
ReversibleRestart without touching, by restarting and leaving the touchpad alone until Windows loads, as Dell describes.
Update Windows and the driver
ReversibleUpdate Windows and the driver, by installing Windows updates, or the driver from SupportAssist if Dell lists one.
Check for swelling
ReversibleLook for gaps, a raised pad, a wobble or a screen that will not close, and stop if any are present.
Test an external mouse and keyboard
ReversibleTest an external mouse and keyboard, and if they work, the fault is in the built in device.
Run Dell diagnostics
ReversibleRun Dell diagnostics, by pressing F12 at start, or using SupportAssist, and running the touchpad and keyboard tests.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Input by line
- Where Dell lists no touchpad driver for a model, Windows Update supplies it, per Dell's article. Business Latitudes may lock touchpad settings by policy.
- Swelling signs
- Bulging battery compartment, case gaps, a raised or poorly clicking trackpad or keyboard, a wobble on a flat surface and a screen that will not close, per Dell's articles.
- Tools and supplies
- An external USB mouse and keyboard to test, a flashlight to look between keys and a dry towel. Do not use liquids.
- Repair cost
- A stuck key or a jumpy pointer is often a setting, dirt or a driver. A keyboard repair at an independent shop is $89 to $199, and liquid damage $199 to $399, per BadgerLayer's 2026 laptop repair guide.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit models XPS 14 9440, XPS 16 9640, Inspiron 14 5440, Inspiron 16 5640, Latitude 5450, Latitude 7450, Precision 5690, R2.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If an external mouse works and the touchpad does not after a restart and driver update, contact Dell for service
- !If keys fail in rows after a spill, switch it off and have it inspected
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Enabling the touchpad, cleaning, restart calibration, drivers and swollen battery signs.
Lithium-ion battery aging, 18 to 24 months, swelling signs, storage at 50 percent, ExpressCharge, Wh and non-removable batteries.
The XPS premium laptop line.
The Latitude business laptop line.
Exact questions
Common questions
Can I turn the touchpad off with a key?+
Dell's article shows how to disable and enable the touchpad, often with a function key or in Windows settings. If the pointer suddenly stops, check that first.
Why is my Dell touchpad not working?+
Dell lists outdated or corrupt drivers, incorrect settings, hardware failure and other factors. Start by turning it on, cleaning it and restarting.
What if Dell lists no touchpad driver?+
Dell says it then means Microsoft supplies the driver through Windows Update, and Dell has none to provide.
Can a swollen battery break the touchpad?+
Dell says a distorted or non-working touchpad can be a sign of a swollen battery; check for bulging, gaps, raised keys or a wobble.
Should I try a different cursor setting?+
Yes. Adjust the touchpad sensitivity and gestures in Windows settings; a sensitivity that is too low looks like a dead pad.
Does the XPS have a haptic touchpad?+
If the click feels different, test in Windows settings and after a restart.
Is the keyboard backlight related?+
Not usually. A dead backlight and a dead keyboard together point at power or the board, not the touchpad.
Do I need a part number to order a keyboard?+
No. Dell identifies the laptop by its Service Tag.
Can I clean under the keys?+
A gentle puff of air or a soft brush helps. Do not spray liquid into the keyboard.