Why is my laptop trackpad not scrolling?

If you’ve been using an external mouse before the scrolling issue began, it might be causing the problem. Disconnect any external mouse and restart your laptop. Sometimes, the system prioritizes the external device, causing the trackpad to malfunction. Removing the external device and restarting can often restore normal trackpad functionality.

This kind of issue might stem from disabled touchpad gestures in your settings. Sometimes, software updates or inadvertent changes can disable these functionalities. To re-enable them, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + I to open ‘Settings.’
2. Navigate to ‘Devices,’ then select ‘Touchpad.’
3. Scroll to the ‘Scroll and zoom’ section.
4. Ensure the ‘Drag’ option is activated.
5. Check the ‘Three or four finger swipes’ for proper settings.

After enabling these settings, my scrolling feature began to work properly again.

Your issue might relate to the power management settings that Windows uses to conserve battery. Modifying these settings might help. Try these steps:

1. Open ‘Device Manager’ using the Start menu.
2. Expand ‘Mice and other pointing devices.’
3. Right-click on your touchpad, then click ‘Properties.’
4. Go to the ‘Power Management’ tab.
5. Uncheck ‘Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.’

Apply these settings and restart your laptop. This change ensures the trackpad isn’t affected by power-saving adjustments.

I encountered a similar issue where my laptop trackpad wasn’t scrolling, and the solution was simpler than expected. Dust or dirt on the trackpad might interfere. Here’s what I did:

1. Turn off your laptop.
2. Use a microfiber cloth to clean the trackpad gently.
3. For stubborn dirt, a damp cloth (with water, no chemicals) worked well.
4. Let it dry fully before powering the laptop back on.

Cleaning resolved the issue for me, eliminating any interference caused by grime.

You might want to run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter built into Windows. This tool can identify and rectify issues with the trackpad. To do this:

1. Open the Start menu and type ‘Troubleshoot.’
2. Select ‘Troubleshoot settings.’
3. Scroll to ‘Hardware and Devices.’
4. Click ‘Run the troubleshooter.’

The troubleshooter will scan for and suggest fixes, guiding you through the diagnostics process.

One potential fix for your laptop trackpad not scrolling issue could be an outdated or corrupted driver. You might want to try updating the driver as this can often resolve trackpad problems. Here’s a quick way to do it:

1. Press the Windows key + X to open the power user menu.
2. Choose ‘Device Manager’ from the menu.
3. Expand the ‘Mice and other pointing devices’ section.
4. Right-click on your touchpad device and select ‘Update driver.’
5. Opt for ‘Search automatically for updated driver software.’

If Windows finds an update, it will install it. After updating, restart your laptop to check if the scrolling feature is operational again.

For me, the problem with my touchpad not scrolling stemmed from an outdated BIOS. BIOS updates can solve compatibility issues. Here’s the process I followed:

1. Visit your laptop manufacturer’s website.
2. Navigate to the support/downloads section.
3. Locate the latest BIOS update for your model.
4. Download the update.
5. Carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions to install the BIOS update.

This approach fixed the scrolling issue on my laptop.