Over the years since its inception, Linux has gotten easier and easier to use. It wont to be that even getting it to run in the least was a victory, and now we take that without any consideration . That said, not everything runs as flawlessly because it could. So, How to Fix a Touchpad Not Working in Linux ?
Laptops, especially newer laptops, can still be problematic with Linux. a part of this comes right down to Wi-Fi and battery management, but the touchpad is usually responsible also . Unfortunately, trying to repair a touchpad not working in Linux can take some advanced troubleshooting.
Before You Start
If your touchpad isn’t working and you’re connected to an external mouse, sign up your System Settings to make certain you’ve got not enabled the “disabled touchpad when mouse is connected” option.
Basic Troubleshooting
If your touchpad isn’t responding in the least , check to ascertain whether the system even recognizes it. Start by running the following:
cat /proc/bus/input/devices
Consider using less instead of cat if the output is way too long. You can also run the following:
cat /proc/bus/input/devices | grep -i touchpad
You should see results similar to the following:
I: Bus=0011 Vendor=0002 Product=0007 Version=01b1 N: Name="SynPS/2 Synaptics TouchPad" P: Phys=isa0060/serio2/input0 S: Sysfs=/devices/platform/i8042/serio2/input/input8 U: Uniq= H: Handlers=mouse2 event8 B: EV=b B: KEY=420 0 70000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 B: ABS=11000003
If your output doesn’t look anything just like the above, either you’re handling a kernel bug or the hardware simply isn’t recognized. On the opposite hand, if you are doing get similar results, try the following:
xinput list
If you get results from xinput, you’re on the brink of an answer to repair the touchpad not working in Linux. Usually, all you would like to try to to is install the right driver or just configure it.
Figure Out Which Driver You Need
Once you have a clue from xinput, you may need to install the proper driver. Common touchpad suppliers include Synaptics, ALPS, and Elantech.
On some modern Linux systems, installing the following packages will include support for the above touchpads:
xserver-xorg-input-libinput xserver-xorg-input-evdev xserver-xorg-input-mouse
In some cases, you may need to install another driver package like xserver-xorg-input-synaptics.
Other Troubleshooting
Most of the time, the thanks to fix a touchpad not working in Linux is to easily install or update drivers. That said, there are a couple of other options you’ll got to check. Start by going into Settings and selecting “Mouse & Touchpad.”
Depending on the distro, you would possibly not see a separate Touchpad option, which is that the case with mine. during this instance, the mouse and touchpad are seen because the same thing.
If you are doing see a Touchpad option below the Mouse section, ensure it’s enabled. Also, check to ascertain that the scrolling speed is about high enough to register. If it’s too low, your touchpad won’t work properly. You’ll also want to line your Mouse speed high enough also , especially if your system is like mine and therefore the refore the mouse and touchpad settings are one and the same.
On some laptops it’s possible to disable the touchpad completely within the BIOS. you’ll see it listed by xinput, but it won’t work. confirm to see this before tossing your laptop within the trash. Just restart and tap the proper key to enter the BIOS. This varies supported your device manufacturer.
Many laptops contain a hardware switch to disable the touchpad. Of. ten this works by holding down the Fn key plus one among the function keys on the keyboard. this may cause similar issues to a BIOS switch, so make certain to see for it. you’ll search your laptop manufacturer’s manual to ascertain if there are instructions listed.
Touchpad Still Not Working?
There is one final thing you’ll try if your touchpad isn’t working and you’re using an older distribution. Try a more moderen Linux distro. It takes time and energy , yes, but newer distros have newer kernels which suggests better hardware support.
If you’re already using an up-to-date distribution and your touchpad isn’t working, you’ll just need to tough it out. A wireless mouse with a dongle isn’t ideal, but it’s better than having no mouse support in the least .
