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How to Fix the Synaptics Touchpad Driver if it’s not Installing
Look for the Synaptics driver in hidden devices from Device Manager
5 min. read
Published onSeptember 5, 2024
published onSeptember 5, 2024
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To fix various driver issues on your PC, you will need a dedicated tool to find the freshest and the original drivers. You can use PC HelpSoft Driver Updater to do it in 3 easy steps:
Many users have the issue where they fail to install the Synaptics touchpad driver. However, some of them simply have a problem enable it. So, before anything else, see if you have a function key on your keyboard (typicallyF1,F5orF12on some laptops) and use the Fn + function key to reenable it. If the problem persists, apply the solutions below.
What can I do if the Synaptics touchpad driver is not installing?
1. Check if the driver is hidden and update or remove the driver
In case this doesn’t work, select Uninstall device instead of updating and go to the Microsoft Update Catalog to find theSynaptics touchpad driverfor your system. You may also try restarting your laptop after removing the driver and a default one will be installed.
Also, by showing the hidden devices in Device Manager, you will also be able to identify if there are more than one touchpad driver and uninstall the device that you don’t recognize.
If this method doesn’t work or you lack the computer skills to update/fix the drivers manually, we suggest you use dedicated driver updater software to do it automatically.
This type of tool will automate the whole process and assist you in downloading and updating the right version of drivers that best fits your needs.
⇒Get PC HelpSoft Driver Updater
2. Perform a Clean Boot
A Clean Boot helps you to determine if there are any software conflicting with the work of some of your devices. After performing a Clean Boot, check if your touchpad device is working properly.
If it works fine and without any distractions, the problem was probably caused by the conflict between the mouse drivers and the touchpad drivers, or due to the conflict with some other software.
To solve these conflicts, you need to update the drivers for both devices and check if that helps. To do that, follow next steps.
If you want to knowhow to add or remove startup apps on Windows 10, check out this simple guide.
3. Check your touchpad settings
According to users, sometimes your touchpad settings can cause your Synaptics touchpad to become disabled. According to them, this touchpad supports a tapping gesture that can enable or disable your touchpad.
After doing that, save changes and check if that solves your issue. Many users claim that this solution works for them, so feel free to try it out.
4. Roll back to the older driver
Keep in mind that this option might not be available. If not, you’ll need to uninstall the driver and try using the default driver instead, just like we pointed in the first solution of this guide.
If the default driver works, you have to prevent Windows from updating it automatically. We already wrote a guide onhow to prevent Windows from updating certain drivers, so be sure to try that.
5. Modify your registry
If you’re havingproblems editing the registry, you may want to take a look at this helpful guide that will show you how to get past them.
After you save the changes, restart your PC and check if the issue reappears.
Following the steps in this guide should help you solve your issues with Synaptics touchpad driver not installing or any other touchpad device. Before you go, we suggest you visit our guide onSynReflash configurationfor more information.
If you’re still running Windows 7, we also have a guide on how toinstall the Synaptics touchpad driver for the OS.
For suggestions or questions, we would love to hear about them, so write them down in the comments section below.
More about the topics:Driver issues,touchpad
Claudiu Andone
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Oldtimer in the tech and science press, Claudiu is focused on whatever comes new from Microsoft.
His abrupt interest in computers started when he saw the first Home Computer as a kid. However, his passion for Windows and everything related became obvious when he became a sys admin in a computer science high school.
With 14 years of experience in writing about everything there is to know about science and technology, Claudiu also likes rock music, chilling in the garden, and Star Wars. May the force be with you, always!
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Claudiu Andone
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Oldtimer in the tech and science press, with 14 years of experience in writing on everything there is to know about science, technology, and Microsoft
