Struggling with Your Asus ZenBook 14? How to Enable Touchpad in Seconds!

The ASUS ZenBook 14 is a sleek and powerful laptop, but what if its touchpad mysteriously stops working? Don’t worry; this guide will walk you through the steps on how to enable touchpad on ASUS ZenBook 14, whether it’s a software glitch or a hardware issue.

The Quick Fixes: Restarting and Checking the Touchpad Settings

Before diving into more complex solutions, let’s start with the basics. Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve minor software hiccups.
1. Restart Your Laptop: Shut down your ZenBook 14 completely and then power it back on. This often fixes temporary glitches that might have disabled the touchpad.
2. Check the Touchpad Settings:

• Windows Settings: Go to “Settings” > “Devices” > “Touchpad”. Ensure the “Touchpad” toggle is switched “On”.
• ASUS MyASUS App: Download and install the MyASUS app from the Microsoft Store. This app provides a dedicated touchpad settings section where you can enable or disable the touchpad, adjust sensitivity, and customize gestures.

Troubleshooting: Deep Dive into Potential Issues

If the quick fixes didn‘t work, let’s explore some common reasons why your ZenBook 14’s touchpad might be disabled and how to fix them:

1. Accidental Touchpad Disablement

Sometimes, you might accidentally disable the touchpad by pressing a specific key combination.

• Check for Function Keys: Look for a function key (usually F9 or F6) with a touchpad icon. Press this key in combination with the “Fn” key to toggle the touchpad on or off.

• ASUS MyASUS App: The MyASUS app might have a dedicated touchpad toggle switch. Check the app’s settings to see if the touchpad is accidentally disabled.

2. Outdated or Corrupted Drivers

Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause various issues, including touchpad malfunction.

• Update Drivers: Go to “Device Manager” (search for it in the Windows search bar). Expand “Mice and other pointing devices”, right-click on your touchpad driver, and select “Update driver”. Windows will automatically search for the latest driver.

• Reinstall Drivers: If updating doesn’t work, try reinstalling the driver. Right-click on the touchpad driver in Device Manager, select “Uninstall device”, and then restart your laptop. Windows will automatically reinstall the driver.

3. Hardware Malfunction

In rare cases, the touchpad itself might be faulty.

• Physical Inspection: Check for any visible damage or debris on the touchpad surface. Gently clean the touchpad with a soft, dry cloth.

• External Mouse: Connect an external mouse to your laptop. If the touchpad still doesn’t work, it’s likely a hardware issue.

Advanced Solutions: Exploring the Registry and BIOS Settings

If the above solutions don‘t fix the problem, you can try these more advanced methods:

1. Editing the Registry

The Windows Registry stores system settings. Editing the registry can help fix touchpad issues, but proceed with caution as incorrect changes can damage your system.

• Backup Registry: Before making any changes, create a backup of your registry.
• Navigate to the Registry Editor: Press “Windows key + R” to open the “Run” dialog box. Type “regedit” and press “Enter”.
• Locate the Touchpad Key: Navigate to “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetEnumHID”. Look for entries related to your touchpad.
• Check for Disabled Settings: Look for values named “Disable” or “Enable” within the touchpad key. If the value is set to “1”, it means the touchpad is disabled. Double-click on the value and change it to “0” to enable the touchpad.

2. BIOS Settings

The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is responsible for managing your computer’s hardware. You might need to adjust BIOS settings to fix touchpad issues.

• Access BIOS: Restart your laptop and press the “Delete” or “F2” key repeatedly during startup to enter BIOS.
• Check Touchpad Settings: Look for a “Touchpad” or “Pointing Device” section in the BIOS settings. Ensure the touchpad is enabled.
• Save Changes: Once you’ve made the necessary changes, save them and exit BIOS.

A Final Check: Ensuring the Touchpad is Truly Enabled

After trying all the above solutions, ensure the touchpad is truly enabled:

• Physical Check: Gently touch the touchpad surface. You should feel a slight vibration or a click if the touchpad is working.
• Cursor Movement: Move your finger across the touchpad surface. The cursor on your screen should move accordingly.

Moving Forward: Seeking Professional Assistance

If your touchpad still doesn’t work after trying all these solutions, it’s time to seek professional help. Contact ASUS support or a qualified technician to diagnose and repair the issue.

Common Questions and Answers

1. Why is my touchpad not working after a Windows update?
Windows updates sometimes cause driver conflicts. Updating or reinstalling your touchpad drivers might resolve the issue.
2. Is there a way to enable the touchpad without using the keyboard?
If you can’t use the keyboard, you can try connecting an external mouse to your laptop and navigating to the touchpad settings through the mouse.
3. My touchpad is working, but it’s very slow or unresponsive. How do I fix this?
Check the touchpad settings in Windows or the MyASUS app. Adjust the sensitivity or disable any gestures that might be interfering with the touchpad’s responsiveness.
4. Can I use a touchscreen instead of the touchpad?
If your ZenBook 14 has a touchscreen, you can certainly use it instead of the touchpad. However, the touchpad offers more precise control for tasks like scrolling and zooming.
5. How do I avoid this problem in the future?
Keep your drivers up to date, avoid installing unnecessary software, and be careful when making changes to your system settings.