Laptop touchpad not working properly while charging [Fux]

Some users have reported that the touchpad doesn’t work properly when they plug in the charger and use their Windows laptop. The mouse cursor moves erratically, the pointer or cursor sometimes stops working, etc. On the other hand, the laptop touchpad works fine in battery mode or when the charger is unplugged. The laptop touchpad works inappropriately for some users when the charger is plugged in, but the USB mouse works fine.

If you have tried the basic steps like reconnecting the laptop charger multiple times, cleaning or blowing off the dirt from the laptop charging port, using a different charger, etc., and that doesn’t work, use the working solutions covered below.

Fix Laptop touchpad not working properly while charging

If your Windows laptop touchpad is not working properly while charging, use the solutions listed below:

Place the charger adapter in an insulated place
Unplug the other devices from the outlet
Check the laptop charger for output voltage
Re-enable the touchpad device
Update or download touchpad drivers
Check the laptop charging port
Visit the official service center.

Let’s check all these fixes.

1] Place the laptop adapter in an insulated place

This simple fix has helped some users. While charging the laptop, ensure that the power adapter or laptop charger is not placed on the floor or touching the ground, as this could cause electric earthing or grounding system issues. Always put the power adapter in an insulated place, like a wooden table, plastic or rubber object, glass, etc. Use the fix and check if the problem is gone.

2] Unplug the other devices from the outlet

One of the users with the same problem got help with this fix and it worked for other users as well. There could be electrical interference if you are using an outlet or socket with multiple outlets and there’s ground interference with other devices plugged into those sockets. So, unplugging the other devices (eliminating the ground loop) from those sockets while charging the laptop will help you resolve the issue.

In addition, if you are using a single wall outlet or socket, ensure it’s not faulty or loose and there is no spark or voltage fluctuation. If yes, change the wall socket or let the electrician do the work.

3] Check the laptop charger for output voltage

If there is an incorrect voltage supply, that can also be why your laptop touchpad is not working properly when you connect the charger. To confirm, first, flip the power adapter or charger brick and look for the output voltage mentioned there. Now use a voltmeter or multimeter, plug in the charger, and test it to get a voltage readout. Compare the output reading with the voltage mentioned on the laptop charger. If the output is similar, the adapter will work fine. If not, you may have to change the power adapter.

Also, make sure that you are using the original charger or adapter for your laptop and that it’s not damaged (wires are not exposed). We all know the danger of using cheap cables and chargers, yet sometimes, we fall for them. A cheap charger can start creating issues from starting or over some time. Therefore, we should always use the original product for our electric equipment, not just the laptop.

4] Re-enable the touchpad device

The problem may be with the touchpad device itself. So, re-enabling it can solve this problem. For this, disable the touchpad on your Windows 11/10 system using the Settings app, Control Panel, Device Manager, or another way, and then enable it using the same option.

Read: Touchpad driver not showing up in Device Manager

5] Update or download touchpad drivers

Outdated drivers for a device can cause various issues such as decreased performance, device instability, etc. In this case, you should update the touchpad drivers on your Windows 11/10 PC. For this, open the Settings app, and navigate to Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional updates. Look for touchpad driver updates. If available, select the update to download & install them.

Alternatively, you can access the manufacturer’s official website to download the latest touchpad drivers for your laptop. Access the Support page/Drivers & Downloads/Download Center, provide the serial number and other information, and download the touchpad drivers and install them on your PC.

Also read: Unable to install Synaptics, ASUS, etc., Touchpad drivers on PC

6] Check the laptop charging port

The problem may reside in the laptop charging port as it happened with one of the users with the same problem. For example, if the input jack or charging pin (round pin found in some laptop models) is bent or pushed back inside the laptop or the charging port is loose or damaged, that can cause such an issue. In this case, you need to replace the laptop charging port or let the professional do the task.

7] Visit the official service center

If the above solutions don’t work, visit the official service center. The technician will check for issues including hardware problems and most likely go through some of the steps mentioned above and solve your problem. He/she can also inform you about what repair options or parts are covered under the warranty.

That’s all. I hope this helps.

Now read: Mouse jumps when charger plugged in

Why is my laptop touchpad misbehaving?

Your laptop touchpad could misbehave or not respond properly because of the missing or outdated drivers. So, you should keep the touchpad drivers up to date. Also, check if there’s no greasy substance, liquid, or dirt on the touchpad and clean it. You should also check and adjust touchpad sensitivity, fix touchpad delay (if any), and look for other issues to make your laptop touchpad work smoothly.

Why does my touchpad not work when my mouse is plugged in?

In Windows OS, there’s a setting under Mouse Properties that automatically disables the touchpad when an external mouse (say a USB mouse or Bluetooth mouse) is connected. Turn off that setting to solve your problem. Open the Settings app > Bluetooth & devices > Touchpad. Click on the More touchpad settings option. This will open the Mouse Properties box. Switch to the Device Settings or similar tab (depending on the touchpad company, say Synaptics touchpad, ELAN touchpad, etc.). Uncheck the Disable internal pointing device when external USB pointing device is attached and press OK.