Touchpad getting disabled automatically in Windows 11

Windows Touchpad is a replacement for the mouse on laptops. When working on your computer the touchpad might just get disabled! This post looks at possible solutions that make sure to prevent Windows 11/10 from disabling the touchpad.

Touchpad getting disabled automatically in Windows 11/10

Windows won’t disable Mouse or Keyboard on Desktops, but it does disable touchpads on laptops. The reason is simple. Laptops are mostly used on batteries, and the touchpad draws power. Most devices come with a power setting that allows the OS to disable when needed. It can be because it has not been used for a long period, i.e., if you are using an external keyboard and mouse. Or when you are running low on battery and not using the touchpad.

Prevent Windows from disabling the Touchpad

If you do not like this behavior, you can disable Windows 11/10 by changing the power settings.

Right-click on the Windows Start button and then click on Device Manager
Expand the Human Interface Devices
Locate anything which says TouchPad or Multi-Touch
Right-click on it, and select properties
Switch to Power Management
Uncheck the option which says— Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power
Click on the Ok button to save the changes.

Having done this, Windows 11/10 will not be able to disable the device based on the power plan. Be aware that turning off the setting may result in a higher battery drain.

That said, Windows Power Plans do not offer any specific settings to disable the option that can turn off the device based on battery power. That’s where the device-specific Power Management settings come into the picture. Once the option is unchecked, Windows doesn’t have any control over those devices.

I hope the post was easy to follow and that you were able to fix the issue where Windows could disable the touchpad.

Related reads:

Why does my touchpad stop working randomly?

A touchpad may stop working randomly due to several factors, such as outdated drivers, disabled settings, or interference from external devices. Other possible reasons include incorrect touchpad configurations, a system restart, or hardware failure.

How do I stop my laptop touchpad from disabling?

To prevent your laptop touchpad from disabling, press the Winkey, type “touchpad settings,” and press Enter. Navigate to the Touchpad section using the Tab and arrow keys. Ensure the toggle switch for the touchpad is set to On. This will ensure that your touchpad remains active and functional.