Dell Trackpad Issues
When using a Dell computer with a trackpad or touchpad, you may find the on-screen cursor unresponsive or erratic in its movements. According to Dell's support information, trackpad issues may be caused by a variety of issues, including faulty device drivers, maladjusted trackpad settings or a dirty trackpad. You'll have to explore each of these issues to address Dell trackpad problems.
Check Your Dell Trackpad Drivers
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A number of Dell trackpad issues are caused by incomplete or faulty drivers. To check if your Dell trackpad driver is installed, click on the "Start" button or Windows orb if using Windows Vista and Windows 7. Right-click on "My Computer" if using XP. Right-click on "Computer" if using Vista or Windows 7. Click "Properties." Click on the "Hardware" tab in Windows XP or click on "Device Manager" in Vista and Windows 7. In the window that appears, click the "+" icon next to the "Mice and Other Pointing Devices" entry. The Dell trackpad driver will be listed as a "Touchpad" or "Trackpad" driver, likely made by Synaptics, the developer of these devices. If the driver entry has a "!" icon, "?" icon or an "x" icon next to it, you will need to uninstall and reinstall the driver. If these icons are not present, your trackpad's drivers are properly installed.
Reinstalling Trackpad Drivers
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If your Dell trackpad drivers are not installed properly as indicated in the section "Check Your Dell Trackpad Drivers," right-click on the driver entry and click "Uninstall." Once the driver is uninstalled, right-click on the entry again and click "Scan for Hardware Changes" to reinstall the appropriate drivers. Restart your Dell computer when the driver is reinstalled to test if the trackpad issues have been resolved.
Fixing Faulty Cursor Movement
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If your trackpad device's drivers are working properly, you may still encounter problems with the movement of your mouse cursor when you use the trackpad. To address this, Dell recommends turning off your computer and disconnecting every single cord except the power cord. Wipe down the surface of the trackpad until it is free of dirt and grease. Then, turn back on the computer without any of the cords except the power cord connected. Test the trackpad to see if the issue has been resolved.
Adjusting Trackpad Settings
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For any other cursor or movement problems with your Dell trackpad, a readjustment of the trackpad settings can address the issue. Click on the "Start" button, then click on "Control Panel." Click "Mouse," then click "Dell Touchpad" or "Device Settings." This will open the Dell trackpad settings menu. From here, you can adjust the trackpad settings to your desired sensitivity. Often, trackpad problems and erratic cursor movement result from sensitivity settings set too high or too low. Adjust the settings and test out your trackpad to find the right settings for your needs. When finished, click "OK."
References
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Michael Batton Kaput began writing professionally in 2009. He is an editor at two magazines and a freelance writer. He has been published in "Egypt Today," Egypt's leading current affairs magazine, and "Business Today Egypt," Egypt's number one English-language business magazine. He attended Denison University where he earned a degree in political science and English literature.