Solving the problem with the touchpad not working on the Asus Vivobook 15 laptop

Buying a new device such as Asus Vivobook 15, is always accompanied by the expectation that all components will perform flawlessly. However, users often encounter a situation where the touchpad stops responding to movements or clicks immediately after unpacking. This does not always mean a serious breakdown; often the problem lies in software settings or accidentally disabling a function.

Ignoring the problem at the start can lead to loss of time and nerves when trying to install the operating system or set up the workspace. In this article we will look at all the possible reasons why touchpad on your Asus may be blocked, and we will provide step-by-step algorithms for restoring its functionality without contacting a service center.

We'll start with the simplest and most obvious steps, which are often overlooked, and gradually move on to more complex methods of diagnosing drivers and BIOS. It is important to understand that each step requires care, since incorrect actions can aggravate the situation or lead to resetting important system settings.

Locking with hotkeys and gestures

The most common reason why touchpad stops working on new laptops Asus Vivobook is a random press of a special key combination. Manufacturers often place the touchpad disable button in the function key row F1–F12, so that users can quickly disable it when using an external mouse.

On the model Vivobook 15 the prohibition icon is usually located on the key F9. You just need to click on it once. If a key has a crossed out rectangle on it, it is a switch. In some configurations you may need to hold down a key Fn and press at the same time F9. Try different pressing options.

Sometimes pressing the key twice or holding it down for a couple of seconds helps. A pop-up notification from the system may appear on the screen indicating that the device is disabled or enabled. If the light is on but the cursor does not move, the problem may be deeper, but this is always a good place to start.

Please note that some models have special indicator on the touchpad itself. There may be a small LED dot in the upper left corner of the touchpad. If it lights up orange or red, this indicates that the locking function is enabled by hardware.

⚠️ Attention: Do not try to force the keys if they do not work the first time. Sometimes it is necessary to press simultaneously Fn + F9, not sequential.

Checking settings on Windows

If hardware switching does not help, you need to check the software settings of the operating system. In Windows 10 and 11, input settings can be changed accidentally or by a system update. Go to Settings → Devices → Touchpad (or Bluetooth and Devices → Touchpad in Windows 11).

Make sure the Touchpad switch is in the On position. Sometimes the system automatically turns it off if it detects a connected USB mouse. Check the "Keep the touchpad on when a mouse is connected" checkbox if it is available in your menu.

It is also worth paying attention to the section Additional mouse options. Here you can check if there is a restriction on using the touchpad when running on battery power. In some cases, power saving settings may turn off peripheral devices to save power.

• 🔍 Check the "Advanced Mouse Options" section in the classic control menu.
• 🔋 Make sure that the power saving mode does not block the USB ports and touchpad.
• 🖱️ Disable the external mouse for the test to eliminate device conflicts.

Diagnostics and driver updates

The most technical part of solving the problem is working with drivers. In Windows Device Manager you can see how the system sees your hardware. Click Win + X and select Device Manager. Expand the "Mice and other pointing devices" section.

If you see a device with the name ASUS Precision Touchpad or HID-compliant mouse, try right-clicking on it and selecting "Update Driver". However, it is often more effective to select "Remove device" and then restart the laptop. The system will automatically reinstall the standard driver at startup.

Touchpad drivers may also be hidden in the HID Devices (Human Interface Devices) section. Look for devices with a yellow exclamation mark. This is a clear sign of a driver error. If there are no such devices, but the touchpad does not work, the driver may be hidden or conflicting with other components.

For Asus Vivobook 15 it is critical to have established Asus System Control Interface utilities. Without them, the touchpad control buttons on the keyboard may not work, even if the mouse driver is installed correctly. You can download them from the official support site.

⚠️ Attention: Before uninstalling the driver in Device Manager, download its current version to a USB flash drive so as not to be left without Internet if the driver does not install automatically.

BIOS and UEFI settings

Sometimes input settings are disabled at the motherboard firmware level. To check this, you need to go to BIOS when turning on the laptop, pressing the key F2 or Del immediately after pressing the power button. The interface may differ depending on the firmware version.

In mode Advanced Mode (usually activated by the key F7) go to the tab Advanced. Look for the section related to input settings, e.g. Internal Pointing Device or Touchpad. Make sure the option is set to Enabled.

If you see the option Fast Boot, try disabling it temporarily. Sometimes Fast Boot skips initialization of some peripherals on older BIOS versions. Also check if compatibility mode for other operating systems is enabled.

After making changes, be sure to save the settings by clicking F10, and select Yes to reboot. If the touchpad works in the BIOS (the cursor moves through the menu), then the problem is definitely in the Windows software, and not in the hardware.

• 🔧 Use the key F7 to enter advanced BIOS mode.
• 🔌 Look for the option Internal Pointing Device in section Advanced.
• 💾 Save changes via F10to apply the settings.

What to do if there are no touchpad settings in the BIOS?

If you do not find the appropriate option in the BIOS, this may mean that on your model the touchpad is controlled exclusively by Windows drivers or it is disabled through the Armory Crate utility. Try updating your BIOS to the latest version from the official Asus website.

Asus utilities and specific settings

For laptops Asus There is proprietary software that can affect the operation of the touchpad. Utility MyASUS allows you to control many device functions. Open it and check the “User Settings” or “Hardware Diagnostics” section.

The system can also be installed Asus Smart Gesture. This is a program that adds advanced gestures and settings to standard drivers. If it conflicts with a Windows update, the touchpad may stop working. Try reinstalling this utility through Add or Remove Programs.

Don't forget to check for drivers Chipset (chipset). Without them, motherboard controllers may not work correctly, which will lead to malfunctions of the peripherals. In Device Manager, look for sections with yellow triangles in the System Devices category.

Sometimes resetting all utility settings helps Armoury Crate to factory settings if you used it to tune performance. This software can block some functions to save resources in game profiles.

Hard reset and diagnostics

If software methods do not work, perform a hard reset. This is a procedure that discharges residual current from the motherboard capacitors. Turn off the laptop, disconnect the charger and all peripheral devices.

Press and hold the power button for 40 seconds. Do not release the button even if the laptop tries to turn on or the lights come on. This will completely de-energize the system. After that, connect the charger and turn on the laptop as usual.

If the problem persists, there may be a physical problem. Check to see if the laptop was damaged during transportation. In some cases, the touchpad cable may not be securely connected to the motherboard, especially if the device has been dropped or bumped.

For accurate diagnostics, you can boot from a bootable USB flash drive with Linux (for example, Ubuntu Live). If the touchpad does not work there either, then with a 99% probability it is a hardware problem that requires repair at a service center.

• 🔋 Disconnect all USB devices before resetting.
• ⏱️Hold the power button for exactly 40 seconds.
• 🐧 Check the touchpad operation in Linux Live mode.

Solution method	Complexity	Probability of success	Required actions
Hotkeys	Low	High	Press F9 or Fn+F9
Driver Update	Average	High	Device Manager, reinstallation
BIOS Settings	Average	Average	Entering BIOS, checking Enable
Hard reset	Low	Average	Hold the power button for 40 seconds
Repair in service	High	100%	Replacing the touchpad or cable

When to contact the service

If you've tried all of the above methods, from rebooting to reinstalling Windows, and the touchpad is still not responding, the problem is most likely a hardware issue. The lack of response of the touchpad even in BIOS or Live mode of Linux is a clear sign of hardware failure.

The most common physical failures include a broken cable that connects the touchpad to the motherboard, or failure of the touchpad controller itself. It is also possible that the connector may be damaged if you handle the laptop case carelessly.

The service center will carry out diagnostics with a multimeter and replace the faulty module. Because Asus Vivobook 15 - modern model, spare parts are usually available. Do not attempt to repair a laptop yourself unless you have experience soldering and disassembling laptops.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions

Why does the touchpad work but can't be pressed?

This may be due to click sensitivity settings in Windows or mechanical failure of the touchpad buttons. Try updating your drivers and checking the settings in the mouse control panel.

Can I use the touchpad without drivers?

Yes, Windows installs a basic HID driver that allows the touchpad to operate in mouse mode. However, advanced gestures (multi-touch) will not work without proprietary Asus drivers.

What to do if the F9 key doesn't work?

If the F9 key does not work, try installing the utility Hotkey Features Integration or ATK Package from the official Asus website, since it is she who is responsible for the operation of the function keys.

Will resetting Windows help?

Resetting Windows to factory settings may help if the problem is caused by a driver conflict or malware. However, this is an extreme measure, as it will require reinstalling all programs.

How to disable the touchpad if it interferes with typing?

In Windows settings, under the Touchpad section, you can find the option “Disable the touchpad when a mouse is connected.” You can also use the utility TouchPad Blocker to automatically turn off when typing.