Fixing a Jerky Touchpad on Windows 10: A Step-by-Step Guide

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If you’re struggling with a jerky touchpad on your HP laptop that’s running Windows 10, you might think your options are limited, especially if the laptop is older and no driver updates seem available. This issue can be frustrating, especially when you’ve already tried using an external mouse and found the problem persists. Here’s a straightforward guide to help you resolve the touchpad and mouse problems, and possibly breathe new life into your device.

Step 1: Check Touchpad Settings

Sometimes, the touchpad settings could be the culprits behind erratic behavior. Here’s how to adjust them:

1. Open the Settings app by clicking the Windows icon and selecting the gear icon.
2. Navigate to Devices and then choose Touchpad from the left menu.
3. Ensure that the touchpad is enabled.
4. Adjust the sensitivity settings. Set it to a lower sensitivity if it’s too sensitive or to a higher setting if it seems unresponsive.

Step 2: Update Windows

Keeping your operating system updated can solve numerous compatibility issues. Here’s how to check for updates:

1. Go to the Settings app again.
2. Click on Update & Security.
3. In the Windows Update section, click on Check for updates.
4. If any updates are available, let them download and install.

Step 3: Device Manager Check

It’s also worth investigating the Device Manager for any potential issues with your touchpad and mouse drivers.

1. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
2. Look for Mice and other pointing devices. Expand this section.
3. Right-click on your touchpad and select Update driver. Choose Search automatically for updated driver software.
4. If no updates are found, you can try uninstalling the driver and restarting your laptop, as Windows will reinstall the appropriate driver upon reboot.

Step 4: Adjust Mouse Settings

Since the problem is seen with an external mouse too, adjusting the mouse settings might be beneficial.

1. Go back to Settings and click on Devices.
2. Select Mouse from the left menu.
3. Check the pointer speed and adjust it as necessary to see if it changes the performance.

Step 5: Check for External Software Conflicts

Sometimes, third-party applications can affect how your touchpad works. If you have any third-party mouse software, consider disabling or uninstalling it to see if it resolves the issue.

Step 6: Consider Reverting Back to a Previous Windows Version

If the touchpad issues started happening after upgrading to Windows 10, you might want to consider rolling back to Windows 8. Here’s how:

1. Go to Settings and select Update & Security.
2. Click on Recovery in the left menu.
3. Under Go back to an earlier build, click Get started and follow the prompts to revert to your previous version.

Step 7: Hardware Check

If none of the software solutions work and your laptop is still sluggish, it may be a hardware issue. In this case, you might want to check the touchpad for physical damage or consider resetting your laptop to factory settings, keeping in mind that this will erase all data.

In conclusion, it’s entirely possible to get your older HP laptop functioning better with Windows 10. Try these steps one by one to identify and fix the touchpad and mouse issues. If you find that hardware issues persist despite your best efforts, it may be time to think about investing in a newer device or seeking help from a professional. Don’t lose hope—sometimes, a little troubleshooting can make all the difference!

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