How to Fix Precision Touchpad Not Working When Windows 8.1 Device Wakes from Sleep

Many users experience issues with their precision touchpad not working properly after their Windows 8.1 device wakes from sleep. This problem can disrupt your workflow and cause frustration. Fortunately, there are simple ways to fix this issue.

This guide will walk you through basic troubleshooting steps to get your touchpad working again. Each step is explained clearly so anyone can follow along.

We will start with easy fixes and gradually move to more advanced solutions. By the end, you should have your touchpad functioning smoothly after waking your device.

Let’s get started and bring your touchpad back to life.

Quick Note Before You Begin

Make sure your device is running the latest Windows 8.1 updates. Sometimes, Microsoft releases fixes that solve hardware problems.
Check that your touchpad is clean and free of dirt or moisture, as physical problems can cause it to stop working.
Confirm your device is not connected to any external mouse or touchpad, which might disable the built-in one.
Keep your device plugged in or with sufficient battery, as low power states can cause hardware to behave unpredictably.

Step 1: Restart Your Computer

Restarting your computer may seem simple, but it often solves many temporary software glitches. When your device wakes from sleep, some drivers might not initialize correctly. Restarting refreshes these drivers.

Click on the Start button.
Select the power icon.
Choose “Restart.”
After the device restarts, check if the touchpad works properly.

Step 2: Enable the Touchpad in Settings

Sometimes the touchpad might be disabled accidentally or after waking up. Checking the settings ensures it’s enabled.

Press the Windows + I keys to open the Settings charm.
Click on “Change PC settings.”
Select “PC and devices.”
Choose “Mouse and touchpad.”
Look for a setting that says “Touchpad” or “Precision touchpad” and make sure it is turned ON.

If it was off, turning it on should immediately enable your touchpad.

Step 3: Check Device Manager for Touchpad Driver Issues

The touchpad relies on drivers to communicate with Windows. If the driver fails or is outdated, the touchpad may stop working.

Right-click on the Start button and select “Device Manager.”
Expand the section called “Mice and other pointing devices.”
Look for your touchpad device. It may be named “Precision Touchpad,” “Synaptics,” or “ELAN.”
If there is a yellow triangle or exclamation mark next to it, this means there is a driver problem.
Right-click the device and select “Update driver software.”
Choose “Search automatically for updated driver software.”
Follow on-screen instructions to install any updates.

After updating, restart your computer and test the touchpad again.

Step 4: Disable Power Management for the Touchpad Device

Windows sometimes disables devices to save power during sleep mode, which can cause the touchpad to remain unresponsive after waking.

Open “Device Manager” as described earlier.
Find your touchpad under “Mice and other pointing devices.”
Right-click the touchpad device and select “Properties.”
Go to the “Power Management” tab.
Uncheck the option that says “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.”
Click “OK” to save changes.
Restart your computer and check the touchpad.

Step 5: Reinstall the Touchpad Driver

If updating the driver did not help, reinstalling it may fix any corrupted files.

Open “Device Manager.”
Right-click your touchpad device and select “Uninstall.”
Confirm any prompts to remove the driver.
Restart your computer. Windows will attempt to reinstall the driver automatically.
If Windows does not reinstall it, visit your device manufacturer’s website to download the latest driver manually.
Install the downloaded driver and restart again.

Alternative Method: Use the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter

Windows 8.1 has a built-in troubleshooter that can identify and fix device problems.

Press the Windows + W keys to open Search.
Type “Troubleshooting” and select it from the results.
Under “Hardware and Sound,” click “Configure a device.”
Follow the on-screen instructions to run the troubleshooter.
Apply any recommended fixes and restart your computer.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why does my precision touchpad stop working only after sleep?

When your device wakes from sleep, some drivers or power management settings may not reinitialize the touchpad correctly. This can cause temporary or permanent touchpad failure until fixed.

Can an external mouse cause the touchpad to stop working?

Yes, some laptops automatically disable the internal touchpad when an external mouse is connected. Disconnect the external mouse to check if the touchpad returns.

Is it safe to disable power-saving options for my touchpad?

Generally, yes. Disabling power management for the touchpad prevents Windows from turning off the device, which can solve wake-from-sleep issues. This may slightly impact battery life but improves reliability.

Where can I find the latest touchpad drivers?

Visit your laptop manufacturer’s official website or the touchpad manufacturer’s site (like Synaptics or ELAN) to download the latest drivers compatible with Windows 8.1.

Will upgrading to Windows 10 fix this problem?

In many cases, newer Windows versions have better driver support and may resolve touchpad issues. However, upgrading is optional and should be done only if compatible with your device.

When Nothing Works

If none of the above steps fix your precision touchpad issue, consider these options:

Contact your device manufacturer’s support for specialized assistance.
Visit the Microsoft support website for official troubleshooting guides: support.microsoft.com.
Use an external USB mouse temporarily while you arrange for professional repair or further diagnostics.
Consider resetting Windows 8.1 or performing a clean reinstall after backing up your data, as a last resort.

Conclusion

Fixing a precision touchpad that stops working after waking from sleep on Windows 8.1 often involves checking settings, updating or reinstalling drivers, and adjusting power management options. Starting with simple restarts and settings checks can save time. If needed, more advanced steps like driver reinstallation or running troubleshooters help resolve persistent issues.

By carefully following these steps, you can restore your touchpad’s functionality and improve your overall Windows experience.