Troubleshooting Guide: Taskbar Not Showing Touchpad Button in Windows 11 – How to Fix it?

If you’ve recently upgraded to Windows 11 and find that your touchpad button is missing from the taskbar, you’re not alone. Many users have reported this issue, and it can be quite frustrating to deal with. The touchpad button is essential for navigating your device, and without it, you may be stuck using an external mouse. Fortunately, there are several ways to fix this problem, and in this troubleshooting guide, we’ll show you how to get your touchpad button back on the taskbar in Windows 11. So, let’s dive in and find out how to resolve this issue!

Windows 11 is known for its sleek and modern design, and it comes packed with a lot of handy features. However, sometimes users may face issues with the touchpad button not appearing in the taskbar. This can be frustrating, especially if you rely heavily on your touchpad. In this troubleshooting guide, we will walk you through the steps to fix the touchpad not showing in the taskbar in Windows 11.

Step 1: Check Touchpad Settings

The first thing you should do is check your touchpad settings to ensure that it is enabled. Here’s how:

1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
2. Click on Devices.
3. Click on Touchpad.
4. Make sure that the Touchpad toggle is turned on.

Step 2: Update Drivers

If your touchpad is enabled but still not showing up in the taskbar, it could be due to outdated or missing drivers. Here’s how to update your touchpad drivers:

1. Press the Windows key + X to open the Quick Link menu.
2. Click on Device Manager.
3. Expand the Mice and other pointing devices category.
4. Find your touchpad device and right-click on it.
5. Click on Update driver.
6. Select Search automatically for updated driver software.
7. Wait for the update process to complete.

Step 3: Restart Touchpad Driver

If updating your touchpad driver did not solve the problem, the next step is to restart the touchpad driver. Here’s how:

1. Press the Windows key + X to open the Quick Link menu.
2. Click on Device Manager.
3. Expand the Mice and other pointing devices category.
4. Find your touchpad device and right-click on it.
5. Click on Uninstall device.
6. Check the box next to Delete the driver software for this device.
7. Click on Uninstall.
8. Restart your computer.
9. Windows will automatically reinstall the touchpad driver after restarting.

Step 4: Check for Windows Updates

If your touchpad is still not showing in the taskbar, it could be due to a bug in Windows 11. Checking for Windows updates may fix the issue. Here’s how:

1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
2. Click on Windows Update.
3. Click on Check for updates.
4. If there are any updates available, download and install them.
5. Restart your computer.

Step 5: Use Third-Party Software

If none of the above steps worked, you can try using third-party software to fix the issue. There are several free and paid software options available. Here are a few examples:

1. TouchFreeze: This software automatically disables your touchpad while you are typing to prevent accidental clicks.
2. Synaptics TouchPad Driver: This software is specifically designed for Synaptics touchpads and can help fix issues related to touchpad functionality.
3. Driver Booster: This software will scan your computer for outdated drivers and update them automatically.

We hope that this troubleshooting guide has helped you fix the touchpad not showing in the taskbar issue in Windows 11. If you have any other issues, feel free to reach out to Microsoft support for further assistance. Remember to always keep your drivers and Windows up to date to avoid any issues in the future.

In conclusion, the touchpad is an essential component of your Windows 11 laptop, and it can be frustrating when the taskbar doesn’t show the touchpad button. However, we hope that this troubleshooting guide has helped you fix the issue and get your touchpad button back on the taskbar. Remember to update your drivers, check your settings, and try the registry fix if all else fails. With these tips, you should be able to resolve the issue and get back to using your touchpad with ease. If you have any other tips or tricks that have worked for you, feel free to share them in the comments below.