Ubuntu or Fedora Touchpad Isn't Working
February 20 2024 11:40pm • Est. Read Time: 2 MINIf you're running Ubuntu or Fedora (GNOME desktop) and find that your touchpad isn't working as expected, there are a few things to check.
- Trackpad isn't working at all.
Check your physical connection under the keyboard. Make sure that the cable is connected correctly.
Ensure the touchpad is enabled in Settings, Mouse, and Touchpad. To check this, if your touchpad isn't working, you may need to attach a USB mouse to get into the settings. If it's disabled, toggle it to enabled. See the image below for an example.
- Tap to click isn't working.
Ensure in Settings, Mouse, and Touchpad that "Tap to Click" is shown below.
- Edge scrolling isn't working.
Ensure that the "Edge Scrolling" is toggled on in Settings, Mouse, and Touchpad.
- Two finger scroll isn't working.
Ensure in Settings, Mouse, and Touchpad that "Two-finger Scrolling" is toggled on.
- Mouse speed is too slow or too fast.
Browse to Settings, Mouse, and Touchpad, and adjust the slider for Touchpad up or down to ensure the slider is set where you feel it's best (slower or faster).
- Mouse right click emulation.
Historically, some Linux distributions differ from one another. For example, one distribution may allow for two-finger right-clicking by default, whereas other distributions may only allow right-clicking at the bottom right of the touchpad.
You'll want to install Gnome Tweaks from Ubuntu or Fedora's software center. Once installed, open Gnome Tweaks and browse to "Keyboard and Mouse" inside of Tweaks. At the bottom of that page, look for Mouse Click Emulation. Using your touchpad or mouse, left-click to place a checkmark in the right area to indicate "Fingers" are the selected option.
- Framework Laptop 13 Disable touchpad while typing.
Back in Gnome Tweaks, Keyboard and Mouse section. Make sure "Touchpad: Disable While Typing" is toggled on. If it's already toggled, the odds are good it is set up by default. Additionally, it will not stop external mice or keyboards from behaving like they would on a desktop computer. So this is for laptop keyboards and touchpads only.
- Framework Laptop 16 Disable touchpad while typing.
- Click the image above.
- Copy and paste the code into a terminal.
- Reboot.