A non-responsive touchpad on your Dell XPS 15 turns a premium laptop into a frustrating desktop. Whether the cursor is frozen, taps don't register, or two-finger scrolling is dead, the issue is almost always solvable without a trip to the repair shop.
Toggle the Touchpad with the Function Key
On the XPS 15, you can quickly disable the touchpad, often by accident. Look for the function key with a touchpad icon, which is typically F6. Press Fn + F6 to toggle it back on. You should see a notification pop up on screen confirming the change.
Perform a Full Restart
If the touchpad stopped working after waking from sleep or a recent update, a simple restart is the best first step. It clears out any temporary driver glitches. Use your keyboard to navigate: press the Windows key, then use the arrow keys to highlight the power icon and select Restart.
Disconnect Any External Mice
Windows and some driver software can be set to automatically disable the internal touchpad when an external mouse is connected. Unplug any USB or Bluetooth mice. Then, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Touchpad and make sure the touchpad is enabled. You can also adjust the setting that controls its behavior when a mouse is connected.
Update Your Touchpad Driver
For the XPS 15, you'll want the official "Precision Touchpad" driver from Dell for the best experience. Open the Dell SupportAssist app and run a check for updates, it will find the correct driver. Alternatively, you can manually update via Device Manager by right-clicking on the touchpad under "Mice and other pointing devices" and selecting "Update driver."
Clean the Touchpad Surface Thoroughly
The glass surface on the XPS 15 touchpad can become unresponsive if there's grease, lotion, or moisture on it. Power off the laptop. Dampen a microfiber cloth with a little water or isopropyl alcohol, wring it out completely, and gently wipe the touchpad. Dry it immediately with another clean, dry cloth.
Check the Touchpad Setting in BIOS
It's rare, but the touchpad can be disabled in the system BIOS. Restart your XPS 15 and immediately start tapping the F2 key to enter BIOS Setup. Navigate using the arrow keys to the System Configuration or Advanced menu. Look for an option like "Internal Pointing Device" or "Touchpad" and ensure it is set to Enabled. Save and exit.
Reinstall the Touchpad Driver Completely
If updating didn't help, a clean reinstall might. In Device Manager, find your touchpad, right-click it, and choose Uninstall device. Check the box that says "Delete the driver software for this device" if it appears. Restart your laptop. Windows will install a basic driver. Then, immediately use Dell SupportAssist or visit the Dell support site with your Service Tag to install the proper Precision Touchpad driver for full gesture support.
Run the Built-in Hardware Diagnostics
Dell includes a great diagnostic suite. Restart your XPS 15 and tap the F12 key repeatedly at the Dell logo to enter the boot menu. Use the arrow keys to select Diagnostics and press Enter. The test will check your touchpad hardware and can help confirm if the issue is physical.
Consider a BIOS Update
I've seen several XPS 15 models where a BIOS update resolved persistent input device issues, including touchpad problems. These updates often include fixes for power management and chipset communication. You can update the BIOS easily through the Dell SupportAssist application or by downloading the update file directly from the Dell support page for your specific model. Make sure your laptop is plugged in during this process.
