If you are experiencing issues with the trackpad on your Steam Deck trackpad not working in desktop mode, there are several potential solutions you can try:
- Open Steam Client as soon as you enter desktop mode.
- Restart Steam Client.
- Disable and enable the touchpad.
- Check for device updates.
If none of these solutions work, there may be a physical malfunction with the buttons, touchpad, or trackpad. You can also try disabling any third-party applications that may be blocking the normal operation of the OS. If the issue persists, you may need to contact the service center for repair or device replacement.
How to troubleshoot Steam Deck trackpad issues
Here are some steps to troubleshoot Steam Deck trackpad issues:
- Open Steam Client as soon as you enter desktop mode.
- Restart Steam Client.
- Disable and enable the touchpad.
- Check for device updates.
- Go into haptics settings, and set the left trackpad to 10 and the right trackpad to 1.
- Opening Steam in offline mode.
- RMA’ing your device.
If the above solutions do not work, there may be a physical malfunction with the buttons, touchpad, or trackpad. You can also try disabling any third-party applications that may be blocking the normal operation of the OS. If the issue persists, you may need to contact the service center for repair or device replacement.
Many users have reported issues with the trackpad on Steam Deck, and several workarounds have been suggested to fix the issue. You may not need to test them all. Simply work your way down until you find the one that works for you.
Common Causes of Trackpad Malfunction
The trackpad on a laptop or Steam Deck may malfunction due to various reasons. Here are some common causes of trackpad malfunction:
- Outdated or missing drivers: If the touchpad drivers are outdated or missing, the touchpad may not work correctly. Updating or reinstalling the touchpad drivers in Device Manager may help solve the problem.
- Disabled touchpad: The touchpad may be disabled by a function key or in the settings. Check the settings to ensure that the touchpad is enabled.
- Hardware failure: The touchpad may malfunction due to hardware failure. In this case, you may need to contact the manufacturer for repair or device replacement.
- Dirt and dust: Dirt and dust may accumulate on the touchpad, causing it to malfunction. Cleaning the touchpad with a soft cloth and isopropyl alcohol may help.
- Conflicting software: A driver conflict may cause the touchpad to malfunction. Rolling back driver updates in Device Manager may help solve the problem.
- Other accessories: Other accessories like a mouse, tablet, or external touchpad may disable the built-in touchpad. Disconnecting these accessories and disabling Bluetooth may help.
If none of these solutions work, there may be a physical malfunction with the buttons, touchpad, or trackpad. In this case, you may need to contact the service center for repair or device replacement.
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How to update Steam Deck trackpad drivers
To update the trackpad drivers on your Steam Deck, you can follow these steps:
- Check for Windows updates and install any available updates.
- Open Steam Client and check for updates.
- If there are any updates available, download and install them.
- Restart your Steam Deck.
- If the issue persists, you can try updating the drivers manually by going to the Device Manager in Windows and selecting the trackpad device. From there, you can select “Update Driver” and choose to search for updated drivers automatically or browse your computer for driver software.
It’s worth noting that as of September 2023, Steam Deck Windows drivers are available, which may include updated trackpad drivers. Additionally, there are third-party drivers available on GitHub that allow you to remap the Steam Deck’s built-in controller to a virtual Xbox 360 controller.
How to enable a touchpad on a laptop
Here are some ways to enable the touchpad on a laptop:
- Using the touchpad button: Some laptops have a button near the top of the touchpad that lets you quickly enable and disable the touchpad. You can toggle the touchpad off and on with that button.
- Using the settings: The exact steps to enable or disable the touchpad may differ slightly, depending on the laptop’s manufacturer, so you may need to use some intuition to achieve your desired outcome. Here are some general steps:
- In Windows 10, open System Settings > Accessibility, then select Pointer Control at the bottom of the menu.
- In Windows 7, click Start and then click Control Panel. Click Hardware and Sound, then click Mouse under Devices and Printers. Click the Device Settings tab, then click the Enable button.
- In Dell laptops, press and hold the Windows key, and then press the q key. In the Search box, type Touchpad. Using the up or down arrows, select Mouse & touchpad settings. Click Additional Settings, then click the Touchpad tab. Click the Enable button.
- Using keyboard shortcuts: You can also enable the touchpad using keyboard shortcuts. Here are some common keyboard shortcuts:
- Press the Search key + Shift + P keyboard shortcut in Windows 10.
- Press the Windows key, type touchpad, and press Enter in Windows 7.
- Press the Function (Fn) key plus an F-key atop the keyboard in some laptops.
If your touchpad on your Windows laptop is enabled, but you’re still having trouble, make sure your drivers are up-to-date in Device Manager > Mice and other devices. If the driver doesn’t work or updating doesn’t solve your problem, you can use the generic Windows driver.
FAQs about Steam Deck Trackpad Not Working in Desktop Mode
Conclusion
Experiencing issues with the Steam Deck trackpad not working in desktop mode can be frustrating, but with proper troubleshooting, most problems can be resolved.
By following the steps outlined in this article, you should be able to identify and fix the underlying cause of the trackpad malfunction. Remember to keep your Steam Deck’s drivers, firmware, and software up to date for the best performance.
If you encounter persistent issues, don’t hesitate to reach out to Valve Corporation’s customer support for further assistance.