Top 3 Ways to Increase or Decrease Touchpad Sensitivity on Windows 11 Laptops

A touchpad that’s too sensitive can send your cursor flying across the screen at the slightest brush. One that’s not sensitive enough feels slow and frustrating. The good news? Windows 11 makes it easy to dial in your touchpad settings until they’re just right. Here are the top three ways to adjust touchpad sensitivity on your Windows 11 laptop:

1. Adjust Touchpad Sensitivity in Windows Settings

This is the quickest, most straightforward way:

1. Open Settings: Press Win + I to open the Settings app.
2. Go to Bluetooth & Devices: Click on “Bluetooth & devices” in the sidebar.
3. Select Touchpad: Find and click “Touchpad.”
4. Change Sensitivity: Scroll to the “Taps” section. You’ll see a drop-down labeled “Touchpad sensitivity.” Choose from “Most sensitive,” “High sensitivity,” “Medium sensitivity,” or “Low sensitivity.”

Tip: If you’re getting accidental touches or missed taps, experiment with these settings until you find what feels best.

2. Update or Reinstall Touchpad Drivers

Outdated or buggy drivers can mess with sensitivity. Here’s how to update:

1. Right-click Start: Select “Device Manager.”
2. Expand “Mice and other pointing devices”: Find your touchpad (it might say “Synaptics,” “ELAN,” or “Precision Touchpad”).
3. Update Driver: Right-click the touchpad > “Update driver” > “Search automatically for drivers.”

If issues continue, try uninstalling the device (it will reinstall on restart) or visit your laptop brand’s support page to download the latest driver.

3. Use Manufacturer-Specific Touchpad Software

Some laptops come with extra touchpad software (like Synaptics, ELAN, or ASUS Smart Gesture) for deeper customization:

1. Search Your Start Menu: Look for “Synaptics Control Panel,” “ELAN Settings,” or a brand-specific touchpad app.
2. Open the Software: Find settings for sensitivity, palm rejection, and gestures.
3. Adjust to Your Preference: Drag the sensitivity slider or adjust the numeric value as needed.

Note: If you don’t see this software, check your manufacturer’s website—some features require an extra download.

Final Tips

• Test after each change: See how it feels in real use.
• Restart if needed: Some changes only take effect after a reboot.
• Check for Windows Updates: Sometimes, a system update can resolve hidden touchpad quirks.

Bottom line: With just a few tweaks, you can make your touchpad as responsive (or restrained) as you want. If all else fails, an external mouse is always an option—but with these tricks, you probably won’t need one.

Mark Vincent

Tech enthusiast and content creator passionate about making technology simple for everyone. I share practical tips, guides, and reviews on the latest in computers, software, and gadgets. Let’s explore the digital world together!