How to fix two-finger scrolling not working on Windows

Two-finger scrolling is a handy feature that allows you to move the screen up and down with two fingers on your device's touchpad. It enhances productivity and eliminates the physical effort required to press keys on the keyboard or manually drag the scroll slider with the mouse. However, it can sometimes go wrong, just like any other feature.

If the two-finger scrolling gesture isn't working on your device, here are a few possible fixes to resolve the issue.

1. First, apply some preliminary checks

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Apply these fixes before diving into serious troubleshooting as they can resolve the issue quickly:

1. If this is your first time using two-finger scrolling, make sure you're using it correctly.
2. If this problem occurs in a specific application, close and relaunch that application.
3. Restart the device to rule out temporary issues.
4. If using a magnetic keyboard with a trackpad, like the one on Surface Pro models, it should be removed and reattached.
5. Similarly, if there is a problem with the Bluetooth keyboard, disconnect and reconnect it.
6. Using third-party apps to enable or modify touchpad gestures can also cause problems. You may have to reinstall the app or delete it completely. However, standard two-finger scrolling is built into Windows.

If initial troubleshooting doesn't work, there's more you can do to resolve the problem.

2. Make sure two-finger scrolling is enabled

To use two-finger scrolling, it must be enabled in the device settings. If it is accidentally disabled, simply turning it back on may do the trick. Follow the instructions to enable two-finger scrolling on Windows 10.

For Windows 11 users:

1. Type "Settings" in Windows Search and open the Settings app.

2. Select Bluetooth and devices from the left sidebar.

3. Go to Touchpad on the right.

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4. Click Scroll and Zoom .

5. Check the box next to Drag two fingers to scroll .

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Remember that if you don't see this option in your touchpad settings, it doesn't support this gesture.

3. Make sure the touchpad is not dirty or wet

Dust or debris stuck to your device's touchpad, liquid falling on the touchpad, and even dirty or wet fingers can cause problems with two-finger scrolling. Clean the touchpad with a soft, dry cloth until all visible debris or dirt is removed.

4. Check the application for problems

Two-finger scrolling not working with a specific app? This may be because the app doesn't support the feature or the feature is disabled in the app's settings.

Check the app's official website to see if it supports this feature. If not, find an alternative app that does. If this feature is available in the app, learn how to enable it. Depending on the app, it may be hidden in the Settings menu. Turn it on and you'll be able to scroll with two fingers.

5. Update Touchpad driver

Two-finger scrolling may stop working if the touchpad driver is outdated or incompatible with the current operating system. Update the driver to eliminate this possibility. Here's how to update the touchpad driver on Windows:

1. Right click on the Start button and r.
2. Expand the Human Interface Devices or Mice and other pointing devices category .
3. Locate the touchpad driver. On Surface laptops, it is called "HID-Compliant Touchpad". However, your device may be different, so look for device-specific instructions.
4. Right click on the driver and select Update driver .
5. Then select Search automatically for drivers .

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Windows will automatically search and install the latest driver for the device. If automatically updating touchpad drivers doesn't fix the problem, you can download and install them manually from the manufacturer's website.

6. Manually install the latest driver

Visit the laptop manufacturer's website, enter the laptop model or any other details required and download the relevant touchpad driver. Drivers usually come in executable format. All you need to do is run the file and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

If the downloaded driver file is not in an executable format, you will need to install it manually:

1. Open Task Manager and expand the Human Interface Devices or Mice and other pointing devices category .

2. Right-click the touchpad driver and select Update driver .

3. Select Browse my computer for drivers .

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4. Select the downloaded driver file and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.

7. Reinstall the Touchpad driver

If updating the driver automatically or manually does not resolve the problem, try reinstalling the driver. Right-click on the touchpad driver and select Uninstall device . Then, restart the device and Windows will automatically reinstall the driver. If this doesn't work, you can manually download and install the latest driver from the manufacturer's website. However, make sure to have an external mouse or touch input available as the touchpad may not work.

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8. Reset touchpad settings

If you recently made changes to your touchpad settings and two-finger scrolling has stopped working since then, you may have accidentally changed something. Resetting touchpad settings will fix misconfigured settings. To reset touchpad settings:

1. Right click on the Start button and open Settings.
2. Go to the Bluetooth and Devices tab on the left.
3. Click Touchpad and expand the Touchpad menu .
4. If the Reset button is grayed out, uncheck the box next to Leave touchpad on when a mouse is connected . Unchecking this box may disable the touchpad, so keep an external mouse nearby to move the cursor and reset the touchpad settings.
5. Click Reset .

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If the mentioned troubleshooting doesn't work or if you experience other issues with your touchpad, it could be a hardware issue. The only option then is to bring the laptop to a warranty center for repair.

Isabella Humphrey

Update 09 May 2024