How to Turn on Scrolling on Touchpad Windows 10 Dell (2026 Complete Guide)

ByAdnan Updated on

Last updated: July 19, 2026 | Estimated reading time: 12 minutes

Scrolling with your touchpad is one of the most fundamental interactions on any laptop, yet many Dell users find that this feature suddenly stops working or was never properly configured in the first place. When scrolling does not work, you are forced to use the scroll bar on the side of every window, which is tedious and inefficient. If you are trying to figure out how to turn on scrolling on touchpad Windows 10 Dell, you have come to the right place. This guide covers every method to enable, configure, and troubleshoot touchpad scrolling on Dell laptops running Windows 10.

We will walk through Windows Settings configuration, Synaptics and ELAN driver settings, touchpad sensitivity adjustments, driver reinstallation, and hardware testing. Whether your scrolling was disabled accidentally, broken by a Windows update, or never configured correctly, the solutions in this article will get two-finger scrolling, edge scrolling, and three-finger gestures working again on your Dell laptop.

Table of Contents

Why Touchpad Scrolling Stops Working

Touchpad scrolling can stop working for several reasons, and identifying the cause helps you choose the right fix.

Windows Update Reset Settings

The most common cause is a Windows update that resets your touchpad settings or installs a generic driver that does not support scrolling. Windows updates sometimes replace manufacturer-specific drivers with Microsoft’s basic HID-compliant touchpad driver, which lacks advanced features like two-finger scrolling and gesture support.

Touchpad Settings Changed

It is surprisingly easy to accidentally change touchpad settings, especially if you were adjusting other settings or if a child or someone else used your laptop. The scrolling option may have been toggled off in Windows Settings or in the touchpad driver’s control panel.

Driver Corruption

Touchpad drivers can become corrupted due to software conflicts, improper shutdowns, or malware. A corrupted driver may partially work (the cursor moves) but lack certain features like scrolling.

Hardware Sensitivity

On some Dell laptops, the touchpad sensitivity setting can affect scrolling. If the sensitivity is set too low, the touchpad may not register two-finger gestures properly.

Method 1: Enable Scrolling in Windows Settings

The first place to check is the Windows Settings app, which provides the most direct control over basic touchpad scrolling options.

Windows 10 Instructions

  1. Press Windows key + I to open Settings
  2. Click on Devices
  3. Select Touchpad from the left sidebar
  4. Scroll down to the Scrolling section
  5. Ensure that scrolling is enabled
  6. Under the scrolling options, you can choose between:
Scrolling Option How It Works Best For
Drag two fingers to scroll Place two fingers on touchpad and drag up/down or left/right Most users; most natural gesture
Drag with one finger to edge Slide one finger to the right edge and drag up/down Users who prefer single-finger scrolling
Drag with two fingers in middle zone Two-finger scrolling in the center of the touchpad Standard two-finger scrolling
  1. Adjust the scroll speed slider if scrolling works but is too slow or too fast
  2. Close Settings and test scrolling in a web browser or document
Tip: If the Touchpad settings page is missing entirely from Windows Settings, the touchpad driver is likely not installed or is disabled in Device Manager. Check Device Manager under Mice and other pointing devices to verify the driver status.

Method 2: Synaptics Touchpad Settings

Many Dell laptops use Synaptics touchpad controllers, which have their own configuration panel with more detailed scrolling options than Windows Settings provides.

Accessing Synaptics Settings

  1. Press Windows key + I to open Settings
  2. Navigate to Devices > Touchpad
  3. Look for a link that says Additional settings or Additional mouse options on the right side or bottom of the page
  4. Click this link to open the Mouse Properties window
  5. Click the Device Settings or Synaptics tab
  6. Click the Settings button to open the Synaptics configuration panel

Configuring Synaptics Scrolling

In the Synaptics configuration panel:

  1. Navigate to the Scrolling section in the left panel
  2. Enable Two-Finger Scrolling by checking the box
  3. Configure vertical and horizontal scrolling separately if desired
  4. Enable Chiral scrolling for continuous scrolling (place one finger and move the other in a circular motion)
  5. Adjust scrolling speed using the slider
  6. Click Apply and then OK to save changes

Synaptics also offers Momentum Scrolling (sometimes called inertial scrolling), which makes the scroll continue briefly after you lift your fingers, similar to how scrolling works on a smartphone. Enable this for a smoother scrolling experience.

Method 3: ELAN Touchpad Settings

Some Dell Inspiron and Vostro models use ELAN touchpad controllers instead of Synaptics. The configuration process is similar but the interface looks different.

Accessing ELAN Settings

  1. Open Settings > Devices > Touchpad
  2. Click Additional mouse options
  3. In Mouse Properties, look for the ELAN or ELAN Input Device tab
  4. Click Options or Properties to open ELAN settings

Configuring ELAN Scrolling

  1. In the ELAN configuration panel, look for Scrolling or Two-Finger Scrolling
  2. Enable two-finger scrolling by checking the appropriate box
  3. Some ELAN touchpads offer Edge Scrolling as an alternative to two-finger scrolling
  4. Enable or configure your preferred scrolling method
  5. Click OK to apply changes

Method 4: Dell Touchpad Settings App

Newer Dell laptops may include a Dell-specific touchpad settings application that provides additional customization options beyond what Windows and Synaptics/ELAN offer.

Accessing Dell Touchpad Settings

  1. Press Windows key and search for “Dell Touchpad”
  2. If the Dell Touchpad application is installed, open it
  3. Navigate to the Scrolling or Gestures section
  4. Ensure scrolling is enabled
  5. Configure your preferred scrolling method and speed
  6. Click Apply to save changes

If you cannot find the Dell Touchpad application, it may not be installed on your specific Dell model. In that case, use the Synaptics, ELAN, or Windows Settings methods described above.

Method 5: Reinstalling the Touchpad Driver

If the settings above do not resolve the scrolling issue, the touchpad driver may be corrupted. Reinstalling it can restore full functionality including scrolling.

Step-by-Step Reinstallation

  1. Open Device Manager (Windows key + X, then M)
  2. Expand Mice and other pointing devices
  3. Right-click on your touchpad device (Synaptics, ELAN, or Dell Touchpad)
  4. Select Uninstall device
  5. Check the box that says Delete the driver software for this device if available
  6. Click Uninstall
  7. Restart your computer
  8. Windows will automatically reinstall the touchpad driver on restart
  9. After restart, check if scrolling is working
Warning: After uninstalling the touchpad driver, your touchpad may not work at all until you restart. Use the keyboard to navigate and restart your computer. If you have an external USB mouse, you can use that as well.

Method 6: Three-Finger and Multi-Finger Gesture Settings

Windows 10 and 11 offer multi-finger gesture settings that include scrolling functionality. These gestures work in addition to standard two-finger scrolling and can provide alternative ways to scroll through content.

Configuring Multi-Finger Gestures

  1. Open Settings > Devices > Touchpad
  2. Scroll down to Three-finger gestures
  3. Click the dropdown menu and select Scroll
  4. This maps three-finger vertical swiping to scrolling
  5. You can also configure four-finger gestures if your touchpad supports them

Three-finger scrolling can be useful when two-finger scrolling is not responsive enough or when you want a different scrolling feel. However, most users prefer two-finger scrolling as it is more natural and widely supported.

Method 7: Updating Touchpad Driver from Dell Support

If the built-in Windows driver does not support scrolling properly, installing the official Dell touchpad driver may add the missing functionality.

Downloading the Dell Driver

  1. Open a web browser and go to the Dell Support website
  2. Enter your laptop’s Service Tag (found on a sticker on the bottom of your laptop or in BIOS)
  3. Navigate to Drivers & Downloads
  4. In the category filter, select Input or Mouse and Keyboard
  5. Find the latest touchpad driver (Synaptics or ELAN, depending on your model)
  6. Download the driver file
  7. Run the downloaded file and follow the installation wizard
  8. Restart your computer after installation
Tip: Always use the official Dell driver rather than the generic Windows driver. Dell’s driver is specifically designed for your laptop model and includes all the features and settings panels that the generic driver lacks.

Troubleshooting Scrolling Issues

If you have tried all the methods above and scrolling still does not work, these additional troubleshooting steps may help.

Test with a Different Application

Some applications do not support touchpad scrolling. Test scrolling in multiple applications including a web browser, Notepad, File Explorer, and a PDF viewer. If scrolling works in some applications but not others, the issue is application-specific, not a touchpad problem.

Check Touchpad Sensitivity

Low touchpad sensitivity can prevent two-finger gestures from being recognized. Increase the sensitivity in your touchpad settings:

  1. Open touchpad settings (Settings > Devices > Touchpad)
  2. Adjust the Touchpad sensitivity slider to High sensitivity
  3. Test scrolling again

Disable and Re-enable the Touchpad

Sometimes simply toggling the touchpad off and back on can resolve scrolling issues:

  1. Open Device Manager
  2. Expand Mice and other pointing devices
  3. Right-click the touchpad and select Disable device
  4. Wait 10 seconds
  5. Right-click it again and select Enable device
  6. Test scrolling

Check for Conflicting Software

Some third-party applications can interfere with touchpad scrolling, including:

  • Mouse management utilities (like x-Mouse Button Control)
  • Gaming software that remaps inputs
  • Remote desktop applications
  • Custom keyboard/mouse driver software

Temporarily disable or uninstall these applications to see if they are causing the conflict.

Windows Precision Touchpad Driver

If your Dell laptop supports it, installing the Windows Precision Touchpad driver can provide a more consistent and feature-rich scrolling experience. Check Dell Support to see if a Precision Touchpad driver is available for your specific model.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Two-finger scrolling suddenly stopped working on my Dell. What should I try first?

The quickest fix is to check Windows Settings. Press Windows key + I, navigate to Devices > Touchpad, and ensure that two-finger scrolling is enabled. If the setting is already enabled, try toggling it off and back on. This resolves the issue in most cases.

Q2: Why is scrolling very slow on my Dell touchpad?

Slow scrolling is usually a sensitivity or configuration issue. Open your touchpad settings (through Windows Settings or the Synaptics/ELAN control panel) and increase the scrolling speed. Also try increasing the overall touchpad sensitivity to ensure two-finger gestures are properly detected.

Q3: Can I enable horizontal scrolling on my Dell touchpad?

Yes. Horizontal scrolling is typically enabled alongside vertical scrolling in the touchpad settings. In Synaptics settings, look for a separate “Horizontal Scrolling” option. In Windows Settings, horizontal scrolling usually works automatically when two-finger vertical scrolling is enabled. You scroll horizontally by placing two fingers on the touchpad and dragging left or right.

Q4: My Dell touchpad supports scrolling but it feels jerky. How do I fix this?

Jerky scrolling can be caused by outdated drivers, low touchpad sensitivity, or interference from other software. Update your touchpad driver from Dell Support, increase touchpad sensitivity, and check for conflicting applications. If the touchpad surface is dirty or wet, clean it with a soft, lint-free cloth.

Q5: Will scrolling work with a USB mouse connected?

Yes, but you will be using the mouse scroll wheel instead of the touchpad. The touchpad scrolling settings remain configured and will work again when you disconnect the mouse and use the touchpad. Some Dell laptops automatically disable the touchpad when a USB mouse is connected; check your touchpad settings for an option to keep both active.

Q6: I updated Windows and scrolling stopped working. How do I fix this?

Windows updates can sometimes replace touchpad drivers with generic versions that lack scrolling support. Reinstall the official Dell touchpad driver from the Dell Support website using your laptop’s Service Tag. You can also try using System Restore to revert to the previous Windows state before the update.

Q7: Does scrolling work differently on Windows 11 compared to Windows 10?

The core two-finger scrolling works the same on both versions, but the settings interface is slightly different. On Windows 11, touchpad settings are found under Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Touchpad. Windows 11 also offers more gesture customization options than Windows 10.

Q8: My touchpad does not support two-finger gestures at all. Is it broken?

Not necessarily. Older or budget Dell laptops may have touchpads that only support single-finger input. Check your laptop specifications to see if multi-touch gestures are supported. If your touchpad does support multi-touch but gestures are not working, the driver may need to be reinstalled or updated.

For additional touchpad troubleshooting, check out our guides on how to enable touchpad on Dell laptop without mouse, how to enable touchpad on Dell laptop using keyboard, and how to fix a Gateway laptop that won’t turn on.

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