PS5 Touchpad Not Working [9 Easy Solutions]

There has been a PS5 touchpad not working error in the controller that has upset the users. The PS5 touchpad could be malfunctioning for several reasons, such as collected dirt on the controller, obsolete firmware of the controller, or hardware problems.

To debug, I advise you to reset the console and controller, update the controller firmware, look for physical damage, and test the controller on a different PS5. Don’t worry, I will elaborate on it in more detail.

Key Takeaways

• The PS5 controller has a touchpad responsible for reporting gestures/swipes in the games.
• Sometimes, the touchpad does not work, and it is due to the collected dirt on the controller or the obsolete firmware of the controller.
• The ultimate fix is to update and reset the controller.

Why Is the PS5 Touchpad Not Working

There have been numerous reports about the PS5 touchpad not functioning properly, and it has made users very angry. Though its core reason has not been identified yet, it may occur due to different reasons such as

• Outdated firmware of your controller
• Outdated firmware of your PS5
• Collected dirt on the controller
• Hardware malfunction

How To Fix the PS5 Touchpad Not Functioning Issue

The PS5 controller’s touchpad is responsible for gestures and swipes in several games. When it malfunctions, the users are unable to play some of their favorite games.

Here I will tell you about some tried and tested fixing techniques for this. So, without any further ado, let’s get into it.

• Restart the controller manually
• Clean the touchpad
• Update the controller
• switch off the controller using the control center
• Hard reset your controller
• Reconnect the controller to your PS5
• Update your PS5 to the latest firmware
• Setting the entire system back to default settings
• Conduct a soft reset of your console

Restart The Controller Manually

When the DualSense controller’s touchpad is not working, you should manually restart the controller. Press the PS button located on the controller for at least 10 seconds to turn it off. Wait for a few seconds until the LED switches off, and then turn it on by holding the PS button. Now, check if the gestures are being registered by the touchpad of the DualSense or not.

Clean The Touchpad

When your controller’s touchpad is not working fine, you should consider cleaning it. You must keep it away from dust and dirt. So, to clean the touchpad, you should follow these steps:

1. Get some alcohol pads. They will ensure utmost cleanliness and will kill any kinds of germs too.
2. Rub the alcohol pad on the surface of your controller. Start with a light hand and then keep putting pressure while cleaning it. Just don’t rub it vigorously.
3. If you don’t have an alcohol pad, find cotton or microfiber cloth and dip it in water mixed with disinfectant. Start rubbing it on your controller until you get all the dirt away. Don’t forget to squeeze every drop of water from the cloth, so it doesn’t get into your controller.
4. After you have cleaned the controller, connect it to your console and check if its touchpad is working or not.

Also Read: 11 Ways To Fix PlayStation Vue Error 5001

Update The Controller

You should always keep your controller up to date to prevent such errors. Here are the steps that you can follow to do so:

1. Switch on your controller.
2. Connect it to the console by using the USB-C cable.
3. Navigate to “Settings.”
4. Select “Accessories.”
5. Go to “Controllers” and then click on “Wireless Controller Device Sofware.”
6. The device will start searching for any new updates. If there are any, update and restart the PS5.

Switch Off The Controller Using Control Center

When the touchpad of your DualSense controller is malfunctioning and not registering the gestures, you should consider turning it off by using the control center. Here, we have described the simple and easy procedure to do so:

1. Press the PlayStation button situated in the middle of the controller.

   

2. The PS5 menu will appear. Find the “Accessories” option at the bottom of the screen.
3. Press “X,” and all the connected accessories will be displayed on the screen.

   

4. The controller will be named ‘DualSense Wireless Controller,’ press “X” on it.
5. Click on “Turn Off” to switch off the controller.

   

6. This will shut down your controller. Wait for a few seconds, and then turn it on by pressing the power button to check whether the touchpad is functioning.

Hard Reset The Controller

Do the process mentioned below to hard/factory reset your PS5 controller:

1. Switch off your PS5 by holding the console’s power button until you have heard two beeps. Wait for some seconds to let it turn off completely.

   

2. Now, look for the physical power button at the back of your DualSense controller. It will be in a tiny hole beside the SONY logo.

   

3. Take any sharp tool, like a straight pin or SIM ejector, and push it in the hole for 5 seconds.
4. You will hear the sound of a click when you enter the tool. Upon hearing it, remove the tool and switch on your PS5 to repair the controller with it.

Reconnect The Controller To Your PS5

After the hard reset, you should reconnect your controller to the PlayStation by connecting the provided USB-C cable. Connect the controller to it and press the PS button until the LED flashes. When the controller works fine, disconnect the USB-C cable to use it wirelessly. Check whether or not the touchpad is functioning by launching a gesture-controlled game.

Also, check our guides on PS5-ERROR-CE-10005-6 and PlayStation Error WS-37431-8.

Update Your PS5 To The Latest Firmware

The touchpad might have stopped working due to the old system software. You should update your PS5 to the latest firmware to avoid any such issues in the future. Follow these steps to update it:

1. Press the power button to turn off the console.
2. After the console has completely shut down, hold the power button until two beeps are released.
3. Safe Mode will be displayed on your screen.
4. Per the onscreen instructions, connect the USB cable and controller, and press the PS button.
5. Now, click on “Update System Software.”

   

6. Select “Update Using Internet.”
7. A confirmatory notification will be shown on the screen; click on “Update” to confirm.
8. Wait for finishing the process and after that your PlayStation will restart. Connect the controller and check if the touchpad is functioning or not.

Setting The Entire System Back To Default Settings

This is a tested solution for this issue. To perform this, adhere to the following steps:

1. Activate your PS5.
2. Head over to “Settings.”

   

3. Choose “System.”
4. Then select “System Software.”
5. Pick “Reset Options” at this point.
6. Choose “Restore Default Settings” from the list of alternatives that are presented. Your PS5 will reset to its factory default settings, but your games and files won’t be deleted.

   

Conduct A Soft Reset Of Your Console

Most of the time, a soft reset of the PlayStation resolves the issue. You can do it by carrying out the following steps:

1. To switch off the console,  hold down the power button for at least three seconds.
2. The power indicator will begin to flash before turning off entirely.
3. Then, after a little delay, press the power button once again to turn it on.
4. Now, check whether the PS5 controller’s touchpad is working after the PS5 has restarted.

What To Do When Nothing Solves The Issue

If you have tried the aforementioned fixes and they are not helping in any way, resort to the solution mentioned below.

Get The Controller Fixed Or Substituted By Sony

When everything fails, Contact Sony support and tell them about your issue. If it is under warranty, they will fix or replace it free of cost, but even if it is not, launch a complaint and see what they can do for you.

You can either call them at 1-800-345-7669 or connect to the PlayStation officials via PS5 Support.

Conclusion

The touchpad not functioning properly is a typical issue mentioned by certain PS5 users and the overall gaming experience can be significantly affected if the touchpad is not operating as intended. It happens when dust is collected on the control, or its firmware is obsolete.

To pinpoint the precise cause of the issue and discover a workable solution, troubleshooting is crucial. To do so, I recommend restarting the controller manually, cleaning the touchpad, updating the controller, switching off the controller using the control center, hard resetting your controller, reconnecting the controller to your PS5, updating your PS5 to the latest firmware, setting the entire system back to default settings, and conduct a soft reset of your console.

I hope that this has helped you in resolving ps5 touchpad not working problem. If you have any extra queries, drop them in the comments section below.

We have also covered other error-solving guides like:

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