Arch Linux

JeepersCreepers

Member

Registered: 2024-07-07

Posts: 6

Touchpad unusable on Arch-only laptop

I've been using Arch for a while now on my Dell Inspiron, and for some time I've been coming across touchpad issues.

For instance, when left idle, I've observed the pointer seems to "quiver" about its position. When I move it, it stops doing that. Also, moving the pointer in and of itself is a pretty big pain. Sometimes it doesn't register the input at ALL, and sometimes it registers a left click as well, when just moving the pointer.

I confirmed this weird behavior via:

libinput debug-events

This laptop had Windows previously, but that never had a touchpad problem. Dell doesn't seem to offer much help with driver updates and such when it comes to linux.

andyturfer

Member

Registered: 2021-01-08

Posts: 94

Re: Touchpad unusable on Arch-only laptop

I have a Dell Inspiron 16 5645 and (so far) have had zero issues with the touchpad. I've been pleasantly surprised at how well this "plastic" touchpad works.

Touchpad details:

$ sudo cat /proc/bus/input/devices | grep -i name
N: Name="Power Button"
N: Name="Lid Switch"
N: Name="AT Translated Set 2 keyboard"
N: Name="Video Bus"
N: Name="PC Speaker"
N: Name="DELL0C9E:00 06CB:CFCB Mouse"
N: Name="DELL0C9E:00 06CB:CFCB Touchpad"
N: Name="HD-Audio Generic HDMI/DP,pcm=3"
N: Name="HD-Audio Generic HDMI/DP,pcm=7"
N: Name="HD-Audio Generic Headphone Mic"
N: Name="Dell Privacy Driver"
N: Name="Dell WMI hotkeys"