17 R4, touchpad backlight LED

Hi @shandi235  welcome to this user to user discussion forum. This is not Dell Support.

Check to see if a Windows 10 update has changed pointing device settings.

Go to Control panel, Mice and other pointing devices, Dell Touchpad and update driver. (Or delete, Restart (not Shut down), wait for laptop to boot into windows, visit Control Panel and the most recent Dell Touchpad should have been automatically installed. If not click on top icon and tell it to look for new devices.) 

Check that SupportAssist is the most up to date version. At splash screen, press and hold down F12 key until boot window appears, select and run (ePSA) Diagnostics. When ePSA Diagnostics window opens click in bottom RH cornter to open descrete testing. In new window, look in LH column for pointing devices and click on icon to start test. Wait for result. You may also want to click on cables icon to test that all cables are connected. 

Please click on Kudos to say thank you for response from another user. Please share an update on progress, so that other users derive benefit from your experience. Thank you.

Hey Crimson thanks for the quick reply!

I uninstalled the driver in device manager and let Windows restart and reinstall it, no change. The touchpad itself is functioning fine, the LED backlight is still not turning on. 

I went into the diagnostic software using the F12 boot method, everything checks out. Cables are fine, USB devices are fine, etc. I didn't see an option for Pointing Devices, I just kept clicking test for every module and everything came back with "All Results Pass" 

I'm open to any and all suggestions!

Hi @shandi235  thank you sharing update. What did Windows 10 pointing device settings say?

Alienware 17 R4 drivers, try downloading and reinstalling Dell Touchpad Driver Version 19.2.17.70. 

If problem persists, looks increasing like a replacement Dell Touchpad Sensor Module is required. 

Hi @shandi235  having watched the video, please note that the touchpad is located above the battery.

Unfortunately Lithium-ion batteries can become swollen [Here] and displace the touchpad, force the 17 R4 enclosure to permanently bulge, and if leak or burst destroy you, and everything else the battery chemical products come into contact with. Please have a good look at the front of the base, compare LH to RH appearance, and if there are signs of enclosure separation, you may have a swollen battery problem. This is difficult to confirm, even with the rear cover removed.

The Window 10 Battery Report should be created to check on battery health and life, but this and the Dell Power Manager are not reliable indicators of a swollen battery.

Please understand that a swollen battery is a possibility, that may warrant further investigation, because its consequences are dire. With battery removed, the Laptop is designed to function as a Desktop, thus giving you time to shop around for a genuine OEM new replacement battery [Dell P/N information]. If you decide to take this option, installing a replacement touchpad can be undertaken at the same time [Dell P/N information]. 

Morning! Windows found the touchpad and installed a driver, I installed the Dell Touchpad driver over that, again the TouchPad is working perfectly, the backlight, however, still refuses to light.

I ran the battery report, what kind of information should I be looking for? This computer rarely is on battery power, only when the house power cuts out. 

Is my battery swollen? [Here]

If any of the following indicators are present, your battery may be swollen.

• Touchpad or Keyboard lifting.
• System rocking when placed on an even surface (not related to broken or missing feet).
• Uneven seams where case/cover parts meeting (enclosure splitting).
• A swollen battery has the potential to physically damage the product enclosure. Any damaged system components should be repaired or replaced in the process of replacing the swollen battery before resuming use of the system.