How To Fix Right Click Not Working on HP Touchpad in Ubuntu 18.04

In this comprehensive guide, we will be discussing how to resolve the issue of the right-click function not working on an HP touchpad in Ubuntu 18.04. This issue can be quite frustrating, but with a few tweaks, you can restore your touchpad’s right-click functionality.

Understanding the Issue

By default, Ubuntu 18.04 uses a two-finger click as a right-click method on touchpads without a physical button. This means that to perform a right-click, you simply tap anywhere on the touchpad with two fingers. However, if this doesn’t work or you prefer a different behavior, there are a few other solutions you can try.

Solution 1: Using Gnome Tweaks

One of the simplest ways to resolve this issue is by using the Gnome Tweaks application. This application allows you to customize various aspects of your Ubuntu system, including the behavior of your touchpad.

1. Installation: Open the Ubuntu Software application (the orange briefcase icon) and search for “gnome tweaks”. Click on the “Install” button to install the application.
2. Configuration: Once installed, launch Gnome Tweaks. Under the “Keyboard & Mouse” tab, navigate to “Mouse Click Emulation”. Here, you will find two options: “Fingers” and “Area”. Select the “Area” option. This will enable right-click functionality when clicking in the bottom right area of the touchpad.
3. Apply Changes: If the change doesn’t take effect immediately, try logging out and logging back in.

Solution 2: Modifying Xorg Configuration

If the Gnome Tweaks solution doesn’t work for you, you can try modifying the Xorg configuration. This involves editing a system file, so proceed with caution and ensure you have a backup of any important files.

1. Accessing Xorg Configuration: Open a terminal by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T. In the terminal, run the command sudo vi /etc/X11/xorg.conf. This command opens the Xorg configuration file in a text editor. The sudo command gives you administrative permissions, vi is the text editor, and /etc/X11/xorg.conf is the path to the configuration file.
2. Modifying the File: In the configuration file, add the following lines:

   Section "InputClass"
    Identifier "libinput touchpad catchall"
    MatchIsTouchpad "on"
    MatchDevicePath "/dev/input/event*"
    Driver "libinput"
    Option "Tapping" "True"
    Option "NaturalScrolling" "True"
   EndSection

   This code block creates a new section in the configuration file for your touchpad. The Identifier line names this section. The MatchIsTouchpad line ensures this configuration applies only to touchpad devices. The MatchDevicePath line specifies the device file paths that this configuration applies to. The Driver line specifies the driver to be used. The Option lines enable tapping and natural scrolling on the touchpad.
3. Applying the Changes: Save the file and reboot your system. This configuration should enable right-click functionality on your touchpad.

Conclusion

In this article, we’ve discussed two solutions to fix the right-click not working on an HP touchpad in Ubuntu 18.04. If neither of these solutions work for you, it’s recommended to seek further assistance on Ubuntu forums or ask for help from the Ubuntu community on Ask Ubuntu. Remember, troubleshooting is a process of elimination. With patience and persistence, you’ll get your touchpad working as desired.