How to Configure Touchpad Settings on Linux Mint

Linux Mint is a popular Linux distribution known for its user-friendly interface and robust performance. However, when it comes to configuring hardware settings like the touchpad, new users might find themselves navigating unfamiliar territory. Whether you’re dealing with sensitivity issues, multi-touch gestures, or accidental palm touches while typing, Linux Mint offers several ways to customize your touchpad to suit your preferences.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through different methods to configure touchpad settings on Linux Mint, covering both graphical user interface (GUI) options and command-line techniques.

1. Accessing Touchpad Settings via the System Settings

The simplest way to adjust touchpad settings is through the System Settings interface:

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Open System Settings: Click on the Menu button (usually located at the bottom-left corner) and select “System Settings.”

2. Navigate to Touchpad Settings: Under the “Hardware” section, click on “Mouse and Touchpad.”

3. Adjust Touchpad Preferences:

   • Enable/Disable Touchpad: You can toggle the touchpad on or off.
   • Sensitivity Settings: Adjust the pointer speed to your liking.
   • Tap to Click: Enable this option if you prefer tapping instead of pressing the touchpad buttons.
   • Scrolling Options: Choose between two-finger scrolling or edge scrolling.
   • Disable While Typing: Reduce accidental touches by enabling this feature.

4. Apply Changes: Your settings are usually applied automatically, but ensure everything works as expected.

This method is straightforward, especially for beginners who prefer not to deal with terminal commands.

2. Advanced Configuration Using xinput

For more granular control, Linux Mint users can utilize the xinput command-line tool. This utility allows you to modify touchpad properties on the fly.

How to Use xinput:

1. Open Terminal: Press Ctrl + Alt + T to launch the terminal.

2. List Input Devices:

   xinput list
   

   Look for your touchpad in the output. It will be listed as something like “SynPS/2 Synaptics TouchPad” or “ELAN Touchpad.”

3. Check Touchpad Properties:

   xinput list-props [device ID]
   

   Replace [device ID] with the corresponding ID number from the previous step.

4. Modify Settings: For example, to adjust the sensitivity (acceleration speed):

   xinput --set-prop [device ID] "Device Accel Constant Deceleration" 2.5
   

   • Lower values increase sensitivity; higher values decrease it.

5. Disable Tap-to-Click:

   xinput --set-prop [device ID] "libinput Tapping Enabled" 0
   

   • Replace 0 with 1 to re-enable tap-to-click.

6. Persistence: These changes reset after a reboot. To make them permanent, consider adding the commands to your startup applications or create an .xprofile script in your home directory.

3. Configuring Touchpad Settings via libinput and Xorg Config Files

Linux Mint uses libinput for input device management. For advanced, persistent settings, you can modify the Xorg configuration files.

Creating a Custom Configuration File:

1. Create a New Config File:

   sudo nano /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/40-libinput.conf
   

2. Add Touchpad Configuration:

   Section "InputClass"
       Identifier "touchpad"
       MatchIsTouchpad "on"
       Driver "libinput"
       Option "Tapping" "on"
       Option "NaturalScrolling" "true"
       Option "DisableWhileTyping" "true"
       Option "AccelSpeed" "0.5"
   EndSection
   

3. Save and Exit: Press Ctrl + O to save, then Ctrl + X to exit.

4. Reboot the System:

   sudo reboot
   

This method ensures your custom settings are preserved across reboots.

4. Using dconf-editor for GNOME-Based Adjustments

If you’re using the Cinnamon desktop environment, which is based on GNOME technologies, dconf-editor provides another way to tweak touchpad settings.

Steps to Configure with dconf-editor:

1. Install dconf-editor:

   sudo apt install dconf-editor
   

2. Launch dconf-editor: Type dconf-editor in the terminal or search for it in the application menu.

3. Navigate to Touchpad Settings:

   • Go to org > gnome > desktop > peripherals > touchpad.

4. Modify Options: Adjust settings like tap-to-click, natural scrolling, and disable while typing.

5. Apply Changes: Changes take effect immediately.

5. Troubleshooting Common Touchpad Issues

Touchpad Not Detected:

• Check for Hardware Recognition:

  xinput list
  

• Review Kernel Modules:

  lsmod | grep -i i2c
  

• Reinstall Drivers:

  sudo apt install xserver-xorg-input-synaptics
  

Gestures Not Working:

• Ensure libinput-gestures is installed:

  sudo apt install libinput-tools
  

• Configure gestures using tools like Gesture Manager or fusuma.

Settings Not Persistent After Reboot:

• Use .xprofile or /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/ for permanent settings.

• Verify startup scripts are executable:

  chmod +x ~/.xprofile
  

Conclusion

Configuring touchpad settings on Linux Mint can greatly enhance your user experience, whether you’re a casual user or a power user seeking precision control. From basic GUI tweaks to advanced command-line configurations, Linux Mint provides multiple avenues to optimize touchpad performance. Experiment with the methods outlined above to find the perfect setup for your workflow.