Problem with Touchpad Resolved Using 3.5mm Class D Amp
Problem with Touchpad Resolved Using 3.5mm Class D Amp
Over the last two months I’ve faced a lot of frustration with my Dell laptop touchpad behaving erratically… the cursor sometimes stays still or the click doesn’t function at all, or both. I’ve even started just pressing the mouse button to bypass the problem of tapping not working.
The mini wireless keyboard’s touchpad performed perfectly, but the laptop’s built-in touchpad was a different story. These touchpads are known for causing driver issues and creating various difficulties. A few months ago I was experimenting with different drivers, trying multiple installation methods to fix the laptop’s touchpad problems. Eventually I discovered a reliable driver from Microsoft that seemed to work well.
When the issue resurfaced, I thought the solution might be too good to be true. I was about to dive back into touchpad troubleshooting when I discovered the root cause.
I had my headphones connected to the laptop’s 3.5mm port and noticed the touchpad was functioning normally—until that day it had been problematic. Then I reinserted the small Class D amplifier I had started using a couple of months prior, and suddenly the touchpad returned to its usual state. I tested switching it on and off several times, but this was the trigger behind all my touchpad issues.
The amplifier also supports Bluetooth, and using it via BT resolved the problem completely.
The device is the Sinilink XY-AP15H, and only the audio in, power, and speakers out ports are being used.
Any explanation for why this small audio amplifier connected to the 3.5mm port caused such issues? Hopefully not due to malicious code.
The amplifier is labeled Sinilink XY-AP15H. Only the audio input, power, and speaker output ports are being utilized. I checked the amplifier you mentioned; how is it being powered? It looks like an electrical interference or possibly a latency problem due to drivers. Also, you didn’t include the model and SKU for your Dell laptop.
Powered by a 12V, 3.25A AC adapter.
I include a capacitor in series on each audio out line to eliminate infrasonics.
Product link: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256803267529873.html