Disable Touchpad Scrolling In Ubuntu 24.04: A Comprehensive Guide

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Disabling touchpad scrolling in Ubuntu 24.04 can be a bit tricky since the default settings only allow you to switch between two-finger scrolling and edge scrolling. If you, like many others, prefer to completely turn off touchpad scrolling, you'll need to dive a little deeper. This comprehensive guide will walk you through various methods to achieve this, ensuring you get the touchpad behavior that suits you best. We'll cover using xinput, synclient, and even explore some GUI-based alternatives where available. So, let's get started and reclaim control over your touchpad!

Understanding the Challenge

Before we dive into the solutions, it's important to understand why Ubuntu doesn't offer a straightforward toggle to disable scrolling altogether. The default touchpad drivers and settings are designed to provide a user-friendly experience for most users, which often includes scrolling functionality. However, everyone's needs are different, and sometimes, less is more. By default, Ubuntu provides options for two-finger scrolling and edge scrolling, selectable through the settings menu. The issue arises when you want neither of these options. The goal is to find a way to override these default settings and completely disable any form of scrolling via the touchpad.

Disabling touchpad scrolling can be particularly useful in several scenarios. For instance, graphic designers or users who rely heavily on precise cursor movements might find that accidental scrolling interferes with their workflow. Similarly, gamers often prefer to disable touchpad features to avoid unintended actions during gameplay. Whatever your reason, this guide will provide you with the necessary tools and knowledge to customize your Ubuntu environment to your liking. We will explore command-line utilities like xinput and synclient, which offer powerful ways to configure your touchpad settings. Additionally, we'll look into any available GUI-based alternatives that might simplify the process. By the end of this guide, you'll have a clear understanding of how to disable touchpad scrolling in Ubuntu 24.04 and tailor your system to your specific needs.

Method 1: Using xinput

xinput is a command-line tool that allows you to list, query, and change the properties of input devices, including your touchpad. It's a powerful tool, but it requires you to identify the correct device ID and property names. Don't worry; we'll walk you through it step by step.

Step 1: Identify Your Touchpad

First, you need to find the ID of your touchpad. Open a terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run the following command:

xinput list

This command will display a list of all input devices connected to your system. Look for your touchpad in the list. It will likely be named something like "SynPS/2 Synaptics TouchPad" or "ELAN Touchpad." Note the ID number associated with your touchpad; you'll need it in the next steps.

For example, the output might look like this:

⎡ Virtual core pointer                          id=2    [master pointer  (3)]
⎜   ↳ Virtual core XTEST pointer                id=4    [slave  pointer  (2)]
⎜   ↳ Logitech USB Optical Mouse                id=10   [slave  pointer  (2)]
⎜   ↳ SynPS/2 Synaptics TouchPad                id=12   [slave  pointer  (2)]
⎣ Virtual core keyboard                         id=3    [master keyboard (2)]
    ↳ Virtual core XTEST keyboard               id=5    [slave  keyboard (3)]
    ↳ Power Button                                id=6    [slave  keyboard (3)]
    ↳ Video Bus                                   id=7    [slave  keyboard (3)]
    ↳ Logitech USB Keyboard                     id=8    [slave  keyboard (3)]
    ↳ Logitech USB Keyboard                     id=9    [slave  keyboard (3)]

In this case, the touchpad ID is 12.

Step 2: Identify the Scrolling Properties

Next, you need to identify the properties related to scrolling. Use the following command, replacing [your touchpad ID] with the actual ID you found in the previous step:

xinput list-props [your touchpad ID]

For example:

xinput list-props 12

This command will output a list of properties and their current values. Look for properties related to scrolling. Common properties include:

  • Synaptics Two-Finger Scrolling
  • Synaptics Edge Scrolling
  • Synaptics Circular Scrolling
  • libinput Natural Scrolling Enabled

Note the names and current values of these properties. You'll need to modify them in the next step.

Step 3: Disable Scrolling

Now that you have the property names, you can disable scrolling by setting the appropriate properties to 0. Use the following command, replacing [your touchpad ID] and [property name] with the actual ID and property name:

xinput set-prop [your touchpad ID] "[property name]" 0

For example, to disable two-finger scrolling and edge scrolling, you might use the following commands:

xinput set-prop 12 "Synaptics Two-Finger Scrolling" 0 0
xinput set-prop 12 "Synaptics Edge Scrolling" 0 0

If you see a property like libinput Natural Scrolling Enabled, you can disable it with:

xinput set-prop [your touchpad ID] "libinput Natural Scrolling Enabled" 0

Repeat this command for each scrolling-related property you want to disable. After running these commands, test your touchpad to see if scrolling is disabled. Keep in mind that these changes are temporary and will be reset when you restart your computer. To make the changes permanent, you'll need to add these commands to your startup applications.

Step 4: Make the Changes Permanent

To make the changes permanent, you can add the xinput commands to your startup applications. Here’s how:

  1. Open your startup applications settings. You can usually find this by searching for "Startup Applications" in the application menu.

  2. Click the "Add" button.

  3. In the "Name" field, enter a descriptive name, such as "Disable Touchpad Scrolling."

  4. In the "Command" field, enter the xinput commands you used to disable scrolling, separated by &&. For example:

    xinput set-prop 12 "Synaptics Two-Finger Scrolling" 0 0 && xinput set-prop 12 "Synaptics Edge Scrolling" 0 0

  5. Click the "Add" button.

Now, the xinput commands will run automatically each time you log in, ensuring that touchpad scrolling remains disabled.

Method 2: Using synclient

synclient is another command-line tool used to configure Synaptics touchpads. It's older than xinput but can still be useful, especially if you're familiar with its syntax. Note that synclient might not work with all touchpads, particularly newer ones that use the libinput driver.

Step 1: Install synclient

If synclient is not already installed on your system, you can install it using the following command:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install synaptics

Step 2: Identify Scrolling Parameters

To see the current settings of your touchpad, run:

synclient -l

This will list all the parameters and their current values. Look for the following parameters related to scrolling:

  • VertTwoFingerScroll
  • HorizTwoFingerScroll
  • VertEdgeScroll
  • HorizEdgeScroll

Step 3: Disable Scrolling

To disable vertical and horizontal two-finger scrolling, use the following commands:

synclient VertTwoFingerScroll=0
synclient HorizTwoFingerScroll=0

To disable vertical and horizontal edge scrolling, use the following commands:

synclient VertEdgeScroll=0
synclient HorizEdgeScroll=0

Test your touchpad to see if scrolling is disabled. As with xinput, these changes are temporary and will be reset upon reboot. To make them permanent, you need to add these commands to your startup applications.

Step 4: Make the Changes Permanent

Follow the same steps as in Method 1 to add the synclient commands to your startup applications. The command you add should look something like this:

synclient VertTwoFingerScroll=0 && synclient HorizTwoFingerScroll=0 && synclient VertEdgeScroll=0 && synclient HorizEdgeScroll=0

Method 3: GUI-Based Alternatives

While command-line tools offer the most flexibility, some GUI-based alternatives can simplify the process of disabling touchpad scrolling. These options may vary depending on your desktop environment (GNOME, KDE, XFCE, etc.) and the specific drivers used by your touchpad.

GNOME Tweaks

If you're using the GNOME desktop environment, you can try using GNOME Tweaks to configure your touchpad settings. While it may not offer a direct option to disable scrolling, it might provide some relevant settings.

  1. Install GNOME Tweaks if you haven't already:

sudo apt update sudo apt install gnome-tweaks ``` 2. Open GNOME Tweaks and navigate to the "Keyboard & Mouse" section. 3. Look for touchpad settings that might affect scrolling behavior. You might find options to disable natural scrolling or adjust sensitivity, which could indirectly help reduce unwanted scrolling.

KDE System Settings

If you're using the KDE Plasma desktop environment, you can configure touchpad settings through the System Settings application.

  1. Open System Settings and navigate to "Input Devices" -> "Touchpad."
  2. Explore the available options. You might find settings to disable edge scrolling or adjust two-finger scrolling sensitivity. While a direct "disable all scrolling" option may not be available, tweaking these settings might help you achieve the desired behavior.

Other Desktop Environments

For other desktop environments like XFCE, LXDE, or MATE, the availability of GUI-based touchpad settings may vary. Look for touchpad settings in the system settings or control panel. You might find options to adjust scrolling behavior, even if a direct "disable scrolling" option is not present.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues while trying to disable touchpad scrolling, here are a few troubleshooting tips:

  • Verify Touchpad ID: Double-check that you're using the correct touchpad ID when using xinput. An incorrect ID can lead to commands not working as expected.
  • Check Property Names: Ensure that you're using the correct property names for scrolling when using xinput. Property names can vary depending on the touchpad driver.
  • Test After Each Command: After running each xinput or synclient command, test your touchpad to see if the changes have taken effect. This can help you identify which commands are working and which are not.
  • Reboot and Test: Sometimes, changes may not take effect until you reboot your computer. If you're having trouble, try rebooting and testing again.
  • Consult Documentation: Refer to the documentation for xinput, synclient, and your desktop environment for more information on touchpad configuration options.

Conclusion

Disabling touchpad scrolling in Ubuntu 24.04 requires a bit of effort, but it's definitely achievable. By using command-line tools like xinput and synclient, or exploring GUI-based alternatives, you can customize your touchpad behavior to suit your needs. Remember to make your changes permanent by adding the necessary commands to your startup applications. With a little patience and experimentation, you'll be able to eliminate unwanted scrolling and enjoy a more precise and controlled touchpad experience. Good luck, and happy tweaking!