sticking touchpad

Inspired by the thread on unsticking keys, it occurred to me to ask if there is a fix for a sticking touchpad other than replacing it?

if you're lucky, the problem is with the trackpad configuration; if you're less lucky, there's a problem with the trackpad driver or some other software problem; if you're luckless, there's a physical problem with the trackpad

If the trackpad is showing some physical symptom (say, it feels bumpy or there's an delayed audible noise after you release it or it screams "Ouch!" whenever you touch it or flames are shooting out of it or whatever), then I'd guess you need to replace it

But I'd still start by looking at the mouse/trackpad configuration, in the hopes that your problem (whatever it is) might have a configuration work-around: our talented DU team of kibbitzers might want to know your operating system, and your laptop make and model, to give advice on that. Since I don't use Windows much, I can't give give blind advice there

If futzing with the mouse/trackpad configuration doesn't help, and the problem isn't an obvious physical problem with the trackpad, you might next want to wonder whether your trackpad driver or operating system has been corrupted. Here, you might first backup all your important files on external media and then try:

(1) making sure your operating system is up-to-date
(2) if (1) doesn't work, you might (a) reinstall the trackpad driver or (b) restore your system to the last known working configuration or (c) reinstall the whole operating system and all your software

Thanks. No, it's the touchpad itself. For some reason, I have I have trouble using a mouse on my lap, so that's out :-)