Questions[elantech](ubuntu)

I'm experiencing a lot of trouble with Ubuntu (various flavours) and my laptop Razer Blade 15.

Occasionally the touchpad device stops working, except for accepting tap clicks, it does not scroll, nor moves the cursor or accept right clicks.

I've tried both xserver-xorg-input-synaptics and xserver-xorg-input-libinput but neither seem to solve the issue.

The only pointer I have is that when logging events for the touchapad, there is a stream of EV_MSC events being spit out when the device is not working correctly, along these lines:

Input driver version is 1.0.1
Input device ID: bus 0x18 vendor 0x4f3 product 0x30a6 version 0x100
Input device name: "ELAN0406:00 04F3:30A6 Touchpad"
Supported events:
  Event type 0 (EV_SYN)
  Event type 1 (EV_KEY)
    Event code 272 (BTN_LEFT)
    Event code 325 (BTN_TOOL_FINGER)
    Event code 328 (BTN_TOOL_QUINTTAP)
    Event code 330 (BTN_TOUCH)
    Event code 333 (BTN_TOOL_DOUBLETAP)
    Event code 334 (BTN_TOOL_TRIPLETAP)
    Event code 335 (BTN_TOOL_QUADTAP)
  Event type 3 (EV_ABS)
    Event code 0 (ABS_X)
      Value     64
      Min        0
      Max     3995
      Resolution      32
    Event code 1 (ABS_Y)
      Value   2453
      Min        0
      Max     2453
      Resolution      32
    Event code 47 (ABS_MT_SLOT)
      Value      0
      Min        0
      Max        4
    Event code 53 (ABS_MT_POSITION_X)
      Value      0
      Min        0
      Max     3995
      Resolution      32
    Event code 54 (ABS_MT_POSITION_Y)
      Value      0
      Min        0
      Max     2453
      Resolution      32
    Event code 55 (ABS_MT_TOOL_TYPE)
      Value      0
      Min        0
      Max        2
    Event code 57 (ABS_MT_TRACKING_ID)
      Value      0
      Min        0
      Max    65535
  Event type 4 (EV_MSC)
    Event code 5 (MSC_TIMESTAMP)
Properties:
  Property type 0 (INPUT_PROP_POINTER)
  Property type 2 (INPUT_PROP_BUTTONPAD)
Testing ... (interrupt to exit)
Event: time 1600640353.153157, type 4 (EV_MSC), code 5 (MSC_TIMESTAMP), value 1345302500
Event: time 1600640353.153157, -------------- SYN_REPORT ------------
Event: time 1600639839.420487, type 4 (EV_MSC), code 5 (MSC_TIMESTAMP), value 823347500
Event: time 1600639839.420487, -------------- SYN_REPORT ------------
Event: time 1600639839.426674, type 4 (EV_MSC), code 5 (MSC_TIMESTAMP), value 823354500
Event: time 1600639839.426674, -------------- SYN_REPORT ------------
Event: time 1600639839.433647, type 4 (EV_MSC), code 5 (MSC_TIMESTAMP), value 823361500
Event: time 1600639839.433647, -------------- SYN_REPORT ------------
Event: time 1600639839.440182, type 4 (EV_MSC), code 5 (MSC_TIMESTAMP), value 823368500
Event: time 1600639839.440182, -------------- SYN_REPORT ------------
Event: time 1600639839.447557, type 4 (EV_MSC), code 5 (MSC_TIMESTAMP), value 823375500
Event: time 1600639839.447557, -------------- SYN_REPORT ------------
Event: time 1600639839.454994, type 4 (EV_MSC), code 5 (MSC_TIMESTAMP), value 823382500
Event: time 1600639839.454994, -------------- SYN_REPORT ------------
Event: time 1600639839.461102, type 4 (EV_MSC), code 5 (MSC_TIMESTAMP), value 823389500
Event: time 1600639839.461102, -------------- SYN_REPORT ------------
Event: time 1600639839.468130, type 4 (EV_MSC), code 5 (MSC_TIMESTAMP), value 823396500
Event: time 1600639839.468130, -------------- SYN_REPORT ------------
Event: time 1600639839.474751, type 4 (EV_MSC), code 5 (MSC_TIMESTAMP), value 823403500
Event: time 1600639839.474751, -------------- SYN_REPORT ------------
Event: time 1600639839.482152, type 4 (EV_MSC), code 5 (MSC_TIMESTAMP), value 823410500
Event: time 1600639839.482152, -------------- SYN_REPORT ------------
Event: time 1600639839.489178, type 4 (EV_MSC), code 5 (MSC_TIMESTAMP), value 823417500
Event: time 1600639839.489178, -------------- SYN_REPORT ------------
Event: time 1600639839.495455, type 4 (EV_MSC), code 5 (MSC_TIMESTAMP), value 823424500
Event: time 1600639839.495455, -------------- SYN_REPORT ------------
Event: time 1600639839.502352, type 4 (EV_MSC), code 5 (MSC_TIMESTAMP), value 823431500
Event: time 1600639839.502352, -------------- SYN_REPORT ------------
Event: time 1600639839.509013, type 4 (EV_MSC), code 5 (MSC_TIMESTAMP), value 823438500
Event: time 1600639839.509013, -------------- SYN_REPORT ------------
Event: time 1600639839.516597, type 4 (EV_MSC), code 5 (MSC_TIMESTAMP), value 823445500
Event: time 1600639839.516597, -------------- SYN_REPORT ------------
Event: time 1600639839.523406, type 4 (EV_MSC), code 5 (MSC_TIMESTAMP), value 823452500
Event: time 1600639839.523406, -------------- SYN_REPORT ------------
Event: time 1600639839.530056, type 4 (EV_MSC), code 5 (MSC_TIMESTAMP), value 823459500
Event: time 1600639839.530056, -------------- SYN_REPORT ------------
Event: time 1600639839.536943, type 4 (EV_MSC), code 5 (MSC_TIMESTAMP), value 823466500
Event: time 1600639839.536943, -------------- SYN_REPORT ------------

For completeness here is my xinput output

⎡ Virtual core pointer                          id=2    [master pointer  (3)]
⎜   ↳ Virtual core XTEST pointer                id=4    [slave  pointer  (2)]
⎜   ↳ Logitech M570                             id=10   [slave  pointer  (2)]
⎜   ↳ Razer Razer Blade Consumer Control        id=14   [slave  pointer  (2)]
⎜   ↳ Razer Razer Blade                         id=16   [slave  pointer  (2)]
⎜   ↳ ELAN0406:00 04F3:30A6 Mouse               id=17   [slave  pointer  (2)]
⎜   ↳ ELAN0406:00 04F3:30A6 Touchpad            id=18   [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)]
    ↳ Video Bus                                 id=8    [slave  keyboard (3)]
    ↳ Power Button                              id=9    [slave  keyboard (3)]
    ↳ USB Camera: USB Camera                    id=11   [slave  keyboard (3)]
    ↳ Razer Razer Blade                         id=12   [slave  keyboard (3)]
    ↳ Razer Razer Blade Keyboard                id=13   [slave  keyboard (3)]
    ↳ Razer Razer Blade System Control          id=15   [slave  keyboard (3)]
    ↳ Razer Razer Blade Consumer Control        id=19   [slave  keyboard (3)]

and here are the touchpad props xinput list-props 18

Device 'ELAN0406:00 04F3:30A6 Touchpad':
        Device Enabled (171):   1
        Coordinate Transformation Matrix (173): 1.000000, 0.000000, 0.000000, 0.000000, 1.000000, 0.000000, 0.000000, 0.000000, 1.000000
        libinput Tapping Enabled (327): 0
        libinput Tapping Enabled Default (328): 0
        libinput Tapping Drag Enabled (329):    1
        libinput Tapping Drag Enabled Default (330):    1
        libinput Tapping Drag Lock Enabled (331):       0
        libinput Tapping Drag Lock Enabled Default (332):       0
        libinput Tapping Button Mapping Enabled (333):  1, 0
        libinput Tapping Button Mapping Default (334):  1, 0
        libinput Natural Scrolling Enabled (307):       1
        libinput Natural Scrolling Enabled Default (308):       0
        libinput Disable While Typing Enabled (335):    0
        libinput Disable While Typing Enabled Default (336):    1
        libinput Scroll Methods Available (309):        1, 1, 0
        libinput Scroll Method Enabled (310):   1, 0, 0
        libinput Scroll Method Enabled Default (311):   1, 0, 0
        libinput Click Methods Available (337): 1, 1
        libinput Click Method Enabled (338):    0, 1
        libinput Click Method Enabled Default (339):    1, 0
        libinput Middle Emulation Enabled (314):        0
        libinput Middle Emulation Enabled Default (315):        0
        libinput Accel Speed (318):     0.400000
        libinput Accel Speed Default (319):     0.000000
        libinput Left Handed Enabled (323):     0
        libinput Left Handed Enabled Default (324):     0
        libinput Send Events Modes Available (292):     1, 1
        libinput Send Events Mode Enabled (293):        0, 0
        libinput Send Events Mode Enabled Default (294):        0, 0
        Device Node (295):      "/dev/input/event8"
        Device Product ID (296):        1267, 12454
        libinput Drag Lock Buttons (325):       <no items>
        libinput Horizontal Scroll Enabled (326):       1

I imagine more information might be needed but I am somewhat at a loss of what to do next. I've followed this to no avail. Would highly appreciate some advice.

I bought a Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15are05 yesterday and installed Ubuntu 20.04 on it. Problem is, the touchpad doesn't work.

I've also tried 18.04 and even Debian 10, but the only OS it works on is Windows.

I've looked through many fora and I found nothing that helped me. However, I did find some commands and I think you will find these outputs interesting

cat /proc/bus/input/devices:

I: Bus=0018 Vendor=0000 Product=0000 Version=0000
N: Name="Elan Touchscreen"
P: Phys=
S: Sysfs=/devices/platform/AMDI0010:01/i2c-1/i2c-ELAN0001:00/input/input4
U: Uniq=
H: Handlers=mouse0 event4 
B: PROP=2
B: EV=b
B: KEY=400 0 0 0 0 0
B: ABS=661800001000003

Even though it says "Touchscreen", I know for a fact that this is my touchpad. How do I know this? Well, when I go to a terminal using ctrl+alt+f3, and I try to use my touchpad, it outputs this:

elants_i2c i2c-ELAN0001:00: unknown packet 0e 00 04 03 03 meaning that I'm touching it. That value changed on different actions, for example, it becomes 01 on 'releasing' the touchpad.

This means that the touchpad is listed under ELAN0001, which the "Touchscreen" is listed under as well. I don't think it's that weird that it says it's a touchscreen, because they're very similar.

xinput outputs this:

⎡ Virtual core pointer                      id=2    [master pointer  (3)]
⎜   ↳ Virtual core XTEST pointer                id=4    [slave  pointer  (2)]
⎜   ↳ NEWMEN1500 Mouse Consumer Control         id=13   [slave  pointer  (2)]
⎜   ↳ NEWMEN1500 Mouse                          id=15   [slave  pointer  (2)]
⎣ Virtual core keyboard                     id=3    [master keyboard (2)]
    ↳ Virtual core XTEST keyboard               id=5    [slave  keyboard (3)]
    ↳ Power Button                              id=8    [slave  keyboard (3)]
    ↳ AT Translated Set 2 keyboard              id=11   [slave  keyboard (3)]
    ↳ Video Bus                                 id=7    [slave  keyboard (3)]
    ↳ Power Button                              id=6    [slave  keyboard (3)]
    ↳ NEWMEN1500 Mouse Consumer Control         id=14   [slave  keyboard (3)]
    ↳ NEWMEN1500 Mouse                          id=12   [slave  keyboard (3)]
    ↳ Integrated Camera: Integrated C           id=9    [slave  keyboard (3)]
    ↳ Ideapad extra buttons                     id=10   [slave  keyboard (3)]

The touchpad should be listed under Virtual core pointer, but it isn't.

I would really like to know a fix for this, since I need the touchpad to work and I don't want to buy a new laptop, so please help me!

I am using Ubuntu 19.10 in Asus X510UN. Using the lsusb command I can't find Fingerprint Device, and it's even showing no device found in fprintd-enroll. I have built-in fingerprint reader in my touchpad.

I have an ASUS UX430UA and lsusb shows the fingerprint scanner is an Elan Microelectronics Corp.

I'm new to the Linux world in general and Ubuntu. I read a few threads and tried out some of the solutions posted but couldn't get it to work. Can someone help me install it and make it work? (remember I'm new and have no idea how to install things and clueless about what I'm doing when I type in the terminal) Thanks in advance.

TL;DR; WTF!?

The substance of this question is in the title and in bold. Some touchpads, designed for Win8/10, behave erratically with the Linux i2c-hid kernel module.

There are a lot of questions related to Elantech touchpads not working. This question is not a duplicate. Well, it is, but it isn't. Basically, these touchpads are super finicky and have given a lot of people problems under a variety of conditions.

Sometimes it works or doesn't work when I reboot and the mouse cursor does or doesn't appear. Sometimes it stops working when I'm typing on page 37 of a particular document in Abiword, but page 23 when using LibreOffice. Sometimes it becomes extra finicky when using even-numbered kernel updates, but super stable with odd-numbered updates. Same for any Ubuntu releases ending in .04 or .10 ... or that occur on a prime-numbered year, or when the sum of the digits of the version number is prime (1+8+0+4 = 13). Often it stops working when it "knows" I'm doing something important, exactly 666 ms before I am about to save my work.

In short, all of these details are just random noise. They have nothing to do with whether the touchpad works. It is just a horrible device designed to make my life miserable. But I can't tear my laptop apart to replace it!

This is a meta-question intended to get at the underlying problem with these touchpads, which is they are all on laptops that ran Windows 8/10.

Is there is no ritual, no magic, that can make this touchpad cooperate with operating systems christened outside the MS Temple? What praises can I utter? What blessings can I seek? To make this touchpad work?