To determine whether touchpad issues are due to hardware or software, start by booting your laptop into the BIOS or UEFI settings. If the touchpad functions correctly in this environment, the issue is likely software-related. You can also try booting from a live USB with a different operating system (like Linux) to see if the touchpad works there, which would further indicate a Windows or driver issue. If the touchpad is unresponsive in the BIOS/UEFI settings or across different operating systems, it's likely a hardware problem. In such cases, consulting with a professional technician or the laptop manufacturer's support service is recommended for further diagnosis and repair options.