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I installed Ubuntu 16.04 on a DELL XPS 13 and my middle click on my touchpad is not working. I tried three-finger-tap and the top right corner. I even looked in synclient and it shows the correct setup... I think.

Do I have to install some additional packages or did I miss something else? Could it be, that synclient has wrong coordiantes for the top right corner?

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  • The easiest way is to install libinput. It uses 3-finger tap for a middle click.
    – Pilot6
    Mar 24, 2017 at 9:18
  • I installed xserver-xorg-input-libinput and had to install xserver-xorg-core but this diabled my keyboard Mar 24, 2017 at 9:38
  • Well..you probably installed a wrong package because you are using hwe-16.04 stack. Run sudo apt install xserver-xorg-hwe-16.04 xserver-xorg-input-libinput-hwe-16.04.
    – Pilot6
    Mar 24, 2017 at 9:42
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    thanks. this package does not disable my keyboard but my touchpad has no more 'tap to click' or the build in gestures... shouldn't there be a way to configure the middle click with synclient? Mar 24, 2017 at 9:52
  • You need to enable "tap to click". Hold on, I will write an answer.
    – Pilot6
    Mar 24, 2017 at 10:03

1 Answer 1

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The easiest way is to install libinput. If you are using hwe-16.04 stack, it can be done by

sudo apt install xserver-xorg-input-libinput-hwe-16.04

"Tap to click" is disabled by default in the Ubuntu 16.04 by default in libinput. You can enable it.

Run in a terminal

sudo -H gedit /usr/share/X11/xorg.conf.d/60-libinput.conf

and add

Option "Tapping" "true"

to the end of the touchpad section.

In xorg-synaptics the multi-finger tapping is unstable in many cases.

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  • I rebooted after editing the file and my system did not boot. After the Ubuntu splashscreen there was just a blinking _. I could enter tty1 and change it back. Now it is booting. Mar 24, 2017 at 10:16
  • This means you made a typo in the file or put the line to a wrong place. It should be before EndSection in your touchpad section.
    – Pilot6
    Mar 24, 2017 at 10:17
  • well the file did not exist, but there is one called 60-libinput.conf. I changed this file and it works. thank you. Maybe you should edit the answer so other people don't have the same issue. Can I now enable the default gestures (e.g. three-finger-double-tap to change window) or do I have to configure them with another tool? Mar 24, 2017 at 10:25
  • Oh, they changed the file name. Other gestures may not be supported by unity. It is another question anyway.
    – Pilot6
    Mar 24, 2017 at 10:33
  • shouldnt you write a big fat DISCLAIMER in your answer, informing that ther e is serious risk to reboot if a typo occurs? AND, a comment with "Oh, they changed the filename..." si a tad flippant, IMO. Downvoted until you do us the favour of editing. If and when you do, I'll UPVOTE. deal?
    – tony gil
    Apr 28, 2018 at 9:48

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