How to Replace a Trackpad in a Chromebook 14 G5

Your Chromebook’s trackpad (HP often calls it the “TouchPad”) is basically the tiny, polite stage manager of your whole laptop experience:
it tells the cursor where to go, when to click, and how to interpret your two-finger scroll that’s sometimes “smooth” and sometimes “why are we like this.”
If it’s cracked, mushy, randomly clicking, or totally unresponsive, replacement is usually more reliable than trying to “clean it harder.”

This guide walks you through a practical, service-manual-friendly trackpad replacement for the HP Chromebook 14 G5. We’ll cover:
(1) quick troubleshooting so you don’t replace hardware for a software hiccup, (2) the tools and parts you’ll want on hand, and
(3) the step-by-step disassembly/reassembly that gets you back to normal clicking without sacrificing your sanity.

Heads-up: If your Chromebook is school/work managed (common for Chromebooks), check with the admin/IT team first.
Some organizations prefer device swaps, and opening the device can affect warranties or service agreements.

Before You Replace Anything: Confirm It’s Really a Hardware Problem

A surprising number of “dead trackpads” are actually temporary glitches, dirt, or a stuck state in ChromeOS. Try these first:
they take minutes and cost $0.

Quick touchpad troubleshooting checklist

• Clean the surface: Use a microfiber cloth slightly dampened with water (not dripping). Remove crumbs, dust, and sticky residue.
• Try the “Esc” reset: Press the Esc key a few times.
• Do the “drumroll” test: Lightly drum your fingers on the touchpad for ~10 seconds (yes, really).
• Restart: Turn the Chromebook off, wait a moment, then turn it back on.
• Hard reset: Use ChromeOS’s recommended hard reset for your model if basic restarting doesn’t help.
• External mouse check: Plug in a USB mouse. If the mouse works normally but the trackpad doesn’t, hardware becomes more likely.

If the trackpad still won’t cooperate after those stepsespecially if it’s physically damaged, swollen, intermittently clicking,
or the cursor jitters like it drank three coffeesreplacement is a reasonable next move.

What You’ll Need

Tools (small, basic, and not scary)

• Phillips screwdrivers: #0 and #00 (small sizes help prevent stripping)
• Plastic pry tool/spudger (or a guitar pick-style opener)
• Tweezers (optional but helpful for small cable tabs)
• Magnetic parts tray or a sheet of paper labeled “where my screws go”
• Anti-static wrist strap (recommended) or at least an ESD-aware setup

Parts (the important numbers)

• Trackpad/TouchPad spare part: commonly listed as L14356-001 for HP Chromebook 14 G5 variants
• TouchPad bracket/support bracket: often referenced as L18436-001 (only if yours is bent or missing)
• TouchPad cable kit (if the cable is torn or the connector end is damaged): HP service docs reference a TouchPad cable kit number (varies by kit); some listings bundle the cable with the trackpad
• Optional adhesive replacements: rubber feet/screw covers may need fresh adhesive if they don’t stick well after removal

Compatibility tip: “Chromebook 14 G5” can include multiple sub-models (you’ll see identifiers like 14-CAxxx or 14-DBxxx).
Before ordering, match the part number and compare photos of the cable/connector layout on your existing trackpad.

Safety & “Don’t Make This Harder Than It Needs to Be” Prep

• Power down completely (not sleep). Unplug the charger and remove all accessories.
• Work on a clean, flat surface with good lighting.
• ESD precautions matter: Static can damage electronics even if you don’t feel a shock. Use a wrist strap if possible, and avoid working on carpet.
• Go slow with clips and ribbon cables: Many Chromebook connectors use small locking tabs (ZIF connectors). Forcing them is how people create “a second problem” for future-you.

Step-by-Step: Replacing the Trackpad (TouchPad) in an HP Chromebook 14 G5

The general path is: remove the bottom cover, separate the keyboard/top cover assembly, then remove the trackpad from that top cover.
Keep track of screws by grouplength matters.

1) Shut down and stage your workspace

1. Shut down ChromeOS fully.
2. Unplug the charger and any devices (USB drives, headphones, mouse, everything).
3. Flip the Chromebook upside down on a soft cloth so you don’t scratch the lid.

2) Remove the bottom cover

HP’s service documentation notes that some screws are hidden under rear rubber feet and multiple small rubber screw covers.
Take your time herethis is the “opening credits” sequence.

1. Remove the rear rubber feet carefully. A plastic pry tool helps lift an edge without tearing the rubber.
   If adhesive is stubborn, warm the area gently with your hands (or very mild heat) and try again.
2. Peel off the rubber screw covers and set them sticky-side up on a clean surface so they stay reusable.
3. Remove the bottom cover screws. HP documentation lists a total of nine screws securing the bottom cover,
   including two longer screws and seven shorter screws. Keep them sorted.
4. Pop the bottom cover loose. Use a plastic pry tool around the seam. Work slowly along the edges to release clips.
   If something won’t release, double-check for a missed screwclips are not supposed to require superhero strength.

3) Separate the keyboard/top cover assembly

With the bottom cover off, you’ll detach the keyboard and touchpad ribbon cables so the top cover can lift away.
This is where gentle hands win.

1. Start at the front edge: HP’s procedure calls for separating the front edge of the keyboard/top cover from the bottom cover.
   Use a plastic tool, not metal.
2. Locate the ribbon cables: You’ll typically see a keyboard cable and a touchpad cable running to the system board.
   Some may have shielding film or tape over them.
3. Release the ZIF connector locks (the tiny flip-up or slide locks), then slide the ribbon cables out.
   Don’t pull until the lock is open.
4. Once the cables are disconnected, lift off the keyboard/top cover assembly and flip it over
   so you can access the underside where the trackpad is mounted.

4) Optional: Remove/replace the touchpad cable (only if needed)

If your trackpad replacement includes a new cable, or if the existing cable looks torn/creased near the connector,
replace it now while everything is accessible.

1. Peel back any shielding material that covers the top edge of the touchpad cable path.
2. Detach adhesive securing the cable (slowlythink “peeling a sticker off glass,” not “starting a lawn mower”).
3. Release the ZIF connector at the touchpad itself and slide the cable out.

5) Remove the old trackpad (TouchPad)

HP’s service manual procedure for the Chromebook 14 G5 indicates the touchpad is held by a bracket and multiple small screws.
iFixit’s community guide follows a similar pattern: remove the screws over the touchpad area, disconnect the flat flex cable (FFC),
and lift the trackpad out.

1. Release shielding film that covers the top edge of the trackpad area (if present).
2. Remove the screws securing the trackpad and bracket.
   HP’s documentation references three small Phillips screws securing the touchpad and bracket, plus
   three additional screws securing the touchpad to the top cover (six total in this area).
3. Remove the touchpad bracket and set it aside.
4. Lift out the trackpad from the top cover opening.

6) Install the new trackpad

1. Place the new trackpad into the opening, ensuring it sits flush and centered.
2. Reinstall the bracket and the screws. Tighten until snugdon’t over-torque tiny screws (stripped threads are the worst souvenir).
3. Reconnect the touchpad ribbon cable:
   insert it straight into the connector, make sure it’s fully seated, and close the locking tab.
   Avoid creasing the cable.
4. Reapply shielding film/tape where it was originally placed, especially if it helps hold the cable flat and protected.

7) Reassemble the Chromebook

1. Position the keyboard/top cover back onto the bottom assembly.
2. Reconnect the keyboard and touchpad ribbon cables to the system board and close the connector locks.
3. Press the edges of the top cover down until clips re-seat evenly.
4. Reinstall the bottom cover and clip it into place.
5. Reinstall the nine bottom screws in their correct locations (long vs. short).
6. Reapply screw covers and rubber feet (add a tiny amount of fresh adhesive if they won’t stick).

Post-Repair Testing in ChromeOS

Once reassembled, boot your Chromebook and test before you celebrate. (Celebration is allowed. Encouraged, even.)

• Cursor movement: smooth tracking, no jitter.
• Click: left click and right click (two-finger click) behave normally.
• Gestures: two-finger scroll, tap-to-click (if enabled), and three-finger gestures (if supported on your version of ChromeOS).
• Settings check: Open Settings and look for touchpad/mouse options to adjust sensitivity and scrolling behavior.

Troubleshooting If the New Trackpad Still Doesn’t Work

If the touchpad is still unresponsive after replacement, don’t panic. Most “post-repair failures” are connector or cable issues, not defective new parts.

Most common fixes

• Reseat the ribbon cable: Open it back up and reinsert the cable fully. A partially seated cable can look “in” but behave “out.”
• Check the ZIF lock: If the locking tab isn’t closed, the cable won’t make reliable contact.
• Inspect for cable creases: A sharply folded ribbon cable can fail. If yours is creased near the connector, replace the cable.
• Confirm part compatibility: Chromebook 14 G5 variants exist. Match the replacement to your original part number and connector style.
• Try ChromeOS troubleshooting again: clean the surface, press Esc, drumroll, restart, and hard reset.

When You Should Stop and Get Help

• You see battery swelling (puffy battery) or smell anything unusualclose it up and seek professional service.
• A ZIF connector tab breaks off and you can’t secure the ribbon cable.
• You’re working on a managed school/work Chromebook and your organization requires authorized repairs.

Conclusion

Replacing a trackpad in an HP Chromebook 14 G5 is absolutely doable with patience, the right screwdriver, and a refusal to rush ribbon cables.
The key moves are: remove the bottom cover carefully, disconnect the keyboard and touchpad cables properly, swap the touchpad and bracket cleanly,
and re-seat every connector like your cursor’s future depends on it (because it does).

Experience Notes (Real-World Tips From Doing This Kind of Repair)

The first time you replace a Chromebook trackpad, the hardest part isn’t the trackpadit’s the tiny “supporting cast” of rubber covers,
sneaky clips, and ribbon cables that look delicate because they are. If you want this repair to feel calm instead of chaotic,
treat it like a small project instead of a speedrun.

Start by organizing screws the moment they come out. I like making a quick “map” on paper: draw a rough rectangle for the laptop bottom,
then place each screw on the paper where it came from. The HP Chromebook 14 G5 uses different screw lengths for the bottom cover, and mixing them
can cause problems ranging from a bottom panel that won’t sit flat to a screw tip pressing where it shouldn’t. This is one of those moments where
two minutes of organization saves twenty minutes of “why doesn’t this fit anymore?”

Rubber feet and screw covers are also sneakier than they look. They’re designed to be removable, but the adhesive can be stubbornespecially on older
devices that have lived in backpacks, hot cars, or desks that collect dust like it’s their job. The trick is to lift slowly from an edge with a plastic
tool, then peel back gradually. If you yank, you can stretch the rubber, rip it, or leave adhesive clumps that make reassembly messy. If the covers don’t
stick well afterward, a tiny amount of fresh adhesive (or thin double-sided tape) is your best friend.

Ribbon cables deserve their own mini pep talk. The connector locks aren’t there for decorationthey prevent you from having to use force. When you’re
disconnecting a ZIF connector, use a spudger or fingernail to lift the locking flap gently, then slide the cable out. If it won’t move, stop and reassess.
Most damage happens when someone thinks “just a little more pressure” is the answer. Same rule on reassembly: insert the cable straight, confirm it’s fully
seated, then close the lock. If your cable is even slightly crooked, the touchpad can act weird (jitter, dead zones, random clicks) or not work at all.

One more real-life tip: take photos at every major step. Not artistic photosjust quick documentation of cable routing, tape placement, and which direction
a ribbon cable faces. These photos are priceless when you’re reassembling and thinking, “Was that shielding tape supposed to cover the top edge or the side?”
The right answer is: “Whatever the photo shows.”

Finally, plan a calm test moment. Don’t fully tighten every screw and slam the rubber feet back on until you’ve confirmed the touchpad works. Once it boots,
move the cursor around, click, scroll, and try the gestures you use daily. If something’s off, it’s much easier to re-open while you’re already in “repair mode”
than after you’ve sealed everything and convinced yourself it’s fine. The best repairs aren’t the fastestthey’re the ones you only have to do once.