What is the Synaptics SMBus Driver?

The Synaptics SMBus Driver is a software component that allows Windows to communicate with Synaptics touchpad hardware on a laptop or desktop. SMBus stands for System Management Bus, which is a low-speed communication bus used for connecting system components like sensors and touchpads to the motherboard. The Synaptics SMBus Driver specifically handles communication between the touchpad hardware (often Synaptics-brand touchpads) and the operating system, enabling features such as:

• Multi-touch gestures (e.g., pinch to zoom, two-finger scroll)
• Tapping, scrolling, and clicking behavior
• Palm rejection and other advanced touchpad settings
• Customization of touchpad settings via the Synaptics Control Panel

This driver is essential for ensuring the touchpad works correctly and supports all its advanced features, such as gesture recognition and customization. Without it, the touchpad may not function properly or at all.