Q: Trackpad is jumpy

Jumpy Trackpad

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1449

Go step by step and test.

1. Restart

2. Shut down the computer.

    Clean the trackpad with moist not wet microfiber cloth.

    System Preferences > Point & Click

    Try turning off three finger dragging and then turning it on after  testing.

3. Is there any Bluetooth device nearby with failing batteries? If so, replace the batteries.

  4. Reset PRAM:   http://support.apple.com/kb/PH14222

5. Reset SMC.     http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964

    Choose the method for:

    "Resetting SMC on portables with a battery you should not remove on your own".

6. Close all windows and quit all applications.

    Click the spotlight -the magnifying glass icon- in the menu bar. Enter Disk utility in the box.

    Select Disk Utility from the drop down. When the Disk utility window opens up,

    select  Macintosh HD, then First Aid.

    Click Repair Disk Permissions button.

    Ignore the  time remaining estimate.

    Last 1 minute may take longer.

 
  If this does not solve the problem, you may have to take the computer to the Apple store

to have it checked out.

Best.

Hey! I just had this problem literally minutes ago, I reset the PRAM and everything but it did not work, the instructions did NOT help me.

I was worried that it was a swollen battery as some have suggested in other forums, but I found a really helpful solution (works for now).

Press down on the left side of your trackpad kind of forcefully, and try to push your trackpad (the actual component of your computer) to the RIGHT side of the macbook. Apparently it can get kind of stuck on the left side and needs to be unjammed essentially.

Let me know if it works, this was one of the most obscure solutions I have found, thank god no trip to the apple store!

Hey there,

Same problem (I have to say after my son dropped the MacBook from a fish feet). I reset PRAM, SMAC. No result. I followed Random12's advice on resting the trackpads position I did it in all four directions (L, R, U, D) and voile...fixed. This makes sense as the trackpad shifted ever...so...slightly and need to be re-seated.

Thanks!

WOW! This worked for me, thanks so much!!!

I had this problem today and came here to check out what others said. One person said they took their fingernail and ran it all around the edges of the trackpad and then pressed all four corners at one. Lo and behold it worked for me!  I can't find their comment t thank them but if I could I certainly would. Such a simple resolve. I don't even know where my nearest Apple Genius Bar is up here in northern Michigan, so I am really pleased!!! Dirt!???

beware of unshielded video cables.

I had been having issues with my trackpad and while trying every possible solution I found that the HDMI cable I was using to export my video to the screen was causing some sort of interference with the track pad.

Changed the cable to a DVI and I am free of sloppiness and jumpy behavior.

I guess a higher quality HDMI cable would have fixed the problem as well.

Genius. Worked a charm.

Resets, safe mode, nothing else worked.

Merry christmas! Thanks!

Press down on the left side of your trackpad kind of forcefully, and try to push your trackpad (the actual component of your computer) to the RIGHT side of the macbook. Apparently it can get kind of stuck on the left side and needs to be unjammed essentially.