ShaggyNPT

Q: The trackpad on my MacBook Air is acting erratic. It highlights everything when I scroll or clicks on random links. It also keeps dragging photos across the screen. I've had my Mac for about seven months. Does any know how to correct this issue?

This problem just started yesterday. I'm not sure if it was caused by the maverick update.  Is anyone else having this issue or know how to correct it?  Thanks.

MacBook Air (13-inch Mid 2012)

Posted on Oct 24, 2013 3:00 PM

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Q: The trackpad on my MacBook Air is acting erratic. It highlights everything when I scroll or clicks on random links. It also keeps ... more

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  • by Ira Wolf 81,

    Ira Wolf 81 Ira Wolf 81 Apr 5, 2014 11:58 AM in response to Ira Wolf 81
    Level 1 (50 points)
    Apr 5, 2014 11:58 AM in response to Ira Wolf 81

    OK, I spoke too soon... The trackpad issue with my wife's Macbook came back and I think it may be software related.  I deleted all internet plug-ins from their directories, and did experiencing the trackpad issue at all while working in my barely used account, or when booting into safe mode with my wife's account.  However, once I logged into my wife's account normally, the cursor started bouncing all over the place.  Removing Adobe Flash didn't help either.  I'll next try installing the 10.6.8 Combo Update (same as current s/w revision) and see if that helps.

     

    Hmm... I just noticed the recent post about the power adapter contributing to this issue.  I wasn't using it (the correct Apple one) while working on my wife's MB, but now it's plugged in.  Let's see what happens when it's unplugged...

     

    Grrr...  I now think I have a bad trackpad.  The issue came back while the power adapter was not connected.  Perhaps there's there a bad physical connection that's adversely affected when the system warms up.

     

    I think a trip to the Apple Genius Bar is in order...

     

    Regards,

    Ira

  • by colorondemand,

    colorondemand colorondemand Apr 5, 2014 5:51 PM in response to ShaggyNPT
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 5, 2014 5:51 PM in response to ShaggyNPT

    This happens as a result of cleaing your track pad with too much moisture. Let it dry out.

  • by Ira Wolf 81,

    Ira Wolf 81 Ira Wolf 81 Apr 5, 2014 7:05 PM in response to Ira Wolf 81
    Level 1 (50 points)
    Apr 5, 2014 7:05 PM in response to Ira Wolf 81

    Whoops, I caught a mistype too late to edit the orginal post.  I mean to say "I deleted all internet plug-ins from their directories, and did NOT experience the trackpad issue at all while working in my barely used account, or when booting into safe mode with my wife's account.  However..."

     

    Ira

  • by beckypreston,

    beckypreston beckypreston Apr 5, 2014 7:46 PM in response to ShaggyNPT
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 5, 2014 7:46 PM in response to ShaggyNPT

    Same here: trackpad highlights things, I can't do 2-finger scroll, and it opens up random links and drags things across the screen. I have found, however, that if it is dragging things, press "Esc." while dragging. I think, however, that it is just a matter of time, aside from the fact that it started yesterday and has just been slowing to a halt... maybe. Can anyone fix this?!

  • by Luvcrim,

    Luvcrim Luvcrim Apr 6, 2014 6:31 AM in response to beckypreston
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 6, 2014 6:31 AM in response to beckypreston

    After weeks of trying to figure out what the causes are, i found out that taking the macbook to a humide place makes it act weird... (beach, lake , bathroom, ) Also disabaling bluetooth in my case ( Apparently it sometimes interferrs with the bluetooth Magicpad). One last thing, cleaning the trackpad with a humid tissue causes that !!!

  • by Tgilding,

    Tgilding Tgilding Apr 10, 2014 2:12 AM in response to ShaggyNPT
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 10, 2014 2:12 AM in response to ShaggyNPT

    Same problem here

     

    I went out and bought an Apple wired mouse but it does the same thing ( highlights without clicking) any suggestions welcome. I am hundreds of miles from a genius bar

  • by pao1250,

    pao1250 pao1250 Sep 13, 2014 7:15 AM in response to ShaggyNPT
    Level 1 (30 points)
    Sep 13, 2014 7:15 AM in response to ShaggyNPT

    I can confirm that on my late 2014 MBA with the same problem ( a TB with a mind of it's own ) when plugged in to an aftermarket charger... The problem completely goes away when I unplug it and use it on battery power...

  • by jamzed,

    jamzed jamzed Sep 22, 2014 11:20 AM in response to ShaggyNPT
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 22, 2014 11:20 AM in response to ShaggyNPT

    I noticed the same issue a few days ago... I've spent many hours investigating it and finally I found the root cause... In my case that was AC for my Internet modem connected to electricity in the same room what MacBook... sounds weird but after AC replacement everything seems to be fine, so the problem doesn't have to be related only to your MacBook... it could be also external.

  • by macintouch-backintouch,

    macintouch-backintouch macintouch-backintouch Oct 17, 2014 6:01 AM in response to ShaggyNPT
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 17, 2014 6:01 AM in response to ShaggyNPT

    I never had issues with trackpad on My 2009 17" Macbook Pro....until I upgraded to Mavericks. Thinking it was a hardware failure or software glitch, I back up my computer and purchased Drive Genius 3 - booted from an external drive and ran all the diagnostics and disk utility diagnostics -. After hours of running tests - my Hard Drive is fine - I maxed out the memory and restarted my MBP.  My Computer or trackpad has not locked up - but I still have issues with the trackpad. IF i use the left side of the trackpad - it seems to work better - but still have difficulty in highlighting text - which involves press and drag movements.  The issue occurs with and without the power adapter attached (Original Apple Power adapter) I do not use google drive. This issue started after I upgraded to Mavericks- I will try some of the suggestions listed here...and if all suggestions fail - I will bring in to have the trackpad examined. My computer has been a workhorse - only one issue hardware repair ( a New Hard Drive- a Bad Seagate HD in original install) in over 5 years.

  • by macintouch-backintouch,

    macintouch-backintouch macintouch-backintouch Nov 5, 2014 8:04 AM in response to macintouch-backintouch
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 5, 2014 8:04 AM in response to macintouch-backintouch

    I just did the software Update to Mavericks 10.9.5 and Volia !! My Tackpad is working fine again.

  • by juicemachine,

    juicemachine juicemachine Nov 9, 2014 5:45 AM in response to Allan Dibiase
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 9, 2014 5:45 AM in response to Allan Dibiase

    This worked for me. I've had a text highlight problem for almost a year (I did a clean install on my Mid-2010 MBP) where when highlighting a word then typing a new one, the cursor would be stuck in one position so each letter I type would overwrite the previous. This was because the cursor would always be in drag lock when highlighting text. I knew it was a trackpad problem but did not think to look in Accessibilty Options. Thank you!

  • by mimidori820,

    mimidori820 mimidori820 Jul 14, 2016 2:29 AM in response to Retired Engineer
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Notebooks
    Jul 14, 2016 2:29 AM in response to Retired Engineer

    It totally did for me! Trackpad started jumping around, left and right-clicking on its own. Tried everything else, didn't work. Disabled tap to click and it immediately fixes itself. Tried re-enabling it and behold, the problem didn't come back.

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