You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Steve Eugene Author

Level 1

11 points

Unresponsive Keyboard and Trackpad problem FIXED/RESOLVED

I've been dealing with this issue since early December myself.
I purchased the MBP in November and had nearly a month with out any issues.

I spent nearly two hours on the phone with Apple Care via a specialist trying to diagnose the problem yesterday.
He did mention that they believe neither the 10.5.1 update or the MBP 1.1 update were to blame for occurrence of this issue. (I remain slightly skeptical)

Let me give you a short rundown of my problems and what I've done to help resolve the issue. Hopefully it'll help some of you.. or help me (with some of everyone else insight) if it happens again.

The symptoms:
keyboard and trackpad become unresponsive.
The problem is intermittent but often is completely unresponsive at start up.
USB mouse and keyboards have full functionality.

Kernel panics often occur as well. Usually this occurs just after the keyboard and track pad experience extreme intermittent "on and off" periods.
The only option is to do a hard-restart which my or may not resolve the unresponsiveness.

Things I've addressed in my particular case:

1. The battery recall issue - my battery (6N745288YFTA) is OK.
2. Resetting the PMU - no change.
3. Re-installing both the 10.5.1 and MBP 1.1 updates - no effect.
4. pressing the Function + S key at start up and running /sbin/fsck -fy The HD is said to be OK
5. I just finished an Archive and reinstall of Leopard = this seems to have fixed the issue for the moment. I have not run the Updater to bring the OS back to it's fully updated form yet.

The Archive and Re-install DID NOT WORK.
Even upon downloading and installing the 10.5.1 and 1.1 update, I'm still back at square one.

I've also been experiencing these phantom keystrokes to the eject key and backlight myself lately.

I've resolved to wait for the 10.5.2 official release to see of that helps... If not then I'll break down and send my machine in for service.

_____________________________________
Model Name: MacBook Pro
Model Identifier: MacBookPro3,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2.4 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 4 MB
Memory: 2 GB
Bus Speed: 800 MHz
Boot ROM Version: MBP31.0070.B05
SMC Version: 1.16f10
Sudden Motion Sensor:
State: Enabled

THE SOLUTION:

This is a HARDWARE problem!

After playing around with removing the battery and noticing that this often returned functionality to the keyboard I surmised that this had some sort of physical aspect.
Sure enough, there is a section of copper colored tape/wiring exposed in the batter slot that is slightly bowed where it's smallest.
When I depressed this with my finger tip on this portion to basically flatten it out flush against the housing; I found that all functionality was restored!

You can see the portion in the picture below.

I haven’t had any problems AT ALL since I took a piece of napkin and taped it down to sustain pressure on this portion of bowed tape/wiring.

I have yet to call AppleCare to see what they suggest I do.
I will post a reply here when I hear their suggestion.

Mac Book Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.1), 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 2 GB 667 MHz SDRAM

Posted on Jan 27, 2008 3:18 PM

Top-ranking reply

metaweb

Level 1

40 points

Posted on Apr 14, 2017 8:01 AM

Same problem here. It's a design issue. My keyboard and trackpad also stopped responding, couldn't get past login ... The problem is that Apple ran the trackpad cable over the top of the battery. And as Macbooks get thinner and thinner, component are snugger and snugger. So, when the battery heats up, and it will when watching YouTube videos or running video editing programs as many of us do, the trackpad cable gets unseated from the connected to the trackpad board. I have an Early 2015 Macbook Pro, and this problem surfaced just after the 1-year warranty period expired. If I turn my Macbook Pro over and firmly press in an up and down motion over the bottom case (under where the trackpad, trackpad cable and battery are all 3 aligned, then turn on my laptop, I once again have a working keyboard and trackpad and can login as normal. This is not what one would expect from such an expensive laptop. As these things get thinner and thinner ... problems will crop up more and more.

Apple Support will tell you to reset your NVRAM and SMC ... but that is the canned reply. Resetting those do fix other problems: keyboard backlights and other wonky issues ... but it will not reconnect an unseated trackpad ribbon. And if you are out of warranty ... just purchase a replacement ribbon on ebay and install it yourself. Taking it to an authorized Apple Repair Center will cost you an arm and a leg, especially outside of the USA where there's no price regulation.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/821-00184-A-Touchpad-Trackpad-Cable-for-Apple-MacBook-Pr o-Retina-13-A1502-2015-/111975916834?hash=item1a1248e522

The link above is only for the Early 2015 (March) MacBook Pro ... you will need to research your models ribbon for replacement.

View in context

382 replies

aldo007

Level 1

0 points

Jun 7, 2010 4:12 PM in response to aldo007

Okay, I can share an update with my system with you all. After leaving the machine with Apple for a few days, they still could not diagnose the problem.

Symptoms:
* freezing trackpad and keyboard (usb plug in's wouldn't work)
* ram alarm on subsequent start up after forcing the machine off
* very slow to sleep, would get stuck in sleep mode
* gray to black screen with eventual notice to shut off

They felt the machine had a few problems, and note it is 9 months out of warranty and we have no apple care. Their ram diagnostic, and all their hardware diagnostics found nothing (note they did not initially suggest I replace the top case). As a last resort, I restored from back up to see if that would help - of course it didn't.

I got a call today that said they will replace the ram and top case at their expense. I have the machine back already, and it seems fine so far. So, be persistent and calm and you may get somewhere. We save $700 on these two repairs, and we appreciated the offer and I left a happy customer. My suspicion is that there is some sort of memo saying they need to support folks with these issues, which are clearly related to the design of the computer.

Numeric

Level 1

8 points

Jun 9, 2010 4:08 PM in response to Steve Eugene

Any update on this problem?!

I tried putting a piece of paper on the copper thing and it worked for a bit, but sometimes when the computer falls asleep it will be unresponsive when it wakes up. It seems like it's a combination of both hardware and software.

It's driving me insane.

Jun 9, 2010 9:34 PM in response to Numeric

I think it's entirely hardware related. Since I'm on vacation from school, I've been using it for the past three (3) weeks on my bed, zero freezing problems. Yesterday I moved it to a desk just for a few minutes to print something, guess what happened? Yeah, it froze.

So again, three weeks always on a bed and zero problems. Using it on a desk for 5 mnutes and it froze.

odhez

Level 1

4 points

Jun 13, 2010 1:09 PM in response to Carlos*usmx

I have exactly the same problem, on my MacBook Pro (A1226). The keyboard and trackpad stop working. By pushing on the top of the trackpad the stuff work again then again stop to work. I used the paper trick under the battery, but again that was working for some time only. Now I have an external keyboard and a mouse.
I am convinced that is a design problem, I don't understand why Apple don't offer to fix the problem.

Olivier

Jun 16, 2010 5:28 AM in response to Steve Eugene

Dear All,
This is the second time i have faced this problem!! My keyboard and trackpad stopped working in Oct 2009. and service centres told me it was a problem with my logic board whcih would cost approx 1200$!!

i tried the PRAM settings and my laptop worked then!
its my bad luck is that i dont have the apple protection plan!
Now the same thing has come up again!!! and NOW they are telling me the cost is about 790$!!!
I tried the PRAM settings once again but it is not working.. and i dont know if i should spend so much again!! Pls provide me some help! The keyboard and trackpad are totally not working. the sleep function also doesnt seem to work.

😟 Distressed

Jun 16, 2010 6:30 AM in response to Steve Eugene

FYI, I just got my MBP back from having work done on it. Apple replaced the topcase and we haven't had a problem for the last five days, before that the track pad and keyboard were freezing every hour or two. Looks like my issue was hardware related after all. For those of you with a Caps Lock button that randomly flashes on and off, this is probably your issue.

aldo007

Level 1

0 points

Jun 16, 2010 8:43 AM in response to Mac-Problem

Mac-Problem, your symptoms reflect mine. Apple replaced the top case and RAM, and the problem has been solved for at least 1.5 weeks now. Note, we did not have apple care, and with some effort and persistence, they replaced these 2 items at their costs.

Also, have you tried the 10.6.4. OS upgrade? There is a note saying it fixes "trackpad and keyboard unresponsiveness" etc.

Jun 16, 2010 5:03 PM in response to ghettoholder

"a Caps Lock button that randomly flashes on and off"

Interesting. This occasionally happens to me. The paper wedge is still holding up and I keep a fan blowing on it to keep it cool, and it hasn't happened in some time.

Ugh. Do not have the money to replace the top case.

Jun 17, 2010 11:10 AM in response to Sandra Guzdek

Have had an occasional freeze before upgrading. It usually happened when the computer was on for a long time, I forgot to turn on smcFanControl, and the computer's temperature got close to 150 degrees. Updated to OS 10.6.4 yesterday. So far so good.

Between the tape, bumpers under the laptop, smcFanControl, and OS 10.6.4, I think that the problem is fixed for now.

Jun 18, 2010 1:46 AM in response to Steve Eugene

Hi...

One if my cousin is facing the similar problems with his MacBook (Silver Unibody) itz late 2008 model...

Updated it 2 OSX 10.6.4 but no help... the keyboard & trackpad are still not responding...

But, Keyboard seems 2 b working while trying 2 boot from DVD or USB whn pressing "Option" key on keyboard...

Kindly help me knw... is it a software Problem or a Hardware...

Thanx...

Mac-Medic

Level 6

17,301 points

Jun 18, 2010 3:52 AM in response to Dhiraj Gajria

Here is the problem and fix I found with my 2008 Unibody MBP (MB471LL/A).

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2465507&tstart=0

Check out the new remodeled MacOSG website! 24-hour Apple-related news & support.
 MacOSG: An Apple User Group  iTunes: MacOSG Podcast  Follow us on Twitter: MacOSG

Jun 18, 2010 6:21 PM in response to Mac-Medic

This has to be a hardware issue. At least on my end. I've been using my early 08 MacBook Pro solely on a bed for a couple of weeks now, not a single issue. I've been on a desk only for the second time in the past few weeks and not even ten minutes into it and I get a keyboard and trackpad freezing issue.

I've been on 10.6.4 since it was available a couple days ago.

Jun 21, 2010 3:00 PM in response to Carlos*usmx

I've sure it's hardware, too! I'm not sure what or why. But for me is seems to have issues when it sits in a certain position. Mainly when direct pressure is put on the center, middle (battery area).

I've tried ALL the fixes. Tape. Paper. Etc. I'm going to pick up some of those rubber, sticky backed things you can put on backs of remotes, phones, etc to give it a little grip. I'm wonder if keeping the bottom from getting this direct pressure will resolve my issue.

I'll try to report back after a few weeks.

Jun 21, 2010 5:06 PM in response to Jennifer B.

Well, a few days after the 10.6.4 update, Saturday to be precise, the trackpad went wacky again, and the gestures no longer worked. The capslock light went on all on its own. I shoved an additional piece of paper in there, set the computer up on wooden chopsticks (they're lying down, and in a position that the computer doesn't roll away on them, obviously) until I can buy little rubber feet, and have a fan blowing on the whole thing from the side. It's kind of ridiculous that a computer made for PORTABILITY has to be handled in such a delicate way. I haven't even had this computer for 2 years. I'm still paying on it, fer cryin' out loud.

Mind you, in all my years of owning a Mac, this is the first real issue I've had, and it's not going to keep me from staying with Mac. It's just a real disappointment that this hasn't been acknowledged as a defect and a some sort of recall issued. I do not have the money to replace the top case, when the flawed design might mean this could happen all over again.

(It's funny, Jennifer B., that's pressure that causes yours not to work. It seems to be the thing that makes mine work.)

sandra

Jun 21, 2010 7:43 PM in response to Sandra Guzdek

I'm with you, Sandra. I've only owned Mac computers (my first was 7200 in school) and this is the first time I've run into an issue like this.

My bother and my cousin both own computers just like mine and they don't have this problem which makes me think it's mostly (maybe only) hardware related.

Every single time I spoke with Applecare they wanted to go over the same trouble shooting steps. All the way to a complete clean reinstall of the OS. I flat out said NO. I'm going to all that trouble when there are literally 100's of people on here who did that only to have it come back.

Anyway, I gave up with Applecare and just live with this issue FOR NOW. But before my Applecare runs out next Oct I'm going to make them replace some of the parts in HOPES it resolves it.

Unresponsive Keyboard and Trackpad problem FIXED/RESOLVED