Right click with two fingers won't work on MacBook

For a few months now, I've suddenly started having an issue where my MacBook's trackpad won't let me right click using two fingers. I've double checked System Preferences>Trackpad and made sure that "Secondary click with two fingers" is selected. I also double-checked my Expose settings to make sure there wasn't anything there set to secondary click that might impede the process, based on an older post I saw. I've also tried restarting my computer and also doing a pram reset, but neither of those have fixed my issue. Both left-clicking and scrolling are working just fine on my trackpad.


I know that I can use control + click to achieve this function, it's just much more convenient to be able to do the two-fingered click.


For context I'm using a 2017, 13-inch MacBook Pro running Sierra 10.12.6.

MacBook Pro 13", OS X 10.11

Posted on Mar 18, 2020 9:37 PM

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3 replies

Mar 19, 2020 11:21 AM in response to Ethereal_

Hello Ethereal_,



Thanks for that info and for choosing the Apple Support Communities. If I understand correctly, you are unable to use a specific two finger feature of your trackpad on your MacBook Pro. You can figure out if unexpected behavior is related to a user file or setting by trying to reproduce the issue from another user account. This process includes creating a new user account, logging in to it, and testing for the issue.



How to test an issue in another user account on your Mac



Next, use safe mode to start up your Mac as it does the following things:



  • Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed
  • Loads only required kernel extensions
  • Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically
  • Disables user-installed fonts
  • Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files



Log in to your user account and test the issue while in safe mode and then restart normally and test the issue again.



Use safe mode to isolate issues with your Mac

Graphics performance limited in macOS Recovery, safe mode, or Guest User mode



Cheers!

Apr 7, 2020 9:57 AM in response to Ethereal_

Thanks for replying, Ethereal_, and that additional info, it really helps! To help isolate this, try running First Aid on your hard drive with the built in Disk Utility tool, as this can correct issues like you're experiencing.



Disk Utility for Mac: Repair a disk using Disk Utility



Next, make sure your Mac is up to date, as the updates contain stability fixes that can resolve issues like yours, as well as important security updates to keep your Mac safe.



How to update the software on your Mac

Use the App Store to update apps on Mac



Have a great day and thanks for using the Apple Support Communities!

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Right click with two fingers won't work on MacBook

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