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User profile for user: TSHanna19
TSHanna19 Author
User level: Level 1
23 points

Trackpad is stuck and won't click

Hi all,


I'm currently at my job (journalist) and I was typing a story up while in the car. I have had no issues with my Macbook Air trackpad physically clicking whatsoever previously. It was working fine an hour ago, as I often click and drag along sentences when editing stories. I closed my laptop to attend to a 30 minute interview. When I went to use it again the trackpad feels depressed and won't click. I've tried gently tapping around the area, and on the back of the laptop to see if it would become unstuck but didn't work. Why would this randomly happen if it was working fine and then shortly after it's stuck? What can I do to fix it as use this computer a lot for work, and definitely can't afford to buy a new one... :(

MacBook

Posted on Aug 21, 2020 1:38 AM

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User profile for user: HWTech
HWTech
User level: Level 9
60,326 points

Posted on Aug 21, 2020 7:01 PM

Perhaps the battery is beginning to swell and is pressing against the Trackpad which is preventing proper movement. If the battery is swelling, then you should stop using the laptop and get it serviced as it can severely deform the laptop's case increasing the cost of the repair.


If the battery is not swelling, then most likely some dirt or liquid has gotten in between the gaps at the edges of the Trackpad and is preventing proper movement. I see this all the time, but would require a repair tech to disassemble the laptop and Trackpad in order to clean the trackpad and trackpad housing.



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User profile for user: HWTech
HWTech
User level: Level 9
60,326 points

Aug 21, 2020 7:01 PM in response to TSHanna19

Perhaps the battery is beginning to swell and is pressing against the Trackpad which is preventing proper movement. If the battery is swelling, then you should stop using the laptop and get it serviced as it can severely deform the laptop's case increasing the cost of the repair.


If the battery is not swelling, then most likely some dirt or liquid has gotten in between the gaps at the edges of the Trackpad and is preventing proper movement. I see this all the time, but would require a repair tech to disassemble the laptop and Trackpad in order to clean the trackpad and trackpad housing.



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User profile for user: John Galt
John Galt
User level: Level 10
146,330 points

Aug 21, 2020 5:08 AM in response to TSHanna19

Why would this randomly happen if it was working fine and then shortly after it's stuck?


The reason is that malfunctions always occur subsequent to proper operation.


What can I do to fix it as use this computer a lot for work, and definitely can't afford to buy a new one... :(


Shut down your Mac. Force it to shut down if necessary, and then perform an NVRAM Reset: Reset NVRAM or PRAM on your Mac - Apple Support. If that does not immediately fix the problem, Contact Support to determine repair options. It's almost certainly repairable.

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Trackpad is stuck and won't click

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