Trackpad force click not working on my 13" macbook pro.

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Level 1

8 points

Trackpad force click not working on my 13" macbook pro.

I bought my MacBook in 2018 so it's one of the new-ish ones.

For some reason over the last couple months, the Force click has been intermittent, I can still navigate and Tap but I can't push the pad in at all, It's a smooth, solid block. Very frustrating.

I have tried:

Checking for updates - both in system preferences and the app store

Turning it off and on again: I fully shutdown and usually close the lid every single night. This worked the first time but the issue came back since then and persists.

Placing my palm over the trackpad: I read somewhere that this works but I hasn't for me.

Messing about with the trackpad settings i.e. Changing the speed etc, turning the force click off, closing the lid, opening it again and tuning it on and things of that ilk.

Currently I am using a logitech wireless mouse to satisfy that physical movement and clicking feedback which is really what yah want from a mouse. However, I do miss my trackpad haha

thanks for any help

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 11.1

Posted on Jan 5, 2021 4:03 AM

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Answer 1

Jan 8, 2021 5:25 AM in response to TheRealPip

TheRealPip,

Resetting the System Management Controller and resetting the NVRAM may be helpful. These articles will provide you with the steps for each:

How to reset the SMC of your Mac - Apple Support

Reset NVRAM or PRAM on your Mac - Apple Support

Regards.

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Answer 2

Jan 7, 2021 9:02 AM in response to TheRealPip

Hello TheRealPip,

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities!

We understand from your post that you are not longer able to use Force Touch with the trackpad of your MacBook Pro. This article has information regarding why you may not always feel Force Touch that you may find helpful:

How to use the Force Touch trackpad - Apple Support

"A few of the examples of what you can do with a Force click only work if "Force click with one finger" is active. You enable or disable this in the "Point & Click" tab under "Look up & data detectors."

Force Touch trackpad must have power to click

Your Force Touch trackpad doesn't click when it's turned off, because it needs power to provide haptic feedback (like clicks). This applies to Magic Trackpad 2 as well as Force Touch trackpads built into Mac notebook computers."

Best Regards.

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Answer 3

TheRealPip Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 7, 2021 2:03 PM in response to Alwayswantingtohelp1

Hi there, thanks for the reply.

Here's a picture of my settings below. As you can see, I have force click and haptic feeback on with force click enabled. Perhaps you have dealt with less sensible people in the past so I can understand you second statement, but I do know that the computer needs to be ON with power for it to work - that's just sensible. The computer is perfectly on and running with these setting when I have this issue.

Recently I thought that it was perhaps being blocked due to my use of a separate mouse, however disabling the new mouse changes nothing.

Unfortunately, my issue isn't simply due to a lack of trying or lack of common sense - my issue is essentially a software issue from what I have gathered. If need be, I can post a video of me using the mouse with these settings and there persisting to be a lack of clicking. You see, I can tap to click and generally use the pad but I have no CLICKING (feel or sound) feedback whatsoever.

I will check out that article you have kindly directed me too - and thanks for trying to help.

Kinda regards

A frustrated Apple user - Pip

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Answer 4

Jan 8, 2021 3:17 PM in response to TheRealPip

TheRealPip,

It is always good to create periodic backups of your Mac, but resetting the SMC and NVRAM should not affect your data. If you would like to backup your Mac this article will provide you with the necessary steps:

Back up your Mac with Time Machine - Apple Support

Take Care.

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