Macbook pro unibody trackpad issue

I’ve just experienced this issue with the trackpad not clicking consistently, not click/dragging in the past 24 hours on my late 2009 MacBook and have been searching for a solution online for several hours. This after having boasted to a friend yesterday of having had no issues with the machine in 18 months of ownership! Had already rung a repair centre today that quoted almost NZ$250 to replace the trackpad (I’d noticed the trackpad seemed to have slumped slightly at the front and wondered if that was the issue) and was pulling my hair out with frustration (I’m a student, I don’t have that kind of money!).

But your method of turning the MacBook on its sides and clicking the trackpad has worked! Just opened up a Word document to test it and can once again click/select any text I choose. I can open files with a click, select a file or folder and drag it wherever. Brilliant! Money saved!

Just curious. As your last post on this was October 2010, have you had any further need to use this fix?

Many thanks!

Worked for me on my mid-2009 MBP too! Many many thanks!

Spilled a few drops of soup on the trackpad a few days ago and controlling it became unreliably erratic. Did the two-flip click-fest and now it's working like a champ again.

Hey guys, I was experiencing the same problem for a while already. I actually gave up on using the click function on my macbook pro and was just using the tapping options. After anyhow taking some time to read upon some forums I tried all the described tricks. None was working for me though, trying the "on-it's-side-click-method", aplying firm pressure on certain spots, even giving it a slight smash. I found something else which suddenly make it work again anyhow!

Solution: My technique was to put my mouth on the side of the trackpad, on the place where the gapof the lid is, and blew into the internals, probably in this way removing any filth which was in there.

I hope this solution will help for anyone else who's not able to fix it with the other ones

what a luck to find this post!! my touchpad also did not response to click but only tapping before. i just fix this touchpad problem using the "on the side click" method, though only left side get fixed. Maybe I should click harder to get the right bottom work too🙂

Fantastic! putting the Macbook Pro on it's side, clicking repeatedly, then repeating on the other side wor

Why? How? I have no idea. ...but it does seem to! (And it's a simple enough fix to be easy to replicate if/when needed.)

Thank you!

Great advice, everyone; thanks! Just wanted to add one thing: In investigating why my trackpad isn't clicking properly when my macbook pro unibody has been on for a while, I discovered that my battery becomes slightly bowed when it gets warm. This puts pressure on the trackpad from underneath. When my battery is removed, the trackpad clicks like new. Guess it's time for a new battery.

Oh wow, I just tried the blowing method without trying the clicking method and it worked. Thanks 🙂 hope it will last for a while!

First off, Apple's trackpad's work on a principal called, "coupling competence", very similar to a capactive touchscreen. I own a 13 inch late 2009 MacBook Pro and starting having major issues with the trackpad after about six months use. Hardware issues are not fun and can definately be a pain, but fortunately mine was in the software. I tried everything, cleaning it the trackpad, restarting the system, redoin system drivers and eventually I backed up my files and reinstalled Mac OS X. It worked fine after that. Restoring the system was definately annoying since I so many files on my computer but it did get my jumpy, eratic, and most of the time not responding trackpad to work. Another option is to get a wireless mouse or use your iPad, iPod touch, or iPhone as a substitue trackpad. There are several applications on the App store that are wonderful with it. Personally, I like AirMouse Pro but its whatever you prefer. Hope this helps... Also, if you are wondering if the issue is software or hardware, try booting off a live CD, such as Ubuntu or your Mac OS X restore disk. (Just hold down option on startup) If your trackpad is still acting up it is probably a hardware issue, however if it works okay I would advise to backup your files and reinstall OS X. Personally, I think something detrimental happened to the trackpad .kexts, but who knows...

wow! I have been struggling with this issue for several days. Done all kinds of things to make it work! took battery out, left it out, used mouse only, cleaned the trackpad, etc, etc, etc .... Read this post, and thought no way!

Then i tried it. And it worked!!! Unbelievable. Makes no sense in why or what this does, but at least for the last 5 minutes, it is working! That is a start!!

Just tried this on my wife's MacBook Pro 5,3. Amazingly, it seems to be working well, at least for the first five minutes. Will report later if it degrades over time. Thanks!

I wound up actually having to replace my trackpad. That trick lasted one session, but next day, I had the same issues. I actually took it to an Apple Store. They checked it out, ran tests, etc ... and couldn't replicate the problem. Thought it was fixed. Got back home, and same issues. I took videos of the screen acting crazy. I ended up ordering an original trackpad from "PowerBook Medic". I have repaired many computers, but this was delicate, involved removing many many components, so I took back to Apple Store. They installed the part I ordered (which they normally do NOT do) since it was a genuine Apple part. They didn't charge me anything for either trip. But in actuality, it would have been cheaper for me to just allow the Apple Store to replace the part. Their cost, including labor, would have been cheaper than the part I bought. My suggestion: take it in!

I got a used MacBook Pro 5,1 from a friend recently and noticed it had this issue (would only click if the bottom of the trackpad was pressed really hard).

It was easily fixed by removing the bottom cover and turning the adjustment screw on the trackpad. The adjustment screw takes a three-pointed ("tri-wing") driver, but I got it to turn by using a smaller 6-sided driver I had laying around. This may be harder to access for different models, but was super easy on mine and it was especially nice that I could run it (battery out, power adapter plugged in) while doing this to tell when I adjusted it just the right amount.

I had a slightley different problem my mouse wouldnt stop jumping everyware and wouldnt let me click at all it would just go everyware so for the past month and a bit ive had to use a wired mouse to use my laptop i figured out that sometimes the battery after years of use swells up and puts pressure on the trackpad and stops it working and stops you being able to click you have to buy a screwdriver pasificley to remove the battery and all i done was took the battery out removed the track pad cleaned it all up and i must have put it in a better place and it all seems to work fine. because i dont have apple care anymore i decided to look at it my self but if you do it yourself be carefull not to catch anything on the motherboard because you will mess your laptop up completeley and it wont be worth bothering with but it seemed to work for me so could work for you. so glad i dont have to use a mouse any more was a pain in the neck 🙂