M1 MacBook Air - freezing cursor and stuck track pad

Update: because I was within the remorse period I opted for a replacement machine. I received it and within 2 days the same issue occurred. So this is obviously a software issue. I then had an update come through and since doing that everything has been fine.

I had the exact same issue on my M1 Air, still on Big Sur 11.2.3, where the trackpad sometimes seems to be permanently clicked and the the cursor can't be moved or is behaving erratic and sometimes jerking around on its own. Most times it got resolved by closing and reopening the lid, or sometimes by pressing down in the corners of the trackpad one by one until it registered the click again.

I also turned off the tap-to-click option and since then it didn't happen any more, so maybe it is related to that. But who knows it might also return..

After struggling with this issue for weeks, I found that changing the Trackpad Click setting to Firm appears to have resolved all of my issues with the cursor getting stuck or jumping around.

I assume this is a software issue with M1 MacBooks and that the Trackpad may be too sensitive. The firm setting seems to remove the Force/double click and that seems to resolve the issue. Please note I am on the latest OS.

Go to Settings - Trackpad - Click set to Firm on slider.

This may not work for everyone but hope this helps others.

I received a new 13" MacBook Pro last December. Am having my share of problems, including weekly unwarranted restarts , frozen arrow and more. I usually work connected to an external 27" screen and a member of an Apple support team urged me to disconnect from it, "because Big Sur software dealing with external screen is incomplete yet and is leading to different issues, including unwarranted restarts. It will be fixed in future versions." I unplugged the screen ten days ago and no unwarranted restarts since, but his does not mean much yet.

An interesting fact is that when I was connected to an external screen, and The Case of the Freezing Arrow cam with new chapters, the arrow did not freeze on the external screen and I could continue my work. I wonder if any of the members had such experience.

I am also having problems with disappearing Dock and Mail on Mac which takes 8-9 minutes to launch. Where is the forum for those questions, please?

Thank you

Abe

Same problem - same solution.

The Air is a lemon.

Apple knows that at least since last January and has done nothing about it.

Life is too short, especially when you pay top dollars for a computer and get aggravations from Day One.

If you can still do it at no extra cost, I suggest you return the lemon and change it for a peach.

I am using MacBook Pros since 2013 and a MacBook 2009-2013. Real pleasure!

My son changed from Air to MBP two years ago and is sorry he was ever involved with Air.

Good luck!

I fixed the freezing cursor by:

1. uninstalling Chrome and Firefox video related plugins. 2. disabling all permissions for camera in the privacy panel . 3. Shift-control-option restart.

I don't know which of three measures did the trick. Of course after that I re-enabled permissions.

Good article https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.howtogeek.com/682516/mac-camera-not-working-heres-how-to-fix-it/amp/

Hey there Daniel_87,

Thanks for reaching out to Apple Support Communities. We understand that you're having some issues with your trackpad becoming unresponsive. We're happy to provide some assistance.

The steps outlined in this article may help:

If your pointer is jumpy when you use a trackpad, Magic Trackpad, or Magic Mouse

Let us know if the issue persists after working through those steps and booting in safe mode (step 5).

Have a great day!

Seems the only fix is to return the Air and swap it for a Mac Book Pro.

Now, with OS 11.3 I really enjoy my M1 13" MBP.

No frozen arrow, no self-triggered Restarts, MAIL works perfectly, as do the peripherals - Old Brother printer, Old Logitech K480 keyboard, new Steelseries mouse and old AOC 27" monitor.

Not pretending to be a tech, but what I would do is disconnect the bluetooth keyboard, tablet and mouse. If the problem goes away then try connecting those bluetooth devices one at a time and see which one causes the problem

if problem does not go away then contact Apple support.

Have had mine for six months and do use a Logitech bluetooth mouse, Samsung usb solid state drive for time machine and a usb HP laser printer. No such problem with freezing trackpad or keyboard.

I am having the same issue.

I've had my M1 MacBook Air for less than a week, and at seemingly random times, the trackpad will freeze. The battery is not low, and no applications other than Chrome are open. This has now happened 4 times, and 3 out of the 4 times was after using the laptop for more than 6 hours. Everything you said lines up with my experiences. Connecting a second mouse works, but that does not correct the trackpad.

I am confident this is a software issue as others who have replaced their laptops continued to have problems. Besides that, I look forward to seeing if a replacement does fix your problem.