13” Macbook pro 2015 trackpad and keyboard not working.

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13” Macbook pro 2015 trackpad and keyboard not working.

I have a 13 mbp 2015 (a1502) which had issues where the trackpad and kb would stop working when the laptop was in certain positions (pressure upward from the middle of the laptop as I found out).

I googled and found out flex cable fails often on this device — so I replaced it and now it does not work at all.

Now I bought a new trackpad and tried it before swapping it in — it was working. After I put it in and powered it on, there were still no signs of life from the keyboard and trackpad, so I taken it apart to take a better look.

I noticed that if there was any pressure on the trackpad cover plate from the battery cell — actually even if that cell was touching the plate — the trackpad and kb would stop functioning and as soon as I would detach it they would work again. This is very unusual since the battery is not only supposed to touch that cover but should actually be glued to it.

I am curious what do you think, someone suggested that it might be an issue with the motherboard connector, until I take the motherboard to a repair shop on monday, I would appreciate any kind of feedback.

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 11.2

Posted on Mar 18, 2021 1:32 PM

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Answer 1

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HWTech

Community+ 2026

Level 9

70,268 points

Mar 19, 2021 5:16 PM in response to radugabriel13

If just lightly touching the plate triggers the issue, then I would try insulating the inside of the plate with some electrical tape to eliminate the plate from possibly shorting out the Trackpad. Are you sure part of the battery isn't shorting out against the trackpad plate (maybe do the same on the battery side of the plate)?

Is the plate look Ok? Check to make sure it isn't twisted or bent as it may exert pressure onto the Trackpad causing the Trackpad to twist or flex.

Are you using the correct screws in the correct locations and didn't accidentally damage the trackpad?

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Answer 2

Mar 18, 2021 5:44 PM in response to radugabriel13

Is the battery perhaps starting to swell? Sometimes it can be hard to detect.

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Answer 3

Mar 19, 2021 4:15 AM in response to HWTech

Does not seem swollen to me, granted it is a new battery with 200 cycles on it.

But it wouldn’t matter, would it? The simple touch of the trackpad cover triggers this, not even the whole weight of it which the trackpad plate is supposed to bear and even more surely (the second middle cell and god knows what else).

So to clarify, this issue was present before, changed trackpad cable and trackpad with new ones and the issue got even worse, the only thing left is the motherboard connector, right? The plate can’t be of any issue since it is just a piece of metal and then even if the battery was swollen, I had the bottom case cover off and it was hanging downwards at an angle when I tried the new swapped in trackpad.

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Answer 4

Mar 20, 2021 5:12 AM in response to HWTech

The plate looks fine, not bent or anything. I will try some electrical tape next.

All the screws are the same size and I made sure to not tighten them too much since I had a very hard time taking the screws out when I took the old trackpad out.

Thank you for the advice.

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Answer 5

Mar 20, 2021 8:26 AM in response to HWTech

I tried electrical tape on the battery side and some on the trackpad side (this side looks brand new, I've put electrical tape on the parts where it is not coated). Anyway prior to it I wanted to see if I could get it working as previously, by lifting the battery cell, but it seems it won't work any way I'd try. Tried the old cable as well, this laptop just drained my soul, I can't take it anymore.

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Answer 6

Mar 19, 2021 4:17 AM in response to radugabriel13

https://youtube.com/shorts/Bbc0MB4wwo8

This is my problem.

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13” Macbook pro 2015 trackpad and keyboard not working.

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