Trackpad on my MacBook Air not working post macOS Sonoma Update.

Don't know if this will help anyone, but after I updated my laptop was having sporadic issues with the trackpad not selecting/deselecting things on the desktop, but not directly an issue with apps. Turns out I left a bluetooth keyboard in my desk drawer that was holding space + shift when things shifted, and being connected to the laptop obviously caused absolute chaos. Just in case anyone out there is going for a full downgrade to sort the problem out and haven't thought of it! (mildly embarrassing).

i had the same but in system settings>desktop and dock

in Desktop and stage manager, tick show items

and Click wallpaper to reveal desktop, select option “Only in Stage Manager”

this seems to correct it.

I have the same issue. It started when I updated my Apple MacBook Air (2022) M2 (8-core CPU/8-core GPU) 16GB/512GB to Sonoma. And it only occurs when I have an external display connected.

I use this a lot when giving trainings both online and in person with a beamer, so it's extremely annoying!

It helped a bit when I changed the settings in Desktop & Dock/Mission Control/Displays have separate spaces but then I can't optimally use the second display anymore. When I switch it back it works for a bit but then deteriorates again.

This really needs to be fixed, because it is definitely something widespread.

I wiped my MacBook Air clean and did a fresh reinstall of the OS. Well actually, recovery installed Ventura and I upgraded it to Sonoma. Haven't had the issue again.

It's troubling how uninformed and apathetic support is these days. Six or seven calls and 3 trips to the Genius Bar of something that would have been done in the first call in my previous experiences. One genius wanted to have the track pad replaced at a cost of sending it out for 5 days to be repaired? I asked what happened to repairs taking an hour or two and questioned how it could be a hardware issue when it works when it works? It's a joke. And you can google the answers faster than the first person you get on a support call. And to have an upper level support member argue with me over what a genius told me 5 or 10 times in a call is unacceptable. He was much more interested in being right than solving my issue. I would say either no one wrote notes or no one read them, because every encounter was starting from scratch. It's an unreal waste of time for me to explain myself to some poorly trained first tier support person who has obviously received no training past how to answer the phone.

All the wasted time, I could have mastered a windows laptop, android phone, Garmin watch and Bose headphones. Apple is certainly not worth the premium for support anymore and I'm questioning the quality.

Do you have the same problem while in Safe Mode, or with a different user account? I've had no Trackpad issue in Sonoma on my M1 MacBook Air and I've been running it since June.

Use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support

Use the previous suggestion - First.

On the same M2 MBA upgraded from Ventura 13.6 to Sonoma 14.0 and not issues here with the builtin Trackpad

Does there appear to any type of Bulging on Laptop Frame.

If so, it could be an indication the Battery is Swollen and pressing Up on the Trackpad causing it to malfunction

In which case >>

Have the computer evaluated by the Professionals who have the Special Hardware Software and Expertise to diagnose the issue and offer possible solutions

Make an Appointment at the Apple Genius Bar or call 1 800 MyApple and have them evaluate the computer

Version 14.2.1 fixed it for me.

Hi, I've experienced the same issue with the trackpad under macOS Sonoma (MacBook Pro 13 inches with M2 chip), but it seems macOS 14.1.1 has solved the issue. What about you?

Welcome just the same

As mentioned, no TrackPad issues on a M2 MBA upgraded from Ventura 13.6 to Sonoma 14.0

Regarding your Other posting above >>

Use the Activity Monitor application and make sure to use View >> View All Processes 

What process or processes are using the Most CPU  and Memory.

Often times - the issue maybe not a single Process alone but a combination of Processes

Also, when the computer is using so much CPU or Memory - it can be an indicator of a Lack Of Empty Spaces on the Drive.

In which case, the CPU and Memory usage would become Much More because it is searching for Empty Space to save all the Changes the user is performing.

Also, depending on the number of  Open Tabs in your Browser, they can also affect Memory Usage.

This is exactly the case here as well. – Stopped working after sonoma update. Apple please, fix.

The trackpad suddenly stops working on full screen.

Tried and not helping:

• First aid on all drives, snapshots and volumes
• Disabling show desktop on wallpaper click

What works is to change to windowed mode for the app and the mouse seems to work at least for a while. Too bad I need to be using full screen.

right, for me it is the button that goes crazy, random auto selections then the clicks stop. I can move the pointer around, but the left and right click just stops. HOWEVER if you have a magic mouse, it works fine. using that for a minute seems to sort it out. something gets unfrozen. I have checked the activity monitor and it was fine, nothing too heavy going on. This only happened after the update.

I am having this issue. The track pad even disappears from the system settings side bar. It started as sporadic, but stopped resolving with a power cycle, so I went to the Genius Bar today. They reset the SMC, but the issue is back hours later. SMC reset Reset the SMC of your Mac - Apple Support at least lets me get something done. Not sure why the phone support I got after holding for 1.5 hours didn't try this?

I've diagnosed the problem i believe:

The problem with the trackpad and any mouse - i also have a bluetooth mouse - occurs when you add an external display through the USB - C port. I have an adapter which i like to use through that port that allows power + HDMI connection plus others. After an hour or two all mice cease to function properly.

Solution: plug the external display through the HDMI port. Other USB-C connections don't seem to affect the trackpad or other mice. WHen the external monitor is plugged in through the HDMI port there's never a trackpad/mouse problem.

I managed to creep my pointer around the screen as much (as the trackpad would allow) enough to reinstall / update the OS. That worked fine for me, not so much for one or two others though.

I have the exact same problem on my 2023 MB Pro that is two days old.

I had upgraded my old MBP to Sonoma and was experiencing the issue. The trackpad would only move the cursor but not respond to click requests. The same thing was occuring with a couple of bluetooth mice i have connected to the MBP.

I have a MacMini that's running Sonoma and have had zero mouse problems so there's something specific to MBP version of the software. Rebooting does help but once it locks up the only way to reboot is through a hard reset.

I'm also a teacher and have the MBP hooked up to a larger desk display plus a wall projector. The MacMini stands alone at home.

This gets very frustrating in the middle of class when i have to stop and reboot. Apple needs to pay attention and fix this.