Why does my MacBook Pro cursor jump while typing?

I have had this problem in spades since I bought my macbrook M1 pro. Reviewing these articles directed me to keyboard and trackpad settings. My trackpad was already set to disable Tap to Click, so that was not it.

However, I changed my Keyboard settings to reduce Key Repeat Rate from 1 below FAST to 2 notches below Fast, and also disabled Auto-punctuation. I am not sure if both were necessary and have not tried them independently. But with a test of a few paragraphs in WORD and new mail message, I have not had the problem again, and normally I could not get through a single paragraph without the cursor jumping. So I am tentatively considering this a fix, until/unless it recurs in longer text edits (but, again, usually can’t get through a paragraph in Mail - or this! — without a random cursor jump)

When trackpads fail, they will sometimes cause the pointer to jump around. Sometimes they may work for a little while, but after "warming up" they start to act out. No matter what, I think you have a hardware issue of some sort. I guess you could try booting into Safe Mode to see if it still occurs since that should eliminate software issues, but I doubt it.

For me it was Auto-punctiation in keyboard settings. When I disabled it the issue has gone. Not sure if it works for you but worth trying!

mybillsandcharges wrote:

I find that it happens more frequently when I type quickly. If I slow down it doesn't happen.

Your thumbs or palms may be accidentally brushing the Trackpad. I personally find this happens to me a lot since the Trackpad is so huge and the Keyboard sits so far back from the front edge of the palmrest. I believe there may be an option to disable the built-in Trackpad while using an external mouse/trackpad, but I don't recall if you must also configure a special Trackpad setting (perhaps that setting only appears when an external mouse/trackpad is connected). I believe I provided information to another user on this forum several years ago with more details. Unfortunately I don't recall any precise details now.

This is Sonoma. I don't usually jump on new iOS, but once I upgraded, I have the problem too. It's a bug in the new iOS, it can't be anything else, in fact for fun it did it twice while typing this response.

yes it is a constant nightmare for a guy who never learned to type!!! maybe I need an external keyboard !!!! Retina 13" 2020 Sonoma 14.6.1 - this has been going on for over 2 years!! it happens on my MacBook Pro 16" also!! I wish there was a way to turn down keyboard sensitivity!! so you have to really hit the keys like a typewriter!!! this hovering thing is excessively problematic!!!! Now I have to carry an external keyboard when I travel ? a keyboard from Microsoft?! Barf

I find that it happens more frequently when I type quickly. If I slow down it doesn't happen.

I often use an external keyboard/mouse, I have never had the issue using them. It is a pain and I would rather not have to do that as I bought a laptop so it was compact and portable.

Hey SparkyFromWilmington, just wondering did you find resolution for this? I have same issue and was of course wishing the solution would be something that doesn't involve taking my laptop to get looked at. Just wondering how it went for you?

Same issue for me on a brand new, 2023 M3 chip iMac desktop using apple keyboard that came with new computer. Keyboard fully charged. Very aggravating. And, no apparent fix.

Happened twice while typing this reply, FYI.

Hey SparkyfromWilmington -- any issues with the new macBook? Or problem solved? I bought M1 MacBook 2 years ago and have had the issue the entire time. Swore I must've been accidentally tapping the trackpad, but it happens with external keyboard also.

I have this issue on two different laptops an AIR and on a MacBook Pro - I always have the latest software updates! - I have tried to see why this happens many times - I hover over the keys and trackpad and can not recreate the cursor jumping backwards as I type! This has been happening for years! It is so annoying and frustrating!!! It is definitely a software issue!! I thought it was my lousy typing but it is not! Glad I am not the only one! "Misery Loves Company"

I think I have exhausted every possible fix to this issue of my cursor jumping randomly to other parts of a document while typing. (This problem is not app specific.) I have now had my 2024 MacBook Air, 13-inch M3, Memory: 24 GB, macOS: Sonoma 14.5, for a couple of months and am greatly disappointed with Apple and their response to this issue. I had a book (The World Has a Big Backyard) published in September and can't image writing it with this "new" computer. I am glad I got that project done before buying this problem that came with my 2024 MacBook Air.

[Edited by Moderator]

Exact same here! I was wondering if I was having a mini stroke and kept typing words backwards. As soon as I start typing, the cursor jumps to the front of the word and keeps rearranging the letters in that word. Ridiculous.