Q: iMac sometimes ignores left click

Not sure why you recommend resetting the SMC--the linked page does not contain the word "click" and I don't see anything in the list of symptoms that suggests mouse or trackpad performance issues are related to the SMC.

Did you experience the problem on an iMac? If so, which one? And did it stay fixed for an extended period after resetting the SMC?

Hi,

I've got the same issue with iMac i7 3.4, OS 10.7.

Magic Mouse and two Logitech wireless models all exhibit exactly the same behaviour.

It's really very annoying.

Has anyone had any word from Apple support?

Cheers,

Spencer.

Same problem here.  27" iMac running OS 10.6.4, wireless microsoft mouse (though the magic mouse the computer came with does this as well) as well as a wired tablet.  The left click will randomly stop responding, the right click and scroll wheel (yes, that's right, I said scroll wheel) still work.  Restarting the computer does not help, though usually if I shut the computer down and come back to it the next day I will get a few minutes to a few hours of mouse use before it conks out again.  ALSO, my tablet works just fine so I usually just chuck the mouse aside and use the tablet instead - however this is very bothersome and annoying when it happens.

Had this problem a month ago as well, apple support had me re-install the OS, which fixed things for about a month. Not keen on re-installing the OS every month.  Any word on a fix?

It's just bl00dy annoying. It's also annoying when you're advised to reinstall the OS. I suppose it keeps us customers quiet for the time it takes to install

Same issue here.

Wow, I am so happy to find this being discussed. I've been searching the web for nearly a year trying to find others with this very serious issue.

I started with a MacBook Pro in 2009. I had various input hardware I would use over a few years, Logitech keyboards, mice, BluTooth wireless Apple keyboard, and finally my main axe was the Kensington Expert Trackball.

When I upgraded from my MacBook Pro to a new 27" iMac, I used the migration assitant to get myself from Leopard on the MacBook Pro to Snow Leopard on the iMac.

I instantly had the same issue on the new iMac.

I contacted Apple support and had a number of very helpful and knowledgeable support specialists walk me through various things, but nothing seemed to help.

I am very interested to see if anyone here finds out what the answer or resolution is!

Just signed up to this forum and will monitor it closely to see if anyone solves it!

Thank you!

People, just in case some of you are mistaking the error the OP mentioned for something else, I've recreated it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFCpZiUM3-E. Notice that the exact same thing happens in my case, I have to move my mouse cursor away and comeback to the spot I initially wanted to click.

I can recreate this problem whenever I want because it happens wherever there's a space to click. I'm also starting to doubt this has anything to do with hardware, since I recently replaced my trackpad for a brand new one, the problem still persists.

Great video. Thank you for sharing that.

That is exactly what I have been going through on nearly every single window for that past year. On two separate machines too.

My problem also carries over to when I attempt to click and drag. Most often in Logic Pro. I will make a video.

By the way, what software did you use to record that?

Thanks again,

Nick

I used Screenflow to record it. I also tried to recreate the erro with my girlfriend's Macbook Air, but that one works flawless. It is probably limited to a few old models.

Cool. I'm gonna grab Screenflow and make a video myself.

It actually has nothing to do with hardware.

I upgraded from my MacBook Pro from 2009 to a new 27" iMac from 2011.

I used the migration assitant to get myself moved in to the iMac.

When all my programs and settings were migrated to the new machine the clicking error did too.

It has something to do with settings / software.

My biggest suspicion is that I had multiple mice drivers installed and that there is a conflict somewhere.

I have drivers for both the Kensington Expert Trackball as well as the Logitech Control Center for a keyboard and mouse.

Hi,

mnemonicj, it's not just old models. I've got a brand new iMac and Macbook pro and they both do the same thing.

Is anyone from Apple watching this topic?

Cheers,

Spencer.

I know how frustrated you all must feel.

I have run myself ragged trying to find a fix, even with Apple.

I just reinstalled the OS on both of my machines and the problem is gone.

One BIG tip. Make sure you do not migrate your programs and settings from another Mac or time machine. That carries the issue to the new install.

what you just wrote completely makes sense. i actually have a couple of virtual machines on my macbook (windows and linux) and the error is definitely not present in them. man, reinstalling is such a drag though, just because i recently installed Lion, when back to Snow Leopard, reinstalled Snow Leopard again because i'm so picky and i copied all my apps from my previous installation. phew. maybe the problem really is software related.

can anyone confirm if reinstalling the OS kicks the problem out of the water. i could install Snow Leopard or Lion as a virtual machine but it is definitely not the same as having in on a partition.

27" iMac with same issue (left click either DOA on restart or alive for 10-30 seconds). Multiple mice. Same problem.

But I figured out a SOLUTION. At least for me.

Turned off Bluetooth and IMMEDIATELY the problem was gone.

Hope that helps some of you!

I had read somewhere that the issue might be related to Bluetooth, and noticed a seeming correlation to my wife starting our Bluetooth-equipped car that sits right outside my office. I'm not sure what the default setting of the Bluetooth preference is, but I notice that mine is now set to "On" but not "Discoverable."

I share this because the problem has not cropped up in more than a week, which is a record length of time since the problem first occurred. I did not document everything I tried to overcome this problem, but if you're having this problem and your Bluetooth preference's "Discoverable" checkbox is checked, it might be worth unchecking it.

This setting does not impact the iMac's ability to recognize the "already paired" devices.

i disagree with this issue having anything to do with the built in bluetooth. i have a razer orochi bluetooth connected mouse with my macbook. bluetooth can be on/off/discoverable or not/mouse/no mouse/etc., the problem is still present.