macbook pro trackpad problem

help me. I have the same problem and i cannot solve it. The trackpad on my new MacBook Pro started behaving erratically: cursor jumps, highlights text, clicks randomly, create/delete folders etc. It's like when the laptop lives own life. It's impossible to work.

I have reinstalled OS X 10.9.2 five times as i was recomended in Apple Care Russia. The appeal code is 588489489. What to do? Help me

The issue resolved for me after I used an external mouse for a few days. I turned off my trackpad while the external mouse was plugged in and the problem went away.

Other people have had success cleaning the edges around the trackpad with a toothpick or a dry cotton swab.

Thanks Stickykees, you dont how much I appreciate your help, I try your solution and it worked perfectly.

Love my Mac again!!!

I can't believe this was so easy to solve. I really thank you for your help!

Do you know the name or the link to the YouTube video that helped you fix your trackpad issue? If not, can you please provide me with more specific instructions on how you were able to fix your trackpad, thanks!!!

I made an amazing find. My trackpad started acting irratic - jumping, dragging - basically possessed or infected. Long story short - I had installed a Philips HD TV on the wall above my desk. Just being near the HDTV - within 3 ft - causes the issue. When I move > 10 ft away, the problem goes away. Worked for me.

Brooksee23,

I didn't watch the video that Stickykees mentioned. I just press the trackpad with my entire hand (the palm of my hand) for about 3 seconds. Just it, and all the erratic behaviour of the trackpad just dissappear.

Hope it helps.

Hi, just wondering if anyone could help, I've a Macbook Pro (late 2011) version and my trackpad has been running rather erratically (mouse pointer moves on it own, opening of folders? dragging tabs and recently it's been unresponsive even with a usb mouse plugged on. I've even tried tapping at the four corners of the trackpad and it doesn't work in anyway as well.

Ps; the warranty has already expired hence that why i'm hoping for some answers!

I had the same symptoms, and fixed it by replacing the battery, which cost about $110 online plus $8 for tools. Get the vendor to confirm the right battery for your model before ordering, there are a lot of versions.

The definitive answer to this problem is as follows.

Grounding issue can cause this. (bad adapter)

Swollen battery can cause this.

dirty trackpad can cause this (MOST OF THE TIME 🙂)

Here is a test you can do. When it starts acting up and opening windows, take both hands and apply pressure evenly to the entire trackpad rubbing back and forth for about 30 seconds to a minute. If the problem goes away, take out your trackpad and clean the edges of both the trackpad and the trackpad hole. Be very gentle or have a certified mac tech do this for you. Once you have cleaned and reseated the trackpad it should be Gold!

I can't believe this actually worked! Who would have thought something so simple as moving away from the HDTV would solve the issue of an erratic mouse! I was trying all sorts for ages today trying to solve it! Thank you!!!!!

This saved me SOOOO much time and frustration. I was about to pull my computer apart! Thank you so much for your insight. This is exactly what my issue was. Guess I never paid attention to the fact my battery was swelling up! Who knew!!! haha

Was having the same problem, macbook was completely unusable without external mouse.

Updating to Yosemite completely fixed problem for me.

I think I have found some sort of solution. I was thinking of disabling the track-pad by removing the software in charge (I only use a separate mouse), it's a little extreme but 100% sure working ! But it was going to take some time 😮

Just for a simple quick fix, I simply disable every move in the trakpad setting except the equivalent of double click (all these complex f....ing move that no-one use). It seems to work far more better, the few issues I had seems gone ! And I can still use the trackpad in emergency situation 🙂 !

So to make simple, deactivate every move expect double click in settings/trackpad.

I just see that the trouble appear with "Snow Lion something". It was just annoying sometimes, when I pressed by mistake the trackpad (by hand, a book...), the dashboard show up. And whatever I did after, the computer didn't "like" it. I had most of the time to restart the session (quicker than a reboot and work fine). But it was really from rare time to time.

With the last update Yosemite (yeah free...). It becames a real nightmare with the trackpad 😠 Now I could not work properly with all the sudden move of the pointer : highlighting here, moving there... Every few seconds sometimes, and reboot didn't change anything ! It's really the best solution I have found.

I really believe since the death of the founder of Apple, the quality and standards are dropping. Any way for my usage, there is still less bug than with windows... When I buy the mackbook pro in 2009 something. I had less than 2 bug a year. Now It's 2 minimum a month...

I've replaced several of these trackpads. Most of the time it is in fact just the trackpad itself being faulty. For $38 on eBay you can get a new trackpad (less if you get a used one). With a screwdriver and some instructions, like on ifixit.com you can fix your problem pretty simply. It says you need a special screwdriver to remove the battery but you can use a philips if you do it right. Also will need a torx head. With that being said, obviously you should try all the other steps mentioned first like:

1. Clean the trackpad, clean around the outside edges. Honestly, I would just go ahead and pop the bottom off, take the battery out, remove the trackpad, then clean the top case there and the trackpad edges since you have it out, you'd be amazed at the dirt that can be in there. If your trackpad is simply not clicking, but works otherwise, of course you just have to tweak that little screw there and your click will be back.

2. Try the edge finger trick, try clicking all around the trackpad. All of this is mentioned previously, I'm not going to beat a dead horse.

3. Check the battery. If it's bulging, replacing the trackpad won't help you. Replace the battery first, if it's still doing it then replace the trackpad. Added expense? Not really, if your battery is bulging it's going to need replaced anyways.

Hope this helps somebody, or eases their fear that this trackpad being broken is going to rock them hundreds of dollars. Worst case, buy the trackpad, send it to me, and I'll do it for free lol. It only takes a few minutes.