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TrackPad won't turn on after batteries were changed.

Yes, they are good batteries.


Yes, they are the same type.


Yes, they've been installed correctly.


Yes, I know where the on/off button is.


When I push it, nothing happens: no light, no nothin'.


Thanks goodness I still have my Magic Mouse.


Any ideas?

Magic Trackpad-OTHER, Mac OS X (10.7.2)

Posted on Jan 21, 2012 3:08 PM

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Posted on Jul 16, 2012 9:21 PM

This just happened to me and I am happy to say I finally figured out what happened. There is a spring on the inside of the cylander that contains the batteris next to the power button. The spring lost it well "spring." To fix the problem I folded up a piece of aluminum foil into a tiny square probablly a milimeter or two thick and put it in between the negative ( - ) side of the batter any the little piece you need to screw in with a coin. It worked like a charm! Give it a whirl.

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Jul 16, 2012 9:21 PM in response to Rikki88

This just happened to me and I am happy to say I finally figured out what happened. There is a spring on the inside of the cylander that contains the batteris next to the power button. The spring lost it well "spring." To fix the problem I folded up a piece of aluminum foil into a tiny square probablly a milimeter or two thick and put it in between the negative ( - ) side of the batter any the little piece you need to screw in with a coin. It worked like a charm! Give it a whirl.

Jul 19, 2017 11:29 AM in response to Will Wyatt

I'm not sure if anything has changed, but Apple definitely released this device prone to issues turning on. I found myself removing, and putting back in the batteries over and over again until it turns on. Recently I found if I put in the batteries and shake it a bit, and try turning it on, it usually works. I need to do this for all track pads which I've purchased prior to 2012.

Aug 4, 2017 1:42 AM in response to 123-pasha

What troubles me about many of these posts is that no-one specifies the brand of batteries they put in.

The make (though there are many fakes around, particularly in discount stores) is important because many batteries are slightly shorter in length which may be why so many people have to use padding.


You may find this user tip helpful.

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-9451

Oct 19, 2017 9:49 PM in response to Will Wyatt

I wanted to throw my experience in here as well. I haven't used my trackpad in ages, and wanted to turn it on. There were no batteries in it, I first put rechargeables in, then fresh alkalines. Neither worked. After reading some of the responses here, I cleaned the screw-end contacts with 99% rubbing alcohol. It looked like there was some battery acid buildup. After working it, I put the alkalines back in and the trackpad powered up. It has warned me that the power is low, but I'll see if that lasts.

Jan 27, 2012 12:38 PM in response to Will Wyatt

Not sure what to tell you. I would have suggested you try to re-pair with the bluetooth preferences if it were not for the fact you said you don't see the light on the TP when you pushed its switch.


So some obvious question about what you said. Did you try another set of batteries for comparison purposes? Did you push the button long enough?

Feb 17, 2012 7:47 PM in response to Will Wyatt

I suddenly have the same problem. I have had the Magic TrackPad for a while but I don't use it as much as my Bluetooth Magic Mighty Mouse (the original more ergonomic one not the latest almost slimmer version) – now suddenly the Magic TrackPad won't work. I find it hard to believe it is already worn out since I don't really use it regularly – hardly at all. After replacing batteries the green light will come on but only momentarily then off. I also tried to reset the Bluetooth connection however the Magic TrackPad will not be "discovered". I don't get it – no magic left in this trackpad. Running OS 10.6.8 on a MacPro Quad-Core Intel Xeon 2.8 GHz.

Feb 27, 2012 1:53 PM in response to l_elephant

Yes, I use a Bluetooth Apple Wireless Keyboard and Mighty Mouse (the rounded mouse - though I have the new multi-touch Apple Magic Mouse [don't use it] and I wear a Bose Bluetooth Headphone Series 2 with my iPhone 4S which I keep next to me all day as I work (however when I tested the trackpad I was not wearing my Bose bluetooth).


My small business is wired using a broadband cable connection. Our AirPort Extreme Base Station and Time Capsule is in my back office – we also have 3 small AirPort Express stations and all devices use 802.11n.

Only two of our computers depend on bluetooth input devices, no Bluetooth used with my iPad or our three other computers. iPod nano Gen 5 uses a NikePlus bluetooth receiver (I use daily but I disconnect when I'm not out on a run).


Probably TMI but I thought you might like to know all the "wireless" signals in our office.

Feb 27, 2012 4:37 PM in response to Joseph Kriz

I bought it shortly after it was first announced. I rarely used it (I mean almost never). I thought I would but we've been so busy I just never had time to become accustomed to it — so that's really why I am surprised it seems now suddenly to be broken… it's not like I wore it out.


Oh well, when I think I need it and more probably when I upgrade to Mountain Lion, I'll buy another one. Most of our Macs and Apple hardware last forever; we normally end up just decommissioning them because they can't be upgraded or have become to slow — so as mentioned I was surprised at this Trackpad failure after virtually no use.


Thanks for trying to solve it, I appreciate it.

TrackPad won't turn on after batteries were changed.

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