Macbook won't register clicks but trackpad working

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Macbook won't register clicks but trackpad working

I have an old white Macbook that is running Lion with latest update. For some reason, it's not registering clicks anymore. This is an old macbook so it has a physical click button. The trackpad works fine. I can move the mouse around but I just cannot click anything. I tried to connect a USB mouse to get around it but it didn't help. The mouse won't work either. It's just weird. I tried to restart but it didn't help. Now I'm stuck on the login screen. Please help! It's driving me crazy :-/

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.7.3)

Posted on Feb 15, 2012 10:03 AM

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Answer 1

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evilchild Author

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Feb 15, 2012 12:12 PM in response to evilchild

Weirdly enough. It started working when I removed the battery. I'm running it on power supply for now. But it's a workaround if anyone is having a similar problem. I guess it's time to upgrade.

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Answer 2

Feb 15, 2012 1:31 PM in response to evilchild

Check your battery to see if it's bulging. Apple had a batch of bad batteries that would expand and cause the trackpad to stop clicking.

There’s one problem with running your MacBook with the battery removed. MacBooks and MacBook Pros automatically reduce the processor speed by about half when the battery is removed.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2332
http://www.tomshardware.com/news/apple-macbook-pro-battery-benchmarks,6643.html

If you have a MacBook with the removable battery you can get a new third party battery fairly cheap on eBay.

Black Batteries http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=macbook+black+battery&_sacat=0&LH_BIN=1&_sop=12 &_dmpt=Laptop_Batteries&_odkw=macbook+white+battery&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3286.c0. m 270.l1313

White Batteries http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=macbook+white+battery&_sacat=0&LH_BIN=1&_sop=12 &_dmpt=Laptop_Batteries&_odkw=macbook+black+battery&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3286.c0. m 270.l1313

Or for $129 from Apple http://store.apple.com/us/product/MA566LL/A?mco=MTY3ODQ5OTY

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Answer 3

evilchild Author

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Feb 15, 2012 2:45 PM in response to frederic1943

Thank you for the information. It ***** if the processor speed is reduced because I always tend to run processor intensive tasks. But I should probably invest in a new laptop at this point rather than buy another battery. It served me well for more than 3 years now.

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Answer 4

Mar 3, 2012 5:05 PM in response to evilchild

I have a MacBook (from 2008) with the same problem. I tried removing the battery, cleaning out any particulate from the inside, using an external mouse, all with the same result -- the trackpad/mouse will still move around but not register any clicks. I'm not able to update or change any settings as I'm not able to click on anything to open it. Any ideas?

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Answer 5

evilchild Author

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Mar 3, 2012 7:39 PM in response to ldclark37

Did you put the battery back in before trying to turn the computer on again? It only worked for me when I completely removed the battery out and ran with the power adapter instead of the battery. I hope this helps.

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Answer 6

ApMaX

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Feb 13, 2013 2:13 AM in response to evilchild

Same problem here with a MacBook Pro 15-inch mid 2009. Trackpad and USB mouse work to move the arrow pointer, but clicking does no work. Built-in keyboard and USB keyboard work.

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Answer 7

Jun 8, 2013 3:08 PM in response to evilchild

same here ..on macbook pro 13 and 15 late 2011 ...sometimes working properly, sometimes not.... the problem is on usb / bluetooth or on the trackpad where does work everything except the clicks (one click = one finger). doesn't matter if it is the click or tap on the trackpad.. At the beggining i was wonder if the trackpad is malfunction, but afterwards i seen that the external mouse had this problem on my Pro 13 ..A few days ago the 15 Pro beggining to have the same problem. I will say that it is not from software installed or something with an app, because on the 15 inch Pro i haven't installed nothing in the past 3-4 months...i consider that is a problem from OS... Any idea ?

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Answer 8

Nov 20, 2013 2:11 PM in response to cosmin.toma

I just had a white 2006 MacBook given to me that had this same problem. I was able to fix it by just giving it a fresh Operating System (Leopard) install. Problem solved. I hope this helps.

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Answer 9

macnando

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Jan 4, 2016 2:48 PM in response to Solo Keita

Thanks Solo Keita! This also solved the problem with my son's MacBook running OSX 10.7.5. I even tried to plug in an USB Mouse but did not help. Fresh install solved this issue and trackpad click is back to work! All the best and have a nice 2016!

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