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MBP problems with trackpad while charging

Hey guys,


So this is my problem. My 4 month old Macbook Pro 13", early 2011 has problems with its trackpad everytime i'm charging it. So whenever the charger is connected to my macbook, the trackpad doesn't do what it's supposed to do, it's really slow and clicks on things i didn't chose. When I#m disconnecting my charger, everything just works just fine. Is there anyone having the same problem? i really don't know what to do, i have to study with it everyday for my graduation. this is why i can't send it to apple to have it fixed there. any solutions?
thanks a lot
friddi

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.2), early 2011

Posted on Apr 13, 2012 1:36 PM

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Posted on Aug 6, 2012 2:37 AM

It might not be the super-best solution, but I noticed that when I rest the palm of my hand (the one I use to operate the trackpad) on the side of the trackpad. Don't know the science of it, but it must balance out the electricity somehow 🙂

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Aug 6, 2012 2:37 AM in response to Friddi

It might not be the super-best solution, but I noticed that when I rest the palm of my hand (the one I use to operate the trackpad) on the side of the trackpad. Don't know the science of it, but it must balance out the electricity somehow 🙂

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Oct 28, 2017 2:00 PM in response to fabinh

I have been having the same problem October 2017, with two rechargers, and tackpad still behave bad. The solution proposed by @fabinh works. If I touch the laptop (aluminum case), with any hand, at the same time as I use the trackpad then it works well. Maybe a problem related with static electric current or lack of negative-ground? It is incredible that I have had the problem for months, and I always have to disconnect the laptop to work with the trackpad (or use external Mac mouse that eats AA batteries like crazy). And until now that I see this review see that it works. Thanks Fabinh. It is not the perfect solution but works.

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Nov 21, 2013 2:52 PM in response to Friddi

No new solution, but similar experience. I bought a cheap 3rd party adapter of 85W and sometimes when I plug in I have mild trackpad issues. E.g., it is hard to make a nice circle with the cursor.

Furthermore, when I use an original adapter in the car, with a converter connected to the cigarette lighter socket, I have severe trackpad issues. It is hardly possible to operate it. I had this with two different types of MacBook Pro and two different adapters.


So maybe imperfections in the power current confuses the trackpad hardware (car converters are notorious for their bad waveform; instead of a nice sine, they may produce a block shaped voltage wave).


What helps me (in the mild case) is resting my other hand on the laptop case while operating the trackpad.

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Apr 14, 2012 9:49 AM in response to Friddi

Its not bad to charge and unplug your computer but its not the best. Do you charge it while your at work and sleeping? If you do that you should have 6-7 hours of power after a complete charge.


It doesn't hurt your power port, it might not be the best for the battery, but its fine.


I would say just use the mouse, or if you have to have a trackpad, then buy the apple trackpad: http://www.apple.com/magictrackpad/.

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Apr 14, 2012 6:25 AM in response to Friddi

Do you have another power adapter to try? If so, can you use the power adapter that came with this mac?


Do you have another MBP? If so can you use this power adapter on that MBP?


Are you using another pointing device or is it the one built right into the laptop? If you are using another pointing device try purchasing a new one or disconnecting or reconnecting or even try on another computer.


You might be only able to get buy for the next few month until you graduate until you can get your computer fixed. If all else fails go buy yourself a $8 mouse from a place, it will work until you can get this fixed... or buy apple mice if that is a big deal to you.


Here is one for only 3.18! http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Gear+Head-Computer+-+OM3800U+Mouse/3933383.p?id=1218 443155891&skuId=3933383


Or if you want the one I have used: (M515 @ home or HP Wired Mouse-- Its kind of old) This isn't the exact one but they discontinued that one: http://www.logitech.com/en-us/mice-pointers/mice/devices/mouse-m100 so for $10 you get a mouse and your computer works.

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Apr 14, 2012 9:38 AM in response to Johnsteriv

no, i don't have another power adapter to try, it's the one that came with my MBP. And I also don't have another MBP. If I plug in a mighty mouse, it works, but I actually hate using it, I really prefer the trackpad.
thanks for your help and your time though 😉
do you have any other advice? i really don't know what to do and i think that I'm killing my battery if I keep on connecting and disconnecting it all the time :-/

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Apr 17, 2012 2:53 AM in response to Friddi

I am having the same exact problem with my one month old macbook pro i tried using a different charger the one that came with my old macbook pro and it was the same thing the trackpad kept lagging and being unrensposive/ acting eratic while the charger was plugged in but immediately i unplugged it . it worked perfectly fine. im thinking of taking it to the apple store as i just bought this mac hope it dosent mean a bigger problem i did some research online and battery swelling was linked to eratic trackpad behaviour so maybe the trackpad not working well while its charged might be a problem with the battery anyways i think you should get it looked at as im taking mine to the apple store today.

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Apr 17, 2012 3:19 AM in response to Friddi

Get another charger. I think your charger is malfunctioning.


These chargers are so-called SMPS'es (switched-mode power supplies). There are big advantages to using this method, they're small and efficient. However if malfunctioning, they can introduce noise which influences your trackpad.

Wikipedia:

They are, however, more complicated, their switching currents can cause electrical noise problems if not carefully suppressed

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Apr 17, 2012 4:57 AM in response to JC93

Well, I also thought of just taking it to the apple store to get it fixed there. but unfortunately i need my macbook everyday for studying for my graduation :/
i already went to the store to ask them but they had no idea.
so what did they tell you at the store? i hope i can get it fixed soon, it's really annoying to have to stop working as soon as the battery gets low.

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Aug 8, 2012 4:17 AM in response to Friddi

Hey guys! My problem became even more weird!

I've got MBP 13" early 2011, the issues are the same, but with one minor exception.

If I plug in the T-connector charger from mid 2009macbook white ... the trackpad simply works like charm.


Isn't it crazy?

I didn't try with any other MBP charger, but what's the difference between old T connector and the new one?? It can't be just the connector, right?


Ofcourse when using my new charger (it has beed used 2 times since now), trackpad goes wild, but placing my hand on the topcase solves the problem. It's crazy. I don't know what to do, I'm just about selling my white Macbook, but what with the charger? Stay with the old one and sell my brand new one like for free or stay with it and wait for the solution.


I've noticed one severe thing - when I go to the system raport (about the specification and connected stuff) in charger section it shows 85W charger, but on the charger there's written 60W ?! In case when I use my old one, it shows 60W - as it should. What do you think about it?

Did you try to check if the charger is recognized by your MBP propertly?

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Sep 4, 2012 12:45 PM in response to dchandok

I'd take the following steps: Try to rule out the adapter first. If it's not the adapter, try to rule out a grounding issue by by using the three-prong power cable. If that doesn't resolve it, try the laptop in another location; family, local library, workplace etc.


And if that doesn't resolve it, it could be the notebook itself and should be brought back to the vendor.

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Nov 22, 2013 2:07 AM in response to keessie

keessie wrote:


So maybe imperfections in the power current confuses the trackpad hardware (car converters are notorious for their bad waveform; instead of a nice sine, they may produce a block shaped voltage wave).

Or unfiltered high frequencies screwing around with the touch sensors. I experienced the same, a couple of years ago, with a cheap Android phone and a Chinese car charger.


Since then I prefer to either spend a bit more money on original Apple or Samsung chargers (both are fine), or just get a second hand.

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Jun 4, 2014 6:31 AM in response to Friddi

I have the same problem, but with the new AC charger, not with the one that came together with MacBook. Bart1977 had good points - this is a hardware problem and it is not at all rare among non-original MacBook adapters. However, this can be considered as mailfunctioning and you can give the product back!


I just wanted to add another observation from my side. As some people already mentioned, relaxing your palm on computer takes away the noise and removes this mailfunctioning. Even better would be to touch the computer frame with some metal thing, directly or with wire. This redistributes and kills the noise.


For example, what I did is that I connected the external device via Thunderbolt, and although it is off, it just takes away this noise, so the trackpad works normally again.


What still worries me is if this electric noise can have any influence on a person using the computer. Oscilatting currents do not have healthy effects on living beings 🙂 (except those of several thousands Hertz).

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Sep 10, 2014 11:56 AM in response to dchandok

I just starting having this issue recently and I dread having to take my Mac to the shop as I use it everyday for work. So I just googled it to see what if anyone else was having this issue when the charger is plugged in.

Someone mentioned in an earlier post to try using the 3-Pronged plug which is on the extender (which I do not use), and my problem is fixed!! Track pad is working great!


So... bottom line, I think it's a grounding issue as someone stated earlier. USE YOUR 3-PRONG PLUG!!


Hope that helps! 🙂

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MBP problems with trackpad while charging

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