trackpad moving but not clicking

I tried all the above and it did not work. However, this (SMC reset) did!

1. Turn off your computer.
2. Plug in the MagSafe adapter.
3. Press Shift-Option-Control, on the left side of the keyboard, and the power button, at the same time and hold it for 5 seconds.
4. Let go of all the buttons.
5. Turn your computer back on with the power button.

Hi there!

I had the same issue a few minutes ago. After a restart and a PRAM reset I noticed that my Magic Mouse in my notebook transport bag was turned on. A book lay on the mouse. After I turned the mouse off, everything was fine again.

Hope that helps. :-)

Greetings from Switzerland

Ralph

I don't know about you but sometimes if there is a cord touching the trackpad, the trackpad sees it as a finger so it think's you're still clicking from before.

if that's not the issue, make sure you're fully up to date (run software update) and then make sure you have the most up dated drivers for any pen tablets you might have.

lastly I would do a PRAM reset which does address mouse issues.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

Important: If your computer does not retain parameter RAM (PRAM) settings when it is turned off, this generally indicates that the battery needs to be changed. Refer to Macintosh Family: Batteries and Part Numbers.

Be sure to learn about when to reset NVRAM and PRAM before attempting these steps.

Resetting PRAM and NVRAM

1. Shut down the computer.
2. Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command, Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously in step 4.
3. Turn on the computer.
4. Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys. You must press this key combination before the gray screen appears.
5. Hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the second time.
6. Release the keys.

Your computer's PRAM and the NVRAM are reset to the default values. The clock settings may be reset to a default date on some models.

Resetting PMU on PowerBook or iBook computers

In some troubleshooting situations, if resetting PRAM does not resolve an issue, resetting the PMU may be the next appropriate step. For information on when this is appropriate and for instructions on how to reset the PMU in your PowerBook computer, see Resetting PowerBook and iBook Power Management Unit (PMU).

Hi,

I started facing the problem after OS upgrade.

To solve the problem I went to: System Preferences --> Trackpad --> Select the check box "Tap to click" under "Point & Click" tab.

Thanks,

Vishal

I had the same problem on my 2007 Mac Book Pro. I tried a USB optical mouse, still no good. I tried the PRAM reset and had no luck there either. The problem was the removable battery. The battery had expanded due to over-heating and the bulging battery was pushing on the interior parts of the laptop causing the mouse problems as well as other abnormal behaviour.

First check the condition of your battery to be sure it is not swelling and exerting pressure from below and interfering with the operation of the trackpad.

If you have access to an Apple Store, you could also see if the trackpad can be adjusted. I know the 2009 MacBook trackpad could be adjusted, but I don't know if the same is true of the 2009 MacBook Pro, but it might be worth looking into.

Good luck!

hmmm.. i had the same problem... sitting upstairs playing Poker...

My girlfriend was cleaning downstairs and put a paper tissue box ontop of my magic magic mouse causing the problem... pfff really frustrating.. 😁😝

I had the same issue... I was using my magic mouse before I shutdown my computer and magic mouse was still powered on after my computer restart. I restarted computer several times but did not help. After reading this post, I turned off my magic mouse and restarted computer again and trackpad click was working fine. I didnot needed to reset the PRAM and NVRAM.

I hope it helps!

Thanks

Tushar

As I was reading your reply, I was jealous. I just knew my problem couldn't be fixed so easily. I am at home and my Magic Mouse was at work on my desk. Out of desperation, I checked my laptop bag, and there was my Magic Mouse! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I've found a very easy way to reproduce this issue with the magic mouse. If you are holding the magic mouse click as you switch it off with the underside power switch, it gets into this state. Basically the magic mouse button is permanently pressed and this prevents the touchpad click from working.

Probably a similar problem if the magic mouse goes to sleep with the button pressed down (like it might be in the bottom of a bag)??

It should really release the buttons when it loses connection to the mouse.

In case anyone has the same issue as above but not relating to the Magic Mouse (I don't use one), it may be from dust or crumbs in the clickpad (if mechanical models). Try holding the laptop upside down and tapping the clickpad hard several times. This worked for me. I promise to ease up on the cookies, ha.

I just purchased a Mac mini today with the wireless keyboard and Magic Trackpad. I had to use a hard wired mouse to do the initial start up, but now after the computer is up and running, the track pad mouse is moving but I cannot "click" anything.

This is the only mac in the house and I do not have any other mac hardware around, like mice or anything. Any ideas?

After two trips to the Apple Store, then reading this thread.....we're never gonna mention this problem at work. Never. I just reproduced the issue per jonfrost's instuctions above. Exact same issue.

Funny thing is, the first time I took it to the Apple Store, they diagnosed some problems with the logic board and shipped it off for 3-5 days to have several parts replaced. No cost to me of course, but good thing those other issues were discovered in the process.

Take me out and dunk me in a vat of motor oil. I tried everything including sending all my other hardware with input devices to my sister in Uganda. Totally convinced this was not my problem I went back to setting pram's and vram's and pounding my head against more useless bulletin boards that continued to tell me what to do if my mouse would click. Finally, I picked up a pillow in the corner of my office to suffocate my frustrated self and found a white wireless mouse grinning at me.

I can't believe what worked for me. After rebooting, reading different websites, trying to fix it on my own, perplexed why one day the trackpad was working just fine, and then it stopped clicking.

Thank you, Twheeler 77, for posting your amazing words of wisdom!! Your the best.

✅

twheeler 77 wrote:

In case anyone has the same issue as above but not relating to the Magic Mouse (I don't use one), it may be from dust or crumbs in the clickpad (if mechanical models). Try holding the laptop upside down and tapping the clickpad hard several times. This worked for me. I promise to ease up on the cookies, ha.

Worked brilliantly for me!! Your the best.