HT203171: If your pointer is jumpy when you use a trackpad, Magic Trackpad, or Magic Mouse

Learn about If your pointer is jumpy when you use a trackpad, Magic Trackpad, or Magic Mouse
Vin's

Q: just replace my magic trackpad as I thought the erratic movement was a hardware problem but brand new trackpad is exactly the same - pointer twitchy and jumps to different locations

Hi,

my magic trackpad has been brilliant but recently started being twitchy and difficult to control the pointer accurately to the point where it jumps to different locations and activates links etc without me clicking.

I researched the problem online and came to the conclusion that it was a hardware problem and replaced the trackpad but the brand new one directly from Apple is exactly the same so I am now convinced it must be software but I have checked for updates and can't find any.

Thoughts please?

 

Thanks

OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4), magic trackpad erratic movement

Posted on Jun 28, 2013 2:45 AM

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Q: just replace my magic trackpad as I thought the erratic movement was a hardware problem but brand new trackpad is exactly the same ... more

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  • by judysings,

    judysings judysings Jun 30, 2013 8:25 AM in response to Vin's
    Community Specialists
    Jun 30, 2013 8:25 AM in response to Vin's

    Hi Vin\'s,

     

     

    Welcome to the Support Communities!

     

    If your trackpad is unresponsive, a good troubleshooting step is to reset the PRAM and SMC on your system. The following articles will show you how to do that.  Also see the final article in this post that addresses general issues with jumpy or erratic trackpads.

     

    You can click on the links to see more details and screen shots.

    I've highlighted the pertinent information for you below.

     

    Intel-based Macs: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964

     

    Before Resetting the SMC

    Try each of the following steps in this order before you reset the SMC.  Test the issue after completing each troubleshooting step to determine if the issue still occurs.

    1. Press Command + Option + Escape to force quit any application that is not responding.
    2. Put your Mac to sleep by choosing the Apple () menu from the upper-left menu bar and then choosing Sleep. Wake the computer after it has gone to sleep.
    3. Restart your Mac by choosing the Apple () menu from the upper-left menu bar and then choosing Restart.
    4. Shut down your Mac by choosing the Apple () menu from the upper-left menu bar and then choosing Shut Down.

    Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)

    Resetting the SMC on Mac portables with a battery you can remove

    Note: Learn about removing the battery on MacBook and MacBook Pro.

    1. Shut down the computer.
    2. Disconnect the MagSafe power adapter from the computer, if it's connected.
    3. Remove the battery.
    4. Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds.
    5. Release the power button.
    6. Reconnect the battery and MagSafe power adapter.
    7. Press the power button to turn on the computer.

    Resetting the SMC on portables with a battery you should not remove on your own

     

    Note: Portable computers that have a battery you should not remove on your own include MacBook Pro (Early 2009) and later, all models of MacBook Air, and MacBook (Late 2009).

    1. Shut down the computer.
    2. Plug in the MagSafe power adapter to a power source, connecting it to the Mac if its not already connected.
    3. On the built-in keyboard, press the (left side) Shift-Control-Option keys and the power button at the same time.
    4. Release all the keys and the power button at the same time.
    5. Press the power button to turn on the computer. 
      Note
      : The LED on the MagSafe power adapter may change states or temporarily turn off when you reset the SMC.

     

     

    About NVRAM and PRAM

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379

     

    Resetting NVRAM / PRAM

    1. Shut down your Mac.
    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 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.

     

     

    Portables and Magic Trackpad: Jumpy or erratic trackpad operation

    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1449

     

    I hope this information helps ....

    Have a great day!

  • by Gauthic,

    Gauthic Gauthic Jul 9, 2013 6:26 AM in response to Vin's
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 9, 2013 6:26 AM in response to Vin's

    Hi Vin\'s

     

    I had this issue too with my Magic Trackpad and it turned out to be a conflict with an App I downloaded: MagicPrefs (http://magicprefs.com/)

     

    MagicPrefs is a mouse-input customizing software preference panel that does help in a lot of cases, but for some reason created a conflict of tap-clicking and mousing around.

     

    Removing this software worked wonders for me and my 13" 2010 MBP. Hopefully it may help you find a solution.