kristenfromfl

Q: Left-click not working on trackpad or mouse

My trackpad began malfunctioning suddenly. Instead of clicking, it would click + hold (selecting all text). Very soon after, left-click stopped working. I'm able to navigate with the trackpad, but the click doesn't register (the trackpad does physically click). Sporadically, I have some left-click function with the trackpad and mouse when the computer is awakened from sleep, but not always and never for very long.

 

When the mouse is plugged in, left-click doesn't register. I disabled the trackpad when the mouse is plugged in under Universal Access, but I still am unable to get the left-click to register with the mouse. I'm able to navigate, scroll and right+click with the mouse. I'm able to left-click when using the mouse keys.

 

My battery is in good condition (diagnostics were fine and it was replaced last year) and isn't swollen, which I know can be an issue that leads to trackpad problems. A technician saw no problems with the logic board. I am running OS X Lion.

 

Does this sound like an issue with the trackpad that will be corrected if the trackpad is replaced? Or is it another issue? If the trackpad is disabled when the mouse is plugged in, why is the mouse also having a left-click issue?                    

MacBook Pro (15-inch Mid 2009), Mac OS X (10.7.5)

Posted on Sep 13, 2013 5:39 PM

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Q: Left-click not working on trackpad or mouse

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  • by neverdizzy,

    neverdizzy neverdizzy Feb 4, 2016 2:09 AM in response to mkdesigns2000
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 4, 2016 2:09 AM in response to mkdesigns2000

    Me 2!! I just read this after I solved the problem. Thanks for the post.

  • by entmike,

    entmike entmike Feb 19, 2016 6:41 PM in response to JoeHave
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 19, 2016 6:41 PM in response to JoeHave

    This was my exact problem.  I had an external trackpad with a book sitting on top of it.

  • by WuLi,

    WuLi WuLi Feb 19, 2016 8:52 PM in response to kristenfromfl
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Feb 19, 2016 8:52 PM in response to kristenfromfl

    Did you do a PRAM reset?

  • by ManSinha,

    ManSinha ManSinha Feb 19, 2016 8:57 PM in response to WuLi
    Level 6 (10,250 points)
    iPhone
    Feb 19, 2016 8:57 PM in response to WuLi
  • by Matt-Beasley,

    Matt-Beasley Matt-Beasley Feb 23, 2016 3:07 AM in response to ManSinha
    Level 1 (25 points)
    Feb 23, 2016 3:07 AM in response to ManSinha

    Guys just FYI this happened to us and we didn't have a clue what it was. Until we found a trackpad which was left on! It was stopping our mice from working, so keep an eye for any other trackpads or mouse around the house that have been left on, in a bag or something. It was holding down the left click.

  • by strobia,

    strobia strobia Mar 18, 2016 3:39 AM in response to tysonhummel
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 18, 2016 3:39 AM in response to tysonhummel

    Wow, this may have solved my problem – similar symptoms to everyone here.

     

    I have a magic trackpad that was in my backpack and found this was live.

     

    I've taken this out to ensure its working and see the click buttons now work on my mouse, trackpad and magic trackpad all on my MacBookPro!

     

     

  • by kinloch,

    kinloch kinloch Apr 28, 2016 6:26 AM in response to JoeHave
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apr 28, 2016 6:26 AM in response to JoeHave

    Same problem but JoeHave got me sorted. THANKS! Im using a windows style bluetooth mouse on a 27 imac and it kept playing up, sometimes the left click would stop completely and no amount of restarting etc would fix. Saw Joe's post and I remembered I had the original Apple Magic Mouse that came with the iMac now paired and used with my MacBook Air. Even though its paired with another device, turning off the unused Magic Mouse fixed the problem with the new mouse on the iMac!

  • by Tightlines55,

    Tightlines55 Tightlines55 Jul 27, 2016 6:36 PM in response to JoeHave
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Jul 27, 2016 6:36 PM in response to JoeHave

    this is exactly what happened to me today. Cleaned the desk last night mac worked fine yesterday, ofay no left click from touchpad or external mouse. Looking for diagnostics all day long I read this and immeditely start searching for my computer bag holding the wireless Apple mouse low and behold it was on and homding the button down under a stack of papers. Life saver cant believe that could happen. Watchout where the kiddos start stacking the school work when they bring it home

  • by ChrisHawkins,

    ChrisHawkins ChrisHawkins Aug 28, 2016 3:35 PM in response to JoeHave
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Aug 28, 2016 3:35 PM in response to JoeHave

    HI Joe, thank you so much!  Spent over an hour on phone to AppleCare. Diagnosed as hardware issue because problem occurred in Recovery mode etc. Did PRAM/SMC. Senior Advisor totally bemused. Booked MBP in for repair.  Then at bedtime found this article. Checked my Bluetooth Trackpad (rarely used) and found item resting on it!!!

     

    Removed item and problem solved. THANK YOU.

     

    Regards

     

    chris

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