The trackpad on my MacBook Air is acting erratic. It highlights everything when I scroll or clicks on random links. It also keeps dragging photos across the screen. I've had my Mac for about seven months. Does any know how to correct this issue?

That little sticker (pictured) was sitting flush against the center bus on the trackpad chip. If a little drop of liquid gets in along the top of the trackpad, it can travel down the ribbon and to sticker. Add a little heat from the adjacent battery and its ink can be deposited onto the bus.

As I'm sure you've now guessed, this is what happened to me. It seemed to be causing an interference along the top of the trackpad [visible in the 'Show Live View' feature of Better Touch Tool (Freeware)].

I suspected a swollen battery, but mine was fine. The part of the battery that sits beneath the trackpad is encased in fairly thick plastic. I would be skeptical of anyone telling you its a swollen battery without you inspecting it. Removing the battery may just lower the temperature in that area, masking the symptoms.

I removed the whole ribbon cable from its ZIF connector and peeled off the stickers and took a cotton swab dampened with rubbing alcohol and swabbed the ink off the bus. The first few swabs were deep purple after swabbing. Its been over a week now, and my previously unusable computer has not had even a momentary relapse.

PRAM and SMC resets would only give me a few minutes of respite before a resurgence. And if you decide to pay to fix, you need only buy the ribbon cable and chip not the whole trackpad.

Temporary quick fix: disable trackpad in settings and use a USB mouse.

Attached: The underside of the trackpad with the user side of the computer up, trackpad ribbon cable removed

Resetting PRAM seems to have solved my issue. Thanks for posting....

I this problem too on my MBP ever since I updated Maverick. It is frustrating as it waste A LOT of my time trying to troubleshoot.... scanning for viruses using more than one virus scanner, restalling OS etc... the problem still persisting. Can Apple say something since it is affecting so many people?

Goldenrise wrote:

I this problem too on my MBP ever since I updated Maverick. It is frustrating as it waste A LOT of my time trying to troubleshoot.... scanning for viruses using more than one virus scanner, restalling OS etc... the problem still persisting. Can Apple say something since it is affecting so many people?

If you want help you have to start your own Discussion, not reply to someone else's. You will require specific guidance.

Goldenrise wrote:

I this problem too on my MBP ever since I updated Maverick. It is frustrating as it waste A LOT of my time trying to troubleshoot.... scanning for viruses using more than one virus scanner, restalling OS etc... the problem still persisting. Can Apple say something since it is affecting so many people?

Apple does not participate in these forums. The forums are user to user only. If you need your unit repaired you have to contact Apple directly either by phone or visiting an Apple store.

I took my computer to the Genius bar and learned I just needed a new trackpad! Not a software problem at all. Fixed. Thank goodness for Apple Care!

I was advised by Apple that my Macbook Pro (Jul-2012) qualifies for a replacement of the Main Logic Board (MLB) after going through the problem with them. After I brought it? to Apple authorised service centre, I was told it is the trackpad that is bad. What puzzles me is, my trackpad has been a white elephant, as I am more familiar using the mouse. It is only with the erratic movements appearing after I installed Mavericks that I realised something in wrong. The reliability of Apple products has always met my expectation. It is disappointing that the trackpad needs to be replaced so quickly. With hardware failing with normal use in such a short time, it is a real inconvenience as the replacement takes 3 - 5 working days. I may be wrong, but what appears to me is more of a mismatch of the hardward (trackpad) to Mavericks.

Eh problem is back!

I did have a tech buddy of mine say he believes the power management of mavericks may be failing components, I dunno, but a bunch of funny is going around.!

I replaced the battery again. Problem solved! Nice!

The 2nd battery replacement solved this issue for me. 🙂

I also bought a battery from Amazon and it did not fix this issue. So I bought another through another non-apple company. Now the problem is solved.

I also bought a battery from Amazon and it did not fix this issue. So I bought another through another non-apple company. Now the problem is solved.

You know, batteries purchased from third parties are often scavenged batteries, or batteries that have sat on the shelves for a while, and as such they are often not in prime condition. They are sold as "new" when they will not perform like a new battery and will wear out sooner. I'm sure there are probably some reputable dealers out there, but because of the risks, it's generally not a good idea to buy new Mac batteries from anyone other than Apple.

This happened to my MBP every now and then, and over the past week every day - especially after waking up my MBP. I press ESC and slam the pad which eases the problem, until it starts again. Then after a while it goes away.

Now, slamming the trackpad suggests a hardware problem but I am not convinced because why does it occur so erratically? It can come back any time of the day.

Factors that may weigh in: I use my MBP a lot, and there's plenty of dust around.

Hardware problems can easily be erratic. You should really get it looked at by Apple.

By the way, note that the trackpad is actually coated glass... it's tough glass, but nonetheless, "slamming" it would definitely not be recommended!

Hey, I just thought I'd put this out there. I unplugged my charger and it solved the problem. It doesn't seem to have the issue when the charger is actually charging the computer(aka it is not 100%) only when it is at 100% and I still have it plugged in.

Annoying, yes, but it works.