Trackpad gone crazy.

Question

Level 1

0 points

Trackpad gone crazy.

Hello,

This problem started about a month ago out of the blue and has only gotten worse since then. I have taken my MacBook Pro to the Apple Store to be looked at, however the issue never happens when they are looking at the computer. They have opened it up to look at the hardware and performed a test on the trackpad and found no results.

Problem: My trackpad is erratic and possessed - but it also does this when I am using an external USB mouse.

- Finger gestures do not work as they should (it is like it has forgotten what gestures are)

- I get stuck right clicking

- Get stuck zooming in on webpages

- Just can't move the cursor

- Can't scroll

- Cursor moves around and clicks on things

All my software is up to date. Completely shutting down the computer and turning it back on does nothing.

Hopefully someone knows the answer to this as I am getting very fustrated about being unable to use my machine and not being able to receive help from the Apple store (I have even shown them a video of the problem).

(Trying to post this question is posting a challenge, I apologzies for typos but I can't move my cursor enough to fix them)

MacBook Pro (13-inch Mid 2012), iOS 7.1

Posted on Apr 10, 2014 12:42 PM

Reply

Answer 1

dominic23

Level 10

83,910 points

Apr 10, 2014 3:45 PM in response to KaylaNF

1. Jumpy trackpad?

http://support.apple.com/kb/ts1449

2. Reset SMC. http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964

Choose the method for:

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

Reply

Answer 2

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

Apr 10, 2014 6:40 PM in response to KaylaNF

There are several possible causes for this issue. Take each of the following steps that you haven't already tried until it's resolved. Some may not be applicable.

1. Follow the instructions in this support article, and also this one, if applicable. A damaged or defective AC adapter could be the cause, even if it's the right kind.

2. Open the Bluetooth preference pane in System Preferences and delete all pointing devices other than the trackpad, if applicable. Disconnect any USB pointing devices. By a "pointing device," I mean a peripheral that moves the cursor in response to user input, such as a trackpad, mouse, trackball, or graphics tablet. A plain keyboard is not a pointing device.

3. Boot in safe mode and test, preferably without launching any third-party applications. If you don't have the problem in safe mode, but it comes back when you reboot as usual, stop here and post your results. If you can't boot in safe mode, do the same. If you booted in safe mode and there was no change, go on to the next step.

4. Reset the System Management Controller.

5. If you're using a Bluetooth trackpad, investigate potential sources of interference, including USB 3 devices.

6. A swollen battery in a portable computer can impinge on the trackpad from below and cause erratic behavior. If you have trouble clicking the trackpad, this is likely the reason. The battery must be replaced without delay.

7. Press down all four corners of the trackpad at once and release. If there's any effect, it's likely to be temporary, and the unit needs to be serviced or replaced.

8. There's a report that a (possibly defective) Thunderbolt Ethernet adapter can cause the built-in trackpad of a MacBook to behave erratically. If you're using such an adapter, disconnect it and test.

9. There's also a report of erratic cursor movements caused by an external display that was connected but not turned on.

10. If none of the above applies, or if you have another reason to think that your computer is being remotely controlled, remove it from the network by turning off Wi-Fi (or your Wi-Fi access point), disconnecting from a Bluetooth network link, and unplugging the Ethernet cable or USB modem, whichever is applicable. If the cursor movements stop at once, you should suspect an intrusion.

11. Make a "Genius" appointment at an Apple Store to have the machine and/or external trackpad tested.

Reply