Betty_Apple
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Macbook Pro, 10.9.3 - Mouse and trackpad erratic

Hi there

 

I am one of these "lucky" people experiencing erratic mouse and kepypad movements on my Macbook Pro. Resetting the Pram (Command (⌘), Option, P, and R) has done the job in the past but not really this time.

 

The mouse (I am using a Logitech wireless mouse) has gotten quite a bit better after resetting the Pram and after updating the Mac to the latest sofware version (10.9.3) so it is kind of managable (it still tends to drift upwards when I dont use it though), but the trackpad is pretty much unusable at the moment.

 

I really doubt there is something physically wrong with the trackpad, as it worked perfectly and stopped doing so all of a sudden together with the mouse.

 

BTW my disk space has been pretty full and I made some more space as I thought this might have been an issue...but this hasn't fixed the problem either.

 

I am really grateful for advise!

 

Thanks!

 

Betty

Posted on May 28, 2014 2:35 PM

by Linc Davis,Solvedanswer
Linc Davis Linc Davis
Level 10 (208,037 points)
Applications
A:

There are several possible causes for this issue. Please take each of the following steps that you haven't already tried until it's resolved. Some may not apply in your case.

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, such as a trackpad, mouse, trackball, or graphics tablet. A plain keyboard is not a pointing device.

3. Start up 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 restart as usual, stop here and post your results. Do the same if you can't start in safe mode. If there was no difference in safe mode, 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.

Posted on May 28, 2014 8:22 PM

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Betty_Apple

Q: Macbook Pro, 10.9.3 - Mouse and trackpad erratic

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Linc Davis,Solvedanswer

    Linc Davis Linc Davis May 28, 2014 8:22 PM in response to Betty_Apple
    Level 10 (208,037 points)
    Applications
    May 28, 2014 8:22 PM in response to Betty_Apple

    There are several possible causes for this issue. Please take each of the following steps that you haven't already tried until it's resolved. Some may not apply in your case.

    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, such as a trackpad, mouse, trackball, or graphics tablet. A plain keyboard is not a pointing device.

    3. Start up 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 restart as usual, stop here and post your results. Do the same if you can't start in safe mode. If there was no difference in safe mode, 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.

  • by Betty_Apple,

    Betty_Apple Betty_Apple May 29, 2014 2:53 AM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 29, 2014 2:53 AM in response to Linc Davis

    Dear Linc Davis

     

    Thanks so much! The very first thing I tried from your list of suggestions seems to have fixed the issue: I pressed all four corners of the trackpad down. In another forum I had read about pressing down only the upper corners, so I had tried that and it did not fix it. But with all four corners, it worked. Makes me feel a bit like saying D'oh to myself.

     

    From what I can tell mouse and trackpad are perfect for now...

     

    Thanks so much!

     

    Betty

  • by Betty_Apple,

    Betty_Apple Betty_Apple Jun 5, 2014 4:39 AM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 5, 2014 4:39 AM in response to Linc Davis

    P.S.:

     

    The problem seems to come back occasionally and even though I tried everything (except for genuis bar  - store is far away) I have not found THE solution.

     

    But rebooting with alt+cmd+p+r helps for a while. Also occasionally the prssing of the trackingpad corners seem to help.

     

    Also I think it might be related to my external DVD drive (Apple)...I have got the impression that when I plug it in, it makes it worse.

     

    I start getting the feeling it is a combination of things......

     

    So with a few tricks I can work around it and minimize the "mouse jumps", but I do not seem to be able to solve the problem longterm and completely.