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Hello all. I've been having this issue with my Macbook Pro recently. My cursor will start to move sporadically around the screen and my trackpad won't respond to any of my gestures. It'll, occasionally, function properly for a few minutes in a day, but the problem always reappears. Any suggestions or advice is much appreciated
Which model MacBook Pro do you have (e.g., "15-inch Late 2011")? It could be that you've a swollen battery that's pressing against the trackpad. If you've a USB or wireless mouse you can check to see if the behavior is still occurring when using one of those devices. If it is, it's not a swollen battery.
If you do have a swollen battery, you should get the battery replaced ASAP. It can lead to further damage that might not be so easily remedied.
Good luck,
Clinton
MacBook Pro (15-inch Late 2011), OS Mavericks 10.9.4, 16GB Crucial RAM, Crucial M500 960GB SSD, 27” Apple Thunderbolt Display
It's a 2012 Macbook Pro retina 15''
Do you have a mouse that you can test it with? If another input device will work, then it's not a battery issue although it still could be a trackpad issue.
If you don't have another input device to test the machine, your best bet would be to make an appointment at your local Apple Store so that the techs can give it a look over.
Clinton
MacBook Pro (15-inch Late 2011), OS Mavericks 10.9.4, 16GB Crucial RAM, Crucial M500 960GB SSD, 27” Apple Thunderbolt Display
Thank you very much for the help! I'll test it with my cousin's mouse and see how it goes.
That would be great. If it continues to behave erratically with a USB or wireless mouse, you'll need to go to an Apple Store or AASP to have the techs check it out.
Good luck,
Clinton
It's also possible you have a virus, and someone is controlling your trackpad. Either way, an AASP or an apple store should be able to help, but you might get more luck at an apple store
It's also possible you have a virus, and someone is controlling your trackpad.
That's just rubbish.
Clinton
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. Press down all four corners of the trackpad at once and release. If there's any effect, it's likely to be temporary, and in that case the unit must be serviced or replaced.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Reset the System Management Controller.
6. If you're using a Bluetooth trackpad or mouse, investigate potential sources of interference, including USB 3 devices.
7. 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.
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.
Macbook Pro 15" late 2011 model.
Had a very erratic pointer and the fix for me was to change my 5G WiFi channel in my Netgear Router DGND3700v1 from 36 to 157 in Australia. Suspect it was a clash with 5G Uniden wireless phones.
Why is my cursor moving erratically? Trackpad not responding for long periods of time
