miles-d

Q: I've lost control of my macbook pro's curser. The curser moves without touching the trackpad. While doing moving it around, I can't use the trackpad to control the curser. Any help?

I've lost control of my macbook pro's curser. The curser moves without touching the trackpad. While doing moving it around, I can't use the trackpad to control the curser. After restarting it works for a while before I lose control of the curser again. Any help?

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Mavericks (10.9.4)

Posted on Jul 24, 2014 8:52 AM

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Q: I've lost control of my macbook pro's curser. The curser moves without touching the trackpad. While doing moving it around, I can' ... more

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  • by Keith Barkley,

    Keith Barkley Keith Barkley Jul 24, 2014 10:32 AM in response to miles-d
    Level 5 (6,427 points)
    Jul 24, 2014 10:32 AM in response to miles-d

    Have you messed with the battery lately? On some models the battery is directly underneath the trackpad and the battery can bulge and cause this issue.

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Jul 24, 2014 11:06 AM in response to miles-d
    Level 10 (208,037 points)
    Applications
    Jul 24, 2014 11:06 AM in response to miles-d

    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.

  • by Look@menow,

    Look@menow Look@menow Jul 24, 2014 11:13 AM in response to miles-d
    Level 1 (116 points)
    Notebooks
    Jul 24, 2014 11:13 AM in response to miles-d

    Are you sure you don't have any bluetooth or external mouse that is being tampered with?