macbook trackpad not working properly

This is just weird. My 2013 Macbook Pro Retina has started doing basically the opposite. This started right after the Sierra update I did just a couple weeks ago. When I have an external hdmi monitor connected the cursor will sometimes become completely erratic and even unresponsive. Completely by accident I discovered that unplugging the monitor fixed the problem ! ***?

Go step by step and test.

1. Restart

2. Shut down the computer.

Clean the trackpad with moist not wet microfiber cloth.

System Preferences > Point & Click

Try turning off three finger dragging and then turning it on after testing.

3. Is there any Bluetooth device nearby with failing batteries? If so, replace the batteries.

4. Reset PRAM: http://support.apple.com/kb/PH14222

5. 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".

6. Close all windows and quit all applications.

Click the spotlight -the magnifying glass icon- in the menu bar. Enter Disk utility in the box.

Select Disk Utility from the drop down. When the Disk utility window opens up,

select Macintosh HD, then First Aid.

Click Repair Disk Permissions button.

Ignore the time remaining estimate.

Last 1 minute may take longer.

If this does not solve the problem, you may have to take the computer to the Apple store

to have it checked out.

You may find this Apple support article useful:

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1449

Occasionally the battery which resides under the trackpad will expand, interfering with the operation. Open the bottom of the MBP and check the battery.

Ciao.

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.

to Linc Davis Oh big Thanks from me. I just bought an AC adapter(charger) not genuine one from ebay. I was having issues with moving cursor it was slow and sticky, as soon as I disconnected the charger it started working great.😮😮😮...Thanks again.🙂🙂🙂🙂

Hello Linc Davies,

I have a MacBook Pro with retinal display from 2014. My trackpad has randomly become completely unresponsive and I cannot get it to work.

I have so far tried all the steps you have recommended but it hasn't fixed the problem. Are there any other recommendation that you have or do I need to find an Apple repair man?

Cheers

Hello Linc Davies

Number 9 was the right one for me. I am on a MBP Retina 13" Late 2013 and macOS Sierra. The pointer started to have erratic movements and automatic clicks. Then this stopped but the left click would not work at all, even with an external mouse (only the right click of the mouse worked).

I tried to clean reinstall macOS but got stuck in the middle of it because I could not finish the process (at the point when you have to select you destination disc for macOS, the keyboard will not allow you to move or select anything). I was considering opening the Mac to check hardware but quite doubtful I would be able to do anything.

Then I found your post - I plugged the HDMi of the external screen I use from time to time and voila !, the left click worked again !

So, if your trackpad is not working, especially left click not working, try plugging an external display. By the way, this bug was reported 3 years ago (here) and doesn't appear to have been solved yet.

Anyway, thank you very much !!!

Philippe

Thank you!! This worked perfectly, and now other little issues I was having work better.