Brittany1439

Q: My trackpad is out of control I do not want to take anything apart is there another way to fix this ?

My trackpad is out of control I do not want to take anything apart is there another way to fix this ?

MacBook Pro, iOS 7.1.2

Posted on Aug 19, 2014 5:49 PM

Close

Q: My trackpad is out of control I do not want to take anything apart is there another way to fix this ?

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Carolyn Samit,

    Carolyn Samit Carolyn Samit Aug 19, 2014 5:51 PM in response to Brittany1439
    Level 10 (124,473 points)
    Apple Music
    Aug 19, 2014 5:51 PM in response to Brittany1439

    Clleaning might help >  How to clean Apple products

     

    Best to not try and remove hardware. You could end up with more problems then you started with.

  • by Brittany1439,

    Brittany1439 Brittany1439 Aug 19, 2014 5:53 PM in response to Carolyn Samit
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 19, 2014 5:53 PM in response to Carolyn Samit

    I Tried cleaning it with a damp cloth & a mac book cleaner but the cursor is still jumping like crazy

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Aug 19, 2014 6:06 PM in response to Brittany1439
    Level 10 (208,037 points)
    Applications
    Aug 19, 2014 6:06 PM in response to Brittany1439

    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.